{"id":56,"date":"2004-10-21T14:19:17","date_gmt":"2004-10-21T18:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/curriculum\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:25:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T19:25:53","slug":"curriculum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/education\/pharmacology\/training-program\/academics\/curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Pharmacology has historically been an interdisciplinary field, positioned where physiology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, behavioral science, and medicine converge. The pharmacology of this century will bring together an even wider range of disciplines, combining traditional aspects of pharmacology with novel approaches drawn from other disciplines, such as biophysics, biomedical engineering, and molecular genetics.<\/p>\n

Students enter immediately into the pharmacology core curriculum which includes Foundations in Biomedical Science, Physiology, Molecular and Translational Pharmacology, Laboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology, Systems Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences, and three advanced electives. The average tenure of PhD candidates in the Biomolecular Pharmacology training program is five years. The major focus of the training program is the development of expertise in basic and translational research. The first 18 months of the program emphasize formal course work. In addition, upon matriculation students begin a sequence of three required laboratory rotations. The laboratory rotations provide students with the opportunity to investigate potential areas for dissertation research while enhancing the breadth of their training.<\/p>\n

During the last three years in the program, the primary emphasis is on dissertation research. Students are also required to complete advanced level course work, report on their dissertation research, and participate in activities consistent with their development as future scientists. Details of these activities are provided below. Students in the program receive essential training in pharmacology with a special emphasis on molecular pharmacology. The goal of this program is to produce scientists who have an understanding of, and first-hand experience with, the major questions and technologies on the cutting edge of molecular pharmacology.<\/p>\n

Course Requirements:<\/strong> The table below shows the \u201cCore\u201d curriculum. Syllabi\/Outlines of the courses are provided in the Required Training Activities<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nSemester<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\nCourse Name\/ Activity Description<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nCourse No.<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nCredit Hours<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/td>\nFall<\/td>\n<\/td>\nEthics and the Responsible Conduct of Research<\/p>\n

Protein Structure, Catalysis and Interaction<\/td>\n

EK 800<\/p>\n

FC 711<\/td>\n

1<\/p>\n

3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nStructure and Function of the Genome<\/td>\nFC 712<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nMolecular & Translational Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 701<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nLaboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 710<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDirected Research in Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 931<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nFall Seminar Series<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSpring<\/td>\n<\/td>\nArchitecture &\u00a0Dynamics\u00a0of the Cell<\/td>\nFC 713<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nBioinformatics &\u00a0 Quantitative Biology<\/td>\nFC 725<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nSystems Pharmacology & Therapeutics<\/td>\nPM 803<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nLaboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 710<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDirected Research in Pharmacology<\/td>\nGPM 932<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nSpring Seminar Series<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSummer<\/td>\n<\/td>\nResearch (Industry Internship)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nFall<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n <\/p>\n

Electives<\/td>\n

 <\/p>\n

See Electives<\/td>\n

 <\/p>\n

Variable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDirected Research in Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 931<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nFall Seminar Series<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSpring<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPh.D. Written & Oral Qualifying Exams<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nTechnical and Professional Skills in Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 932<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nElectives<\/td>\nSee Electives<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nCurrent Topics in Pharmacological Sciences<\/td>\nPM 810<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDirected Research in Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 932<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nSpring Seminar Series<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nFall<\/td>\n<\/td>\nElectives<\/td>\nSee Electives<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nParticipation in Teaching<\/td>\n<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDirected Research in Pharmacology & Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) Meeting<\/td>\nGPM 931<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nFall Seminar Series<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nSpring<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDirected Research in Pharmacology<\/td>\nPM 932<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDAC Meeting<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nSpring Seminar Series<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4&5<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nParticipation in Teaching<\/td>\n<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nDirected Research in Pharmacology & DAC Meeting<\/td>\nPM 931, 932<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPre-Defense of Dissertation<\/td>\n<\/td>\n64 cr for<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPh.D. Dissertation Defense<\/td>\n<\/td>\nPh.D.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Elective courses<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Students must submit a petition to the GEC if they wish to take a course not on this list to satisfy the requirement for elective credits.<\/p>\n

