Course of Study
Candidates for a Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine may have varied scientific and medical backgrounds. To meet the stated goals of the GPMM, to provide intensive scientific training and research experience culminating in a Ph.D., and to equip its graduates to carry out independent research, the course of study will be individualized for each candidate depending upon his/her background. This course will be developed by each candidate and his/her Program Advisor in the GPMM, who will be assigned to the candidate upon matriculation into the program. The program of study must be approved by the Student Performance Committee. The program will be divided into three parts: Part I, Basic Science Curriculum; Part II, Molecular Medicine Curriculum; and Part III, Dissertation Research. After successful completion of Parts I and II and prior to initiating dissertation research, each candidate will be expected to complete the Qualifying Examination.
Part I: Basic Science Courses:
A typical curriculum for first year students in the DGMS consists of 20 credits (10 per semester), made up of formal course work and credits derived from research and attendence at DOM seminars and journal clubs. The first year basic science curriculum consists of courses in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology plus electives appropriate for the student’s research interest (Cell Biology and/or Genetics&Genomics are strongly recommended).
Part II: Molecular Medicine Core Curriculum:
The Core Curriculum consists of two semesters covering topics on the scientific basis and research methodology of the molecular basis of disease. These courses are taught as advanced graduate seminars. They are required of all GPMM students in the second year and are open to other students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences.
Fall Semester. Three courses are offered that address major fields in the molecular basis of human disease. Each course is two 2 credits and meets one day a week for two hours. GPMM students are required to take three of these courses and are encouraged to take all four. Each course will have its own outside reading.
GMS MM701, Genetics & Epidemiology of Human Disease, Wednesdays 10AM-12PM, couse director Lindsay Farrer (farrer@bu.edu). Topics include: Human Genome Structure and Function; Population Genetics; Genetic Risk Assessment; Non-Mendelian Inheritance; Approaches for Studying the Genetics of Complex Traits; Chromosomes and Chromosome Abnormalities; Principles of Cancer Genetics and Genetic Diagnostics; Methods of Human Linkage Analysis; Identifying Human Disease Genes; Genotype-Phenotype Correlations; and Applications of the “New Genetics”.
GMS MM703, Cancer Biology and Genetics, Mondays 10AM-12PM, course director David Seldin (dseldin@bu.edu). This course will cover topics in human tumor biology including: Tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis; Viruses, immunodeficiency, and cancer; Chemical carcinogenesis; Signal transduction; Anti-oncogenes and familial cancer syndromes; Apoptosis and cancer; Cell cycle control; DNA repair; Principles of Cancer Therapy; Immunotherapy of Cancer; Anti-angiogenesis therapy; and modern molecular diagnostic techniques.
GMS MM707, Organ System Diseases, Tuesdays 10AM-12PM , course director Herbert Cohen(htcohen@bu.edu). This course will address current topics in the molecular basis of non-malignant and non-immunologic diseases of man in the fields of Cardiovascular Disease; Hemostasis; Metabolic and endocrine diseases; Genetics of renal disease; Pulmonary Disease; and Gastrointestinal Disease. Examples of topics that will be covered include the molecular basis of atherosclerotic heart disease and cardiomyopathy; molecular basis of pre-thrombotic disorders (such as Factor V Leyden); leptins and obesity; chloride channels and cystic fibrosis.
Spring Semester, GMS 710, “Molecules to Molecular Therapeutics: The Translation of Molecular Observations to Clinical Implementation”, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10AM-12PM, course directors, Martin Steinberg, David Seldin. 4 credits This course is designed to teach basic research, translational research and clinical research skills to students in the Molecular Medicine Curriculum, using two disease models: sickle cell anemia; and disorders of protein misfolding including neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, prion diseases, etc.) and the systemic amyloidoses. Students will first be exposed to the basic mechanisms of gene expression, protein chemistry, pathophysiology, membrane biology and transport, and then shown how to use this information to develop molecularly-targeted therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to the disease. By the end of the course, they will have learned how to design and execute clinical trials of targeted therapeutics and even how to move such therapeutics through the FDA approval process.
Spring Semester, GMS MM705, Immunity and Infection, Thursdays 10AM-12PM, course director Caroline Genco (genco@bu.edu). The course will cover: Clinical Assessment of Immune System Integrity; B Cell Immunodeficiencies; T Cell and Combined Immunodeficiencies; MHC Disease and Transplantation; Phagocyte and Complement Disorders; Disordered Interactions Between Cellular Elements of the Immune System; Defective Deletion of Lymphocytes; Allergic Disorders; Disorders of Self-Nonself Discrimination-Autoimmunity; Defense Against Infectious Disease/Bacterial, Mycobacterial, Fungal Infections; Viral and Parasitic Diseases; HIV/AIDS.
