Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Required Courses

• MED MD 307: Psychiatry Clerkship
  The Psychiatry Clerkship is a 6-week clinical experience in the core clerkship year. In this clerkship, students will learn skills in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders and associated behavioral health issues. Clinical and didactic experiences will focus on DSM-V diagnoses, psychopharmacology, basics of individual and group psychotherapies, and becoming an active member of a treatment team.
• MED MD 308: Family Medicine Clerkship
  The Family Medicine Clerkship is a 6-week clinical experience in the core clerkship year. In this clerkship, students will learn the knowledge, attitudes, and skills specific to Family Medicine and prepare for their future role as a physician in any specialty they pursue. The clerkship will demonstrate the importance of the family physician in providing continuous and comprehensive care to the patient and students will learn the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, interviewing skills, appropriate physical exam, and clinical problem-solving in caring for patients.
• MED MD 320: Emergency Medicine Selective
  The Emergency Medicine Selective is a 4-week clinical experience in the core clerkship year. Students will learn efficient emergency department (ED) care, including timely evaluation, management, and disposition of undifferentiated ED patients and its effect on patient safety and subsequent inpatient and ambulatory care. Students will take an active role in the initial evaluation and treatment of patients and gain exposure to a wide variety of illnesses, diagnostic approaches, treatments, and procedures.
• MED MD 321: Radiology Selective
  The Radiology Selective is a 4-week clinical experience in the core clerkship year. Students will learn the basics in radiological imaging and intervention, while getting hands on learning through observing radiologists, participating in multidisciplinary conferences, and using virtual PACS and simulation centers. The selective curriculum blends lectures and independent study, equipping students with basic essential radiology knowledge and skills for their future careers in various medical specialties.
• MED MD 322: Research Selective
  The M3 Research Selective allows third-year medical students to undertake four weeks of research for credit after approval of their application by the review committee. While many students will choose to work with BU faculty mentors, students may participate in research with non-BU faculty at other institutions. Students work as part of a team to build research skills, including study development, data collection, statistical analysis, and preparing publications. At the end of the Selective, each student submits a project summary and is evaluated by their research mentor. Students may use the time to continue research projects started earlier in their training.
• MED MD 350: Personal and Professional Development
  Personal and Professional Development
• MED MD 400: Transition to 4 year Clerkships and Sub-Internships
  Transition to 4th Year is a 1-week asynchronous non-clinical required experience students will complete prior to beginning fourth-year rotations. In this course, students will learn about the expectations of a fourth year medical student, including skills needed as a acting intern.
• MED MD 402: Clinical Anatomy
  An advanced anatomy course consisting of both guided laboratory dissection and related lectures on clinical anatomy by physicians in a variety of clinical specialties. Laboratory dissections are based on actual surgical approaches, whenever possible, and the relationship between gross anatomy and radiographic anatomy is continually emphasized. Completion of medical gross anatomy is a prerequisite of this course.
• MED MD 403: Head and Neck Anatomy and Neurobiology
  Students participating in the Anatomy and Neurobiology Head and Neck Elective will re-visit foundational content of embryology, histology, pathology, anatomy, and radiology that inform the etiology of clinical practice for disciplines involving the head and neck regions. This elective is for the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine student who is interested in coalescing basic science principles of embryology, histology, pathology, anatomy, and radiology that inform the etiology of clinical practice for disciplines involving the head and neck regions. We will do a deep dive into the following topics: Development of the face and neck; Functional anatomy and histology of mastication, deglutition, vocalization, upper tract respiration, visual gaze, and audition; Trauma and pain in the skull, orbit, ears, nose, mouth, and neck; Cancer metastasis and infection through the spaces and passageways of the head and neck. The Anatomy and Neurobiology Head and Neck Elective classroom sessions will take place in the department seminar room (L-1008) and lab sessions will be in the Anatomy Lab next door. The primary faculty will for the course will be Dr. Jonathan Wisco (course director), Dr. Ann Zumwalt (co-course director), and Professor Maryann MacNeil (co-course director). They will be joined by Anatomy and Neurobiology graduate student teaching assistants (TAs) and when, available, clinical faculty. Course information and communication will be disseminated through Blackboard Ultra. Classroom active learning session for the course will be 8 am-12 pm, with team dissections from 1-4 pm. This elective coalesces content from Principles Integrating Science, Clinical Medicine, and Equity (PISCEs) and the clerkships relating to the head and neck that will help students revisit important basic science etiological concepts in preparation for related clinical specialties before residency, particularly Primary Care, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, and Radiology. Students will work in teams to meet the learning objectives, and will be assessed for the quality of instructional content (self-learning guides, videos, and/or photogrammetry assets) created for PISCEs. In addition to learning the skill of creating succinct written and video content, students will have the opportunity to learn how to create virtual photogrammetry assets of cadaver donor anatomy that demonstrates important basic science principles of the head and neck that inform clinical practice. "
• MED MD 405: Anesthesiology
