Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Required Courses

• MED MD 320: Emergency Medicine Selective
  The Emergency Medicine Selective is a 4-week clinical experience in the core clerkship year. Students will learn efficient emergency department (ED) care, including timely evaluation, management, and disposition of undifferentiated ED patients and its effect on patient safety and subsequent inpatient and ambulatory care. Students will take an active role in the initial evaluation and treatment of patients and gain exposure to a wide variety of illnesses, diagnostic approaches, treatments, and procedures.
• MED MD 321: Radiology Selective
  The Radiology Selective is a 4-week clinical experience in the core clerkship year. Students will learn the basics in radiological imaging and intervention, while getting hands on learning through observing radiologists, participating in multidisciplinary conferences, and using virtual PACS and simulation centers. The selective curriculum blends lectures and independent study, equipping students with basic essential radiology knowledge and skills for their future careers in various medical specialties.
• MED MD 322: Research Selective
  The Research Selective is a 4-week research experience in the core clerkship year. Students develop and implement a research plan that can be used towards the development of a publication, conference presentation, a scholarship or grant proposal application. The selective provides an opportunity for students who have an area or extracurricular concentration to further develop research skills and competencies as a continuation of a prior project (e.g., previous identification of a problem, data collection, analysis), or have a solid new project idea that builds upon prior work. Areas of concentration include, but are not limited to: biomedicine, clinical medicine, global health, advocacy, urban health, population medicine, education, business and law, ethics, and quality improvement. Students are required to have a research mentor who will help develop a detailed study design and research plan. The mentor must agree to the terms of the selective before the student will be enrolled in the course.
• MED MD 402: Clinical Anatomy
  An advanced anatomy course consisting of both guided laboratory dissection and related lectures on clinical anatomy by physicians in a variety of clinical specialties. Laboratory dissections are based on actual surgical approaches, whenever possible, and the relationship between gross anatomy and radiographic anatomy is continually emphasized. Completion of medical gross anatomy is a prerequisite of this course.
• MED MD 405: Anesthesiology
  The Anesthesiology Elective is a 4-week clinical experience. In this elective, students will learn the principles and concepts of the practice of anesthesiology and the multiple roles the anesthesiology plays both in and outside of the operative room. Students will participate in the management of patients undergoing general surgery, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic and cardiac surgery, obstetrics and gynecology procedures, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery, urologic procedures, and vascular surgery. Educational sites include the Boston Medical Center operating rooms, the pain clinic, off site imaging locations (CT/MRI), labor and delivery, and the gyncelogy procedure unit. Learning will primarily occur in the Boston Medical Center operating rooms, where medical students will be paired with residents and attending faculty. The experience will involve the perioperative evaluation and care of the surgical patient. Students will participate in the management of patients undergoing general surgery, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic and cardiac surgery, obstetrics and gynecology procedures, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery, urologic procedures and vascular surgery. Additional educational sites include the pain clinic, off site imaging locations (CT/MRI), labor and delivery and the gynecology procedure unit. On their first day students will receive an orientation from the rotation director. During the elective, medical students will attend a series of lectures and case conferences. These will serve to enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding of the field. Students will also attend Departmental Grand Rounds, held most Fridays. Logistics: 1- Students will receive a packet of information via e-mail prior to the start of the rotation. 2- Students must report to the Anesthesiology Office at 6:30 AM on the first day (or when otherwise specified) for orientation. (Location: Powerplant Building, 750 Albany St., Floor 2R) 3- Students are expected to be present for all departmental academic activities. 4- There are no call responsibilities for this rotation.
