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The Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program trains students studying for the PhD degree.
The unique curriculum of the BMS program is designed to provide students with a wide range of opportunities for their development as biomedical researchers. In the first year of the program, students take courses, present in journal club, complete three laboratory rotations, and select a thesis laboratory. In the second year, students begin research in their thesis laboratories, take additional courses, present in journal club, serve as teaching assistants, and take their qualifying examinations. In later years students primarily focus on their thesis research and dissertation, although they may opt to take additional elective courses or participate in a wide range of other activities. Details of the academic program are given below.
Spring 2008 Course Schedule
2007-08 BMS Calendar: Courses, Events and Important Dates
The unique coursework in the BMS program is geared towards training students to become basic researchers that study biomedical problems. Course material begins at the molecular and cellular level and then moves to higher levels of organization into tissues and organs. At each stage, relevant disease states and models are discussed.
First-year students are required to take:
BMS 198 Journal Club (fall, winter, spring). Weeky presentations by one student and one faculty member.
BMS 260 Cell Biology (fall). Scope of this Cell Biology course is to convey an understanding of the function and the organization of molecules and organelles inside and outside the cell, and how these are used to construct a multicellular tissue and organ.
BMS 255 Genetics (winter). Scope of the graduate level course in Genetics is to convey an understanding of basic genomics and molecular genetics, use of genetic animal model systems and of the analytical principles of simple and complex human genetic traits.
BMS 225A Tissue & Organ Biology (winter). This 2-part lab and lecture course introduces students to the structure and development of multicellular tissues and organs. This part of the course considers higher levels of integration into organ systems.
BMS 225B
Tissue & Organ Biology (spring). This part of the course will begin with consideration of the hematopoietic and lymphoid systems, introducing the concepts of stem cells cell-matrix interactions, autocrine and paracrine signaling, angiogenesis, trafficking and homing.
BMS 265 Macromolecular Structure & Function (spring). This course introduces graduate students to the basic biochemistry and analysis of proteins and nucleic acid, and is tailored directly to the thematic interests of BMS students.
Elective Coursework
In addition, students must take one elective course prior to end of second year, which may be chosen from an approved list in consultation with the graduate advisor and thesis advisor.
In consultation with their advisors, BMS students may choose from a wide range of elective courses at UCSF. As the course offerings frequently change, please check with the course organizers and departments for course dates and schedules.
Some popular electives include:
- Microbiology 204 Molecular and Cellular Immunology (fall)
- BMS 220 Basic & Clinical Aspects of Stem Cell Biology (spring)
- Biochemistry 200A Macromolecules (fall)
- NS201A/B Basic Concepts in Neuroscience (fall/winter), plus quarterly advanced topics in neuroscience courses (available from UCSF networks only)
- Biochemistry 297 Molecular Pathology & Biology of Neoplasia (every other year, offered in winter 2006)
- Biochemistry 201 Biological Regulatory Mechanisms (winter)
- Biochem 246 Developmental Biology (winter)
- Genetics 224 Advanced Human Genetics(spring, every other year)
- Micro 202 Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
- Micro 208 Biology of Animal Viruses(spring)
- Micro 209 Advanced Topics in Immunology (spring)
A more comprehensive list is available here. Not all courses are offered every year, so check here for detailed quarterly listings of UCSF graduate courses: http://www.ucsf.edu/pibs/pibs_courses.html.
Second-year students are required to take an ethics course and third-year students take BMS 301 Scientific Writing.
Students in their first year choose three laboratories for rotations and spend one quarter in each (one quarter may be during the summer preceding or following the first year). The main purpose of these rotations is to allow students to investigate possible laboratories for their subsequent thesis research. They also give first-hand experience in a variety of techniques and approaches to biological problems. All rotations must be with BMS faculty.
Following completion of rotations, students choose a lab in which to conduct research leading to a dissertation and award of the PhD degree.
Students are required to serve as teaching assistants (TAs) for one quarter during the second year. This requirement is designed to provide students with a valuable teaching experience without having a significant impact on the time needed for their thesis research. As UCSF does not have undergraduate students, BMS students TA courses taken by graduate students, medical students, pharmacy students, and/or dental students. Students are given the opportunity to rank available courses and are typically assigned to serve as TAs for one of their top three choices.
Students interested in teaching will also find a number of other teaching opportunities available through UCSF. For example, students may participate in the Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP), a pioneering program which pairs UCSF scientists with teachers throughout the San Francisco Unified School District. More information can be found at their website: http://www.ucsf.edu/sep
Students take their Qualifying Examination near the end of their second year. This oral examination is given by a committee of four faculty members. Prior to the examination, students write a thesis proposal under the guidance of the committee. The proposal is then discussed in depth during the examination. After passing the Qualifying Examination, students are advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. and are ready to work full time on dissertation research.
After being advanced to candidacy, a student chooses a dissertation committee composed of the student's dissertation advisor and two additional members. The committee meets with the candidate at regular intervals to evaluate progress, and give constructive criticism. When the dissertation is complete, the committee administers a thesis examination and gives final approval of the dissertation.
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