Courses
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Required Courses and Clerkships
NOTE: THESE COURSES CAN ONLY BE TAKEN BY STUDENTS IN THE MD PROGRAM
For information on electives for BUSM students, please refer to the BUSM Registrar’s webpage
For more information on Boston University School of Medicine’s Division of Graduate Medical Sciences’ course offerings, please refer to their page on the BU Bulletin Website.
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Required Courses and Clerkships
NOTE: These courses can only be taken by studentS in the MD program
For information on electives for BUSM students, please refer to the BUSM Registrar’s webpage: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-reg
For more information on Boston University School of Medicine’s Division of Graduate Medical Sciences’ course offerings, please refer to their page on the BU Bulletin Website.
MED MS 122: Gross Anatomy
The BUSM Gross Anatomy course is organized regionally and the content will follow the course of the dissection. The course will first cover Back and Limbs, then Thorax, Abdomen, and Pelvis, and finally Head and Neck.
MED MS 124: Integrated Problems 1A
In this course, medical students progressively learn to systematically to dissect clinical cases in a group environment. At the end of four semesters, a student will be able to integrate knowledge from other courses and create, research and present clinical questions to assess a patient. The students will develop clinical reasoning skills that will allow them to determine differential diagnoses and clinical plans for these patients. Students will gain experience working with colleagues in a respectful manner that will prepare their similar experiences in the future.
MED MS 132: Integrated Problems 1B
See IP 1A Description.
MED MS 125: Introduction to Clinical Medicine I
In the fall semester, the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course provides medical students with an opportunity to interview real patients and to observe their peers interviewing patients. Conducting a medical interview is an essential skill for physicians. This course will help medical students to develop empathic listening, to establish rapport, and to be able to ask open and closed ended questions. It is also important to learn how to present clinical findings to peers and fourth-year medical students or attending physicians.
In the second semester each first year student spends ten sessions shadowing a clinician-mentor in the ambulatory setting. The experience is meant to introduce the student to the practice of medicine (broadly defined) and allows the student to practice targeted parts of the medical interview and physical exam. In addition to the clinical sessions, students convene at the medical school for scheduled didactic seminars as well as small group sessions where they focus on more advanced interviewing skills and the introduction to the physical exam. At the end of the semester they participate in a one case OSCE session with a standardized patient where they take a history, do a targeted portion of the physical exam and receive formative feedback.
MED MS 126: Human Behavior in Medicine
This course is designed to provide knowledge of human behavior important to the treatment of patients and their families. While knowledge of disease and its treatment are integral to medical care, understanding the patient as a person who suffers from an illness with his or her own beliefs about the cause and treatment of the illness is part of being an effective physician. Physicians who have an understanding of the aging and dying process can then help patients and their families deal with medical realities. Medical staff who have an awareness of the dynamics of addictions and domestic violence can hone their intuition as to what might assist the individual and the individual’s spouse, children and elderly dependents. In addition, understanding the patient’s sexuality gives a more complete medical understanding of the individual.
MED MS 127: Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Biochemistry and Cell Biology provides a great opportunity to study the underlying cellular, biochemical and molecular reactions in the human body. These disciplines allow students to learn how the body works and how alterations in these reactions can lead to a disease state. Such knowledge is essential to becoming an outstanding physician. From a clinical point of view, Biochemistry and Cell Biology provide not only a description of how the physiological system works, but also a foundation for understanding how to improve its operation and potential development of therapeutic and enhanced patient management strategies.
MED MS 129: Essentials of Public Health
The Essentials of Public Health course recognizes that delivering quality healthcare requires extensive knowledge of the health system in which a physician practices. Being an efficient and effective physician will require knowledge of health services, medical economics and ethical, legal, political and regulatory constraints. Awareness of the environmental and social factors that influence health in individuals and populations is necessary for the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. Caring for patients requires sensitivity to language, culture, race and ethnicity, as well as familiarity with psychosocial and behavioral models. Knowledge of epidemiology and biostatistics is necessary for evaluating effective medical interventions as well as the population basis for the practice of community medicine. A physician will need all of these skills, plus humanity and character, to empathize and care for and about patients.
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MED MS 133: Neurosciences
In this course, students will study a wide variety of Neuroscience disciplines, including Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, Neurochemistry, Neuropsychology and Clinical Neurology. This reflects the fact that the study of the brain is an extraordinarily broad field, encompassing many issues and disciplines. The goal of this course is to cover, in an integrated fashion, basic information from all of the disciplines needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the human central nervous system. Neuroanatomy laboratory exercises and neurophysiology discussions supplement lecture material.
