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MD/PhD in Anatomy & Neurobiology

Medical students who are interested in pursuing a combined MD/PhD degree usually begin the doctoral part of their program after completing two years of the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine curriculum. Thus, they have already completed many of the courses required for the PhD in Anatomy & Neurobiology. After completing the doctoral program, they return to the Chobanian & Avedisian SOM curriculum and receive the combined degree when their entire program is completed. The PhD portion of the combined degree consists of 24 units of required courses plus 4 units of seminar courses and electives. Typically, the program is completed in three to five years. Enrollment into the program is on a full-time basis only. Most students start the PhD portion in the fall, but spring enrollment can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Learning Outcomes

The goals of the PhD in Anatomy & Neurobiology program are to provide trainees with the knowledge base and skills to become proficient in biomedical research and to develop outstanding pedagogic skills. Successful completion of these goals enables our students to pursue further studies in the biomedical sciences including teaching, research, and healthcare. At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomical systems of the body, neuroscience, statistics, and other graduate-level anatomical sciences and neuroscience topics through successful completion of our core curriculum.

Demonstrate proficiency in pedagogical skills in the context of the Teaching in Biomedical Sciences course and through teaching fellowships in core medical and graduate student courses (as listed above).

Demonstrate proficiency in scientific data acquisition and analysis through mentored research in one of the department's research labs.

Describe and interpret scientific findings of their laboratory research study through the development of a written, publication-quality thesis.

Demonstrate an understanding of the professional skills (including an ability to read and interpret scientific literature) required of biomedical scientists and educators.

Overview of the MD/PhD Program

The MD/PhD curriculum consists of required courses, seminars, and electives as well as Dissertation Research.

Required Courses (24 units)

GMS AN 704/MS 700 Experimental Design & Statistical Methods (2 units)

GMS AN 715 Professional Skills (2 units)

GMS AN 718 Methods in Neuroscience (4 units)

GMS AN 777 Fundamentals of Cell & Molecular Neurobiology (4 units)

GMS AN 801/802 Research Colloquium in Anatomy & Neurobiology (Journal Club) (2 units)

GMS AN 806 Vesalius I: Foundations in Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences (2 units)

GMS AN 809 Vesalius II: Applied Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences (2 units)

GMS AN 810 Systems Neurobiology (4 units)

GMS AN 815 Scientific Writing (2 units)

One departmental seminar and one elective (see list below) (var units)

Advanced Seminar Courses

GMS AN 702 Learning and Memory (2 units)

GMS AN 707 Neurobiology of Aging (odd years) (2 units)

GMS AN 807 Neurobiology of the Visual System (on demand) (2 units)

GMS AN 820 Dynamic Modeling (on demand) (2 units)

Elective Course Options for MD/PhD Students

GMS AN 708 Advanced Clinical Anatomy (2 units)

GMS AN 716 Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (on demand) (4 units)

GMS AN 722 Cellular Organization of Tissues (4 units)

GMS AN 724 Advanced Neuroanatomy (even years) (4 units)

GMS AN 726 Histology (4 units)

GMS AN 727 Human Embryology (2 units)

GMS AN 805 Vesalius III: Teaching Practicum in the Biomedical Sciences (2 units)