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 459: Outpatient Clinical Neurology: Sleep Medicine and Cognitive Disorders
  This elective is for the BUSM student to provide students with a broad exposure to the neurological subspecialty of Sleep medicine. During this 4-week elective, students will participate in different clinical activities with Sleep sub-specialists. During this elective, students will learn to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients with different Sleep-related disorders.
• MED MD 460: Outpatient Clinical Neurology: Epilepsy
  This elective is for the BUSM student to provide students with a broad exposure to the neurological subspecialty of Epilepsy. During this 2-week elective, students will participate in different clinical activities with Epilepsy sub-specialists. During this elective, students will learn to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients with different Epilepsy disorders such as generalized seizures, focal seizures, as well as managing AEDs.
• MED MD 461: Neurosurgery
  Fourth year students electing Neurosurgery will have an opportunity to make daily ward rounds with an attending neurosurgeon, perform clinical examinations, discuss differential diagnosis and diagnostic procedures. Under direct supervision, the student may participate in patient management and follow up. The student will also have the opportunity to review and learn about the interpretation of different diagnostic tests, such as angiograms, CT and MRI of the central nervous system. The student will be able to attend and participate in weekly neurosurgical teaching conferences. Ongoing research projects within the department are available to stimulate the student's academic interest. In the operating room, the student will be instructed about the duties of a surgical assistant and will be exposed to the surgical anatomy of the brain and spine. The student will also be encouraged to evaluate the patients post-operatively, especially in the setting of the intensive care unit.
• MED MD 462: Neurology Research (Non-Clinical Elective)
  The student will join a supervising Neurology faculty mentor for a research project that is organized prior to the start of the elective and approved by the elective subcommittee of the medical school. The student will work as a member of the team with the principal investigator and/or other junior investigators. The student will spend his/her time performing some or all of study research, study development, IRB submission, study planning and data collection, data analysis, and study write up. A thorough written summary of the student's progress and/or accomplishments will also be performed. The student will also attend various conferences focused on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with general neurologic disease. Emphasis is placed on developing skill in performance of research techniques, with particular focus on development of research ideas, IRB creation and submission, data collection and analysis, and manuscript creation. Students are expected to participate in all service activities Monday through Friday. Weekend responsibilities or evening call is not required.
• MED MD 463: Neurocritical Care
  This elective is for the BUSM student to provide students with a broad exposure to the field of neurocritical care. Students will learn how to approach the diagnosis, work-up, initial emergent management and long-term care of critically ill patients with neurological illness.
• MED MD 464: Mixed Neurology
  This elective is for the BUSM student to provide students with a broad exposure to the field of outpatient neurology based on the students' areas of interest. During this 4-week elective, students may choose to take 2 different 2-week outpatient rotations through different neurology sub-specialties to learn and further explore their interests. Sub-specialty options include movement disorders, pain, sleep/cognitive, epilepsy, or neuromuscular.
• MED MD 465: Outpatient Clinical Neurology: Neuromuscular
  This elective is for the BUSM student to provide students with a broad exposure to the neurological subspecialty of neuromuscular medicine. During this 2-week elective, students will participate in different clinical activities with neuromuscular sub-specialists. During this elective, students will learn to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients with different neuromuscular disorders.
• MED MD 466: Neuroradiology
  
• MED MD 467: Sub-Internship: Neurosurgery
  The neurosurgery sub-internship is designed to immerse the student in neurological surgery, a specialty focused on the identification and treatment of neurological disorders managed surgically. The student will be an integral part of the neurosurgery team at Boston Medical Center (BMC) working in the operating room, inpatient unit, surgical ICU, emergency department and outpatient clinics during this 4-week sub-internship experience under the direct supervision and mentorship of neurosurgery faculty, residents, NPPs and fellows. All students are welcome to take this course and those who plan to apply for Neurosurgery residency should prioritize this course over other Neurosurgery electives.
