Accelerated Track
The MS in Human Physiology Accelerated Track is particularly attractive to students who want to enhance their credentials for application to medical, dental, physician assistant, or other clinical healthcare programs. Typically completed in one-year of full-time study, the Accelerated Track offers students the option of designing a program emphasizing physiology or neurosciences. This emphasis is reflected in the selection of 12 additional credits from either a basic or clinical area of specialization and/or electives, which may include departmental, college, or university offerings which contribute to your educational objectives and career goals.
Curriculum
Required Courses
SAR HS750: The Physiologist's Toolbox
Undergraduate Prerequisites: Course in biology, cell biology or physiology, and consent of instruct or. Master and doctoral students only. - This course will cover the skills beyond benchwork that are necessary to be a competitive physiologist. The classes will be a mix of didactic information and group discussion. Methodological issues covered will include study design, techniques used, interpretation of research findings and the process of peer reviewed publication. Practical experience in grant writing and scientific seminar presentation will be included. Students completing this course will understand the principles underlying preparation and publication of scientific manuscripts, grants and seminars and will be able to apply these principles as they read the scientific literature and participate in research projects related to thesis work. (Credits: 2)
SAR HS793: Critical Literature Review
Undergraduate Prerequisites: Limited to students enrolled in MS in human physiology program. - For MS students writing a critical literature review under faculty guidance. (Credits: Var)
SPH BS704: Introduction to Biostatistics
This course provides an overview of biostatistical methods, and gives students the skills to perform, present, and interpret basic statistical analyses. Topics include the collection, classification, and presentation of descriptive data; the rationale of estimation and hypothesis testing; analysis of variance; analysis of contingency tables; correlation and regression analysis; multiple regression, logistic regression, and the statistical control of confounding; sample size and power considerations; survival analysis. Special attention is directed to the ability to recognize and interpret statistical procedures in articles from the current literature. Students will use the R statistical package to analyze public health related data. * Can't be taken together for credit with SPH PH 717 (Credits: 3)
Human Physiology Electives (choose 3 of the following):
SAR HS538: Pathophysiology in Marginalized Individuals
PATHOPHYSIO MI (Credits: 4)
SAR HS541: Physiology Across the Lifespan
In this course we will explore physiological aspects of fetal development, birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. Topics explored will include: bone and muscle development, physiology of common childhood diseases, the role of exercise and inactivity on bone, muscle and organ function, impact of stress across the lifespan, and the changes that occur during aging. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS542: Exercise Physiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) or consent of instructor - Application of physiological principles under different exercise conditions. Integration of the body systems in performance of exercise, work, and sports; immediate and long-range effects of these activities on the body. Laboratory includes the measurement of physiological parameters under extreme conditions. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS549: Mechanisms of Disruption in Brain Disorders
BRAIN DISORDERS (Credits: 4)
SAR HS550: Neural Systems
Undergraduate Prerequisites: One or more courses in basic neuroscience. - Exploration of mechanisms of signal transduction, communication, and integration in the nervous system. The approach is multidisciplinary, drawing upon fundamental concepts of the neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and physiology of the nervous system. Lectures focus on patterns of processing in unimodal sensory, polymodal, motor, and limbic cortices. Methods used to investigate the nervous system are described and illustrated to facilitate comprehension of the current literature. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS572: Pulmonary Pathophysiology
How do humans breathe' How harmful are e-cigarettes to our body' What are the differences between an obstructive vs. a restrictive pulmonary disease' In Pulmonary Pathophysiology we will discuss these questions and more, developing an understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying the function of the pulmonary system in health and disease. Through group discussion, active learning activities, and the creation of short films in small groups, we will take an in-depth look into the current understanding of pulmonary pathophysiology. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS575: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) - Overview of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular systems during normal and pathological conditions. This course will also cover pathophysiology of exercise performance in cardiovascular diseases, as well as adaptations to physical conditioning. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS581: Gross Human Anatomy