MED MS 123: Medical Histology
The Medical Histology course covers the study of cell, tissue, organ, and system histology and provides the foundational vocabulary and understanding of normal microscopic structure and organizational concepts required for pathophysiology and clinical medicine. Emphasis is on functional morphology at the light and electron microscope levels. Directed self-study laboratory exercises and interactive small-group laboratory discussions using computerized virtual microscopy supplement companion lectures. The course runs concurrently with the Medical Physiology and Endocrinology courses in an integrated manner.
MED MS 134: Medical Physiology
The Medical Physiology course is designed to give students a strong foundation in the normal function and integration of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems. The course uses a lecture format to explore whole organ function and underlying cellular mechanisms. A few laboratory exercises and a large number of interactive small group discussions of physiological problems and clinical cases are designed to encourage critical thinking and to reinforce conceptual material.
MED MS 128: Endocrinology
The Endocrinology course is an integrated treatment of human endocrinology: biosynthesis of hormones, regulation, receptor interactions, and physiological effects. The course is presented in lecture format and in small group discussion sessions where clinical cases are used to exemplify the mechanisms of endocrine function.
MED MS 131: Medical Immunology
The Medical Immunology course covers key immunologic concepts: how the components of the immune system are generated and function; the mechanisms that lead to beneficial immune responses, immune disorders, and immunodeficiencies; methods to identify immune reactions; and ways to manipulate the immune system to benefit the patient. These concepts and related case studies are presented through lectures and small group discussion sessions.
MED MS 220, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226: Disease and Therapy (DRx)
The Disease and Therapy (DRx) course integrates the study of disease, including pathophysiology, infectious etiologies, and pharmacologic management in an organ-based context. DRx begins with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Microbiology, Pathology and Pharmacology in the Foundations Module and is followed by the Infectious Diseases Module in which the microbiological basis of infectious diseases and their pharmacologic treatment is addressed. Subsequent modules address diseases of the cardiovascular system, lungs, kidneys, joints and connective tissue, gastrointestinal system, endocrine and reproductive organs, skin, and nervous system, and psychiatric disorders. In the last module, oncology is taught in conjunction with hematology. Health law, policy, and management systems are incorporated throughout this curriculum.
MED MS 214: Introduction to Clinical Medicine II
In ICM-2 students learn the parts of the physical examination and connect those skills with interview skills in order to do complete history and physical examinations. Using simulators, models, and standardized patients students learn how to identify heart sounds, perform breast and pelvic examinations, and interview patients who have been programmed with substance abuse problems. Along the way there are specialized sessions in diagnostic imaging, cancer screening, and pediatric topics. All students are required to pass the standardized patient physical examination, and all must present four complete patient work-ups in standard oral and written fashion. The course prepares students for entry for the End of Second Year Assessment, a three station clinical OSCE, that takes place in the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center in March.
MED MS 215: Integrated Problems 2A
In this course, medical students progressively learn to systematically dissect clinical cases in a group environment. At the end of four semesters, students will be able to integrate knowledge from other courses and create research and present clinical questions to assess a patient. Students develop clinical reasoning skills that will allow them to determine differential diagnoses and clinical plans for these patients. Students will gain experience working with colleagues in a respectful manner that will prepare them for similar experiences in the future.
MED MS 218: Integrated Problems 2B
See IP 2A description.
MED MS 310: Medicine Clerkship (8 weeks)
The Medicine 1 Clerkship is designed to: Develop skills as a clinician, introduce medical students to the world of internal medicine, refine skills as a self-directed learner, enable students to become a contributing, collaborating team member. Priority topics include the approach to the evaluation and management of the following presentations: chest pain, dyspnea, fever, acute renal failure, and anemia. The Medicine 1 Clerkship is also placing particular emphasis on the following aspects of the physical exam: cardiovascular, chest/lung, volume assessment.
MED MS 311: Surgery Clerkship (8 weeks)
During the Surgery Clerkship, students are assigned to a four week rotation in general surgery at one of three sites: BMC-ENC (either GI surgery or surgical oncology), the West Roxbury VAMC, or Cape Cod Hospital. Students also do two weeks of vascular or cardiothoracic surgery, and two weeks of either anesthesiology or trauma surgery at BMC-HAC. Each of these rotations includes experience in the OR. All rotations except anesthesiology include experience as part of the surgical team caring for patients on the surgical wards, and outpatient care in surgical clinics. Students work directly with faculty in the OR, in clinic, and in regular meetings with their preceptors. Students all return to BMC for four hours of lecture on Friday, and they participate in educational conferences with the residents.