• MED MD 406: Anesthesiology Multimedia
  The Anesthesiology Multimedia is a 4-week experience focused on medical education. In this elective, students will work in the Department of Anesthesiology's multimedia laboratory, where they will become familiar with computer-assisted instruction, digital media applications for educational purposes, and image and video editing using industry standard software such as Photoshop, Premiere, and Illustrator. Students will be introduced to script development, storyboard building, instructional design, digital photography and video, and computer applications used for the creation of digital media for medical education. The materials produced in collaboration with students maylead to presentation at national meetings and publication in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. Four weeks prior to the start of the elective, the student will meet wiht the technical advisor to develop a plan of operations and a learning timeline to be followed during the elective. A 4-week elective allows students to become familiar with filming procedures, collecting digital assets, and designing computer-based educational projects. The students will learn digital photography and video editing using industry standard software such as Photoshop, Premiere, and Illustrator. The student will meet with the technical advisor 4 weeks in advance prior to the start of the elective for one hour at which time they will agree to a plan of operations and a learning timeline to be followed during the elective. The plan of operations includes an agreed upon number of work hours per week to satisfy the BUSM minimum of 40 hours per week, a description of the specific activities to be performed by the student, and the required deliverables of the rotation. Finally, in this preparatory meeting, they will also agree on completing all operational project pre-requirements to fulfill prior to the elective’s start date. The multimedia elective will take place in the Department of Anesthesiology Media Laboratory. During the first few days of the rotation, the student will be trained on the specific photographic and video equipment (including cameras, computers, and software) by the technical advisor or by a senior member of the laboratory. During the elective, the student will meet with the technical advisor daily to review the project progress. Furthermore, a mid-clerkship review by the technical advisor will be performed, which will be submitted to the course director. This review will be documented, with any points for improvement relayed, and will include a statement on whether or not the student is at the expected timeline for the project. If the student is not meeting the expected timeline, then the reviewer will provide a plan (which may be as short as a statement or longer depending on the needs) on how to get the student back on the timeline if possible. If getting back on track with the project is not possible, then an alternate plan need to be defined where the student can meet project objectives and hourly requirements to receive credit for the rotation. The rotation will be graded according to an Honors, Pass, Fail scale depending on the performance and accomplishments of the student. Students must report to the Anesthesiology Office (second floor Power Plant) at 6:50 AM to Neil Ray (617 638-6229) on the first day of the rotation for further instructions.
• MED MD 410: Clinical Cardiology
  The Clinical Cardiology Elective is a 4-week clinical experience at Boston Medical Center. In this elective, students will become a member of the Cardiology Consult team comprised of a staff cardiology, a cardiology fellow, and one to three PGY-2s. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of cardiac patients and share in the responsibilities for patient evaluation, management, and disposition. This elective emphasizes the fundamentals of the cardiac examination and therapeutics. Students will learn the significance, usefulness and manner of performing special diagnostic studies including electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, exercise stress tests, holter monitors, nuclear scans and cardiac catheterizations and will apply these to patient care. Teaching activities include daily rounds with staff cardiologist, EKG reading, Cardiology Grand Rounds, and Conferences. Students are expected to develop competency in EKG reading during the rotation. By special arrangement, additional elective time can be provided for certain students with a special interest in arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, echocardiography, stress testing or clinical research." All students and residents are expected to develop competency in EKG reading offered during the rotation. By special arrangement, additional elective time can be provided for certain students with a special interest in arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, echocardiography, stress testing or clinical research. Teaching activities include: 1. Daily rounds with Staff Cardiologist 2. EKG reading 3. Cardiology Grand Rounds 4. Medical/Surgical Conference 5. Arrhythmia Conference 6. Imaging Conference 7. Research Conference 8. Cardiomyopathy Conference 9. Core Curriculum Conference
• MED MD 411: Clinical Cardiology - Kaiser San Jose
  The Cardiology Elective will expose the medical student to the field of Cardiology as practiced within an integrated multispecialty group. The rotation takes place in the Cardiology Department at Kaiser San Jose with rotations both in the clinic and hospital setting. The student will learn about the most common Cardiology conditions such as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, hypertension and congenital heart disease. Learning about various diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of various cardiac conditions such as stress testing, coronary angiography and other imaging modalities such as echocardiography, CT angiography and cardiac MRI are also part of the experience. Acquiring a general understanding of the various management options for patients with cardiac conditions, such as appropriate medical therapy, coronary percutaneous interventions, and coronary, valvular or other structural heart surgery will be imparted. Students will work closely with a faculty member to evaluate patients, perform some procedures under direct supervision and be exposed to a broad spectrum of cardiac conditions presenting to a community hospital and medical center setting. They will be assigned to one of seven attendings during the weekday hours of 8:30-5:30 pm, who will supervise them while evaluating consultations both in the outpatient and inpatient settings.
• MED MD 415: Dermatology
  The Dermatology Elective is a 4-week clinical experience. In this elective, students will develop fundamental dermatology skills and be exposed to general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, dermatology specialty clinics, and dermatologic procedures. Students will attend ambulatory clinics, inpatient consultations, grand rounds, and didactics. Our group is comprised of attending dermatologists, dermatopathologists, procedural dermatologists, doctorate scientists, dermatology residents, international trainees, dermatopathology fellows and a skin oncology fellow. Boston University is a center of excellence in basic cutaneous biology research, skin oncology, wound healing, psoriasis, connective tissue disease, photomedicine, hair disorders, dermatologic surgery/oncology, dermatopathology and dermatology education. COMPETENCY BASED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of the dermatology elective is to provide BUSM IV students the content, functional knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, evaluate, manage and prevent common and important disorders of the integumentary system.
