Course Descriptions

GMS AN 700 (MED MS 123) Medical Histology
Prerequisite:
CLA BI203 and consent of instructor.
Study of cell, tissue, organ and system histology.  Emphasis is on functional morphology at the light and electron microscope levels.  Computer-based virtual microscopy in laboratory exercises and discussions supplements companion lectures. Vaughan, staff

6 c., 2nd sem.

GMS AN 700S Medical Histology
Prerequisite:
CLA BI203 and consent of instructor.
Study of cell, tissue, organ, and system histology.  Emphasis is on functional morphology at the light and electron microscope levels.  Computer-based virtual microscopy in laboratory exercises and discussions supplement companion lectures. Vaughan, staff

6 cr, Summer sem. beginning in June.

GMS AN 701 Gross Anatomy
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
Human anatomy in three units: locomotion, which includes arms, legs, and back; head and neck; thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Hoagland, staff. variable cr, 1st sem.
GMS AN 702 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
This course covers the neurobiological bases of learning and memory from the cellular to the systems level. Initial sessions cover the behavioral aspects of learning and memory–how it is operationally defined and what are the different theoretical concepts from cognitive psychology that are current. Subsequent sessions investigate the neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, and neurochemical mechanisms of memory at the cellular level and then move on to the study of systems that function at the level of the whole organism. Concentration is on studies in mammals, particularly primates Moss, Rosene

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 704 Experimental Design and Statistical Methods
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
This course provides a working understanding of experimental design and statistical analyses.  Each class consists of lectures, examples of problems and discussion of theoretical issues underlying a particular experimental design.  Both parametric and non-parametric approaches to data analysis will be explored Killiany

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 705, Medical Histology A
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
Study of basic cells and tissues followed by study of the histology of circulatory system and the gastrointestinal system and its associated glands.  Emphasis is on functional morphology at the light and electron microscope levels.  Computer-based virtual microscopy in laboratory exercises and discussions supplements companion lectures. Vaughan, staff

3 cr, 1st sem.

GMS AN 706  Medical Histology B
Prerequisite:
GMS AN 705.
Includes study of the histology of respiratory, lymphoid, and renal systems, male and female reproductive systems, integument, cartilage and bone, and endocrine organs.  Emphasis is on functional morphology at the light and electron microscope levels.  Computer-based virtual microscopy in laboratory exercises and discussions supplements companion lectures. Vaughan, staff

3 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 707 Neurobiology of Aging
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
With growing awareness of an accelerating increase in the size of the elderly population, there has been increasing interest in the neuropsychology of normal aging. Similarly, since aging is a major risk factor for many dementia states, interest has also focused on the neuropsychology of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and the Dementias of the frontal lobe type. This course attempts to summarize what is known about cognitive and related changes associated with normal aging and age-related disease. The course is divided into four major sections. The first considers the cognitive changes associated with normal aging; the second deals with the most common causes of cognitive decline seen in the elderly; the third reviews the current data concerning neuro-imaging in aging and dementia, and the fourth part covers future directions in the study of normal aging. Moss

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 708 Clinical Anatomy
Prerequisite:
Gross Anatomy.
An advanced anatomy course consisting of both guided laboratory dissection and related lectures on clinical anatomy by physicians in a variety of clinical specialties.  Laboratory dissections are based on actual surgical approaches; whenever possible, and the relationship between gross anatomy radiographic anatomy is continually emphasized. Van Houten, Hoyt, Nandy

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 709 Neural Development and Plasticity
Prerequisite:
GMS MS 703 and consent of instructor.
Lectures, discussion, and readings on current issues relating to neural changes during development and how the nervous system is modified by interactions of the organism with the environment, and how the nervous system responds to injury. Emphasis on cellular and systems levels of organization. TBA

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 711 Introduction to Neurobiology
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
This course surveys the biological basis of behavior starting at the level of the neuron and synapse and building to the cortical integration of the human mind.  It provides an introduction to the issues, problems and current research findings that related the form and function of the nervous system. TBA

2 cr, 1st sem.

