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Courses of the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

All courses of the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences are listed below.

To register for courses, please visit the registration webpage.

  • Research Rotation (PREP) | BBS 550

    Programs: Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

    Research rotations are defined periods of research experience under the direction of a faculty member. They are intended to familiarize the student with concepts and techniques in several areas of research and to assist the student in evaluating research laboratories and projects that might be developed into a dissertation project. The student will participate in an ongoing research project, gain familiarity with concepts underlying the research, acquire a working knowledge of techniques used in the research, and write a report and present an oral summary of the results of the research.

    Credits: 2-5

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course DirectorVaries

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring

    Last Taught: Taught every Fall and Spring semester

  • Professionalism and Research Conduct (PARC) | BBS 601

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    This is a required course for all third year Basic Sciences students and all MD/PhD students entering doctoral study but who are not on the CPHR track. The PARC course helps to center our students in areas that are foundational to success in research: responsible data management; management of intellectual property; the ethical use of research subjects; recognizing and resolving conflicts of interest, professionalism in peer review and publishing; engaging mentors; and career exploration and planning. The PARC course comprises faculty-led presentations and small group discussions with case studies and workshop material. An online learning module (CITI training program comprising many case studies) is also included and must be completed before the end of the fall semester. 

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Directors: Anthony Imbalzano, Cynthia Fuhrmann

    Semester Offered: Fall 

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Preparation for Qualifying Exam | BBS 602

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    This course will help prospective scientists in the biological and medical sciences communicate their work effectively, in writing, graphics, and oral presentations. The course teaches how to prepare a research paper using words, statistics, and figures; how to present science to a lay audience; how to write a grant proposal; and how to present orally to scientific peers.

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Directors: Jill Zitzewitz, Daryl Bosco, and Nese Kurt Yilmaz

    Semester Offered: Fall 

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Scientific Inquiry in Biomedical Research | BBS 614

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    This problem-based course provides learning opportunities through exploration of multidisciplinary areas of contemporary biomedical research, and creates a forum for practice in the skills required for research.

    Credits: 6

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Directors: Jill Zitzewitz, Neal Silverman, Elizabeth Shank

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • An Empirical Introduction to Statistical Modeling | BBS 706

    Programs: Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

    Lecture and textbook based course on statistical modeling and machine learning, with exercises on analyzing real data.

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course DirectorManuel Garber

    Semester Offered: Fall, odd years

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Chemical Biology | BBS 715

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology

    The course focuses on the use of chemical approaches to answer fundamental questions in biology. Topics include post-translational modifications; chemical synthesis and modification of biopolymers; combinatorial chemistry; chemical genetics; rational drug design; ligand-receptor interactions; and the fundamentals of fluorescence. 

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Stephen Miller

    Semester Offered: Fall, odd years

    Last Taught: Fall 2019

  • Molecular Biophysics | BBS 716

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology

    The goal of this course is to give students a strong foundation in physical principles that underlie the thermodynamic and mechanistic properties of biological macromolecules and macromolecular complexes. In addition to providing theoretical background, lectures and discussion groups will focus on the application of physical chemical principles in contemporary biomedical research. Topics will include spectroscopic and computational approaches to studying protein and nucleic acid structures, thermodynamics and kinetics of protein folding, the solution behavior of macromolecules and principles that govern molecular recognition.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Francesca Massi

    Semester Offered: Fall, even years

    Last Taught: Fall 2020

  • Structural Biology | BBS 717

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology

    Structural Biology has revolutionized biology.  The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with a detailed introduction to approaches for structural determination of macromolecules including protein crystallography, cryo electron microscopy (CryoEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).  Emphasis will be placed on both structural determination and analysis of dynamics, which can be crucial for macromolecular function.   Normally, each week will include a 90 minute lecture that is supplemented with either a practical laboratory exercise, paper discussion or problem set, whose time and venue will depend upon the activity.

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Directors: Brian Kelch

    Semester Offered: Spring, odd years

    Last Taught: Spring 2021

  • Regulatory RNA Biology | BBS 718

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology

    This advanced topics course will cover current research in the general area of RNA biology. Topics envisioned may include RNA synthesis; modification and processing pathways; RNA structure; RNA transport and subcellular localization; translational regulation; RNAi and microRNAs; RNA decay; RNA aptamers; RNA catalysts; RNA and early evolution; and RNA as a drug and/or drug target. The format of this course will center around group discussion of papers from the primary literature. Grading will be based on student attendance, performance in presentations and participation in group discussions. 

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Directors: Phillip Zamore and Andrei Korostelev

    Semester Offered: Spring, even years

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Cellular Biochemistry | BBS 719

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology

    Cellular Biochemistry takes an inside-out approach to teaching the molecular biological underpinnings of DNA replication, gene transcription, translation, metabolism, secretion and cell signaling.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Mary Munson

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Histology and Tumor Pathology | BBS 720

    Programs: Cancer Biology

    The overall goal of the course is to expose students to the pathology of different types of cancers that occur in humans and the methods used for diagnosis, including histology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and molecular diagnostics. Faculty from the Departments of Pathology and Cancer Biology will teach this course. The course will start with a review of normal tissue histology of all the major organ systems and an overview of diagnostic techniques. The remainder of the course will consist of organ-based lectures in tumor pathology along with a hands-on microscopic review of pathologic tumor samples. The general format of the six-week course will consist of a one-hour lecture followed by a one-hour laboratory session, given three days per week.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Stephen Lyle

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Summer 2021

  • Cancer Biology and Medicine | BBS 725

    Programs: Cancer Biology, Interdisciplinary

    This course will provide students with a rigorous and comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the genesis and progression of human cancers. It will build on the basic science knowledge acquired in the Foundations Course and establish an appreciation of cancer as a disease. The salient topics to be covered include cancer stem cells; oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; tumor-host interactions, invasion and metastasis, cancer metabolism and anti-tumor immunity. A major theme of the course will be to integrate the biology of cancer with the clinical behavior of tumors.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Directors: Arthur Mercurio, Michelle Kelliher

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Principles of Light and Electron Microscopy | BBS 732

    Programs: Interdisciplinary

    Principles and application of microscopy in biomedical research for graduate students at all levels. Demonstrations and laboratory exercises will be incorporated into some of the blocks of the instruction. This course is designed to teach the biologist how microscopes work and how to optimize image quality.

