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 NE 710: Neural Plasticity and Perceptual Learning (meets with ENG BE 710)
  This course explores the capacity of cortical sensory and motor maps in the adult brain to change as a result of alterations in the effectiveness of the input, direct damage, or practice. The lectures will describe and discuss (1) the physiology and anatomy underlying adult dynamics; (2) psychophysical methods and experimental paradigms that have been used to study cortical plasticity in the early stages of the sensory and motor pathways; (3) evidence for perceptual learning; and (4) biologically plausible computational models of learning. We will discuss application of functional neuroimaging to study perceptual learning and restorative plasticity in the human brain. a semester-long project is required. There will be 3 hours lecture/week and 1 hour of discussion of relevant papers and progress on the semester-long project.
• GMS NU 620: Clinical Nutrition Research
  Graduate Prerequisites: Human Physiology or equivalent, consent of instructor - This course description is currently under construction.
• GMS NU 700: Nutrition and Metabolism Seminar
  Students learn the principles of presenting an effective scientific talk, including the use of PowerPoint to create appropriate and effective slides. In consultation with course faculty, each student selects a topic and two related key papers and then develops three presentations over the course of the semester within the class. Using feedback provided after each practice talk, students present their final public research seminar talk at the end of the semester. The course also expands knowledge of topics in nutrition and metabolism. Var cr, Either sem.
• GMS NU 709: Research Design and Statistical Methods for Biomedical Sciences
  The overall objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of basic concepts of research design and data analysis in the biomedical sciences. The primary didactic areas to be covered include framing hypotheses, using experimental and non-experimental designs, and evaluating bias and confounding. Statistical analyses will be carried out weekly through in-class exercises using the SAS programming language. Data analyses to be covered include t-tests, analysis of variance, categorical analyses, non-parametric tests, high throughput analyses, and linear and logistic regression modeling. 3 cr, Either sem.
• GMS NU 755: Molecular, Biochemical and Physiologic Bases of Nutrition 1: Energy Balance and Micronutrients
  Graduate Prerequisites: at least one semester each of Biochemistry and Physiology, or equivalent, and consent of instructor - This is the first semester of a 2-semester sequence (that can be taken in either order) that focuses on the Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Bases of Nutrition. This semester will cover concepts of essential nutrients and methods for determining their requirements (DRIs), body composition, nutrition and growth, energy expenditure, regulation of energy intake, vitamins and macro-mineral metabolism (Ca, P) and micronutrients. Functions and roles of micronutrients in signaling from gene to whole organism will be discussed. Implications for nutrient requirements through the life cycle and in health and disease will be addressed. A discussion session will teach students to critically evaluate cutting-edge and seminal papers addressing each topic and introduce students to state of the art research approaches and methodologies - basic (cell and molecular), clinical and epidemiological. Writing assignments on the papers will provide experience and hone skills with scientific writing. 4 cr, Fall sem
• GMS NU 756: Molecular, Biochemical and Physiologic Bases of Nutrition: Macronutrients
  Graduate Prerequisites: at least one semester each of Biochemistry and Physiology, and consent of instructor - This is the second semester of a 2-semester sequence (that can be taken in either order) that focuses on the Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Bases of Nutrition. This semester will cover regulation of lipid, carbohydrate, and protein digestion, absorption, transport, tissue and cellular metabolism including integration of macronutrient metabolism in response to alteration in nutritional status (e.g. starvation, obesity) on a whole body and tissue-specific basis. Mechanisms regulating macronutrient metabolism in response to stresses such as exercise, aging, and disease will be highlighted. A discussion session will teach students to critically evaluate research papers, provide knowledge of seminal papers in the field, and introduce students to research approaches and state of the art methods (e.g. assessment of metabolic flux using stable isotopes, euglycemic clamps, metabolomics). Var cr, Spring sem.
• GMS NU 757: Molecular, Biochemical and Physiologic Bases of Nutrition: Regulation of Energy Balance
  This course examines mechanisms regulating body weight, body composition and food intake. Weekly discussion sessions will teach students to critically evaluate cutting-edge and seminal papers in the field and introduce students to state of the art research approaches and methodologies, including both basic (cell and molecular) and translational perspectives. Writing assignments on the papers will provide experience and hone skills with scientific writing. Meets with NU755 with earlier end date 2cr., Fall sem.
• GMS NU 804: Directed Study/Med
  This course may be used by individual students or small groups of students to carry out a directed study under the guidance of a GMS Faculty member. Var cr, either sem.
• GMS NU 901: Research in Nutrition and Metabolism
  These research credits reflect research taking place during the fall semester when students are in the laboratory or other research unit carrying out research for their master's thesis or doctoral dissertation. Var cr, Fall or Summer 1 sem.