GMS AN 712 Biostatistics
This course will provide you with a working understanding of experimental design and statistical analyses that are appropriate for various types of relatively small sample based experiments such as those used in the biological, medical, pharmacological, psychological, and social sciences in general. Killiany

4 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 713 Autism: Clinical and Neuroscience Perspectives
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor and neuroscience background.
This course will provide an overview of the clinical feature of autism; review current research on genetic and other causes of the disorder, and the neurobiological basis of the main behavioral and cognitive symptoms, and will briefly explore different treatments currently available. Tager-Flusberg

4 cr, 1st sem

GMS AN 714 Human Reproduction and Sexuality
Various aspects of reproduction are addressed include male and female anatomy, reproductive hormonal control, sex and the brain, contraception, abortion, reproductive cancers, sexually transmitted diseases, and infertility. Zoller

3 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 715 Professional Skills for Students in the Biomedical Sciences
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
This courses discusses many of the professional skills and ethical issues that are part of an academic biomedical career.  Some of the topics include funding mechanisms, determination of authorship, intellectual property, conflict of interest, human and animal subject protection, reviewing responsibilities and mentoring. Sandell

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 716 Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
Prerequisite:
background in neuroscience.
This course will provide an overview of the current literature on the neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive development.  Several domains will be explored (e.g., visual perception, knowledge of objects and faces, language acquisitions and theory of mind) using evidence from a variety of populations. Tager-Flusberg

4 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 718 Methods in Neuroscience
Prerequisite:
Systems Neuroscience and consent of instructor.
This course will provide a general overview of major techniques and methods used in contemporary neuroscience research.  It is designed to provide students with knowledge to understand methods to probe the brain from molecules to behavior. Luebke/Soghomonian

4 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 720 Introduction to the Neurobiology of Education
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
This introductory course surveys the basic neurology of learning.  Brain structure and function will be discussed and neural system principles will be applied to the problems of learning in the classroom and in the developing mind of K-college students and education. Bergethon/DeRosa

2 cr, SS I

GMS AN 721 The Neurobiology of Trauma
This course provides the neurobiological basis in stress and trauma and is a prerequisite for the purpose of designing treatment and prevention programs, at both the individual and national levels in the event of catastrophic disasters. Staff

2 cr, 1st sem.

GMS AN 801, 802 Seminar: Research Colloquium
Oral presentation and discussion by students and staff members of topics of interest in anatomy and allied fields. TBA

2 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

GMS AN 803, 804 Special Topics in Anatomy
Presentation of problems of current interest in anatomical science offered to small groups of students at the instigation of either interested faculty or students. Examples of topics that might be discussed are: differentiation; aging in specific areas of the brain; electron microscopy; fine structure of neurons; biology of the lung; and retinal biology. Hoagland

2 cr, each, 1st
& 2nd sem.

GMS AN 805 Vesalius Module Teaching Practicum
Prerequisite:
GMS AN804, and consent of mentor and Teaching Oversight Committee, and prior enrollment in the course being taught.
Students, putting theory into practice, work in collaboration with a selected faculty mentor in one of the following formats: large lecture, small lecture or seminar, or proposing a new course.  Students may enroll in this course multiple times for different mentored experiences. Vaughan, Hoagland

variable credit, 1st
& 2nd sem.

GMS AN 807 Neurobiology of the Visual System
Prerequisite:
GMS MS 703 or consent of instructor.
This is a seminar for graduate students in all departments who have had a basic neuroscience course and are interested in the anatomical and physiological substrates of vision. Study of the visual system progresses from the retina through the thalamus and brainstem to cortical visual areas and associated structures such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and basal ganglia. Students present primary journal articles and occasional reviews with guidance from faculty who are presently engaged in research involving the structures under discussion Sandell

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 808 Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disorders
Prerequisite:
Medical Neuroscience course or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
Localization of specific anatomical changes in the brain in such disorders as autism, dyslexia, schizophrenia, olivopontocerebellar atrophy and selected neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS. Developmental mechanisms leading to neuroanatomical alterations are discussed when appropriate. Lectures, discussion of classical and current literature, and guest speakers. Blatt, Kemper

2 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 810 Systems Neurobiology
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor; undergraduate course in biological aspects of neuroscience (neuo-physiology and neuroanatomy) or GMS MS 703.
This course will cover the major sensory, motor, regulatory, and associative/integrative neural systems in depth as well as a review of the basic neurocytology, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry of the brain. Rosene

4 cr, 1st sem.

GMS MS 811 Cognitive Neuroscience
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
This course will cover topics in the various domains of higher cortical function, including attention, language, visuospatial abilities, memory and executive function.  It will also cover topics in learning, sleep, addiction, and behaviors under the influence of circadian rhythms. Moss

4 cr, 2nd sem.

GMS AN 820S Introduction to Interdisciplinary Systems Science:  Dynamic Modeling
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
This course in interdisciplinary science will provide students with a hands-on experience in the development and use of systems dynamic and computer based models to study biological systems in research areas such as neurobiology Bergethon

2 cr, SS.

GMS AN 901, 902 Anatomy Research
Variable credit
GMS AN 904 Research Practicum Varied topics.
Staff. 2 cr, 2nd sem
Contact|Directory|BUMC
September 2, 2009
Primary teaching affiliate
of BU School of Medicine