• MED MD 416: Dermatology (Kaiser)
  The General Dermatology Elective takes place in the Dermatology Department at Kaiser Santa Clara, Kaiser San Jose, and Kaiser Milpitas with rotations both in the clinic and hospital setting. The goal is to expose the medical student to the field of Dermatology as practiced within an integrated multispecialty group. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member to evaluate patients, perform procedures under direct supervision including Mohs surgery, contact Dermatology, pediatric Dermatology, and complex medical Dermatology and be exposed to a broad spectrum of dermatologic conditions presenting to a community hospital and medical center setting. Medical students will learn how to perform dermatology focused history and physicals, develop a methodical assessment and plan and perform supervised procedures for diagnostic testing and/or treatment of some of these patients.
• MED MD 420: Emergency Ultrasound
  The Emergency Ultrasound Elective is a 4-week clinical experience. In this elective, students will develop their ultrasound skills and gain additional exposure to patient care in the Emergency Department. The elective will provide students with the tim eand mentorship to develop advanced skills in bedside emergency ultrasound. All students will participate in designated instructional hands on sessions with an ultrasound faculty member. They will have assigned 4-hour scanning shifts where they will scan patients in the emergency department. Students will deliver a final presentation and take a final examination. Enrollment is limited to 2 students per block.
• MED MD 421: Sub-Internship: Emergency Medicine
  
• MED MD 422: Emergency Medicine - Kaiser
  
• MED MD 425: Family Medicine Internship Prep
  The Family Medicine Internship Prep Course is an opportunity for fourth year students to directly prepare for their transition from medical school to an internship in Family Medicine. Faculty and residents will lead small-group activities and simulations to review core procedural skills. These sessions will focus on key categories of Family Medicine training, including outpatient care, inpatient adult and pediatric care, and inpatient obstetric care. The expected hours will be from 9 am to 5 pm on Monday through Friday. There will be no weekend activities. The course will be taught in Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (for case-based learning) and in the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Simulation Center (for procedural sessions). There will be no direct patient contact.
• MED MD 426: Ambulatory Family Medicine
  Students who are entering the field of family medicine are the target for this elective.  Students will see ambulatory patients at one or two of the affiliated residency sites, including South Boston Community Health Center, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and Codman Square Health Center. The student will work with a variety of Family Medicine residents and preceptors, and as such will not likely have opportunity for significant summative assessments and advanced accolades from faculty.   With appropriate supervision, students will be expected to have first contact with patients and to do the initial work-up.  Students will advance their skills in the diagnosis of the undifferentiated patient, and the assessment and management of acute and chronic problems which commonly present in family medicine. Instruction in patient education and preventive medicine in the family contMAS will be emphasized. Students will participate in staff conferences and may attend rounds, conferences and lectures that are part of the BMC Family Medicine Residency Program. This elective is also available through the Boston Medical Center Minority Recruitment Program.
• MED MD 427: Sub-Internship: Family Medicine
  Students will work as interns with the family medicine inpatient team. They will care for a wide variety of patients from the HealthNet Rounder system, acting as the primary caregiver for their patients. They will have all the responsibilities of an intern, including daily management of their patients, new admissions, attending conferences and participating in daily teaching.