• MED MD 470: Breastfeeding Medicine
  The Breastfeeding Medicine elective's first week is composed of an independent study module (the Wellstart lactation curriculum) along with other relevant lactation resources and readings. During the remaining three weeks of the elective, the student will apply their knowledge in lactation clinics, breastfeeding classes, and new mother support groups in the community. This elective is expected to be 40 hrs/week for 4 weeks. This elective will benefit any future physician who expects to care for breastfeeding mothers and their infants in any capacity. While students destined for OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, or Family Medicine are a natural audience for this information, any medical student who desires greater knowledge and confidence in management of breastfeeding problems will benefit from this elective. The student will be required to obtain preceptor signoff and feedback on their assessment and management of specific breastfeeding problems. The student will also keep a portfolio of written journal entries documenting all patient encounters, as well as narrative reflections on outpatient learning experiences. The student will also identify a research question based on a patient encounter, search out answers to this question in the current literature, and create an evidence-based case presentation. The student will present this case at the OB/Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine noon conference during the rotation.
• MED MD 471: Sub-Internship: Inpatient Gynecology
  The student participates as a subintern in all aspects of the inpatient and ambulatory gynecology service, assisting in minor and major gynecologic surgical procedures and following patients post-operatively.
• MED MD 472: Sub-Internship: Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  The student works with the Maternal Fetal Medicine and resident staff caring for high-risk pregnant patients, in both ambulatory and in-patient settings. The student will function as an acting intern for patients on the ante partum service. The student will attend the high risk prenatal clinics and spend one day per week on the labor floor. They will attend conferences run by the High Risk Department; additionally the student is expected to present at a MFM Thursday noon conference. To receive honors in the clerkship the student will write a paper or create a teaching tool for clerkship students.
• MED MD 473: Substance Use Disorder in Pregnancy
  The student works with the Obstetric and Addiction Medicine staff caring for high-risk pregnant patients, in an ambulatory setting. The student will have significant outpatient supervised clinical responsibility for the pharmacologic management of chemical dependency during pregnancy, participating in all aspects of antenatal and post-partum care. Pregnancies complicated by substance use disorder including opioids, cocaine and alcohol will be the focus of this elective. Each student is expected to complete a supervised, scholarly clinical presentation during this rotation.
• MED MD 475: Obstetrics and Gynecology Internship Prep Course
  The intern readiness course allows students apply into OBGYN to refresh their knowledge and skills prior to starting residency. This is an invaluable opportunity to review the basics and start the process of preparing for their new role as interns. Students will have access to faculty members of many subspecialities and have the opportunity through these interactions to learn more about what residency will be like and how they will manage it. This elective is held at Boston Medical Center and BUCASM. Simulation sessions will include hands on simulation in the Solomont Simulation center or the Department of OBGYN. Didactic sessions will be held in the Solomont Simulation center or the Department of OBGYN. One course is held in the anatomy lab at BUCASM. Individual self- study time that will be done independently. Students are also invited to our departmental Grand Rounds and M&M on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 am that are held remotely via Teams. The students will receive an email introducing the course and a welcome/orientation session by the course director at the start of the elective. The course will occur daily from 9 am to 4 pm with a lunch break. An OBGYN Department or BUCASM Faculty member will facilitate each session. Students will complete the APGO prep for residency assessment at the start of the elective. They are assigned pre reading for many of the sessions and other activities including practice dictation that they will submit to their course facilitator. Simulations include but are not limited to cesarean section, Bartholin’s gland I&D, ovarian cystectomy, hysteroscopy, Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS), circumcision, ultrasound, labor skills, IUD insertion, D&C, vaginal laceration repair, and tubal ligation. Students will also gain insight into different career pathways in OBGYN including contact with faculty in subspecialities including Addiction Medicine, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Minimally Invasive Gyn surgery, Complex Family Planning, Gyn Oncology. The OBGYN Chair and OBYN Residency Program Director also participate to allow students time to ask questions about training and a career in OBGYN.
• MED MD 480: Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Care
  This elective is based at Boston Medical Center and the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. The student will participate in outpatient activities of the core faculty members including surgical oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology clinics. Students will also participate in the operative management of breast cancer patients as assistants in the operating room. Exposure to breast imaging technology and interpretation, breast cancer pathology interpretation, and genetics will be incorporated through sessions in those disciplines. In addition, select newly diagnosed patients will be identified at the beginning of the elective and the student will follow those patients to all consultations and treatments. Students will be expected to participate in weekly multidisciplinary breast tumor board including preparing and presenting case presentations for discussion with direct faculty guidance. Students will be exposed to early breast cancer, locoregionally advanced breast cancer, and metastatic breast cancer, gaining an appreciation for the full spectrum of presentation. Integration of expertise from all disciplines will be emphasized. Landmark clinical trials in breast cancer will be reviewed and discussed through a program of assigned reading and discussion with faculty. This is primarily an outpatient elective with rare select inpatient activities. The student will be expected to participate in clinical activities on all weekdays during the elective. There will be no weekend responsibilities.