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Directors: Greenfield Sluder, David Grunwald

    Semester Offered: Spring, odd years

    Last Taught: Has not been taught in the past 2 years

  • Eukaryotic Gene Expression | BBS 738

    Programs: Interdisciplinary

    This course encompasses current topics in eukaryotic gene regulation including the discussion of current research articles. Within this context, we will also explore the role of epigenetic regulators in transcriptional control. Course goals include improving skills in reading, presenting, discussing, and critically analyzing research articles.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Craig Peterson

    Semester Offered: Spring, odd years

    Last Taught: Fall 2020

  • Advanced Topics in Bioinformatics | BBS 741

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

    The Advanced Topics in Bioinformatics course covers several important areas of modern bioinformatics and computational biology. The course is aimed not only at students specializing in bioinformatics, but also general biology students who would like to utilize bioinformatics tools in their daily research. The course will begin with an overview of modern sources of bioinformatics data, especially high-throughput sequencing data (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, DNase-seq, ATAC-seq, Whole genome bisulfite sequencing, etc.), followed by a thorough presentation of an extensive set of statistical learning and machine learning algorithms and their application to analyzing biological data. The course will include 10 lectures each with a homework set, followed by individual or group projects, presented in lieu of the final exam. 

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Zhiping Weng

    Semester Offered: Fall, Even Years

    Last Taught: Fall 2020

  • Introduction to Cellular Metabolism and Disease | BBS 748

    Programs: Interdisciplinary, Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, Translational Science

    This intense 3-week course will expose students to a variety of topics related to cellular metabolism. The course will cover material ranging from foundational principles to current leading-edge research. The principles and mechanisms regulating metabolism will be explored from multiple perspectives, including biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, molecular biology and cell biology. 

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Brian Lewis, Amy Walker

    Semester Offered: Fall, Summer

    Last Taught: Summer 2022

  • Infection and Immune Response | BBS 755

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    Infectious disease is among the strongest agents of natural selection, and adaptations constituting the armament of pathogens and the defense of the host involve many of the most fascinating mechanisms in biology. This course presents a modern view of the fundamental biology of bacterial and viral disease in the context of molecular mechanisms of host defense. A detailed knowledge of cellular and molecular components of the immune system will be integrated with current understanding of microbial virulence strategies, to provide a working understanding of biological mechanisms important in health and disease. The course is organized as three integrated sections focusing on the fields of immunology, bacterial pathogenesis, and virology. Students will obtain a background for advanced course work in each of these disciplines. We will focus on three themes; (1) basic properties of microbes and the innate and adaptive immune defenses that have evolved to respond to them, (2) the interplay—in both dynamic and evolutionary sense—between host defenses and microbial virulence, and (3) the mechanisms of pathogenesis during infection. Comparative clinical and epidemiological pictures of selected diseases will be presented, and will serve as a framework for development of key molecular, cellular, and physiological concepts. 

    Credits: 4

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course DirectorTimothy Kowalik

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Introduction to Virology | BBS 755a

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    This is the virology component of BBS 755 Infection and Immune Response.

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Timothy Kowalik, Trudy Morrison

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Bacterial Pathogenesis | BBS 755b

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    This is the bacteriology component of BBS 755 Infection and Immune Response

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director:Timothy Kowalik, Javier Irazoqui

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Introduction to Immunology | BBS 755c

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    This is the immunology component of BBS 755 Infection and Immune Response

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Timothy Kowalik, Micheael Brehm

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Molecular Biology of Cell Cycle | BBS 761

    Programs: Interdisciplinary

    This course covers genetic, biochemical and cellular mechanisms of cell cycle control. Topics include genetic screens for cell cycle regulators; cell cycle checkpoints; cell cycle regulation of DNA replication and chromosome structure; and the cell cycle in development and cancer. 

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Nicholas Rhind

    Semester Offered: Spring, odd years

    Last Taught: Spring 2021

  • Systems and Computational Biology | BBS 764

    Programs: Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Interdisciplinary

    This is a lecture and paper-discussion based course covering a broad range of topics in Systems Biology and Computational biology. 

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Amir Mitchell

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience | BBS 780

    Programs: Neuroscience

    This course has two parts. Part I focuses on electrical properties of neurons, transmitters, receptors, and neurotransmitter release. Part 2 focuses on neurodevelopment. Videos, problem sets, paper discussions and take-home assignments are integrated with subject introductions by faculty for efficient, but active learning. Modern methods and research preparations are introduced along with subject matter to prepare students for thesis research.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course DirectorAnn Rittenhouse

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Bases of Brain Disease | BBS 782

    Programs: Neuroscience

    This advanced topics course will be an in-depth study of specific areas of the neurochemical, anatomical, cell biological and genetic basis of nervous system disease. It will teach students skills in critically reading, literature and presentation of research material. The course topics are divided into sections covering disorders of neuronal migration and development; neurodegenerative diseases; and behavioral disorders. These topics cover the cell and molecular biological processes of brain function in health and disease. 

