Core Program

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Starting in 1998, admission to all Ph.D. graduate programs in the biomedical sciences is by application to the Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences. This interdisciplinary graduate program is intended for all students who are interested in basic biological and biomedical research and/or teaching careers. Its objectives are to provide students with a strong foundation in all aspects of basic biomedical science and the freedom to explore diverse research opportunities during the first year of graduate training. The first year curriculum combines lectures, small group discussion sessions, and seminars to develop self-confidence and familiarity with a breadth of biomedical science and technology that spans the disciplines of anatomical, biochemical, cell, molecular, developmental, genetic, and physiological sciences. This new integrated program offers the following advantages:

• Students can choose among more than 70 research faculty from five different departments for their research rotations.
• Students can explore in advance all fields within the biomedical sciences before choosing a specific discipline for their dissertation research.
• The interdisciplinary nature of the program exposes students to a greater variety of perspectives in biomedical research than more traditionally organized programs.
• Interdisciplinary training fosters a greater creative and integrated approach to tackling cutting-edge problems in modern biomedical science.

At the end of this integrated first year program, students select a dissertation research topic and mentor, and enter into one of the six individual graduate programs in the Medical School. These graduate programs are: Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Immunology, Pathology, and Pharmacological and Physiological Science. The subsequent requirements for completion of the Ph.D. vary with the individual program, and include specialized advanced courses and the performance of original research leading to completion of the dissertation.

For entry into the Graduate Biomedical Science Program in the Fall, students can apply to the Admissions Committee of any one of the six major graduate programs listed above by contacting that program and requesting an application. Alternatively, an application can be obtained by contacting the GPBS Admissions Committee, c.o. Lindsay Oliver, Caroline Bldg., Room 207, 3544 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104-1008 (phone: 314-977-8678). Applications completed by February 1, will be given priority consideration for admission into the program in the Fall. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. For further information about the GPBS faculty and their research, and the graduate programs within the medical school that are participating in the Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program, see their web site at Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program.

All materials must be received by February 1. Early application is strongly recommended.
Send directly to: Lindsay Oliver Caroline Bldg Room 207 3544 Caroline Mall St. Louis, MO 63104-1008 (phone: 314-977-8678)	Text file Microsoft Word file Html Application

• Anatomy and Neuroanatomy-Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Pathology
• Pharmacological and Physiological Science

Prerequisites
Background in biology, chemistry (general and organic; physical chemistry recommended, but not required), physics, and mathematics (including calculus). Deficiencies in the background requirements may be made up early during graduate study if an applicant is otherwise acceptable for admission into the program

FIRST YEAR COURSES IN THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

DESCRIPTION OF FIRST YEAR BASIC BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE COURSES
BBSG-501 Basic Biomedical Sciences I

Prerequisites:
Admission into the common first year biomedical sciences graduate program, or permission of the Course Director. Offered annually in the fall term, this intensive, multi-disciplinary lecture course is taught by faculty from all six biomedical research programs of the Medical School. The 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. BBSG-502 is co-requisite.

BBSG-502 Special Topics in Basic Biomedical Sciences
An intensive multi-disciplinary course designed for all biomedical graduate students. Offered annually in the fall term, the 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 BBSG-501.

BBSG-503 Basic Biomedical Sciences II
An intensive multi-disciplinary course designed for all biomedical graduate students. Offered annually in the spring term as a continuation of BBSG-501, the course topics include: bioenergetics; control of nitrogen metabolism; the cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and cell junctions; cell signalling and drug action; cell cycle, cancer, and development; integrated biology and the immune system. BBSG-504 is co-requisite.

BBSG-504 Special Topics in Basic Biomedical Sciences II
An intensive multi-disciplinary course designed for all biomedical graduate students. 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 BBSG-503.

BBSG-595 and BBSG-596 Introduction to Basic Biomedical Research
Each semester is divided into three-five 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 between the six graduate biomedical science programs of the medical school.

BBSG-597 and BBSG-598 Basic Biomedical Science Colloquium
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, 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 10-15 minute discussion session that follows.

Ethics for Research Scientists
The course is a requirement for all pre- and postdoctoral fellows. It consists of eight 2-hour sessions given in the first half of the spring semester. For all but the first sessions, a lecture to the whole class lasting 30 to 50 minutes will be followed by small group discussions which will involve case presentations.

Description of Required Courses Offered By The Graduate Program in Pharmacological and Physiological Science

PPYG-511:
Advanced Topics in Pharmacological and Physiological Science I (4)
This is an intense course integrating aspects of both physiology and pharmacology. Topics covered include general principles of cell physiology, general principles of pharmacology, physiology and pharmacology of the peripheral (autonomic, somatic) and central nervous system, physiology and pharmacology of the hemopoietic system and chemotherapy. Meets in Fall semester.

PPYG-512
Selected Topics in Pharmacological and Physiological Science I (2)
This is a companion course to PPYG-511. This course involves participation in small group exercises in problem solving, laboratory exercises, computer tutorials and critical analysis of the current scientific literature of special topics that are related to the didactic material covered in the co-requisite PPYG-511 course. Meets in Fall semester.