• MED MD 481: Clinical Hematology/Oncology
  The course in clinical hematology/oncology is designed to prepare students to evaluate and manage hematologic and oncologic disorders. The student will be exposed to patients both in the ambulatory and inpatient hospital setting. He/She will be expected to participate in the initial evaluation of in-patient consultations. In addition, they will have the opportunity to work with an attending physician in at least one outpatient Hematology or Oncology clinical activity per week. The student will be instructed in the technique of performing a bone aspiration and biopsy. In addition considerable time will be spent with the attending interpreting both peripheral blood and bone marrow smears. The student will also attend the weekly clinical and research conferences, which will afford him/her an exposure to the scholastic activities of the section.
• MED MD 482: Ambulatory Hematology and Oncology
  This 2-week elective provides an immersive and educational experience in ambulatory hematology/oncology. This will allow students to explore interest in the field and apply their knowledge in a clinical setting. Student will gain experience in the outpatient care of patients with hematology and oncology conditions. Students will participate in the initial diagnosis and workup, treatment selection, and monitoring of patients during treatment. There will also be opportunities to attend educational meetings, including disease-specific tumor boards, joint BMC/VA case conference, and the rise and shine morning lecture series.
• MED MD 485: Sub-Internship: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  This elective provides an intense learning experience for students interested in a career in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and for others with specific interest in head and neck cancer, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, allergy involving the nose and sinuses, and the auditory system. Students observe and work with faculty and residents in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the Boston Medical Center. Approximately half of the time is devoted to learning how to evaluate and treat ambulatory outpatients with otolaryngologic disorders. The other half of the time is spent observing and assisting in the operating room and evaluating hospitalized patients. Students are expected to attend weekly teaching conferences including Friday morning case conference, Pathology conference, Radiology conference, Audiology conference, Tumor Board conference, and structured Wednesday afternoon didactic lectures. Student Responsibilities - Fourth year medical students are required to do the following: 1. Be present and on time for clinics, rounds, surgeries, conferences 2. Acquire specified knowledge and skills (as delineated in "Otolaryngology Student Knowledge/ Skills Checklist") 3. Assist residents in providing patient care 4. Prepare and present an eight minute PowerPoint presentation on a chosen topic. Participation, Expectations of Performance, and Grading The Department of Otolaryngology uses elements adapted from the ACGME Residency Review Committee Guidelines for General Competencies in Medical Education as a basis for student evaluations. Because the clinical rotation can be considered an opportunity to begin learning skills that a medical school graduate will be expected to acquire, we shall judge student performance in the categories of the six ACGME1 competencies listed below: 1. Patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health programs and the promotion of health 2. Medical Knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and cognate sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care 3. Practice-based learning and improvement that involves the investigation and evaluation of care for their patients, the appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence, and improvements in patient care 4. Interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and other health professionals; 5. Professionalism, as manifested through a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to patients of diverse backgrounds; 6. Systems-based practice, as manifested by actions that demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger contMAS and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.
• MED MD 486: Research Elective in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  This elective is designed for students willing to take the initiative and devote time to planning, investigating, and implementing an independent study that will culminate in preparation of a manuscript for publication in a peer reviewed medical journal. The student is required to meet with Dr. Levi two months prior to beginning the elective to review potential projects and arrange a mentor. Although most projects should be designed for completion within the four week elective, students may need to devote additional time to complete the independent study project after conclusion of the one month elective rotation. Students who have taken this elective have had high success at having completed projects presented at a national Otolaryngology meeting and subsequently published.
• MED MD 487: Advanced Otolaryngology
  This elective provides an intense learning experience for students interested in a career in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and for others with specific interest in head and neck cancer, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, allergy involving the nose and sinuses, and the auditory system. Students observe and work with faculty and residents in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the Boston Medical Center. Approximately half of the time is devoted to learning how to evaluate and treat ambulatory outpatients with otolaryngologic disorders. The other half of the time is spent observing and assisting in the operating room and evaluating hospitalized patients. Students are expected to attend weekly teaching conferences including Friday morning case conference, Pathology conference, Radiology conference, Audiology conference, Tumor Board conference, and structured Wednesday afternoon didactic lectures.