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Claudio Punzo

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2020

  • Genetic Basis of Behavior | BBS 783

    Programs: Neuroscience

    The genetics of behavior represents a focal point in contemporary neuroscience research. Genetic screens have been conducted to identify mutants affecting behavior in model systems, and this has converged with advances in understanding the neurobiological basis of behavior. This course will synthesize the state of the art regarding the genetic basis of behavior in model organisms (worms, flies and mice), including discussion of learning and memory, circadian rhythms, and social behaviors. Lectures will include descriptions of systems for identifying mutations, genes that have been identified, and how identification of these genes contributes to understanding the underlying neural mechanisms of behavior. The course format will include faculty lectures, student presentations and discussion of assigned readings. 

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: David Weaver

    Semester Offered: Fall, even years

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Molecular Basis of Disease | BBS 786

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Translational Science

    The objective of this course is to introduce GSBS graduate students to approaches used to understand the molecular causes of representative diseases and application of such knowledge toward the design and implementation of rational therapies. The course is divided into five-week sections covering neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Interspersed among these topics will be guest speakers who will discuss specific aspects of the drug design process and novel approaches to therapy, including gene-, RNA-, and cell-based interventions. Class discussions will also help prepare students to participate effectively in team-oriented translational science. Pairs of students will each write a research proposal addressing a disease mechanism or therapy development of interest and defend the proposal during the last two weeks of class.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Directors: Pranoti Mandrekar, Chinmay Trivedi

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Journal Club in Neuroscience | BBS 808

    Programs: Neuroscience

    Neuroscience Journal Club gives students the opportunity to present and discuss exciting new papers in neuroscience in an informal setting. Student presentations occur weekly (Wednesday 12-1). Students are also expected to attend the Neuroscience Program Seminar series (Thursday 12:15-1:15) and to meet with external speakers (Thursday 1:40-2:20). Program in Neuroscience students are required to take 2 semesters of BBS 808.  BBS 838 substitutes for 808.

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: David Weaver 

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Molecular and Cellular Immunology | BBS 821

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    Some of the most active areas of current immunology are investigated through the reading and discussion of research papers. Students further develop the ability to pose questions and design experiments to answer them through writing a research proposal. Topics to be covered include: regulation of lineage specification/commitment and antigen receptor gene recombination; mechanisms of immunological tolerance and lymphocyte activation, cellular transactions and their consequences (e.g., APC:T cell); and immune responses in infectious diseases.

    Credits: 3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: Joonsoo Kang

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Advanced Animal Virology | BBS 822

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    This is a paper reading-based course discussing in depth new findings in animal virology, including viral biochemistry and molecular biology, genetics, oncogenesis, and pathogenesis. The course will be team-taught by UMMS faculty. The course will begin with introductory lectures to provide background for more advanced readings. Students will then cover different specific areas chosen by the professors in detail with paper readings. At the end of the course the students will write a research proposal and present it to the class and faculty. Course can be taken for three credits with proposal and presentation or for two credits without proposal.

    Credits: 2-3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Director: James Munro

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Advanced Bacterial Pathogenesis | BBS 823

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    This course introduces students to cutting-edge topics in bacterial pathogenesis in a class format designed to encourage both critical analysis and concentration on experimental design, which will aid students in preparation for qualifying exams. The course meets once per week for 2.5-3 hours. Depending on class size and on a rotating basis, groups of two or three students lead discussions of selected topics. Presenting students are required to prepare written reviews to focus the discussion. The bulk of class time is devoted to open discussion and critical analysis of the literature, and constructive criticism of student reviews. Each student develops and presents a research proposal on one of the topics discussed. Students taking the course for 2 credits will not be required to prepare the research proposal and research plans. Grading is based on written reviews, quality of presentations, and class participation (all students) and on the quality of the research outline (students taking the class for 3 credits).

    Credits: 2-3

    Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

    Course Directors: Javier Irazoqui, Beth McCormick

    Course Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2020

  • Immunology and Virology Graduate Student Seminars | BBS 833

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    Advanced Immunology & Microbiology Program graduate students present seminars on their thesis research.

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Eric Huseby

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Immunobiology and Virology Spring Seminar Series | BBS 834

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    Leading researchers present a weekly seminar on a basic or clinical immunology and virology topic. Prior to the seminar, students read papers suggested by the seminar speaker and discuss the papers in class. Following the seminar, graduate students meet with the speaker for a discussion of the formal seminar. This course surveys the most important areas of basic and clinical immunology and virology including, but not limited to, antigen presentation; gene rearrangements; and expression of the genes for antigen receptors, immune tolerance, cytokines, immune cell development, immunodeficiency diseases, autoimmune diseases, human immune system malignancies and immune response to infectious agents such as viruses, parasites and bacteria.

    Credits: 2

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Neal Silverman, Eric Huseby, Javier Irazoqui

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Communicating Neuroscience: Learning by Doing | BBS 838

    Programs: Neuroscience

    This course will demonstrate the major elements that distinguish a great presentation, and identify areas in which each student can improve their presentations through peer critiques and self-assessment. Importantly, this class will allow students many opportunities to see their skills improve throughout the course. Substitutes for Neuroscience Journal Club in meeting Neuroscience Program requirements.

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: David Weaver

    Course Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2020

  • Immunology and Virology Summer Tutorial | BBS 846

    Programs: Immunology & Microbiology

    This course is designed to help first-year students prepare for the Immunology & Microbiology Program advanced topics courses in the fall, learn how to think critically about articles, and meet senior students in the program. Students in the class will read one primary and one review paper the week before each class. The topic, paper and review will be chosen by two student mentors. In a brief presentation; the mentors will describe the current state of the field and summarize the review. The class will then discuss the chosen article and critically analyze the positives and negatives of techniques, systems, conclusions, etc.

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Jillian Richmond

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Summer 2022

  • Tutorial in Neuroscience | BBS 848

    Programs: Neuroscience

    Tutorials offer the opportunity for one student or a small group of students to discuss research in a specific research area, or a series of selected papers, with one or more faculty members. The small group format allows extensive discussion and interaction. This course number allows faculty and students the flexibility to develop a syllabus of their making. The proposed syllabus must be approved by the Neuroscience Program director. Tutorials are arranged with individual faculty members. Students may re-enroll for multiple tutorials.

