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 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 700: Biostatistics
  Introduces the concepts and techniques of biostatistics used in dental research. Emphasizes the fundamentals of statistical logic and presents the basic principles of experimental design, statistical inference, and probability. Examples from current basic sciences research, survey research, and clinical trials augment the presentation of statistical theory. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS OB 761: Oral Microbiology
  Distribution, ecology, and pathogenic potential of oral microbiota. Pathogenicity of components of bacterial plaque and their role in the development of oral diseases. Mechanisms of local and systematic resistance to pathogenic oral microbiota. 2 cr, Spring sem. Not offered in 2015-2016.
• 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 767: Molecular Parasitology
  This course teaches the fundamentals of molecular parasitology based on recent advances in understanding cellular structures, gene expression mechanisms and signaling pathways in apicomplexan and kinetoplastid unicellular parasites, and model nematodes. It focuses on research applications targeting parasite-specific cellular processes and parasite- host interactions as potential points of therapeutic intervention. Current state-of-the-art genetics, genomics, proteomics and structural approaches used in parasite research will be emphasized. Class meetings include a didactic lecture followed by discussion of the original research paper related to the lecture's topic. The research paper is presented in-depth by assigned group of 2-3 students with instructor acting as moderator. All students are required to read the selected papers before each class meeting and participate in discussion. Lectures are given by experts in respective topics. Course Director will participate in all class meetings to ensure quality of instruction, cohesiveness of topics and to handle student concerns. The course is expected to draw students from Master Programs in Biomedical Research Technologies and Medical Sciences, and PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences. It is expected that all students will have a solid foundation in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, but not specific prerequisites are set forth. 2 cred. Fall semester.
• 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 690: Infectious Diseases
  Prerequisites: GMSAN, BI and PH. - This course is a fundamental course in infectious diseases. Background information regarding the broad spectrum of infectious agents and the key elements of host immune responses will be covered.
• GMS OH 701: Pathology/Dental
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor; must be enrolled in the Oral Health Sciences program. - This course covers the fundamental concepts of modern pathology and explains how to apply the process of differential diagnosis in the major human diseases. Pathologic mechanisms and principles of most organs and systems of the body are discussed, with emphasis on those most relevant to oral health and care of dental patients. The course includes lectures by the School of Medicine Pathology faculty. 2 cr, Spring sem.