Course Descriptions

This course combines lectures and small group discussions of clinical case studies in workshops. Lectures address structure-function relationships in major biomolecules, human metabolism and cell biology. Workshops feature clinical case studies to illustrate principles of clinical biochemistry and application to the practice of pharmacy. Workshop topics may include anemias, cytochrome p450 enzymes, dangers of dietary supplements, diabetes mellitus, drug biomembrane transport, environmental toxins and hemostasis disorders.

Credits: 3.5

The purpose of this required course is to provide students with basic training in common laboratory techniques. The course will also introduce students to issues related to biosafety, radiation safety, and good practices in research.

Credits: 2

This course overviews the uses, values, and limitations of the scientific method. Quantitative, conceptual and model analysis, in-depth research techniques, current research of the literature, research design methods, and theory construction are presented. This is the foundational course for the Master's Project.

Credits: 3

The purpose of this required course is to teach students how to access and search the scientific literature for the purpose of writing a comprehensive literature review related to their thesis topic.

Credits: 2

This required independent laboratory research project is the main objective of the Master of Biomedical Sciences degree program. The project entails original research on a current basic science question. The intent of the project is to develop an appropriate research question, design the proper laboratory methodology to answer the question, and collect the appropriate data.

Credits: 3 credits per quarter

Prerequisites

BISC 0512 Fundamentals of Research

The Advanced Topic Series is an opportunity for students to receive individualized or small group instruction on selected advanced topics in any of the basic science disciplines. Format for instruction includes mentoring by individual faculty, case study discussion, review of landmark publications, and class presentations. Students are expected to master major concepts specific to the discipline selected. The mentoring faculty individualize evaluation of the student. This course is repeatable.

Credits: 3

The research project culminates with the analysis of experimental data, development of appropriate conclusions based on the information gathered, and summarizing the research findings in publication format. The student will also make a public presentation of his/her work to the Midwestern University community. The Thesis Committee approves the proposal, oversees the research project, and approves the final research thesis. Students who do not complete all thesis requirements will be enrolled in thesis continuation for subsequent quarters.

Credits: 4

Changes in our healthcare delivery system are creating a growing demand for health professionals with skills in collaboration and teamwork. The various roles healthcare professionals play on a medical team will be introduced to first-year students via practitioner-patient demonstrations utilizing a surrogate patient. Additional lectures will introduce students to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the concept of biomedical research.

Credits: 1

This didactic course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of immunology and delve into the molecular mechanisms behind these principles. It will focus on the innate and adaptive immune responses, detailing signal transduction mechanisms responsible for leukocyte activation, epigenetic remodeling involved in leukocyte differentiation, and the molecular biology behind immune responses. Additionally, it will detail recent advances in immunoprophylaxis, and therapies.

Credits: 3

Students are introduced to the physiological principles and regulatory processes that underlie the normal function of the human body, and develop an understanding of the physiologic responses to perturbation of homeostasis and of pathophysiologic alterations that occur in disease. Didactic lectures are supplemented with workshops that focus on application of physiological concepts. Topics include the properties of excitable cells and the functions of the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems.

Credits: 3.5 credits each course