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: David Weaver

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Research Rotation | BBS 850

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    Research rotations are defined periods of research experience under the direction of a faculty member. They are intended to familiarize the student with concepts and techniques in several areas of research and to assist the student in evaluating research laboratories and projects that might be developed into a dissertation project. The student will participate in an ongoing research project; gain familiarity with concepts underlying the research; acquire a working knowledge of techniques used in the research; and write a report and present an oral summary of the results of the research. 

    Credits: 2-5

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Varies

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every Fall and Spring semester

  • Research Rotation | BBS 851

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    Research rotations are defined periods of research experience under the direction of a faculty member. They are intended to familiarize the student with concepts and techniques in several areas of research and to assist the student in evaluating research laboratories and projects that might be developed into a dissertation project. The student will participate in an ongoing research project; gain familiarity with concepts underlying the research; acquire a working knowledge of techniques used in the research; and write a report and present an oral summary of the results of the research. 

    Credits: 6

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course DirectorVaries

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every Summer

  • BBS Qualifying Exam | BBS 860

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    Students are required to register for this course in the fall semester of the academic year in which they are to pass their Qualifying Examination.

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Mary Ellen Lane

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Taught every year 

  • BBS TRAC Meeting | BBS 865

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    All graduate students are required to have at least one Thesis Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting each academic year. After passing their Qualifying Examination and selection of their TRAC, students are required to register for this course each fall semester until their Dissertation Advisory Committee is formed.

    MD/PhD Goals: 1) To periodically review progress along thesis research project advised by content experts 2) To provide guidance for establishing a thesis research project consistent with the MD/PhD Program goals

    MD/PhD Curricular Expectations: Two Thesis Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting each academic year as define by the Professionalism Benchmark Checklist

    Credits: 1

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Mary Ellen Lane

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Taught every year

  • Prequalifying Research | BBS 870

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    This course is for students who have selected a program and thesis advisor but who have not yet passed the Qualifying Examination. 

    Credits: 9

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every semester

  • Thesis Research | BBS 900

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    Students register for Thesis Research fall term of year three of the program (MD/PhD Students: Fall term of year four in the program), after passing the Qualifying Exam.

    Credits: 12

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every semester

  • Graduate Research | BBS 990

    Programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology & Microbiology, Interdisciplinary, Neuroscience, Translational Science

    Students register for Graduate Research fall term of year four (MD/PhD Students: Fall term of year five+) in the PhD Program and will continue to register each semester until they complete all remaining requirements.

    Credits: 0

    Fulfills an elective requirement: No

    Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every semester

  • Research Assistantship (PREP) | CTS 550

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

    Laboratory rotations are defined periods of research experience under the direction of a faculty member. They are intended to familiarize the student with concepts and techniques in several areas of research and to assist the student in evaluating research laboratories and projects that might be developed into a dissertation project. The student will participate in an on-going research project; gain familiarity with concepts underlying the research; acquire a working knowledge of techniques used in the research; and write a report and present an oral summary of the results of the research.

    Credits: 2-4

    Course DirectorFaculty member in whose lab student is working

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring

    Last Taught: Taught every Fall and Spring semester

  • Advanced Epidemiology and Research Methods | CTS 602A

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation, Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

    Building on basic skills in epidemiology and scientific research methods, this course will cover research design, including hypothesis development, measurement, and analysis. Students will explore methodological strengths of various quantitative and qualitative techniques and designs. Students will have three examinations, weekly problem sets and assignments to develop original research approaches to specific scientific and clinical questions.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CTS605A or equivalent or permission from course coordinator 

    Course Director: William Jesdale

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Advanced Epidemiology and Research Methods | CTS 602B

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The purpose of this class is to learn advanced epidemiologic techniques, to learn how and when to apply them, and to learn to design rigorous epidemiologic studies.  Students will gain experience in reading the primary epidemiologic methods literature. Course objectives will be met through class lecture, class discussion, problem sets, exams, application of selected principles to one’s research and the development of a mini-lecture.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CTS602A, CTS603A, CTS603B (corequisite) 

    Course Director: Anthony Nunes

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Generalized Linear Models | CTS 603A

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course provides an overview of multivariable analysis and advanced analytical strategies for clinical and population health research. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of multivariable modeling in the context of linear, logistic and Poisson regression. Computational lab assignments and two exams will be completed.

    Credits: 4

    Prerequisites: CTS605A, Introduction to Statistics or permission from course coordinator 

    Course Director: Austin Lee

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Statistical Methods for Survival and Longitudinal Data Analysis | CTS 603B

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    Course provides a foundation for statistical thinking in clinical and population health research involving time to event data and longitudinal data. Students will learn statistical models used for estimation and inference; understand advanced statistical techniques; and develop modeling strategies and analysis plans for specific research questions.

    Credits: 4

    Prerequisites: CTS603A

    Course Director: Jonggyu Baek

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Comprehensive Project | CTS 604

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research

    This course will provide structure and support for students completing their first major evaluation milestone.  Students come to the first day of class with a research study question approved by their mentor and an existing dataset to use to evaluate the study question. Students will develop a manuscript and write it up according to the instructions for authors for the target journal. Students will conduct their own data analysis and will be evaluated on summative competencies expected to be achieved by the end of their first year of CPHR core coursework and research experiences.  Students present their work in an open forum in the form of a 10-15 minute presentation followed by questions and answers. The manuscripts are sent out for review by three faculty.  Students have two weeks to write a rebuttal and prepare a revised manuscript.