MED MS 312: Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship (6 weeks)
The Ob/Gyn clerkship offers Instruction in the knowledge and skills specific to the reproductive health maintenance and disorders of women. Emphasis is placed on the doctor patient relationship, interviewing skills, appropriate physical exams, and clinical problem solving in caring for patients. Instruction sites integrate both ambulatory and hospital based experiences including the labor floor and operating room. Student didactics are case based including procedure and skills based simulations.
MED MS 313: Pediatric Clerkship (6 weeks)
The world of children is a unique and challenging place. During the Pediatric Clerkship, while at Boston Medical Center students spend time on the inpatient service, have experiences in the outpatient clinics and emergency room, go to specialty clinics, the newborn nursery, and the NICU or PICU. Students assigned to one of seven outside clerkships, will also have similar and varied experiences. This is an exciting and very busy Clerkship where we expect students will learn a lot about children and their special needs.
MED MS 314: Psychiatry Clerkship (6 weeks)
During the Psychiatry Clerkship, medical students are exposed to patients who are suffering from many different types of mental illness. In a weekly three hour Wednesday afternoon seminar, students are taught about general topics in psychiatry such as personality disorders, schizophrenia, child mental disorders, and substance abuse. Clerks will learn how to diagnose various psychiatric conditions and begin to appreciate the various treatments for these disorders.
MED MS 315: Family Medicine Clerkship (6 weeks)
In the Family Medicine Clerkship, students work in high volume ambulatory care practices of family physicians and residency programs. In the course of the clerkship students learn: to understand and promote a patient-centered model of care; to understand Family Medicine approaches to interviewing patients and families with undifferentiated problems, and the clinical reasoning that guides the definition and diagnosis of such problems; skill in the diagnosis and management of frequently occurring acute and chronic problems; to understand the patient as part of a family and community; to understand and use a comprehensive and continuous approach to care; to understand and use techniques of evidence based preventive medicine and health promotion.
MED MS 777/999: Ambulatory Medicine Clerkship (4 weeks)
The focus of the Ambulatory Internal Medicine Clerkship (MED-2) is to introduce third and fourth year students to the practice of Internal Medicine in the ambulatory environment through experiential learning.
MED MS 404: Surgical Subspecialty Clerkship (4 weeks)
The Surgical Subspecialties clerkship allows students to choose two surgical subspecialties and spend two weeks in each. This allows students to check out career interests as well as develop some basic skills that will help them in their chosen field. Options include anesthesiology, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and urology. Emphasis is placed on preoperative assessment, and all rotations include OR and clinic experience.
MED MS 410: Geriatrics Clerkship (4 weeks)
This clerkship teaches students basic geriatrics knowledge and skills to recognize and manage common geriatrics issues, such as dementia, delirium, falls, incontinence and pressure ulcers. The students learn the presentation and management of common geriatric syndromes, practice interviewing and examining patient with multiple disabilities and demonstrate the use of common geriatrics screening tools. They participate in a multidisciplinary approach to the care of the frail elderly in the community and in nursing homes, learning about community resources and the role of the various team members. Students work under the direct supervision of geriatric Attending and Nurse practitioners in the clinic, home care and nursing home settings. The students are expected demonstrate independent learning with evidence based paper and on independent home visits.
MED MS: Neurology Clerkship (4 weeks)
Students at Boston University School of Medicine are required to participate in a 4 week Neurology Clerkship in the third year. The goal of the Clerkship is to teach students how a Neurologist thinks about disease. The major goal of the clerkship is to gain a solid foundation in the neurological history and examination and the interpretation and significance of neurological examination findings. Much attention is devoted to clinical-anatomical correlation and refining the skills of “lesion localization.” Students spend their clinical time in both the in-patient/consultation service and the outpatient clinics.
Students are expected to spend most of their time on the adult services, but there is also opportunity to spend time with the Pediatric Neurology group. There are weekly didactic sessions with a senior faculty member that concentrate on clinical problem solving. Clinically relevant reading material and the cases to be discussed in the didactic sessions are provided on the Clerkship’s BlackBoard site. Students are integrated into the daily resident schedule of special seminars and teaching conferences.
MED MS: Radiology Clerkship (4 weeks)
In the Radiology Clerkship there is an overview of diagnostic imaging with emphasis on multiple imaging modalities and the development of a systematic approach to image interpretation. Significant emphasis is also placed on image-guided diagnosis and treatment, the interpretation of radiologic reports, and evidence-based imaging.
SUBINTERNSHIPS:
MED MS 030.1i: Sub internship in Family Medicine—Boston Medical Center
Students will work as a member of the family medicine team on the East Newton Campus at BMC. The patient pool will be from the HealthNet Rounder system. Students will be acting interns working with 2nd and 3rd year Family Medicine residents. They will be responsible for evaluation and management of patients. Residents and the family medicine ward attending will provide daily supervision, support, teaching, and feedback with respect to sub-intern’s patients including the history obtained physical exam findings, and management plans.
