Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences (BLCS)
Note: the courses on this page reflect Summer Term 2008 offerings.
Please check back on December 15 for a list of courses available during Summer Term 2009.
Metropolitan College
The following courses, offered at the Boston University School of Medicine
(BUSM) in Boston's South End, are part of a program specializing in clinical
research, biotechnology, and laboratory science.
All courses meet at BUSM.
The "S" building is 801 Albany
Street. The "R" and "L" Buildings are located at 715 Albany Street. Call the
BLCS office at 617-638-5622 to request permission, confirm classroom and obtain
directions or e-mail Constance Phillips at cphilli@bu.edu.
GMS BT 106 Medical Terminology II
Prereq: GMS BT 104 or consent of instructor. Continue building your
medical vocabulary, learning the anatomy and diseases of the following systems:
digestive, urinary, nervous, and integumentary (skin). 2 cr.
Top
GMS BT 108 Introductory Math for the Laboratory
Introduces the fundamental math used in biomedical laboratory science.
Emphasis is placed on the metric system and scientific notation. Basic
algebra, word problems, significant figures, and data presentation are also
covered. This course is suitable for students who need a refresher on math
fundamentals before taking GMS BT 208. 2 cr.
Top
GMS BT 210 Technical Writing for Clinical Research
Introduces students to the structure,
content, and regulatory requirements of documents created for the clinical
research industry. Reviews the FDA regulations and ICH guidances
for drug, device and biologic documents, AMA Manual of Style Guidelines,
and common industry standards. Students will learn to compose study abstracts,
clinical protocols, informed consent forms, and clinical study reports. 4
cr.
Top
GMS BT 305 Introductory Biochemistry
Prereq: GMS BI 105 and GMS CH 101 or equivalent, or consent
of instructor. Provides an overview of biochemistry to prepare students for
advanced undergraduate or general graduate science courses.
Topics covered include physical properties of biological molecules; structure
and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids; kinetics
and mechanism of enzymatic catalysis; and metabolism. 4 cr.
Top
GMS BT 406 Clinical Laboratory Genetics
Advanced course designed for those considering a career in clinical
or research genetics. Emphasis is on cytogenetics (chromosome testing), diagnosis
of genetic
diseases at the molecular level (DNA testing), study of DNA polymorphism (i.e.,
paternity, identity, and forensic testing), and biochemical and prenatal testing.
Also available for graduate credit. Call the GMS office:
617-638-5120. 4 cr.
Top
GMS BT 407 Cytogenetics Laboratory
Prereq: GMS BT 406 or equivalent
or consent of instructor. Provides students with "hands-on" exposure
to the basic laboratory procedures involved in clinical cytogenetics. Students
obtain, culture, and prepare cells for chromosome analysis. Students learn
to set up
blood cultures and manipulate established cell cultures to prepare and analyze
chromosomes using chromosome banding techniques, FISH, and other procedures.
This course will provide a sound basis for understanding methods of genetic
testing in a clinical setting. 4 cr.
Top
GMS BT 412 Protein Purification & Analysis Laboratory
Prereq: biology, chemistry, biochemistry knowledge or equivalent, or consent of instructor. This laboratory course will cover a wide variety of conventional methods for protein isolation, purification, and characterization. Training will be provided in experimental design and approaches for isolating and purifying proteins—including selection of tissues, subcellular fractionation, analytical ultracentrifugation, isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, SDS-PAGE, and affinity chromatography. The goals of the course are to introduce the most important and useful concepts of protein purification and handling and to help students to develop an insight about how to work with proteins. Permission required. 4 cr.
Top
GMS BT 450 Forensic Toxicology
Prereq: knowledge of biology and chemistry. Explores the role of toxicology
in society both as a safeguard to prevent injury from environmental chemicals
and a tool
in
the
investigations
of suspicious deaths. Case studies, guest speakers, and group discussions will
accompany lectures and demonstrations as students also explore the role of
legal and medical communities as well as governmental agencies in dealing with
issues. 4 cr.
Top
GMS BT 484 Advanced Cell Culture
Prereq: GMS BT 413 or equivalent, basic cell culture experience, or
consent of instructor. Cell culture has become an indispensable tool for all
areas of biomedical science. In this course, students develop the necessary
routine by taking care of particular cell lines throughout the entire course.
At the same time, students examine their cell lines using advanced techniques,
such as transient and stable transfections, reporter gene assays, activation
of signaling pathways, induction of cell differentiation, examination of cell
cycle and apoptosis, fluorescent microscopy, and FACS analysis. At the end
of the course, each group presents their findings during a poster session.
Laboratory course. 4 cr.
Top
GMS BT 560 Good Clinical Practices (GCP) in Clinical Research
Introduces the regulatory responsibilities of sponsors, monitors, and
investigators conducting clinical trials. Practical information and exercises
are designed
for the clinical trial professional on procedures for ensuring GCP compliance
from an industry perspective. Topics include identifying and selecting qualified
investigators, obtaining ethical approval to enroll patients, and initiating
sites successfully. Also covers issues related to collecting required regulatory
documentation, verifying high quality data, maintaining study materials accountability,
and reporting serious adverse events. Group discussions and guest speakers
help students learn the practical skills used in the field. Permission
required. Also available for graduate credit. Call the GMS office: 617-638-5120.
4 cr.
Top
GMS BT 580 Legal and Ethical Issues in Clinical Research
Students examine the development and implementation of regulatory as well
as ethical issues involved with conducting clinical trials. Topics covered
include: protection of human subjects, privacy and confidentiality, conflicts
of interest, negativity toward clinical trials, research on vulnerable subjects,
genetic testing, and genetic research. Also included are discussions of
current ethical issues in clinical research within the media. Permission
required. Also available for graduate credit. Call the GMS office: 617-638-5120.
2 cr.
Top
GMS BT 591/BT 592 Biomed Externship
Prereq: resume-writing workshop. Directed study for degree candidates
only. Practical, hands-on experience in laboratory setting. Variable credits
and fees,
as arranged with Director Phillips. Permission required.
per credit
Summer 1 and 2:
Arranged.
Top