    Credits: 4

    Prerequisites: CTS602A&B, CTS603A&B, CTS702

    Course Director: Shao-Hsien Liu

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Summer 2022

  • Introduction to Clinical and Translational Research | CTS 605A

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation, Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

    This course reviews basic principles of epidemiology, investigation of disease outbreaks, and the application of various observational and experimental research designs and strategies to clinical, epidemiological, and translational research. Didactic instruction, readings, and problem sets (including lab-based analyses) are utilized to more fully understand epidemics and their causes, as well as various study designs including cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, cohort designs, and randomized clinical trials. Students also will learn how to design surveillance systems and develop and evaluate screening and diagnostic tests. Students are graded on in-class participation and two writing assignments (write-up of lab exercise and in-class student presentation). This is a full semester course with a total of 30 contact hours.

    Credits: 3

    Course Director: Austin Lee

    Semester Offered: Fall, Summer

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Community Engagement in Research | CTS 608

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    Students will learn how to: create and sustain cohesive research teams; develop a productive program of research; develop good mentor and mentee relationships; engage in transdisciplinary science; understand the NIH Roadmap; and hear about different forms of clinical and community research from local investigators who conduct it. 

    Course Director: Stephenie Lemon

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Summer 2021

  • Design of Clinical Trials | CTS 609

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The course considers the scientific and practical considerations in the design and conduct of observational studies and clinical trials. Topics to be covered include: study designs (cohort studies, case-control studies and clinical trials); confounding and bias; ethical considerations; patient recruitment and retention; interim analysis and safety monitoring; and analysis and reporting. Course objectives will be met through a combination of lecture, discussion and development of a proposal in the student’s area of interest.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CTS605A or permission from instructor 

    Course Director: Bruce Barton

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Scientific Writing | CTS 611

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course teaches students how to develop a peer reviewed scientific manuscript, through the review of elements of style, authorship and extent of information that needs to be incorporated into a scientific research paper. Students will learn how to develop the elements that go into a successful scientific manuscript, submit an article for peer review and respond to reviewers' concerns. During each session, students will critique the work of others enrolled in the course to obtain hands on experience in the write-up of the introduction, methods, results and discussion sections of a manuscript. This course will also teach students how to put together a successful oral, as well as poster, scientific presentation.

    Credits: 3

    Course Director: Robert Goldberg

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Systematic Review | CTS 701

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The purpose of this class is to teach students how to conduct a systematic review, including development of a question of appropriate scope and clinical relevance; development of abstraction tool; selection of articles; and drafting of all sections of the review, including tables and figures. The end product will be a journal style and length systematic review in the topic area of the student’s substantive interest area that is 75 percent ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. 

    Credits: 2

    Course Director: Shao-Hsien Liu

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Ethics for Clinical Research | CTS 702

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course is designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of ethics that will prepare them to understand and address problems in the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects, as well as understand and address scientific misconduct, including fraud, misrepresentation and conflict of interest. The course also addresses authorship guidelines, IRB regulations and UMass Medical School regulations. Students will also focus on how to design ethical research and evaluate treatment risk, placebo control, ethics of recruitment, dilemmas of informed consent, potential scientific contribution and issues for special populations and conducting research internationally. 

    Credits: 2

    Course Director: Catherine Dube

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Advanced Topics in Epidemiology | CTS 711

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    Course will cover a focused set of issues in advanced epidemiology such as conducting community based, surveillance-based randomized controlled trial. Skills will be developed in the practical and scientific issues as well as analysis plans and presentation of results.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CTS602A, CTS602B, CTS603A, CTS603B, or permission from instructor

    Course Director: Sarah Forrester

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Advanced Topics in Biostatistics | CTS 712

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course will cover an advanced topic in biostatistics (for example, longitudinal data analysis, survival analysis, graphical information systems and spatial statistics). The purpose of the course is to provide students with emersion in one particular area of biostatistics, providing the theoretical background necessary and the practical hands-on data-analyze experience.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CTS603A, CTS603B or permission from instructor 

    Course Director: Kate Lapane

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Advanced Analytical Methods in Health Outcome Studies | CTS 716

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This advanced methods course is focused on learning methods for addressing confounding and bias. The goals for students taking this course are: to become comfortable recognizing and discussing bias and confounding; to gain experience in using a variety of techniques that help in identifying and minimizing bias and confounding; and to be able to assess the potential impact of residual bias and confounding on study results. This course is organized as topic lectures followed by applications of the topic. Students independently apply what is introduced in the lecture to their own data and share their learning with classmates. 

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CTS602A, CTS602B, CTS603A, CTS603B

    Course Director: Matthew Alcusky

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Spring 2020

  • Randomized Clinical Trials in Behavioral Medicine Research | CTS 717

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities for the student to understand the foundations of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in behavioral medicine research. Topics related to theory, design, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral randomized clinical trials will be discussed. Students will develop a research project where concepts can be applied and practice reviewing behavioral RCTs in the published literature.

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: CTS702 or permission from instructor

    Course Director: Catherine Dube

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2020

  • Health Literacy in Research and Practice | CTS 720

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course focuses on examining and analyzing the concept of health literacy, with an emphasis on the relationship of health literacy to one’s ability to manage and optimize their health. The association of health literacy to health disparities and health outcomes will be explored. Challenges in conducting health literacy research and challenges inherent in providing quality care to those with limited health literacy will be examined. Evidence-based individual and organizational approaches to mitigate the effects of limited health literacy will be addressed.

    Credits: 3

    Course Director: Nancy Morris

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Introduction to the U.S Health Care System: How Policies and Practice Affect Health | CTS 725

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course provides an in-depth look at the U.S. health care system. Students will apply constructs of structure, process, and outcomes of care to understanding and evaluating health care quality and cost, and learn how health care policies and payment practices impact the accessibility, effectiveness and cost of care. 

