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 530: Radiology Core
  Required Boston University course: The Department of Radiology offers a clinical 4-week rotation based at Boston Medical Center. The course is comprised of didactic lectures, departmental conferences, small group sessions on evidence-based imaging, case review sessions, and clinical observations in general radiology, pediatric imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, neuroradiology, abdominal and pelvic imaging, thoracic imaging, breast imaging and nuclear imaging. The course culminates in a student-facilitated departmental radiology-pathology correlation conference.
• MED MD 531: Radiation Oncology
  This elective is designed to provide an introduction to radiation oncology in the management of patients with cancer. Students will participate in the evaluation, radiation treatment planning, treatment evaluation and follow-up of patients with cancer. The role of radiation oncology in the multi-modality management of patients with cancer will be emphasized.
• MED MD 532: Interventional Radiology Elective
  The Interventional Radiology (IR) Elective is for the BUSM student to gain an immersive experience in IR.  The student will be a fully-functioning member of the Interventional Radiology team.  This rotation is designed for fourth-year students who have completed the Radiology Selective or Core Elective.  Students will build on fundamental knowledge obtained in the radiology Selective as well as draw upon clinical skills developed in other third-year rotations such as Internal Medicine and Surgery. Students will be exposed to a variety of procedures that treat disease processes from nearly every organ system. This is meant to be hands-on rotation modeled after a surgical sub-internship, and will include responsibilities such as seeing consults, rounding on inpatients, and writing H&P’s and post-procedure notes. Students will be gradually given autonomy until they can function as an independent team member and handle a small patient load (2-3 patients). The elective takes place in the Department of Radiology at Boston University Medical Center. The student will identify an attending radiologist with whom they plan to spend the majority of their elective time with as their mentor. This radiology attending will also be responsible for completing the student’s evaluation at the end of the elective rotation. Students will interact with patients, radiology technologists, residents, fellows and attending’s. Through required readings within each subspecialty, students will focus on studying on the subspecialty-specific Required Diagnoses that are assigned to each subspecialty within the Radiology elective.
• MED MD 533: Radiology Education Elective-Non-Clinical
  The 4-week Radiology Education Elective provides a fourth-year student with an opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Mikhail Higgins on various Radiology education projects as well as providing guidance on Radiology as a career choice.  As part of an ongoing focus on exposing medical students to Radiology at an early stage of training, students have been involved in various projects such as the collaboration and development of an interactive anatomy website for physician assistant training programs. Fourth-year elective students have also been collaborating with Dr. Higgins in the development of a website for teaching breast imaging concepts at the medical student level. Currently, students are working with Radiology residents to input cases into the website and, in the future, students will provide feedback on design and content elements.  As a result of the wide exposure BU medical students receive to Radiology early in their training, BUSM has continued to have a high rate of interest in Radiology as a career. Each student is expected to follow the Radiology Elective daily schedule which will be distributed and available on Blackboard. Each student will meet with Dr. Higgins, the Radiology education mentor, to review the weekly milestones. The student is expected to research the content area for an educational project and give a final presentation (e.g., lecture/seminar/workshop, small group facilitation, instructional materials, online presentation, and/or medical education manuscript abstract proposed for publication). In addition, the Radiology Education elective student will take the final exam by the end of the elective to receive credit and a grade. The Radiology Education elective takes place in the Department of Radiology at Boston University Medical Center. Elective students are expected to follow the Radiology Elective daily schedule which will be distributed and available on Blackboard. The location for the educational elective is within the Breast Imaging area alongside mentor, Dr. Higgins. However, if there is another area of interest within Radiology, elective students may work within that area but focusing on instructions from Dr. Higgins.
• MED MD 534: Radiology Research Elective
  "The Radiology Research Elective is for the BU Medical student to gain experience with the initiation and completion of a clinical and/or basic science research project.  After completion of this elective, the student will gain an understanding of the process of research and the completion of these projects. The student will join a supervising Radiology 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 the 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 findings of the various radiologic cases. 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 research activities Monday through Friday. "
• MED MD 535: Body Imaging
  The Radiology Elective is for the BUSM student to gain a deeper experience in a limited number of areas in radiology, based on their particular interests. This could include a variety of imaging modalities such as general radiology, CT, MRI, or ultrasound. Elective students will build upon the fundamental knowledge obtained in the general radiology Selective to better understand radiology’s role in the care of patients and to practice with image and radiologic report interpretation in their selected areas. In addition, elective students will become familiar with radiologic study selection to best answer specific clinical questions and imaging study acquisition from both the technical and patient perspectives. Course Electives include: Neuroradiology , Pediatric Radiology, Body Imaging, Breast Imaging, Musculoskeletal Imaging The elective takes place in the Department of Radiology at Boston University Medical Center. At the beginning of the elective, the student will identify an attending radiologist with whom they plan to spend the majority of their elective time with as their mentor. This radiology attending will also be responsible for completing the student’s evaluation at the end of the elective rotation. Elective students are expected to follow the Radiology Elective daily schedule which will be distributed and available on Blackboard. Through clinical observation in the imaging suites and radiology reading room, elective students will interact with patients, radiology technologists, residents, fellows and attending. Through required readings within each subspecialty, students will focus on studying on the subspecialty-specific Required Diagnoses that are assigned to each subspecialty within the Radiology elective.
• MED MD 536: Breast Imaging
  The Radiology Elective is for the BUSM student to gain a deeper experience in a limited number of areas in radiology, based on their particular interests. This could include a variety of imaging modalities such as general radiology, CT, MRI, or ultrasound. Elective students will build upon the fundamental knowledge obtained in the general radiology Selective to better understand radiology’s role in the care of patients and to practice with image and radiologic report interpretation in their selected areas. In addition, elective students will become familiar with radiologic study selection to best answer specific clinical questions and imaging study acquisition from both the technical and patient perspectives. Course Electives include: Neuroradiology , Pediatric Radiology, Body Imaging, Breast Imaging, Musculoskeletal Imaging The elective takes place in the Department of Radiology at Boston University Medical Center. At the beginning of the elective, the student will identify an attending radiologist with whom they plan to spend the majority of their elective time with as their mentor. This radiology attending will also be responsible for completing the student’s evaluation at the end of the elective rotation. Elective students are expected to follow the Radiology Elective daily schedule which will be distributed and available on Blackboard. Through clinical observation in the imaging suites and radiology reading room, elective students will interact with patients, radiology technologists, residents, fellows and attending. Through required readings within each subspecialty, students will focus on studying on the subspecialty-specific Required Diagnoses that are assigned to each subspecialty within the Radiology elective.
• MED MD 537: Musculoskeletal Imaging
  
• MED MD 545: Medical Care of the Surgical Patient
  The elective is designed to provide an opportunity for the student interested in a surgical or medical career to gain experience in the management of medical problems in the surgical patient. Students spend one month on the Medical Consult Service and work under the direct supervision of two senior medical residents and the medical attending. He/she will actively participate in completing inpatient consultations including generation of management plans, daily work rounds and twice a week didactic sessions. The student is expected to work Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. There is no overnight call. The student will also participate in two half-day sessions per week in the Pre-Procedure Clinic, located in Shapiro Lower Level, where patients scheduled for elective surgery are assessed by providers from both Surgery and Anesthesia departments. Students considering surgery including orthopedics, anesthesia, or internal medicine careers have found this elective valuable. The interactions of medical and surgical illness are complex and may complicate management in the perioperative period. Many questions commonly arise. What are the risks of surgery and general anesthesia in patients with a given set of medical illnesses? What are the predictors of these risks? Can they be reduced by preoperative measures? How should medical problems be managed before and after surgery? What complications might be expected? It is hoped at the conclusion of this elective, the student will have an appreciation of how medical problems in the perioperative period should be approached diagnostically and therapeutically. The Medicine Consult service is also the primary care team for patients admitted to Boston Medical Center with acute hip fractures, as the patients have many medical comorbidities that make their preoperative and postoperative management challenging. Students should contact the Medicine Consult service director, Dr. Henry Trier, via email (Henry.Trier@bmc.org) in the week prior to starting service for more information as well as link to educational supplemental materials. A core syllabus of articles from the medical, surgical and obstetrical literature relevant to medical consultation is available and should be picked up from the coordinator one week prior to beginning the rotation.
• MED MD 546: Sub-Internship: Surgical Intensive Care Unit
  Fourth year medical students are eligible to participate in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit elective at Boston Medical Center. This can be a one or two month elective which will be spent at the Menino Pavilion surgical intensive care unit. Students will be active members of the team and will participate in daily rounds and will be responsible for presenting in detail, all patients whom they have called on previously. He/she will defend the therapy initiated and propose a comprehensive treatment plan. Additionally, the student will participate in all procedures performed in the surgical intensive care unit. The Section on Critical Care offers daily teaching rounds as well as didactic lectures. It is hoped at the conclusion of this elective the student will have an appreciation of the problems and care of the critically ill patient.
• MED MD 547: Surgery Internship Prep Course
  "In this elective, 4th year medical students are given the opportunity to delve deeper into the surgical management of patients. This rotation is for individuals who are going into general surgery or a surgical subspecialty, and is designed to prepare them for their internship. This rotation will expose students to crucial concrete knowledge and technical skills important for a surgical internship as well as for a surgical career. It includes focused didactic lectures, hands-on skills laboratory, a mock pager experience, and focused rotations; these activities are all designed to augment a student’s exposure to real-life scenarios one would expect in a surgical internship and beyond. "
• MED MD 548: Sub-Internship: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  The elective in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery will consist of a two week period with exposure to general plastic surgery with an emphasis on the aesthetic aspects of the field. This will provide the student with a broad basis in the area of elective plastic surgery. All arrangements for electives must be made through the Medical Student Coordinator at Boston Medical Center.
• MED MD 549: Sub-Internship: Colon and Rectal Surgery
  The Fourth Year Sub-internship is a 4 week course in Colon and Rectal Surgery designed to immerse the 4th year student in all aspects of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Boston Medical Center. This rotation will provide students with the basic components of colon and rectal disorders and surgeries and the care of patients with these disorders. The student will be an integral part of the surgical team in the inpatient unit, the operating room, and the surgical clinic. The acquisition of knowledge and skills in the care of the colorectal patient will be conducted in the following setting and activities. Colon and Rectal surgery clinic – Shapiro 6th floor 1. evaluation of new and established patients 2. follow-up of medically and surgically treated patients 3. assist in basic endoscopy including anoscopy and proctoscopy 4. assist in office procedures such as drainage of abscesses, excision of thrombosed MASernal hemorrhoids and tags, rubber band ligation 5. assist in wound care 6. assist in ostomy care Emergency department – as above Surgical inpatient service – comprehensive perioperative management The 4th year student will be an integral part of the surgery team on the inpatient units, outpatient clinic, and in the operating room during the 4-week sub-internship. The student will function as acting interns responsible for the evaluation and continued management of their own patients, under the direct supervision of the attending physicians, residents and physician assistants. Specifically, the student will take on the management of at least three new patients each week, and will assume primary responsibility for the care of these patients, with appropriate supervision. In addition, the student will be expected to do the following: perform initial history and physicals, write orders, assist in coordinating care, assist with or perform supervised procedures as applicable and appropriate for the sub-intern, present cases, use evidence-based medicine principles to help guide patient care, participate in teaching sessions, and take at least 2 weekend calls during the 4 week rotation alongside residents and attending physicians. With supervision, the student will also perform or assist procedures as appropriate to educational level and patient safety including venipuncture, IV line placement, arterial blood gas, foley catheter placement, nasogastric tube insertion, preparing and draping for surgery, assisting with surgery, and closure of surgical wounds. All Sub-I activities will be performed under appropriate supervision which can include attendings, residents, APP’s or other qualified individuals on the Service.
• MED MD 550: Sub-Internship: Minimally Invasive Surgery
  The minimally invasive surgery elective at Boston University Medical Center is a combined clinical and research program with a strong focus in laparoscopic bariatric surgery and additional experience in laparoscopic foregut, endoscopic and robotic surgery.  The elective is four weeks in duration and is designed to develop the surgical, educational and research skills of the medical student.  The goals of the elective include: 1. Provide exceptional care for surgical patients 2. Learn pre-operative and post-operative management of bariatric surgery 3. Obtain introductory training in minimally invasive surgery with special focus in bariatric surgery
• MED MD 551: Sub-Internship: Orthopaedic Surgery
  The Orthopaedic Sub-I will take place at the Boston Medical Center at both the inpatient and outpatient setting that comprises of six total subspecialties: -Orthopaedic Trauma – Fracture Care -Hand and Elbow Surgery Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery Foot and Ankle The Sub-I will have the option to choose which subspecialty will fit their clinical interest and career goals. Please go to https://www.bumc.bu.edu/orthopaedics/ to read about the description of each specific subspecialty. The Sub-I on the Orthopaedic service will be responsible for the following: 1. Assist in the care for patients in the emergency room, clinics and operating room whom have orthopedic injuries. 2. Learn the preoperative and postoperative management of patients undergoing orthopedic procedures. 3. Learn how to evaluate patients in the clinic setting including taking pertinent orthopaedic history and performing an appropriate physical examination. 4. Obtain introductory training in orthopedic procedures such as casting, splinting, joint aspirations, wound closure, wound management, management of wound vacs, management of MASernal fixation devices, principles of surgical stabilization of fractures and basics in arthroplasty and spine fixation. 5. Function as a Acting-Intern with responsibilities commensurate with this educational requirement: 1.0 Function as acting intern responsible for the evaluation and continued anagement of patients under supervision of residents and attendings. 2. As part of the care team, will perform initial H&Ps, assist in coordinating care, assist with or perform supervised procedures appropriate for the sub-intern, present cases, use evidence-based medicine principles to help guide patient care, etc. 3. All Sub-I will be required to present a 12 min talk on the 3rd weds of the month during grand rounds on a case or topic of interest. 3 mins for questions at the end. 4. It is expected that the Sub-I will prepare for every single OR case by obtaining the patient history, indications for surgery, anatomy, surgical approach, steps to the procedure, and read two pertinent articles related to each case. 5. It is expected that the Sub-I will read daily, on the consults seen in the ED, patients seen in clinic the OR cases. Sub-I will meet with their respective supervisor and the senior resident on service for the subspecialty at the beginning, 2weeks, and at the end of the month for formal feedback
• MED MD 552: Sub-Internship: Cardiac Surgery
  The rotation takes place at Boston Medical Center. Student will be part of the cardiac surgery team and expected to be involved in the day-to-day clinical care. Student will be working directly with the cardiac surgeons and physician assistants with goal to gain gradual comfort and supervised independency with basic surgical skills and management of cardiac surgery in the preoperative and postoperative setting as well as in the clinic.
• MED MD 553: Surgery Subspecialty
  The Surgical Subspecialty clerkship is a four-week rotation that consists of two two-week sessions in two different surgical specialties.  Students will provide their preferences for specialties to the Surgical Education coordinator, and will be assigned to two specialties based on availability.  The different surgical sessions and individual learning objectives are described below. Cardiac Surgery (BMC) Neurosurgery (BMC) Ophthalmology (BMC) Orthopedics (BMC) Otolaryngology (BMC) Plastic Surgery (BMC) Thoracic Surgery (BMC) Urology (BMC)
• MED MD 554: Sub-Internship: Thoracic Surgery
  The thoracic surgery service sees a high volume of patients with chest disease, and performs a broad range of procedures related to the thoracic cavity including, but not limited to thoracotomy, thoracoscopy, bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, pulmonary wedge resection, lobectomy, pneumonectomy, endoscopy, esophageal stenting, esophageal myotomy, esophagectomy, hiatal hernia repair, antireflux surgery, etc. The service cares for a number of postoperative patients, and frequently consults on patients with complex needs on other services. Due to the nature of thoracic disease, patients can be quite ill during the perioperative and postoperative period. The sub-intern student will be an integral part of the thoracic surgery team in the operating room, inpatient unit, and outpatient clinic at Boston Medical Center during this 4-week sub-internship experience. Students will be responsible for evaluation and management of their own patients under the direct supervision of attending surgeons and residents, and will care for at least three new patients per week, performing histories and physicals, coordinating care, etc. They will perform procedures as appropriate, including venipuncture, IV placement, arterial blood gas, foley catheter placement, nasogastric tube insertion, bronchoscopy, thoracostomy, and closure of surgical wounds, all under appropriate supervision. The sub-intern will also take call with the surgical team on a regular schedule. As Boston University is a teaching program, students will also have the opportunity to enhance their teaching skills by assisting in the education of clerkship students in the operating room as well as the inpatient and outpatient settings. The goals for the rotation include: · Assist in the care for acute and chronic disease seen in these surgical patients, as evaluated and managed by the service · Learn pre-operative and post-operative management of patients undergoing thoracic procedures · Obtain introductory training in thoracic surgery procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, thoracentesis, chest tube placement/management/removal, etc · Function as a sub-intern with responsibilities commensurate with this educational requirement: o Function as acting interns responsible for the evaluation and continued management of their own patients, under the direct supervision of the attending physicians and residents. o Care for at least three new patients per week, and possibly more depending on the opportunities for patient care. o As part of patient care you will be expected to do the following: perform initial history and physicals, write orders, assist in coordinating care, assist with or perform supervised procedures as applicable and appropriate for the sub-intern, present cases, use evidence-based medicine principles to help guide patient care, participate in teaching sessions, and take call alongside residents and attending physicians. Students should report to morning rounds at the thoracic surgery workroom on Menino 3rd floor IMCU (near patient bed 30)
• MED MD 555: Sub-Internship: Acute Care and Trauma Surgery
  The Trauma and Acute Care surgery elective at Boston Medical Center is clinical program with a strong focus on management of acute general surgical disease and the multimodal and multidisciplinary management of traumatic injury. The elective is four weeks in duration and is designed to develop the complex peri-, intra-, and post- operative decision making and basic open and laparoscopic surgical skills of the medical student.  The goals of the elective include: 1. Provide exceptional care for surgical patients 2. Develop pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative management strategies in acute general surgical and traumatic surgical maladies 3. Develop an understanding of co-morbid medical conditions that can influence surgical decision making.
• MED MD 556: Comprehensive General Surgery