  The Anesthesiology Elective is a 4-week clinical experience. In this elective, students will learn the principles and concepts of the practice of anesthesiology and the multiple roles the anesthesiology plays both in and outside of the operative room. Students will participate in the management of patients undergoing general surgery, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic and cardiac surgery, obstetrics and gynecology procedures, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery, urologic procedures, and vascular surgery. Educational sites include the Boston Medical Center operating rooms, the pain clinic, off site imaging locations (CT/MRI), labor and delivery, and the gyncelogy procedure unit. Learning will primarily occur in the Boston Medical Center operating rooms, where medical students will be paired with residents and attending faculty. The experience will involve the perioperative evaluation and care of the surgical patient. Students will participate in the management of patients undergoing general surgery, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic and cardiac surgery, obstetrics and gynecology procedures, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery, urologic procedures and vascular surgery. Additional educational sites include the pain clinic, off site imaging locations (CT/MRI), labor and delivery and the gynecology procedure unit. On their first day students will receive an orientation from the rotation director. During the elective, medical students will attend a series of lectures and case conferences. These will serve to enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding of the field. Students will also attend Departmental Grand Rounds, held most Fridays. Logistics: 1- Students will receive a packet of information via e-mail prior to the start of the rotation. 2- Students must report to the Anesthesiology Office at 6:30 AM on the first day (or when otherwise specified) for orientation. (Location: Powerplant Building, 750 Albany St., Floor 2R) 3- Students are expected to be present for all departmental academic activities. 4- There are no call responsibilities for this rotation.
• MED MD 406: Anesthesiology Multimedia
  The Anesthesiology Multimedia is a 4-week experience focused on medical education. In this elective, students will work in the Department of Anesthesiology's multimedia laboratory, where they will become familiar with computer-assisted instruction, digital media applications for educational purposes, and image and video editing using industry standard software such as Photoshop, Premiere, and Illustrator. Students will be introduced to script development, storyboard building, instructional design, digital photography and video, and computer applications used for the creation of digital media for medical education. The materials produced in collaboration with students maylead to presentation at national meetings and publication in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. Four weeks prior to the start of the elective, the student will meet wiht the technical advisor to develop a plan of operations and a learning timeline to be followed during the elective. A 4-week elective allows students to become familiar with filming procedures, collecting digital assets, and designing computer-based educational projects. The students will learn digital photography and video editing using industry standard software such as Photoshop, Premiere, and Illustrator. The student will meet with the technical advisor 4 weeks in advance prior to the start of the elective for one hour at which time they will agree to a plan of operations and a learning timeline to be followed during the elective. The plan of operations includes an agreed upon number of work hours per week to satisfy the BUSM minimum of 40 hours per week, a description of the specific activities to be performed by the student, and the required deliverables of the rotation. Finally, in this preparatory meeting, they will also agree on completing all operational project pre-requirements to fulfill prior to the elective's start date. The multimedia elective will take place in the Department of Anesthesiology Media Laboratory. During the first few days of the rotation, the student will be trained on the specific photographic and video equipment (including cameras, computers, and software) by the technical advisor or by a senior member of the laboratory. During the elective, the student will meet with the technical advisor daily to review the project progress. Furthermore, a mid-clerkship review by the technical advisor will be performed, which will be submitted to the course director. This review will be documented, with any points for improvement relayed, and will include a statement on whether or not the student is at the expected timeline for the project. If the student is not meeting the expected timeline, then the reviewer will provide a plan (which may be as short as a statement or longer depending on the needs) on how to get the student back on the timeline if possible. If getting back on track with the project is not possible, then an alternate plan need to be defined where the student can meet project
• MED MD 410: Clinical Cardiology
  The Clinical Cardiology Elective is a 4-week clinical experience at Boston Medical Center. In this elective, students will become a member of the Cardiology Consult team comprised of a staff cardiology, a cardiology fellow, and one to three PGY-2s. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of cardiac patients and share in the responsibilities for patient evaluation, management, and disposition. This elective emphasizes the fundamentals of the cardiac examination and therapeutics. Students will learn the significance, usefulness and manner of performing special diagnostic studies including electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, exercise stress tests, holter monitors, nuclear scans and cardiac catheterizations and will apply these to patient care. Teaching activities include daily rounds with staff cardiologist, EKG reading, Cardiology Grand Rounds, and Conferences. Students are expected to develop competency in EKG reading during the rotation. By special arrangement, additional elective time can be provided for certain students with a special interest in arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, echocardiography, stress testing or clinical research." All students and residents are expected to develop competency in EKG reading offered during the rotation. By special arrangement, additional elective time can be provided for certain students with a special interest in arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, echocardiography, stress testing or clinical research. Teaching activities include: 1. Daily rounds with Staff Cardiologist 2. EKG reading 3. Cardiology Grand Rounds 4. Medical/Surgical Conference 5. Arrhythmia Conference 6. Imaging Conference 7. Research Conference 8. Cardiomyopathy Conference 9. Core Curriculum Conference
• MED MD 411: Clinical Cardiology - Kaiser San Jose
  The Cardiology Elective will expose the medical student to the field of Cardiology as practiced within an integrated multispecialty group. The rotation takes place in the Cardiology Department at Kaiser San Jose with rotations both in the clinic and hospital setting. The student will learn about the most common Cardiology conditions such as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, hypertension and congenital heart disease. Learning about various diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of various cardiac conditions such as stress testing, coronary angiography and other imaging modalities such as echocardiography, CT angiography and cardiac MRI are also part of the experience. Acquiring a general understanding of the various management options for patients with cardiac conditions, such as appropriate medical therapy, coronary percutaneous interventions, and coronary, valvular or other structural heart surgery will be imparted. Students will work closely with a faculty member to evaluate patients, perform some procedures under direct supervision and be exposed to a broad spectrum of cardiac conditions presenting to a community hospital and medical center setting. They will be assigned to one of seven attendings during the weekday hours of 8:30-5:30 pm, who will supervise them while evaluating consultations both in the outpatient and inpatient settings.