    Credits: 2

    Course Director: Kate Lapane

    Semester Offered: Fall, odd years

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Design and Conduct of Studies of Chronic Disease | CTS 726

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The course will discuss fundamental concepts in chronic disease epidemiology; common research methods used in the design and conduct of studies of chronic disease epidemiology; and the application of these methods for the major chronic diseases affecting industrialized countries. Topics will include cardiovascular disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes and lifestyle practices to promote health.

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: CTS605A or permission from instructor 

    Course Director: Mara Epstein

    Semester Offered: Fall, odd years

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Use of Existing Population-Based Public Health and Health Care Data | CTS 727

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    Students will become familiar with existing population-based public health, electronic medical record and claims data. Topics include advantages and disadvantages, complex sampling and weighting, and obtaining limited-access data. Using a population-based dataset, students will develop and implement an analytic plan to answer a research question of their choosing.

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: At least one semester each of epidemiology and biostatistics or permission of the course director

    Course Director: ShaoHsien Liu

    Semester Offered: Spring, even years

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Psychiatric Epidemiology | CTS 728

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course will provide students with fundamental knowledge of psychiatric epidemiology. We will cover epidemiological principles specific to psychiatric epidemiology such as assessment and diagnostic validity in the absence of a gold standard. Students will be given the opportunity to conduct original research and will gain knowledge of particular psychiatric illnesses through student preparation of course presentations.

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: At least one semester each of epidemiology and biostatistics or permission of the course director

    Course Director: Kate Lapane

    Semester Offered: Spring, even years

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Social Epidemiology | CTS 729

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    We will cover the main societal causes implicated in affecting the health of human populations, including class hierarchy, racism, gender hierarchy, heteronormativity and ableism. We will focus on methodological approaches to measuring and interpreting these forces and their effects, on both minority and dominant populations.

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: CTS 605A or permission of the instructor

    Course Director: William Jesdale

    Semester Offered: Spring, even years

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Behavioral Determinants | CTS 731

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The purpose of this class is to learn models of disease prevention; multilevel determinants of health behaviors; and major theories of health behavior change and their application to interventions to address major public health problems. 

    Credits: 2

    Course Director: Milagros Rosal

    Semester Offered: Fall, even years

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Qualitative Methods for Health Research | CTS 732

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course examines uses of qualitative methods in mixed-qualitative or mixed-qualitative/quantitative health studies. Essential qualitative research components are explored: study community, theory, rigor, research questions, data collection methods, writing open-ended questions, sampling, data analysis, publishing and writing proposals. Students apply concepts covered in class by collecting data for written assignments.

    Credits: 2

    Course Director: Catherine Dube

    Semeter Offered: Spring, odd years

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Pharmacoepidemiology | CTS 733

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The purpose of this class is to learn pharmacoepidemiology, including: rigorous methodologic approaches to the measurement of medication exposure, adherence and adverse events; pharmacoepidemiologic study design; choices for pharmacoepidemiology data resources; and the role of quality of life measurements and pharmacoeconomics.

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: CTS 602A or equivalent

    Course Directors: Matthew Alcusky and Anthony Nunes

    Semester Offered: Summer, odd years

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Place and Health | CTS 734

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    In this class, we will explore the influence of place on population health, including physical environment (e.g., air, water, soil, food), built environment (e.g., neighborhood structure, traffic, green space), social environment (e.g., cohesion, safety, deprivation, segregation), and legal and civic structure (e.g., policy, law, representation). We will also learn to implement (and critique) methodologic approaches that are particularly adapted to understanding how individuals and places interact, specifically multilevel thinking and modeling, and spatial analytic methods. 

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: CTS 602A or equivalent

    Course Director: William Jesdale

    Semester Offered: Summer, Fall, odd years

    Last Taught: Fall 2021

  • Introduction to Implementation Science: Moving Research into Practice in Healthcare and Community Settings | CTS 735

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This class provides an introduction to what is often referred to as translational, dissemination or implementation research, as well as the broad field of implementation science. Students will learn about the significance and major initiatives associated with moving research into practice, and will be introduced to conceptual and analytic tools (e.g., theories, frameworks) to support work in this area.

    Credits: 2

    Course Directors: Jamie Faro and Daniel Amante

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Conducting Implementation Research: Designing and Executing Studies for Moving Research into Practice in Health Care and Community Settings | CTS 736

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This class builds on the foundation offered in CTS 735 regarding salient concepts and theories in the field of implementation science to examine key issues in the design and conduct of implementation research. Students will learn about prominent study designs that characterize many implementation trials, the important role that formative assessment plays in informing implementation efforts, and the issues inherent in identifying and measuring appropriate implementation processes and outcomes. 

    Credits: 2

    Prerequisites: CTS 735 or instructor permission

    Course Directors: Timothy Hogan

    Semester Taught: Spring

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Independent Study | CTS 799

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The purpose of an independent study elective is to gain in depth knowledge of a specific topic by working closely with a faculty member with expertise in that area. Typically independent studies cover areas not addressed in the core curriculum and advanced topics or other electives. However, the level of effort and objectives for an independent study must be equivalent to that of a regular three-credit course. The student and sponsoring faculty member must propose a framework and outcome for the independent study, in the semester prior to the semester in which the student will be enrolled, to the program director for prior approval. 

    Credits: 1-6

    Prerequisites: Permission of associate dean for CPHR & course coordinator 

    Course Director: Varies

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Summer 2022

  • Journal Club | CTS 802

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This journal club provides a forum in which students will discuss current articles and be introduced to advanced methods. Through readings, presentations and discussion, students will deepen their understanding of methods critical for clinical investigation and strengthen their data presentation and writing skills. 

