In addition, we have fashioned a new two-quarter course on Tissue and Organ Biology that is required of all BMS students. It then proceeds to a detailed characterization of the cells and tissues of the hematopoietic and immune systems and the biology of inflammatory responses. Following this is analysis of the structure and development of skin, muscle and bone. Then the course takes up the biology of the reproductive, endocrine, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal systems. In parallel with the lecture material is laboratory instruction in the histology of each tissue and organ, integrated with consideration of research papers on tissue biology and transgenic animal models of disease states.
Students can take at least one elective course from a large range of available electives.
The Program also sponsors a weekly Journal Club at which both students and faculty present current research papers, and an annual retreat. The BMS faculty consists of members drawn from clinical and basic science departments. Approximately one third of the membership holds joint appointments in one or more of the PIBS graduate programs. The program was formed by dissolving earlier, departmentally-based graduate programs in Physiology, Anatomy, Endocrinology and Experimental Pathology. The pooled resources of these programs were used to create the new interdisciplinary BMS program, with faculty selectively recruited both from the constituent Departments as well the clinical departments and PIBS programs.