• GMS NU 902: Research in Nutrition and Metabolism
  These research credits reflect research taking place during the spring periods of study when students are in the laboratory or other research unit carrying out research for their master's thesis or doctoral dissertation. Var cr, Spring or Summer 2 sem.
• GMS OB 763: Basic Processes in Oral Biology
  An introductory survey course that examines biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Provides a basis to understand the events that regulate inflammation; wound healing; bone formation and resorption; salivary proteins and physiology; tooth development, eruption, and movement; and fluoride action. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS OB 764: Basic Processes in Oral Biology
  An introductory survey course that examines biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Provides a basis to understand the events that regulate inflammation; wound healing; bone formation and resorption; salivary proteins and physiology; tooth development, eruption, and movement; and fluoride action. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS OB 766: Oral Immunology and Microbiology
  This course has two modules: oral immunology and oral microbiology. The purpose of this course is to present material relative to the subject of oral immunobiology. The course will deal with the basics of the immune reaction from a subcellular level to an entire host reaction as they pertain to the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease processes in the oral cavity. This course will relate basic science findings to the clinical situations with an emphasis on treatment modalities for delivering clinical care. It is also the purpose of the course to provide an understanding of disease pathogenesis so that an informed basis of therapy can be recommended. The course will examine the complex microbial ecology of the mouth, with focus on the key microbes involved in dental diseases. The lectures will include the basic aspects of oral biofilm formation and microbial pathogenicity, with focus on the microbial diversity involved in caries, periodontal and periapical infections. There will be a short analysis of diagnostic microbial identification, as well as treatment modalities. The overall goal of the second module will be to link microbial clinical problems with basic infectious disease concepts, for a well informed approach to treatment. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS OB 800: Advanced Oral Biology
  Graduate Prerequisites: GMS OB763 and OB 764; GMS BI755 and BI 756 - This advanced course will explore in-depth current topics in oral biology research. The format of the course consists primarily of formal didactic lectures, but students will also be challenged to analyze experimental approaches and methods from current literature in a group-discussion "journal" club format in which papers from current literature are assigned and discussed. This course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge and to develop critical thinking abilities. Topics will include host molecular, cellular, and genetic bases of periodontal diseases; microbiology of periodontal diseases; molecular events in inflammation, wound healing, and periodontal tissue regeneration; molecular components and function of the periodontal ligament, cementum, and attachment structures; extracellular matrix accumulation and turnover in mineralized and non- mineralized tissues; the etiology and complications of diabetes, with emphasis on oral tissue pathology and mechanisms, biosynthesis and functions of oral mucins, endocrine-dependent periodontal changes, effects of growth factors on periodontal tissues and cells, biosynthesis and structure of salivary proteins, and mechanisms of non-immune antibacterial processes in the oral cavity. 4 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS OB 805: Oral Biology Seminar
  All PhD candidates will attend a weekly seminar series organized by the Department of Translational Dental Medicine. Faculty and invited speakers will give seminars, as will students nearing completion of their thesis research projects. Students will be encouraged to suggest invited speakers. Enrollment in this course will be required for two years (2 credits per semester, for a total of eight credits). All PhD candidates are required to attend all seminars for their entire period of study. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS OB 806: Oral Biology Seminar
  All PhD candidates will attend a weekly seminar series organized by the Department of Translational Dental Medicine. Faculty and invited speakers will give seminars, as will students nearing completion of their thesis research projects. Students will be encouraged to suggest invited speakers. Enrollment in this course will be required for two years (2 credits per semester, for a total of eight credits). All PhD candidates are required to attend all seminars for their entire period of study. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS OB 900: Oral Biology Research
  Var cr
• GMS OB 901: Oral Biology Research
  Var cr
• GMS OH 685: Infectious Diseases: Pathogens and Clinical Manifestations
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor. - This is a fundamental course in infectious diseases, which will explore the principles of infection, host factors, epidemiology, treatment, and prevention. We will begin with background information regarding the broad spectrum of infectious agents and the key elements of host immune responses. We will then proceed to analyze infectious diseases and their associated clinical manifestations based on a thorough review of major organ systems. Throughout the course, we will incorporate clinical considerations that underscore important pathophysiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of infectious diseases. 3 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS OH 710: Applied Histology
  This course focuses on the histology (normal human microscopic anatomy) of cells and tissues with regular correlations to common human disease pathology in a traditional lecture and discussion format. Students learn to identify tissues and organ systems and gain a greater understanding of functionality in the normal state, to better understand how this function changes in a disease state. Specifically, students learn histological methods and how cell morphology impacts function and disease in various tissues including blood vessels, the epithelium, connective tissue, brain, the immune system, lungs, the skeletal system, the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, and the heart. 2 cr, Spring sem.