PPYG-513:
Advanced Topics in Pharmacological and Physiological Science II (4)
An intense course integrating additional topics in physiology and pharmacology. Topics covered include physiology and pharmacology of the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems. Meets in Spring semester.

PPYG-514:
Selected Topics in Pharmacological and Physiological Science II (2)
A companion course to PPY-G513. Course involves participation in small group exercises in problem solving, laboratory exercises, computer tutorials and critical analysis of the current scientific literature of selected topics that are related to the didactic material covered in the co-requisite PPYG-513 course. Meets in Spring semester.

PPYG-690:
Pharmacological and Physiological Science Seminar (0-1)
This course is scheduled weekly during the fall and spring semesters. Research seminars are presented by faculty and investigators from other departments of the University or guest speakers from other institutions. Approximately 20-30 outside speakers visit the Department each year. Roundtable discussions with students and the speaker are regularly scheduled.

PPYG-691:
Pharmacological and Physiological Science Journal Club/Colloquia (0-1)
A continuous weekly journal club/colloquia in which students, faculty and postdoctoral fellows discuss recent research findings and papers from the literature.

A description of additional elective courses can be found in the Saint Louis University Medical School catalogs.

Prelim/Qualifying Exam
The examination consists of a written proposal followed by an oral defense of the written proposal. The subject of the proposal is the choice of the student and may be in the area of research in which the student has undertaken, and in which the laboratory in which he is working has focused. The Committee evaluating the proposal will be chosen at the onset of the writing period, but no later than the middle of April of the second year of graduate study (first year in the Pharm-Phys Graduate Program). It will consist of a minimum of 5 people. The Chair of the Committee will not be the Dissertation mentor. The prelim proposal may also serve as the Dissertation Proposal upon the approval of the Dissertation Committee. The written proposal should include a thorough review of the literature germane to the research area, preliminary data (if applicable), a well focused hypothesis and well defined specific aims, the experimental protocols and discussion of anticipated results and interpretations. The written proposal and the oral defense will be evaluated separately.

Dissertation Committee and Defense
The purpose of the Dissertation Committee is to approve, advise and evaluate research progress and make recommendations on the suitability for submission of the dissertation for defense. The prelim/qualifying exam committee may also serve as the dissertation committee. The first Dissertation Committee meeting must take place within 6 months after successful completion of the Qualifying Exam. At this meeting the student is expected to present either the dissertation proposal or a report on the progress of the initially proposed dissertation research. Both an oral and written presentation are expected. After successful completion of the preliminary exam, and approval of the thesis proposal, the student should apply for doctoral candidacy according to the procedures described in the Graduate School Guidelines. Thereafter the Dissertation Committee should meet with the student at least twice a year. The Ph.D. advisor will chair the Dissertation Committee and it should be composed of at least 2 additional departmental members depending on their expertise. In addition, a member of the Committee may be appointed from outside the Department. Upon approval by the Dissertation Committee the student may write his/her dissertation. The public oral defense of the dissertation will be conducted as a formal seminar. The presentation will be of approximately forty five minutes duration and will be followed by a discussion/examination period at which time all members of the audience, including the Dissertation Committee, may examine the Ph.D. candidate. Spontaneous questions that arise during the presentation will not be discouraged. Immediately following the public examination the members of the dissertation committee will meet privately with the candidate before the ballots are cast. The candidate will then be excused from the meeting in order for the committee to discuss their evaluations of the candidate and to cast their ballot.

The ballots will be presented to the Advisor with the final copies of the dissertation. If the committee requires minor revisions of the dissertation following the defense, all ballots will be withheld until every committee member is ready to cast their ballot. A unanimous positive evaluation of the dissertation committee, that is, all members whose signatures appear on the Candidate?s approved prospectus, is necessary for final approval of the dissertation. Should the candidate not be approved for graduation because of one negative vote from a dissertation committee member, the Candidate may appeal. The appeal process is described in the Catalog of the Graduate School.

Teaching Opportunities
Graduate students in the Program in Pharmacological and Physiological Science or the Training Program in Pharmacological Sciences are encouraged to obtain formal teaching experience by participating as lecturers in BLA-293: Drugs We Use and Abuse. This is an undergraduate course for non-science majors presented in the Fall Semester. It carries 3 credits and meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00-11:00. Last semester enrollment was 75 students. A state-of-the art syllabus is prepared with each chapter written by the lecturer. There are 35 lectures on different drugs. Last semester 13 advanced students participated and gave 29 lectures.

Students may also participate in PPYG-254-Human Physiology which is also an undergraduate course carrying 3 hours of credit. This is a fall semester course taken by 200-300 undergraduates majoring in Allied Health Sciences, Nursing, Psychology or Biology.

In addition to these two formal courses, graduate students have participated as tutors for medical students, students in the Allied Health Professions or in the Supplemental Instruction Programs sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.