PM 702 Molecular Neurobiology & Pharmacology (2 cr)
\nFC 801 Teaching: Foundations & Applications (variable)
\nFC 715 Translational Genetics and Genomics (3 cr)
\nPM\/MM 703 Cancer Biology and Genetics (2 cr)
\nPM 820 Behavioral Pharmacology (2 cr)
\nPM 881 Drug Discovery and Development (2 cr)
\nFC 713 Architecture and Dynamics of the Cell (3 cr)
\nAN 810 Systems Neurobiology (4 cr)
\nAN 811 Cognitive Neuroscience (4 cr)
\nGRS MA 665\/666 An Introduction to Mathematical Models & Data Analysis in Neuroscience (2 cr)
\nBY 760 Foundations of Biophysics and Structural Biology (4 cr)
\nBY 771 Biophysics of Macromolecular Assemblies (4 cr)
\nBY 772 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Biology & Biochemistry (2 cr)
\nENG BE 560 Biomolecular Architecture (4 cr)
\nENG BE 561 DNA and Protein Sequence Analysis (4 cr)
\nENG BE 565 Molecular Biotechnology (2 cr)
\nENG BE 568 Systems Biology of Human Disease (4 cr)
\nENG BE 726 Fundamentals of Biomaterials (4 cr)
\nENG BE 727 Principles and Applications of Tissue Engineering (4 cr)
\nBI 776 Gene Targeting in Transgenic Mice (2 cr)
\nBI 777 Techniques in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology (2 cr)
\nMS 710 Transdisciplinary Addiction Science (2 cr)
\nMS 783 Molecular Basis of Neurologic Disease (2 cr)
\nGRS NE 741 Neural systems: Functional circuit analysis (4 cr)
\nGRS NE 742 Neural systems: Cognition and Behavior (4 cr)
\nCAS CN 510 Principles and Methods of Cognitive and Neural Modeling (4 cr)<\/p>\n

Laboratory Rotations <\/strong>-4 credits
\nGMS PM 710 Laboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology (2 cr; two semesters required in the first year; this is a laboratory rotation course and students may elect to complete additional laboratory rotations during the spring and summer of the first year)<\/p>\n

Laboratory Rotations:<\/strong>
\nDuring the first year, predoctoral trainees register for two semesters of GMS PM 710 Laboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology, in which they complete three laboratory rotations of seven weeks each. Students choose rotation mentors from the participating faculty members of the Program, independent of department affiliation. This rotation experience provides exposure to a variety of experimental approaches to the study of pharmacology. Trainees are encouraged to select rotations in laboratories that approach problems from different perspectives, in keeping with the fundamental goal of providing them a broad and more complete understanding of research strategies that have been developed to address questions of pharmacological importance.<\/p>\n

Seminars:<\/strong>
\nThe Biomolecular Pharmacology seminar program has been expanded through support provided by institutional sources, the endowed Sterling Drug Visiting Professorship, and an award from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation. All students are required to attend pharmacology seminars. In addition, students register for at least one semester of Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences. In this course, the guest lecturer attends student presentations of research paper(s) related to the lecturer\u2019s research. Discussion includes consideration of strategies for enhancing the rigor of scientific research and the reproducibility of experimental observations. This course has proved to be highly successful in providing students with the essential background to the seminar speaker\u2019s work and thereby preparing the students to participate actively in the department seminar.<\/p>\n

Qualifying Examination:<\/strong>
\nThe qualifying examination for PhD candidates consists of a written and oral examination. PhD candidates are expected to take the qualifying exam no later than the end of the second curricular year. MD\/PhD candidates normally take the exam at the end of their first year of graduate studies. The written portion of the qualifying exam is in the form of a research proposal on a topic selected by the student. The subject matter of the proposal is usually related to the topic of the student\u2019s thesis research or may be on a separate topic. The topic of the proposal must be substantially original; it must not duplicate projects previously proposed or assigned by the student\u2019s mentor. The oral portion of the qualifying examination is conducted by a Qualifying Exam Committee and assesses the students grasp of the hypothesis, experimental design, and understanding of statistics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Pharmacology has historically been an interdisciplinary field, positioned where physiology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, behavioral science, and medicine converge. The pharmacology of this century will bring together an even wider range of disciplines, combining traditional aspects of pharmacology with novel approaches drawn from other disciplines, such as biophysics, biomedical engineering, and molecular genetics. Students enter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":947,"featured_media":0,"parent":64,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/no-sidebars.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/947"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24157,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56\/revisions\/24157"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/64"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/ppb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}