• MED MD 428: Family Medicine 360°
  The Family Medicine 360° is an opportunity for fourth year medical students to delve into the many roles of a family doctor.  This elective is designed for medical students strongly considering a career in Family Medicine who would like additional exposure to outpatient, inpatient, maternal child health and specialty care provided by family doctors. The elective experience will take place at Boston Medical Center, at Family Medicine affiliated community health centers, and at the Ryan Center (Sports Medicine). The student will have a clinical home throughout their rotation at a community health center. Each student will be paired with a resident, and will participate in that resident’s continuity clinic 2 sessions/week on their inpatient and mom-baby weeks and 5 sessions/week on the outpatient week. These supervising residents will receive Resident as Teacher training and will get teaching support and mentoring during the rotation from Dr. Cohen-Osher. The student will see a subset of patients on the resident’s schedule. The clinical care provided by the student-resident pair will be supervised by the attending physician who is precepting in resident clinic. The student will also work with additional clinicians at the community health center to understand the comprehensive services available for the care of patients such as integrated behavioral health and nutrition counseling. The inpatient experience during the elective will include 2 weeks on the Family Medicine inpatient service caring for hospitalized adults. During the week of nights, the student will work directly with the Family Medicine intern and attending physician to admit new patients and cross-cover patients on the Family Medicine resident teams. During the week of days, the student will follow their own assigned patients with supervision from the resident team and attending physician. The maternal child health week gives students a true Family Medicine-centered experience to include prenatal/perinatal care (including labor and delivery), inpatient postpartum care for women, as well as newborn nursery care for their infants. The student will spend mornings on the postpartum floor caring for women and their infants- focusing on issues such as breastfeeding (including spending time with a lactation consultants), the newborn exam, routine postpartum care, maternal counseling and anticipatory guidance. During the outpatient/specialties week the student will have an opportunity to tailor their clinical experiences to their individual interests. All students will have the opportunity to spend clinical time with the Sports Medicine fellowship trained Family Medicine faculty and fellows. Students will also be able to experience other areas of focus in Family Medicine such as integrative medicine, transitions of care, office based substance use treatment, geriatrics, and student health and these will be tailored (as much as possible) to the student’s clinical interests. Inter-professional experiences are built-in to many components of this elective. On the inpatient Family Medicine service there are board rounds twice daily where the MD team, nurses, and case management come together to discuss all patients. During the maternal child health week, there is daily communication with nursing and often with lactation consultants and social workers. Our outpatient clinics have team care nursing and integrated behavioral health. During the four-week rotation the student will select a topic of interest relevant to Family Medicine and prepare an oral presentation to be shared with Family Medicine residents and faculty which will be evaluated by the presentation coordinator. This will happen in the 3rd or 4th week of the clerkship.
• MED MD 429: Family Planning and Reproductive Health
  
• MED MD 434: Geriatrics Clerkship
  This four-week clerkship provides students with the basic knowledge and skills to participate in the care of older adults. Students will learn about common geriatric syndromes, understand, and use functional assessment in the evaluation of older adults, work with an interdisciplinary team to develop care plans, learn about home care and what is possible to provide medically for older patients living in the community. Students will participate in clinic, nursing home visits and home visits with clinicians to provide medical care for older patients. In addition, students will complete on-line assignments, attend lectures, prepare a narrative focused on My Life My Story (MLMS), complete a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) worksheet, and create an end of life (EOL) project.
• MED MD 440: Sub-Internship: Medicine
  The Sub-Internship in Medicine is designed to challenge and enhance the capacity of the student to work as an increasingly independent, highly competent, and compassionate caregiver and contributing team member. To achieve this goal, the acting intern will work as an advanced care provider under the direct supervision of a medicine ward resident and teaching attending, Students will assume increasing responsibility for the initial evaluation and management of assigned patients. The student is expected to combine medical knowledge with clinical and interpersonal skills in order to demonstrate independent thought and develop a plan of action. The student is expected to develop a balance between acting independently and acknowledging his/her limitations and seeking help as appropriate. Clinical work will be supplemented by conferences offered by the Department of Medicine. There are 2 pathways of experience in the Acting Internship. Pathway A (Integrated Acting Internship): Running throughout the year, the Pathway A experience provides a ward experience with 5 students per block. In this experience, students are integrated onto a typical ward team consisting of a resident and 2 interns. Students on the integrated team will have the opportunity to interface with 3rd year students on their Medicine clerkship. Responsibilities of the Pathway A Integrated Acting Internship include: 1. Admitting patients to the team – you will likely start at one admission per day during several days of the week but should work toward admitting two patients regularly on long call days, and hopefully, three or more patients on one or more occasions. 2. Following a core of patients (on average 3-6 patients) 3. Providing patient care through the last Sunday of the rotation Pathway B (Acting Internship): Only occurs from June to September. We have the capacity for 6 students to participate in this experience per block. You will be part of a team with a resident and two other acting interns and no interns. Responsibilities of the Pathway B Acting Internship include: 1. Admitting patients to the team 2. Following a core of patients (team of 3 students covers on average 4-10 patients) 3.Taking overnight shifts 3-4 nights over the 4-week block (# of nights to be determined) 4. Providing patient care through the last Sunday of the rotation After selecting a block for your Acting Internship in Medicine, you will be assigned to either Pathway A or Pathway B and be notified within ~4 weeks of the start of your block.