Core Curriculum Overview
The first year curriculum of the Integrated
Studies program is designed to give students a solid grounding
in modern cell and molecular biology. The four courses present
a rigorous introduction to the basic concepts of biochemistry,
cell and developmental biology, cell and molecular physiology,
and neuroscience. Quantitative Skills for Biomedical Research
includes modules on biostatistics, bioinformatics, and quantitative
modeling
of complex biological systems. The journal club gives students
practice in reading, analyzing, and orally
presenting
current articles
in the scientific literature with faculty guidance. The
four laboratory rotations give students the opportunity to
do original research as well as to sample laboratories in
which they may carry out their thesis research. Students also
attend weekly seminars given by visiting scientists in the
department of their current laboratory rotation. Students can
invite some speakers of their own choosing. Students will also
enroll in an intensive, two-week course, Current Techniques
in Biomedical Research, which focuses on Molecular Biophysics,
Structural Biology, Tissue Engineering, and Cell Imaging. In
addition, enrichment activities for students in all years of
the program include an annual retreat, ISP seminars, and Translational
Research Workshops. These workshops will present collaborations
between basic scientists and clinicians at Tufts that have
been successful, and will lead to student and faculty discussions
of translational applications of their own research.
First Year Course Requirements
| Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| Biochemistry |
Gene Expression & Signal Transduction |
| Molecular Cell Biology & Neuroscience |
Quantitative Skills for Biomedical Research |
| Laboratory Rotations |
Laboratory Rotations |
ISP Journal Club and Program Seminars |
Enrichment Activities: ISP Retreat, Current
Techniques in Biomedical Research
Second Year Course Requirements
| Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| Ph.D. Program Requirement |
Scientific Ethics |
| ISP Elective |
Sackler Elective |
| Thesis Research |
Thesis Research |
Enrichment Activities: Senior ISP Journal
Club, ISP Seminars, ISP Research Presentations, ISP Retreat,
Translational Research Workshops, Current Techniques in Biomedical
Research
Third Year and Beyond
| Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| Thesis Research |
Thesis Research |
Enrichment Activities: Senior ISP Journal
Club, ISP Seminars, ISP Research Presentations, ISP Retreat,
Translational Research Workshops, Current Techniques in Biomedical
Research |
