Curriculum

The goal of our curriculum is to train you to become a scientist who is thoroughly skilled in the experimental techniques of Development, Regeneration and Stem Cells (DRS) and to foster your scientific growth to become an expert in this fascinating and progressive field.

Courses Overview

Review the courses you will take during each term and each year.

First Year - Fall

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BSR 1006 Laboratory Rotation  4
BSR 1012 Biomedical Science 5
BSR 1010 Biostatistics  3
BSR 1003 Responsible Conduct of Research  1
BSR 1004 Introduction to Journal Club 1

First Year - Spring

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BSR 1007 Laboratory Rotation  4
BSR 1013 Biomedical Science 5
BSR 1005 Introduction to Journal Club II 3

Second Year - Fall

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BSR 8000 Independent Research  8

BSR 2300

 

BSR 6301

Embryos, Genes and Development**

OR

Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology** 

 3
BSR 5302 Department of DRB and BFSCI Seminar Series 1
BSR 5301 Developmental,  Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology Works in Progress  1
BSR 4301 Journal Club in Developmental and Stem Cell 1

Second Year - Spring

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BSR 8000 Independent Research 8
BSR 5302 Department of DRB and BFSCI Seminar 1
G 560 Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology Works in Progress 1
BSR 4301 Journal Club in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology 1

Advanced Courses

Two advanced courses in developmental and stem cell biology are offered for DSCB students starting with the second year. The two courses are held in the fall semester, alternating each year.

Course Director: Philippe Soriano

This course provides a thorough introduction to invertebrate and vertebrate development emphasising cellular, genetic and molecular mechanisms. The course will focus primarily on development of fruit flies, xenopus, zebrafish, and mice. Emphasis will be on understanding fundamental embryological processes such as induction, determination, and pattern formation. Current technologies such as transgenic animals, genetics, mosaic analysis, homologous recombination, somatic cell genetics, and classical embryonic manipulations will be analyzed. Selected topics include developmental genetics of regulatory hierarchies, lateral inhibition, regeneration and development, cell lineage analysis, X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting, and sex determination. Following introductory lectures, the course will focus on primary literature detailing the current state of the field using journal club presentation (by students). The final exam will consist of grant proposals by the students to be reviewed by other students in a study section type arrangement.

Course Directors: Robert Krauss and Margaret Baron

Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology is an advanced course covering embryonic, induced pluripotent, and several different types of adult stem cells. The course will combine didactic lectures by several BFSCI and/or DRB faculty who are experts in diverse stem cell fields and student presentations of the primary literature. In doing so, students will gain insight into the roles of various stem cell types in development, regeneration, and diseases; currently used techniques for analysis of stem cells; and both historical perspectives and current concepts in the field.

Program Requirements

In addition to the DSCB curriculum, as a student of DSCB you must complete at least two rotations before choosing a preceptor from the DSCB faculty. You are required to choose a preceptor by the beginning of the second year. You will then need to pass a Qualifying Exam in the first semester following commitment to a preceptor, and a Thesis Proposal Exam as described in the Student Handbook. 

Approaching the completion of the project, you, your preceptor, and your advisory committee will meet and decide whether suitable work has been completed to proceed with the preparation of a dissertation and a thesis defense. If approval is granted, the preceptor will guide you regarding the dissertation preparation and the presentation of your work in an open seminar-format thesis defense.

You are expected to participate in the Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Black Family Stem Cell Institute Seminar Series. This series brings leading researchers to MSSM to present their latest research. You attend the seminar and then meet as a student group with the speaker.

Finally, the Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology Work in Progress series is a forum for you to present research to other DSCB students and postdoctoral fellows.

In addition to the DSCB curriculum, you will complete at least two laboratory rotations before choosing a preceptor from the DSCB faculty. You will make this choice by the beginning of the second year and, and will also choose an advisory committee, in consultation with your preceptor. You will meet with your advisory committee at least once a year to discuss progress. You will take a Thesis Proposal Exam, described in the Student Handbook, by the end of your fifth semester.

As completion of the project approaches, you meet with your preceptor and advisory committee to determine whether you have completed work suitable enough to proceed with your dissertation and a thesis defense. If approval is granted, your preceptor will guide you in these endeavors, and in the presentation of your work in an open seminar-format thesis defense.

As a DSCB student, you participate in the Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Black Family Stem Cell Institute Seminar Series. This series brings leading researchers to MSSM to present their latest research. After each seminar, you will meet as a student group with the speaker.

Finally, you will participate in the Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology Work in Progress series, presenting your research annually to other DSCB faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows.