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.

• GMS MI 701: Concepts in Virology
  The goals of this course are to provide a fundamental understanding of virus molecular biology. The course will build on prior understanding of mammalian cellular and molecular biology and will follow the replication cycle of animal viruses, focusing in detail on the molecular mechanisms underlying viral replication. The course will examine key concepts in molecular virology, including virus structure, how viruses can attach and enter cells, express and replicate their genomes, take advantage of the host cell translation machinery, and package and release virus progeny. There will also be lectures on antivirals and how viruses can be manipulated and used as tools. The course will be aimed towards first year Ph.D. students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and taught by Microbiology Department faculty with expertise in virology. The content will include a combination of PowerPoint presentations and discussion of primary research papers. Reading materials will include primary literature and suggested review articles. Students will be evaluated on their discussion of papers, written work, and a presentation.
• GMS MI 713: Comprehensive Immunology
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - Immunology is a key discipline that interweaves itself through almost every aspect of human health and disease. This course provides a basic yet comprehensive understanding of the immune system for students entering immunological disciplines as well as those from computational, bioengineering and biotechnology fields. It is designed to be accessible to graduate students and advanced undergraduates who have solid backgrounds in biology, genetics and biochemistry. Lectures include both interactive and conventional teaching modes as well as discussion of some assigned papers from the current literature. Topics include in depth looks at both innated and adaptive immunity, cell trafficking, mucosal immunity and the integration of this complex system. Prior exposure to an immunology course is not formally required, albeit extra textbook reading may be necessary by students without such exposure. 4 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS MI 715: Immunological Basis of Disease
  Journal article-based survey of mechanisms underlying diseases caused by abnormal immune system function. Emphasis will be on normal vs. pathological immune system processes towards reinforcing how basic immunological concepts have immediate clinical significance. 2 cr, Spring sem. alternate years
• GMS MI 811: Microbiology Seminar
  Presentation and discussion of problems of current interest. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS MI 812: Microbiology Seminar
  Presentation and discussion of problems of current interest. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS MI 823: Special Topics in Microbiology
  The goals of this course are to provide a fundamental understanding of pathogen-host interactions. The course will build on prior understanding of cellular and molecular biology (e.g., the FiBS modules) and focus on host defense mechanisms that restrict pathogen invasion, pathogen mechanisms of evasion from innate and cell-intrinsic host defenses, description of virulence factors, and understanding mechanisms of bacterial and viral pathogenesis. Prior exposure to a virology or bacteriology course is beneficial. The classes will be interactive sessions consisting of a combination of PowerPoint presentations and discussion of primary research papers. The course will be aimed towards 1st and 2nd year Ph.D. students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and taught by Microbiology Department faculty with expertise in viral and bacterial pathogenesis. Students will be assessed on their fundamental understanding of the course content, and their analytical and critical thinking skills. Students will be evaluated on their performance in class participation and in a written examination. Var cr. Spring sem.
• GMS MI 911: Research Microbiology
  Var cr
• GMS MI 912: Research Microbiology
  Var cr
• GMS MM 701: Genetics & Dis
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - This course description is currently under construction.
• GMS MM 703: Cancer Biology and Genetics
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - This course description is currently under construction.
• GMS MM 707: Organ System Diseases
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - This course is designed to explore contemporary research on the molecular basis of diseases in a variety of tissues and organs within the body. The content of this course will introduce students to the structure and function of major organ systems including, but not limited to bone, heart, lungs, kidney, and brain, and then interrogate how molecular and cellular disorders in these organs can lead to physiologic dysfunction and human disease. Examples of topics that will be covered include the molecular basis of sickle cell disease, inflammatory bowel disease, molecular basis of hematologic disorders, amyloidosis, endocrine function, and cystic fibrosis. 2 cr. Spring sem. (alternating years, offered Spring 2022)
• GMS MM 710: Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor - This course is designed to teach basic research and translational research skills to students in the Molecular Medicine Curriculum, using general principles of stem cells and their potential use in regenerative medicine. Students will first be exposed to the basic concepts and definitions of stem cells, the detailed study of different types of adult vs pluripotent stem cells, and discuss ethical and practical considerations. Students will also learn about stem cell manipulation by novel gene editing techniques, recent advances in disease modeling and the potential use of stem cells in tissue and organ regeneration. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS MM 725: Lung Biology
  This course description is currently under construction.
• GMS MM 730: Biological Core Technologies
  Graduate Prerequisites: GMS CM753 or BI755 or BI 782 or consent of instructor - The major goal of this course is to provide an overview of the principles and applications of modern techniques, which are regularly employed in academia and industry as tools for biomolecular and biomedical investigation. This course will focus on technologies which are available at BUSM. Specific technologies include microscopy, FACS, IHC, qPCR, genomic (next gen sequencing and microarrays), proteomics techniques, HTS, fluorescence molecular tomography, ultrasound and metabolic phenotyping techniques. 3 cr. Fall sem.
• GMS MM 901: Molecular Medical Research
  This course description is currently under construction.
• GMS MM 902: Molecular Medical Research
  This course description is currently under construction.
• GMS MS 552: Computers in Medicine
  Provides students with an overview of computer applications and programs encountered in the course of a medical career. Lectures and hands-on experience in a computer laboratory. Applications/programs include database, statistics, expert systems, and computer-assisted instruction.
• GMS MS 571: Directed Studies in Medical Sciences
  Var cr, Fall sem.
• GMS MS 572: Directed Studies in Medical Sciences
  Var cr, Spring sem.
• GMS MS 580: BIOTECH:GENOMIC
  BIOTECH:GENOMIC