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASBI105 & CASBI106 or CASBI107 & CASBI108 and CASBI211 or CASBI315 - Regional approach to the musculoskeletal, peripheral nervous, and circulatory systems of the human body. Laboratories reinforce the lectures by a study of osteology, prosected cadavers and live anatomy palpations. Either semester. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS582: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) SARHS369 recommended. - Lecture and laboratory related to the detailed study of the development, morphology, internal configuration, functions, and pathological deficits of the peripheral and central nervous system in humans. Spring semester only. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS592: Muscle Physiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: college-level physiology. - Advanced study of skeletal muscle properties. The regulation and adaptive capacity of muscle properties are examined through study of muscle fiber types, regeneration, injury, disuse, and strengthening and endurance activities. Scholarly exchange is essential. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS652: Advanced Exercise Physiology
This upper-level course will provide an in-depth exploration of the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. Building upon foundational knowledge, Advanced Exercise Physiology combines theoretical concepts with practical applications, emphasizing critical analysis of current research and hands-on laboratory experiences. Over the semester we¿ll engage in discussions intended develop a comprehensive understanding of how exercise physiology is applied in real-world contexts. Topics covered include: exercise metabolism, cardiorespiratory adaptations, neuromuscular adaptations, environmental impacts, and fitness assessment. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS745: Seminar: Advanced Regional Anatomy
Graduate Prerequisites: SAR HS369, CAS BI315 or BI211 and consent of instructor. - Investigation-based independent course examining the visceral anatomy of two cadavers. The course begins with instruction in dissection techniques, then full dissection of two cadavers is performed. Based on the findings, students determine the cause of death of one of the cadaveric individuals and write a case report. Grading: 85 case report, 15 participation. (Credits: Var)
Specialization Electives
Medicine & Health
- SPH PH 720 Individual, Community, and Population Health
- SPH GH Foundations in Global Health
- SPH MC 725 Women, Children, and Adolescents: A Public Health Approach
- GMS PA 600 Introduction to Pathology and Pathophysiology of Disease
- GMS PA 510 Medical Immunology
- SPH PH 510 Essentials of Public Health
- GMS PM 730 Introduction to Medical Pharmacology
- CAS BI 576 Carcinogenesis
- SPH EH 710 Physiological Mechanisms of Health and Disease
- SAR HS 572 Pulmonary Pathophysiology
- SAR HS 575 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
- SAR HP 532 Clinical Medicine
- SPH PH 717 Quantitative Methods for Public Health
- SPH PM 702 Introduction to Health Policy, Delivery, and Management
- SAR PT 634 Diagnostic Procedures for Rehabilitation Professionals
Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or Pharmaceutical Industry
- SPH BS 722 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials
- GMS CI 675 Designing Clinical Research Studies
- SPH PH 740 Pharmaceuticals in Public Health: Intro Course
- SPH PM 833 Health Economics
Neuroscience
- CAS BI 525 Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases
- CAS BI 545 Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior
- CAS CN 500 Computational Methods in Cognitive and Neural Systems
- GMS AN 702 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
- GMS AN 707 Neurobiology of Aging
- GMS AN 709 Neural Development and Plasticity
- GMS AN 716 Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
- GMS AN 718 Methods in Neuroscience
- GMS AN 777 Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- GMS AN 811 Cognitive Neuroscience
- GRS BI 655 Developmental Neurobiology
- GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience
- GRS BI 756 Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience
- SAR HS 550 Neural Systems
- SAR HS 755 Readings in Neuroscience
- SAR HS 582 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
Exercise, Nutrition & Human Performance
- SAR HP 565 Biomechanics of Human Movement
- SAR HP 771 Foundations of Motor Control
- SAR HP 782 Advanced Human Movement
- SAR HS 592 Muscle Physiology
- SAR HS 540 Nutrition for Sport and Performance
- SAR HS 551 Human Nutrition Sciences
- SAR HS 776 Nutrition Epidemiology
- CAS BI 556 Membrane Biochemistry and Cell Signaling
- CAS BI 560 Systems Biology
- GRS CH 621 Biochemistry I
- GRS CH 622 Biochemistry II
Anatomy
- SAR HS 581 Gross Human Anatomy
- SAR HS 710 Graduate Affiliation
- SAR HS 745 Advanced Regional Anatomy
- SAR PT 520 Functional Anatomy
Total credit hours: 33 (Core Curriculum: 17 credits + Critical Literature Review: 4 credits + Specialization Electives: 12 credits)
Note: Courses listed above are subject to change or be unavailable at times. This is only a partial list of possible courses. Students are encouraged to explore other elective/specialization courses that can be found throughout Sargent College as well as other colleges within Boston University (e.g., the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS), College of Engineering (ENG), School of Medicine (MED), Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS), and School of Public Health (SPH)). Students must discuss their course selection with their MS HP faculty advisor or the HP Program Director prior to registering for the courses.