    Credits: 1

    Course Director: Robert Goldberg

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Research Assistantship | CTS 850

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research

    Research rotations are defined periods of research experience under the direction of a faculty member. They are intended to familiarize the student with the theory, background, concepts and techniques in several areas of research and to assist the student in evaluating projects and areas that might be developed into a dissertation project. The student will participate in an ongoing research project; gain familiarity with a field of study; acquire a working knowledge of techniques used in the research; and write a report and make an oral presentation on the results of their work. 

    Credits: 4

    Course Director: Student's advisor

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every semester

  • Written Qualifying Exam | CTS 860A

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research

    This course number is used for students sitting for the written qualifying exam—an evaluation milestone typically conducted in Spring of their second year of graduate study. 

    Credits: 1

    Course Director: Kate Lapane

    Semester Offered: Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every year

  • Oral Qualifying Exam | CTS 860B

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research

    This course number is used for students who will defend their dissertation proposal. Students should register for this either in the Spring or Summer of their second year of graduate studies. 

    Credits: 1

    Course Director: Kate Lapane

    Semester Offered: Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every year

  • CTS TRAC Meeting | CTS 865

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    All graduate students are required to have a TRAC meeting each academic year in the Fall . After passing their Qualifying Exam in January of the second year and the Thesis Proposal Defense in the Spring or Summer of second year, students are required to register for this course each Fall semester until their Dissertation Examination Committee is formed.

    Credits: 1

    Course Director: Kate Lapane

    Semester Offered: Fall Spring

    Last Taught: Course taught every year

  • Pre-Thesis Research | CTS 870

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course is for students who have selected a program and thesis advisor but who have not yet passed their Qualifying Examination.

    Credits: 3-9

    Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every semester

  • CPHR Proposal Development | CTS 875

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    The purpose of this course is to allow CPHR PhD students to gain experience writing grant proposals in a systematic fashion under faculty guidance. The course includes overviews of the grant process, participation in a mock proposal review session, and the completion of each of the written scientific components of proposals. 

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CTS702, CTS602A, CTS 602B, CTS603A, CTS603B or permission of instructor

    Course Director: Mara Epstein

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Spring 2022

  • Thesis Research | CTS 900

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    Students register for Thesis Research after passing a Qualifying Examination. They will take Thesis Research each semester until they have accumulated 90 credits.

    Credits: 7-12

    Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every semester

  • Graduate Research | CTS 990

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research

    Students register for Graduate Research after completing the requisite number of credits to meet graduation requirements. They will take this course each semester until they complete all remaining requirements.

    Credits: 0

    Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every semester

  • Theory and Skills for Academic Health Educators | IPE-G 737

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course presents evidence based teaching theories, strategies and skills for individuals interested in the role of faculty in programs preparing students for health professions. Contemporary issues and approaches to educating students with diverse learning needs will be addressed from assessment of learning styles to evaluation of outcomes.  Societal influences on the curriculum development process are highlighted along with strategies for enhancing academic career development.

    Credits: 3

    Course Director: Maureen Wassef

    Semester Offered: Spring

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Qualitative Methods | IPE-G 801

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth study of major qualitative designs and methods used to build substantive knowledge in nursing.  Emphasis is placed upon experiential learning of methods and techniques to design studies along with analysis and interpretation of data.

    Credits: 3

    Course Director: Donna Perry

    Semester Offered: Fall

    Last Taught: Has not been taught within last two years

  • Survey Methods and Measurement in Health Research | IPE-G 804

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course focuses on survey methods, measurement theory and the processes of instrument evaluation, refinement and development. There will be an emphasis on the interaction of conceptual, methodological, cultural and pragmatic considerations that are essential to understand when measuring variables among clinical populations. Topics include survey design; scale development, item construction, psychometric evaluation of scales, data collection procedures and sampling strategies.

    Credits: 3

    Course Directors: James Fain and Sybil Crawford

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Summer 2022

  • Advanced Qualitative Research Methods & Analysis | IPE-G 819

    Programs: Clinical & Population Health Research, MS in Clinical Investigation

    This course builds on prior course work in qualitative methods and places specific emphasis on interviewing skills, participant observation, data management and data analysis. The process for intricately managing and iteratively analyzing qualitative data to allow descriptive and useful emergent latent or manifest findings that are congruent with the study purpose and aims will be discussed. Special attention will be paid to re-presenting data findings including oral and written presentation of qualitative findings as well as ethical considerations. There will be opportunities to have hands-on practice in conducting data management and analysis with differentiation among several qualitative approaches.

    Credits: 3

    Course Director: Susan Lynn Sullivan-Bolyai

    Semester Offered: Summer

    Last Taught: Summer 2020

  • Developing Solutions to Research Problems A - Year One | MDP 740A

    Programs: MD/PhD

    Goals:  This course is designed to help students discern study design approaches appropriate to the area of inquiry, consider biological variability in study design, prospectively design and select valid data collection instruments, prospectively identify appropriate statistical methodologies and alternative analytical approaches, identify data sharing and publication strategies, accurately communicate facts and interpret results, and fairly acknowledge specific contributions to research studies. As part of the course, students are expected to achieve a minimum competency in the programing language “R”.  These course activities will be conducted in a manner that enables the student’s intellectual contribution to the University’s academic and research functions.

    Objectives:

    •Review the elements of experimental design, tools, and standards

    •Provide an overview of quality procedures for biomedical research, including authentication procedures

    •Review reporting guidelines used for manuscript preparation

    •Present a workflow that promotes transparency including detailed record keeping and data management

    •Demonstrate understanding of how to conduct reproducibility/replication studies and effectively communicate results

    •Basic of downloading data and essential dataset manipulation

    •Basics of descriptive visualizing data once cleaned

    •Basics of most common statistical analyses

    •Basics of visualization and graphing

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

  • Developing Solutions to Research Problems B - Year Two | MDP 740B

    Programs: MD/PhD

    Goals: Facilitate application of standards and requirements for rigor and responsibility and research as applied to the student’s potential thesis project.  In coordination with identified Thesis advisor, the student will elaborate thoughts on questions/problems to be analyzed, approaches to hypothesis generation, strategy for hypothesis testing, and strategy for data storage, analysis, and reporting.  These course activities will be conducted in a manner that enables the student’s intellectual contribution to the University’s academic and research functions.

