Program Overview

PhD, MD/PhD in Molecular & Translational Medicine

The Graduate Program in Molecular & Translational Medicine (MTM) at Boston University is an interdisciplinary program based in the Department of Medicine. The overarching goal of the MTM graduate program is to train students to lead hypothesis-driven investigations into the mechanisms of human disease.

Program Description

The curriculum consists of a year of basic science courses offered through the Graduate Medical Sciences followed by a second year of advanced electives covering integrated physiological systems, current technologies and methodological applications, biostatistics, and dissertation-specific advanced electives tailored for each student’s area of future dissertational work.

Curriculum

Molecular & Translational Medicine curriculum includes the following courses:

• Genetics and Epidemiology of Disease
• Cancer Biology and Genetics
• Organ System Diseases
• Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
• Biology of the Lung and Pulmonary Disease
• Biological Core Technologies
• Biostatistics
• MTM Colloquium

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Effectively communicate the background, major results, and implications of their dissertation research.
• Provide constructive feedback to peers on their dissertation research.
• Critically present and evaluate contemporary literature.
• Gain necessary skills to incorporate rigor and reproducibility in the planning, execution, and analysis of data for their dissertation research and beyond.
• Develop and defend the scientific premise for their dissertation research and contextualize their major conclusions within their field.

Course of Study

Candidates for a PhD in Molecular & Translational Medicine will have varied scientific and medical backgrounds. To meet the stated goals of the MTM and provide intensive scientific training and research experience culminating in a PhD, as well as equip its graduates to carry out independent research, the course of study will be individualized for each candidate depending upon their background and research interests.

Part I: Basic Science Courses

The first-year basic science curriculum for almost all PhD programs and departments is set up as one major course called Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FBS) that runs the full academic year, with a September start date. This innovative and interdisciplinary core course will encompass material that has been traditionally taught in courses of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and genomics, and molecular biology.

Modules

1. Foundations in Biomedical Sciences I (GMS FC 701): Protein Structure, Catalysis and Interaction (“Biochemistry”)
2. Foundations in Biomedical Sciences II (GMS FC 702): Structure and Function of the Genome (“Genetics and Genomics”)
3. Foundations in Biomedical Sciences III (GMS FC 703): Architecture & Dynamics of the Cell (“Cell Biology”)
4. Foundations in Biomedical Sciences IV (GMS FC 704): Mechanisms of Cell Communication (“Signaling”)
5. Foundations in Biomedical Sciences V (GMS FC 705): Electives (i.e., Development, Physiology, Bioinformatics, Metabolism, etc.)

Part II: Molecular & Translational Medicine Curriculum

MTM curriculum consists of two terms covering topics on the scientific basis and research methodology of the molecular basis of disease and foundations for translational applications. These courses are taught as advanced graduate seminars.

Research and Facilities

The Department of Medicine occupies modern research laboratories on the Boston University Medical Campus in the Center for Advanced Biomedical Research and the Evans Biomedical Research Center. These buildings provide state-of-the-art research space in an open, spacious environment that is fully supported by research core facilities for computing, animals and transgenic mice, sequencing, microarrays, and others.

Admissions & Financial Assistance

Students can matriculate into the Graduate Program in Molecular & Translational Medicine after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree program or through the combined MD/PhD program at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Students admitted to the program are offered full tuition support and an annual stipend.

Accreditation

Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).