Course Descriptions
Course Schedule Information
For AMCAS application use the following classifications for your SMP coursework:
- CHEM: Molecular & Cellular Phyiology, Metabolism; Nutrition & Endocrinology; Fundamentals of Molecular Biology & Genetics
- BIOL: Medical Immunology & Microbiology; Cardiopulmonary Biology, Physiology Forum; Principles of Gross Anatomy; Gastrointestinal Biology; Renal Biology; Sexual Development & Reproduction; Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology; Introduction to Neuroscience; Physiology Research Paper
- HLTH SCI: Biomedical Career Pathways
FALL
- Molecular & Cellular Physiology (BCHB-560), 4 cr
This medical course focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which cells receive and process extracellular signals, regulate gene expression, control organelle biogenesis, and divide or differentiate. It also explores the fundamentals of cellular metabolism and physiology. The relationship of these processes to human disease is emphasized as an underlying theme throughout the course. This course combines lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, and small group sessions. Elliott Crooke, PhD, Course Director
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Endocrinology (BCHB-561), 3 cr
This medical course will integrate the biochemical and physiologic aspects of metabolic processes, with a focus on nutritional impact. Lectures will center on the function and regulation of major metabolic processes involving hypothalamic-pituitary hormones; the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; the endocrine pancreas; and calcium-regulating hormones. The course is lecture-based, and includes problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, and small group sessions. Hiroshi Nakai, PhD and Thomas Sherman, PhD, Course Directors
- Principles of Gross Anatomy (PBIO-542), 1 cr
This graduate course is designed to introduce students to diagnostic imaging, osteology and joints, the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, and lymphatic system. Students will also be instructed on respect and handling of cadavers. This course is a prerequisite for PBIO-562, PBIO-563, PBIO-564, BCHB-565 and PBIO-569, and is a lecture-based course. Jennifer Whitney, PhD, Course Director
- Cardiopulmonary Biology (PBIO-562), 5 cr
This medical course provides students with a comprehensive review of anatomy, hemodynamic function, and electrophysiology of the normal cardiovascular and respiratory system, and in-depth study of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases including cardiomyopathies, valvular heart disease, ischemic heart disease, vascular diseases, and congenital heart disease in addition to an understanding of basic respiratory pathophysiology and its application to patient care. This course combines, lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, gross anatomy non-cadeveric labs, and small group sessions. Daisy Lazarus, MD, Course Director
- Biomedical Career Pathways (PBIO-602), 1 cr
Biomedical Career Pathways is a seminar-style course taught by Professor Adam Myers and Staff, which consist of presentations on study and survival skills for students pursuing biomedical careers and alternative pathways for careers in medicine. Students attend study skills workshops, interviewing skills workshops, presentations on military medicine, primary care medicine, osteopathic medicine, and complementary and alternative medicine, as well as presentations on career pathways for specialty and subspecialty medical training. Evaluation of students will be based on participation and homework assignments. Adam Myers, PhD, Course Director
- Fundamentals of Molecular Biology & Genetics (PBIO-566), 1 cr
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology & Genetics is a one-credit, graduate school course taken during the fall semester. This course is designed to complement the medical BCHB-560 and 561 courses. Topics include structure of DNA, genes and chromosomes; DNA replication and repair; cell replication;control of gene replication; and the basic principles of genetics and heredity. Dr Thomas Sherman, Course Director and Lecturer.
- Medical Immunology and Microbiology (MICB-608), 2 cr
Medical Immunology and Microbiology (MIM) is a two-credit, graduate school course taken during the fall semester and run by the Department of Immunology and Microbiology. MIM is split into two sections; the first covers the essentials of the human immune system, including its function, how it works, and major immune system diseases. The second part of the course deals with microbiology, including the different types of bacteria and their structures and bacterial diseases common to humans. MIM is a lecture class.
- Physiology Forum (PBIO-567), 1 cr
This graduate course will provide a small-group environment for the analysis and discussion of controversial topics in physiology and medicine. A lecture will introduce the topic, and readings will be provided on BlackBoard following the lecture. The students will review all the materials and generate questions that will be the focus of interactive small group sessions two days later. The small groups (~30 students) will be facilitated by a faculty member. Evaluation will be based on class and small group participation, on-line responses, and required short essay following each topic (submitted on-line). Thomas Sherman, PhD and Faculty
SPRING
- Gastrointestinal Biology (PBIO-563), 2 cr
GI Biology is a medical course in which students will identify how GI structure (Embryology, Microscopic Anatomy and Gross Anatomy) integrates with function (physiologic mechanisms of GI motility, digestion and absorption, and liver and pancreatic function). Students will describe the mechanisms contributing to absorption of nutrients into the body and apply their basic medical science knowledge to clinical problem-solving. This course combines, lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, gross anatomy non-cadeveric labs, and small group sessions. Susan Mulroney, PhD, Course Director
- Renal Biology (PBIO-564), 2 cr
This medical course addreses the structural, functional and integrative aspects of the kidney and urinary system. The goal is to facilitate student learning of the basic physiologic mechanisms that underpin renal function and understand the role the kidney plays in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, including acid-base balance. This course combines, lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, and small group sessions. Aviad Haramati, PhD, Course Director
- Sexual Development & Reproduction (BCHB-565), 3 cr
The medical SDR course will educate students on the cellular and anatomical components of reproduction and early development. These components include the development of the reproductive track, development of gametes, fertilization, and formation of the germ layers. Students will also critically evaluate basic and clinical research in the field. This course combines, lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, gross anatomy non-cadeveric labs, and small group sessions. G. Ian Gallicano, PhD, Course Director
- Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology (PBIO-568), 3 cr
This graduate course will cover the fundamental mechanisms of disease and the pathophysiologic basis of major human diseases. This course will complement the basic physiological principles covered in BCHB-561, PBIO-562, PBIO-563, PBIO-564 and BCHC-565, as well as PBIO-501 (Fundamentals of Human Physiology), and also feature a forensic component. It is a lecture-based course. Prerequisites: PBIO-501 or BCHB-561, PBIO-562, PBIO-563, PBIO-564 and BCHC-565. Jennifer Whitney, PhD, Course Director
- Introduction to Neuroscience (NSCI-569), 3 cr
This course will complement and extend the information given in PBIO-542, PBIO-501 and PBIO-560, with topics including neuroanatomy, sensory systems, language, learning and memory, and neural imaging. It is a lecture-based course. Prerequisites: PBIO-542 and BCHB-560. Linda MacArthur, PhD, and Lawrence Kromer, PhD, Course Directors
- Physiology Literature Research (PBIO-907), 2 cr
The Physiology Research Paper is a two-credit, graduate school course taken during the spring semester, after medical courses are completed. The paper is a requirement for the Masters of Science degree. It may be written on practically any topic in physiology, of the student's choosing. Each student chooses a faculty advisor to read their paper, otherwise it is an independent project (no classes involved). Thomas Sherman, PhD, Course Director
