Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• GMS AN 701: Medical Gross Anatomy
  Human anatomy in three units: back and limbs; thorax, abdomen and pelvis; and head and neck. The course is comprised of lectures, laboratory dissection of the human body, and discussion groups. 8 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS AN 702: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
  This course covers the neurobiological bases of learning and memory from the cellular to the systems level. Initial sessions cover the behavioral aspects of learning and memory--how it is operationally defined and what are the different theoretical concepts from cognitive psychology that are current. Subsequent sessions investigate the neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, and neurochemical mechanisms of memory at the cellular level and then move on to the study of systems that function at the level of the whole organism. Concentration is on studies in mammals, particularly primates. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 704: Experimental Design and Statistical Methods
  This course provides a working understanding of experimental design and statistical analysis. Each class consists of lectures, examples of problems and discussion of theoretical issues underlying a particular experimental design. Both parametric and non-parametric approaches to data analysis will be explored. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS AN 707: Neurobiology of Aging
  Prereq: consent of instructor. With growing awareness of an accelerating increase in the size of the elderly population, there has been increasing interest in the neuropsychology of normal aging. Similarly, since aging is a major risk factor for many dementia states, interest has also focused on the neuropsychology of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and the Dementias of the frontal lobe type. This course summarizes what is known about cognitive and related changes associated with normal aging and age-related disease. Topics are divided into two major sections. The first considers the cognitive and neurobiological changes associated with normal aging; the second deals with several of the most common age related diseases. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 708: Clinical Anatomy
  An advanced anatomy course consisting of both guided laboratory dissection and related lectures on clinical anatomy by physicians in a variety of clinical specialties. Laboratory dissections are based on actual surgical approaches; whenever possible, and the relationship between gross anatomy radiographic anatomy is continually emphasized. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 715: Professional Skills for Students in the Biomedical Sciences
  This course discusses many of the professional skills and ethical issues that are part of an academic biomedical career. Some of the topics include funding mechanisms, determination of authorship, intellectual property, conflict of interest, human and animal subject protection, reviewing responsibilities and mentoring. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 716: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
  This course discusses the development of the nervous system and higher cognitive function through lectures by faculty engaged in research on these topics and through discussion of current primary literature. Emphasis is on primate and human brain systems involved in cognition. This course is designed to complement the Cognitive Neuroscience course offered in the Spring semester. 4 cr., Fall sem.
• GMS AN 718: Methods in Neuroscience
  This course will provide a general overview of major techniques and methods used in contemporary neuroscience research. Lectures (accompanied by practical demonstrations in many cases) by faculty who are experts in these approaches will provide students with the knowledge to understand methods to probe the brain from molecules to behavior. 4 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 722: Cellular Organization of Tissues
  Study of the basic types of tissues, followed by application to understanding the cellular organization of organs, and the anatomical basis for their function. Emphasis is on functional morphology at the light and electron microscope levels. Basic concepts in embryology and pathology are introduced where relevant. Computer-based virtual microscopy in laboratory exercises and discussions supplements companion lectures. This course is an introductory version of MS 123 Medical Histology, specially designed to complement GMS curricula. All students are required to have a laptop computer that meets BUSM standards. 4 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS AN 723: Human Body Structures
  This course is designed to entering graduate students who need an introduction to the basic organization of the various body systems. This is meant to be an entry-level course intended to provide the basic vocabulatory and conceptual understanding for success in future medical gross anatomy course. 2cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 724: Advanced Neuroanatomy
  This course builds on the foundation in neuroanatomy obtained in departmental neuroscience courses by examining the structure of the human central nervous system in greater detail. Discussions center around readings in advanced neuroanatomy textbooks such as The Human Central Nervous System: A Synopsis and Atlas by Rudolf Nieuwenhuys. A laboratory component provides students the opportunity to perform dissections of specific brain areas and white matter pathways in human brain specimens. 4 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 777: Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  The course is designed to impart graduate-level knowledge of molecular biology as it pertains to CNS development, maturation, connectivity, and maintenance. The course does not have a species-specific emphasis, but rather, draws on knowledge obtained from multiple species ranging from invertebrates to vertebrates. Students will be exposed to a broad spectrum of molecular neuroscience topics extending from nucleic acid regulation and protein expression to extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways. How these processes serve as the underlying principles of cell division, differentiation, cell migration, patterning, and cell survival will be presented both in lectures and in readings and presentations of primary research articles. 4 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS AN 801: Seminar: Research Colloquium
  Oral presentation and discussion by students and staff members of topics of interest in anatomy and allied fields. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS AN 802: Seminar: Research Colloquium
  Oral presentation and discussion by students and staff members of topics of interest in anatomy and allied fields. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 803: Res Practicum
  Varied topics in laboratory research.. Var. cr, Fall, Spring and Summer sems.
• GMS AN 804: Special Topics in Anatomy (Vesalius 2)
  The principal component of this special topic is teaching, and it includes the Vesalius Teaching Apprenticeship in which students teach in Medical and Graduate School courses as Teaching Fellows. In addition there is the opportunity for presentation of problems of current interest in teaching anatomical science offered to small groups of students at the instigation of either interested faculty or students. Examples of topics that might be discussed are: gross anatomical or neuroanatomical disciplines, differentiation; aging in specific areas of the brain; electron microscopy; fine structure of neurons; biology of the lung; and retinal biology. Var cr, Fall & Spring sem.
• GMS AN 805: Teaching Practicum in the Biomedical Sciences (Practicum, Vesalius 3)
  Students, putting theory into practice, work in collaboration with a selected faculty mentor in one of the following formats: large lecture, small lecture or seminar, workshop, or even proposing and developing a new course. Students may enroll in this course multiple times for different mentored experiences. Var cr, Fall & Spring sem.
• GMS AN 806: Foundations in Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences (Vesalius 1)
  This course offers instruction in the theory of teaching, presentation skills, and teaching methods. Effective teaching practices are taught and refined, and the methods of teaching in different formats (one-on-one, small group, large lecture, etc.) are evaluated. Lesson plan and support plan construction and the understanding of assessment and evaluation tools are particularly emphasized. 2 cr. Spring sem.
• GMS AN 807: Neurobiology of the Visual System
  This seminar is open to graduate students in all departments who have had a basic neuroscience course. Current research in visual anatomy and neurophysiology is discussed with an emphasis on how that that research informs other areas of neuroscience, especially those fitting the interest of the students. Past topics have included: use of visual stimuli in fMRI, visual experiments to probe the physiology of cognition and consciousness, biological basis of computer vision. Students conduct literature reviews and present primary journal articles with guidance from fauclty and guest speakers. 2 cr, Spring sem.
• GMS AN 809: Applied Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences
  This course will build on foundational material covered in AN 806: Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences. Students will apply best-teaching practices to one of the existing biomedical-sciences courses offered through the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology. Students will be assigned to a Department course and will work under the mentorship of the Course Director with other faculty in the course to further develop their skills in best practices in classroom teaching, laboratory teaching, assessment development and/or course management. Var, Spring and Fall.

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