MED MS 100.1: Subinternship in Medicine—Boston Medical Center
The Subinternship in Medicine is designed to challenge and enhance the capacity of the student to work as an increasingly independent, highly competent and compassionate caregiver and contributing team member. To achieve this goal, the subintern will work as an advanced care provider under the direct supervision of the ward resident and assume increasing responsibility for the initial evaluation and integration of the total care of assigned patients. The student is expected to integrate medical knowledge with clinical and interpersonal skills in order to demonstrate independent thought and develop a plan of action. The student is expected to develop a balance between acting independently and acknowledging his/her limitations and seeking help as appropriate.
MED MS 100.11: Advanced Acting Internship in Medicine—Boston Medical Center
The Advanced Acting Internship (AAI) builds upon and is a more intensive version of the traditional subinternship. Two AAI students are paired on a ward team that has one fewer intern than the traditional ward team, and together, are expected to fulfill the role of one intern. Advanced Acting Interns work under the direct supervision of the ward resident and assume care of assigned patients. The student is expected to integrate book knowledge with clinical and interpersonal skills in order to demonstrate independent thought and develop a plan of action. The student is expected to develop balance between acting independently and acknowledging his/her limitations and seeking help as appropriate.
MED MS 053.0: Pediatric Subinternship—North Shore Children’s Hospital
The goals of the subinternship are: 1. To gain experience and skills in caring for pediatric patients on a general pediatric inpatient unit; 2. Manage, under resident supervision, a variety of acute medical conditions on the inpatient unit; 3. Appreciate the role of the primary care physician regarding the hospitalized pediatric patient in the community; 4. Gain experience in communicating with primary care physicians, hospital physician and nursing staff, housestaff, and subspecialists regarding the care of the hospitalized pediatric patient; 5. Participate in the evaluation and care of acute pediatric conditions in a community hospital emergency department; 6. Appreciate decision-making strategies for pediatric transfers for tertiary care; 7. Contribute to the teaching of the third year medical students on the pediatric team.
MED MS 051.3: Pediatric Inpatient Medicine—Boston Medical Center
This is a busy inpatient experience during which the student will have supervised responsibilities on the pediatric wards at a level that the inpatient team judges to be commensurate with an individual student’s abilities. The student will admit patients and have responsibility for his/her own patients under the direction of the faculty and house staff on the inpatient service. He/she will be an integral member of the inpatient team participating in all levels of activity.
MED MS 201.3: Inpatient Gynecology
The student participates as a subintern in all aspects of the inpatient and ambulatory gynecology service, assisting in minor and major gynecologic surgical procedures and following patients post-operatively. The student primarily will work with the East Newton gyn service. Students will prepare a case based presentation at Gyn noon conference and are expected to participate in educating the clerkship students. To receive honors in the clerkship the student will write a paper or create an academic project.
MED MS 202.3: Maternal-Fetal Medicine
The student works with the Maternal Fetal Medicine and resident staff caring for high-risk pregnant patients, in both ambulatory and in-patient settings. The student will function as an acting intern for patients on the ante partum service. The student will attend the high risk prenatal clinics and spend one day per week on the labor floor. They will attend conferences run by the High Risk Department; additionally the student is expected to present at a MFM Thursday noon conference. To receive honors in the clerkship the student will write a paper or create a teaching tool for clerkship students.
SUBINTERNSHIPS IN SURGERY:
MED MS 400.00: General Surgery, Cape Cod Hospital
MED MS 400.1a: General Surgery, Vascular Service
MED MS 400.1b: General Surgery, Oncology Service
MED MS 400.1c: General Surgery, GI Service
MED MS 400.2: General Surgery, VA Boston Healthcare System
MED MS 400.3: General Surgery, Menino Pavilion
MED MS 403.1: Surgical Intensive Care Unit
The Department of Surgery offers fourth year students the opportunity to be subinterns at a variety of teaching hospitals. The student will be assigned patients to admit and follow during their hospital course. The student will work with the resident and attending staff in managing the patient’s surgical problems in the operating room, on the inpatient wards and in the ambulatory setting. Instruction will focus on principles and pathophysiology of surgical disease, pre- and post- operative care, indication for surgical intervention, and procedural skills.
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) Required Courses and Clerkships
NOTE: These courses can only be taken by student in the MD program
For information on Electives for BUSM Students, please refer to the BUSM Registrar’s webpage: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-reg
