Basic Courses and Grading Policy

Offered annually in the fall term, this intensive, multi-disciplinary lecture course is taught by faculty from all four biomedical research programs of the medical school. Lecture topics include macromolecular structure, shape and information; DNA, RNA and protein synthesis; genetics and control of gene expression; membranes and intracellular organelles; and pathways and control of carbohydrate metabolism. BBS 5020 is co-requisite.

Prerequisites: Admission into the common first-year biomedical sciences graduate program or permission of the course director.

Offered annually in the fall term, this course involves participation in small group exercises involving problem-solving and critical analysis of the current scientific literature. The special topics are selected to coordinate with the lecture topics in the co-requisite course BBS 5010.

This course is offered annually in the spring term as a continuation of BBS 5010. Topics include membranes, cell signaling, cancer, neuroscience and integrated biology and virology. BBS 5040 is co-requisite.

Offered annually in the spring term, the course involves participation in small group exercises involving problem-solving and critical analysis of current scientific literature in selected special topics, as related to the lecture topics in the co-requisite course BBS 5030.

Students are introduced to the techniques of critical data analysis and formal scientific presentation through weekly colloquia. Faculty from the various biomedical science departments present in the fall semester and students present in the spring semester. Emphasis is placed on styles of presentation and techniques for effective communication. In the fall semester, a written report on one of the scientific topics is required of each student. In the spring semester, each student critically reviews and presents a topic from the current scientific literature at one of the weekly colloquia. All students are required to attend both the scientific presentation and a 10 to 15 minute discussion session that follows.

Each semester is divided into four-six week rotations in different research laboratories. Students are introduced to research problems currently under investigation and to advanced techniques employed in those studies. In the fall semester, the first rotation involves introductory activities distributed among the four graduate biomedical science programs of the medical school. 

Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) is self-paced and web-based. The course is a requirement for all pre- and post-doctoral fellows. To take part, visit citiprogram.org.

Click on the blue box labeled "RCR Course” at the top center of the homepage. You will be directed to a registration page along with several different versions of the course depending on the discipline. Select "Biomedical."

The course materials include an introduction to each topic, basic foundation text, case studies and quiz questions.

Fifteen course modules cover the following content areas:

• Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research
• Research Misconduct
• Data Acquisition and Management
• Responsible Authorship
• Peer Review
• Mentoring
• Conflicts of Interest
• Collaborative Research

Each module has a multiple-choice quiz associated with it. Students must pass each module's quiz before they can move on to another module. Students can take modules at their own pace. It is possible to exit the system and go back later to take and complete other modules; it does not need to be done in one sitting. (In fact, it is highly recommended that students not attempt to do this.) The system tracks completion of each module and the entire course. It also provides a printed certificate of completion.

Students must print out the certificate of completion and give a copy to Lindsay Oliver or Willis K. Samson, Ph.D.