• MED MD 412: Clinical Cardiology - Santa Clara
  The Cardiology Elective will expose the medical student to the field of Cardiology as practiced within an integrated multispecialty group. The rotation takes place in the Cardiology Department at Kaiser San Jose with rotations both in the clinic and hospital setting. The student will learn about the most common Cardiology conditions such as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, hypertension and congenital heart disease. Learning about various diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of various cardiac conditions such as stress testing, coronary angiography and other imaging modalities such as echocardiography, CT angiography and cardiac MRI are also part of the experience. Acquiring a general understanding of the various management options for patients with cardiac conditions, such as appropriate medical therapy, coronary percutaneous interventions, and coronary, valvular or other structural heart surgery will be imparted.
• MED MD 415: Dermatology
  The Dermatology Elective is a 4-week clinical experience. In this elective, students will develop fundamental dermatology skills and be exposed to general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, dermatology specialty clinics, and dermatologic procedures. Students will attend ambulatory clinics, inpatient consultations, grand rounds, and didactics. Our group is comprised of attending dermatologists, dermatopathologists, procedural dermatologists, doctorate scientists, dermatology residents, international trainees, dermatopathology fellows and a skin oncology fellow. Boston University is a center of excellence in basic cutaneous biology research, skin oncology, wound healing, psoriasis, connective tissue disease, photomedicine, hair disorders, dermatologic surgery/oncology, dermatopathology and dermatology education. COMPETENCY BASED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of the dermatology elective is to provide BUSM IV students the content, functional knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, evaluate, manage and prevent common and important disorders of the integumentary system.
• MED MD 416: Dermatology (Kaiser)
  The General Dermatology Elective takes place in the Dermatology Department at Kaiser Santa Clara, Kaiser San Jose, and Kaiser Milpitas with rotations both in the clinic and hospital setting. The goal is to expose the medical student to the field of Dermatology as practiced within an integrated multispecialty group. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member to evaluate patients, perform procedures under direct supervision including Mohs surgery, contact Dermatology, pediatric Dermatology, and complex medical Dermatology and be exposed to a broad spectrum of dermatologic conditions presenting to a community hospital and medical center setting. Medical students will learn how to perform dermatology focused history and physicals, develop a methodical assessment and plan and perform supervised procedures for diagnostic testing and/or treatment of some of these patients.
• MED MD 420: Emergency Ultrasound
  The Emergency Ultrasound Elective is a 4-week clinical experience. In this elective, students will develop their ultrasound skills and gain additional exposure to patient care in the Emergency Department. The elective will provide students with the tim eand mentorship to develop advanced skills in bedside emergency ultrasound. All students will participate in designated instructional hands on sessions with an ultrasound faculty member. They will have assigned 4-hour scanning shifts where they will scan patients in the emergency department. Students will deliver a final presentation and take a final examination. Enrollment is limited to 2 students per block.
• MED MD 421: Sub-Internship: Emergency Medicine
  
• MED MD 422: Emergency Medicine - Kaiser
  
• MED MD 425: Family Medicine Internship Prep
  The Family Medicine Internship Prep Course is an opportunity for fourth year students to directly prepare for their transition from medical school to an internship in Family Medicine. Faculty and residents will lead small-group activities and simulations to review core procedural skills. These sessions will focus on key categories of Family Medicine training, including outpatient care, inpatient adult and pediatric care, and inpatient obstetric care. The expected hours will be from 9 am to 5 pm on Monday through Friday. There will be no weekend activities. The course will be taught in Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (for case-based learning) and in the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Simulation Center (for procedural sessions). There will be no direct patient contact.