Oral Biology
Doctor of Science in Oral Biology
This program is designated for students who wish to pursue an academic or research oriented career. It is an advanced science degree program focusing on basic physical, biological, and clinical sciences relevant to the advancement of Oral Medicine. The student is able to select areas of research interest from a number of research programs ongoing in the various departments of the School of Graduate Dentistry.
The program is designed for individuals with strong interests in a basic science education. While similar to a PhD program, the DSc program is specially suited for dentists by taking into account their previous educational experience in biological sciences. The Doctor of Science degree is offered singularly or combined with a specialty. Candidates with non-clinical degrees (BS or MS) may also be accepted into the program. Admission into the program of all candidates is based on academic record and professional experience.
The student is required to fully participate in the research activities of the advisor’s laboratory learning experimental approaches by carrying out specific research protocols related to a dissertation project. In addition to learning appropriate techniques, students are taught how to devise research strategies to answer specific questions, relate the strategy to previous studies and analyze the resulting data, and develop a protocol to test it. Furthermore, he/she should be capable of writing a well-developed manuscript and grant application. Upon completion of the Doctor of Science Degree, it is anticipated that the student will have acquired the essential skills to pursue an academic career and is qualified for a junior faculty position. Attainment of the DSc or DScD degree requires a minimum of three years.
Doctor of Science without CAGS
Students enrolled in the Doctor of Science degree program without a specialty have a time commitment of at least 3 years. During their first year, in consultation with a faculty advisor, the student selects and participates in related didactic courses. Courses may be selected from courses offered by the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry postdoctoral program, by the Medical and Dental Sciences program, or by other schools at Boston University. Final approval of courses selected is given by the chairman of the department in which the candidate is enrolled. During the second and third year no, or only minimal, didactic courses are required. The thrust of the second and third year is to conduct and complete the research. In most cases the dissertation and/or manuscripts will be designed so that it can be completed in three years.
Doctor of Science combined with CAGS
Students enrolled in the combined Doctor of Science/CAGS program have a time commitment of at least 3 years in the research program portion and 2 or 3 years in the clinical program depending on the specialty. The entire program will take 5 or 6 years and may follow a sequential or integrated pattern depending on the area of specialization and background of the candidate.
Master’s of Science in Oral Biology
This program can normally be completed in two years and is comprised of selected didactic courses and basic science laboratory research.
The following curriculum comprises the core of the oral biology program. Course selection is contingent on the student’s program of study.
Curriculum
Year 1
- SDM OB 761 Oral Microbiology 1 cr, 2nd sem.
- SDM OB 763 Basic Processes in Oral Biology 4 cr, 1st sem and 2nd sem
- SDM OB 767 Oral Immunology
- SDM OB 850 Oral Biology Journal Club 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem..
- GMS BI 751 A1 Biochemistry and Morphology 6 cr, 1st sem.
- SDM OB 991 Research: Oral Biology 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
Year 2
- SDM OB 852 Oral Biology Journal Club 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM OB 992 Research: Oral Biology 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
Application Information
MSD, DSc, DScD programs
PhD Program
A PhD in Oral Biology is offered by the Division of Oral Biology in the Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. The Program in Oral Biology recruits students with backgrounds in the life and basic sciences that are interested in additional advanced training in dental and medical sciences. The aim of this program is to educate students in modern scientific approaches to oral biology and oral disease. The program is designed for the student whose primary goal is to pursue a career in oral biology research. The oral cavity is unique regarding its microbiology, connective tissue structures, and host responses. Moreover, oral diseases present unsolved scientific challenges and novel biological phenomena. The importance of understanding the oral biology of diseases whose incidence and severity increase with age is clearly understood within the context of current demographic trends. Applications are handled by the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences at the School of Medicine. The PhD program requires a minimum of five years of study. Click here to access information about this program on the School of Medicine’s website. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Philip Trackman, trackman@bu.edu, or Dr. Frank Oppenheim, fropp@bu.edu, at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
Students are scheduled in the clinic or in preclinical exercises five days a week for a total of 40 hours.
During the first semester of the first year, emphasis is placed on the preclinical exercises and biomedical science classes. Students are in preclinical exercises from 9 a.m.–5 p.m every day. Classes are held either before clinic from 8 a.m.–9 a.m. or after clinic from 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m.
Starting the second semester of the first year, the actual clinic hours increase and students are scheduled in the clinic from 9 a.m.-5 p.m five days a week. Classes are held either before clinic from 8 a.m.–9 a.m. or after clinic from 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m.
Curriculum
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
Year 1
- SDM PR 750 Preclinical Restorative 1 cr, 1st sem
- SDM OP 803 Seminar: Operative Dentistry 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM OP 807 Preclinical Technique 1 cr, 1st sem.
- SDM OP 912 Clinical Operative Dentistry I 6 cr, 2nd sem.
- SDM OS 761 Medical Concerns of the Dental Patient 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM OS 828 Anxiety and Pain Control. 1 cr, 2nd sem.
- SDM OS 831 Head and Neck Anatomy 1 cr, 1st sem.
- SDM PA 801 Oral Pathology 2 cr, 2nd sem.
- SDM PE 764 Current Concepts in Periodontology 1 cr, 1st sem.
- SDM PE 827 Applied Dental Pharmacology 1 cr, 2nd sem.
- SDM PE 830 Applications of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology 1 cr, 2nd sem.
- SDM PH 763 Bioethics and Law 1 cr, 1st sem.
- SDM PR 761 Occlusion 2 cr, 1st sem.
- SDM PR 809 Prosthodontics Seminar and Literature Review 1 cr 1st sem.
- SDM PR 810 Case Presentation and Patient Care Conference 1 cr, 2nd sem.
- SDM PR 813 Literature Review in General Dentistry 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM PR 825 Postdoctoral Biomaterials 4 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM PR 828 Esthetic Dentistry 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM PR 844 Implantology Literature Review 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM PR 845 Implantology Topics 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
- SDM EN 820 Endodontics and Pulpal Therapy for the General Practitioner 1 cr 1st sem.
- SDM PH 803 Biostatistics 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
Year 2
At the discretion of the Program Director and/or Department Chair, research students may participate in clinical activities during their research years.