     Objectives:

    •Identify the question or problem that is the topic of the research

    •To enumerate current hypotheses related to the research question

    •To justify the need for further hypothesis generation

    •To explain how specific hypotheses will be derived from hypothesis generating approach

    •To define the timeline for hypothesis generation

    •To describe specific assays to test specific hypothesis

    •To describe and justify statistical tests that will be used

    •To escribe how reproducibility will be ensured

    •To describe where and how data will be stored

    •To describe anticipated timelines for reporting and publication

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring

  • Developing Solutions to Research Problems C - Year Three | MDP 740C

    Programs: MD/PhD

    Goals: The goal for the course is to continue to support MD/PhD student connection to research activities during their Core Clinical Experiences (CCE).  This will allow the student to conduct research in a manner that enables their intellectual contribution to the University’s academic and research functions.  The second goal is to support students in preparing to apply to research intensive residency programs.  These activities will involve a minimum of one hour per week over the course of the semester (15 hours total). 

     Objectives:

    •Propose an approach to investigate novel research questions arising from their clinical observations

    •Continue interactions with Thesis lab to conclude potential in progress research publications

    •In consultation with MD/PhD mentors, explore potential areas of specialization that will be compatible with long term research career goals

    •In consultation with MD/PhD mentors and Thesis advisor, work on Personal Statement appropriate for application to residency programs

    Curricular Expectations: The student will develop a presentation appropriate for the requirement for the Capstone Scholarship Discovery Program.

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

  • Introduction to Translational Medicine | MDP 741

    Programs: MD/PhD

    Goals: The MD/PhD program stresses the importance of maintaining clinical involvement during students’ dissertation research.  The first goal of this course is to allow students to maintain clinical skills in a variety of clinical settings.  The second goal is to help students identify an appropriate specialty in which to pursue residency training.  Sessions should reinforce clinical skills learned during the first two years of medical school, as well as during the first 16 weeks of Core Clinical Experiences (CCE). 

    Curricular Expectations: Students will engage in a minimum 15 hours of clinical experiences during each of the fall, spring, and summer terms. Students will also participate in the Physician Scientist Forum, which is held weekly on Monday evenings.  Students will be evaluated by their designated Learning Community MD/PhD mentor at the end of each term.

    Prior to the end of each term during their dissertation research, students will record their clinical hours in the OASIS system using a dedicated form that will include the date, time, term, preceptor, and number of hours. 

    Preceptors must have a faculty appointment at UMass Medical School, and clinical sessions must take place at a facility that is affiliated with UMass Medical School.  The student’s designated Learning Community MD/PhD mentor must approve the choice of preceptor.

    Semester Taught: Fall, Spring, Summer

  • MD/PhD HIPAA and OSHA Certification | MDP 742

    Programs: MD/PhD

    Goal: To maintain HIPAA and OHSA qualifications while enrolled in the research portion of the combined degree program.

    Curricular Expectations: Complete the certification module of HIPPA and OSHA online course/assessment in Black Board Learn annually (within the first two weeks GSBS fall semester) each year. This is an online class that can be accessed by each MD/PhD student registered for this course in PeopleSoft.  The scores will be monitored by the MD/PhD Program Administrator during the student's PhD years.

    Semester Offered: Fall

  • Preparation for Thesis Research | MDP 743

    Programs: MD/PhD

    Goals: Preparation of MD/PhD students to enter GSBS full-time research in fall term after completing 16 weeks of clinical clerkships from May through August prior to GSBS start.  This includes meetings with the future PI, literature review, and, when scheduling permits, attendance at lab meetings.  For students who have not yet selected a PI the requirements are to work with MD/PhD Advisors and GSBS leadership to target and meet with potential lab rotation mentors during the summer term.

    Curricular Expectations: For students who have selected an advisor:  Attend meetings with intended mentor, literature review, and attendance at lab meetings.  Work on development of life skills needed to balance clinical and research obligations. 

    For students who have not selected a thesis mentor they should be meeting with potential rotations, talking to MD/PHD advisor and attending research seminars from potential labs.  Outcome should be a signed lab rotation form submitted to GSBS by late August in time to start the rotation day one of Fall term.

    Semester Offered: Summer

  • MD/PhD Physician Scientist Forum | MDP 800

    Programs: MD/PhD

    Objectives: 

    •To foster skills that MD/PhD students need to be maximally competitive for research intensive residency programs.

    •To guide MD/PhD students regarding postgraduate training opportunities through interactions with residents, fellows, and faculty.

    •To highlight connections between basic and clinical science through the presentation and discussion of patient cases.

    •To expose postgraduate trainees to research conducted by MD/PhD students and promote opportunities for potential collaboration.

    Curricular Expectations: This seminar is offered weekly for 1.5 hours every Monday evening.  It is organized by MD/PhD students, and participation is required of students in all years of the MD/PhD program who are not otherwise scheduled for clinical rotations.

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

  • MD/PhD Graduate Research for Students Post-Dissertation | MDP 990

    Students enrolled in the MD/PHD Program who have completed their requirements for the PhD degree will register for this GSBS course each semester while completing their School of Medicine requirements. Students enrolled in this course will participate in and assist with the teaching/evaluation of the MDP Seminar course (MDP800). This course is the MD/PhD equivalent of the GSBS course - GR900, Graduate Research. All students must be in good standing in the MD/PhD program to pass.

    Course Administrator: Anne Michelson

    Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

    Last Taught: Taught every year

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