Postdoctoral and Predoctoral Curriculum
Four Required Core Courses:
MTR 600: Introductory Biostatistics (1.0 c.u.)
MTR 601: Fundamentals of POR (1.0 c.u.)
MTR 602: Scientific and Ethical Conduct (1.0 c.u.)
MTR 603: Disease Measurement (1.0 c.u.)
Two Electives:
Your choice of electives requires prior approval of the MTR advisory
committee.
Four Total Lab Units
Required:
MTR 999 (1 c.u.)
Your choice of lab
time requires prior approval of the MTR Advisory Committee.
Requirements for a lab experience are:
- Clear documentation of procedures learned
- Clear documentation of time spent
- Clear documentation from mentor stating your accomplishments and affirming your time spent in this pursuit – to equal 20 hours of mentor contact time
MTR Thesis (2 c.u.):
MTR Thesis 604: (1 c.u.)
MTR Thesis 605: (1 c.u.)
Description of Required Courses
Introductory Biostatistics
(MTR 600 First year - Summer semester)
This course approaches statistics from an applied as well as theoretical point of view. Students learn the correct application and interpretation of basic statistical concepts and techniques. The course covers probability estimation, hypothesis testing, nonparametric tests, tests for categorical data, correlation, and regression.
Fundamentals of POR (MTR 601 First year - Fall semester)
CContent includes study design and protocol development as they relate to the studies that probe the mechanism of disease and the study of complex traits. It discusses concepts such as sample size calculation, study populations, use of markers to study disease progression, pharmacogenetics and feasibility issues. Financial considerations in research including budget development for grant proposals.
Disease Measurement (MTR
603 - Fall semester - First year)
Acquire the knowledge to rationally and effectively incorporate disease measurements, including emerging technologies, into the design of translational and clinical research protocols. Gain a basic understanding of measurement methodologies used in clinical medicine. Understand how "normal" values are determined, and how to interpret test results in the context of patients/research subjects. Approach disease measurements (tests) as a mean of answering questions, and to be able to choose appropriate tests to answer the questions being posed.
Scientific and
Ethical Conduct (MTR 602 First year - Spring semester)
Content includes scientific conduct, good laboratory practices, good clinical practices, regulatory affairs including the role of the FDA and research ethics. (Two versions of this course exist: One is a short seminar course and valued as a half course unit and the other is a complete course that is valued as a full course unit)
Laboratory Units: (MTR 999 - flexible)
Completion of 4 lab units is required but flexible in terms of timing. Lab experiences need approval of the candidate's MTR mentoring committee and the MTR director 2 months prior to commencing the lab rotation. Lab units can represent 4 different learning experiences or may be a combination of 2 units in a distinct area. Examples of lab experiences include, but are not limited to, a traditional wet bench experience to learn how to develop an assay; a clinical lab rotation learning how to perform /analyze a technique in your specialty; a rotation in a bioinformatics laboratory; or a rotation in an imaging laboratory. (4 c.u.)
The purpose of the lab experience is to emphasize the basic components of the translational research experience, to appreciate that the underpinnings of translational research is understanding disease mechanism, to learn the subtleties of measurement of disease process and the complexity this brings to the area of human research. Following completion of each lab experience, students are required to submit a "lab book" with documentation of the elements listed below.
- Each lab unit
- - 20 hours of direct contact time with mentor
- Lab meetings / learning techniques / analysis and discussion of data - Cleary documented by Mentor/supervisor
- - Grading performed by mentor and grading sheet submitted to university as
equivalence of exam grade
- Time documented by mentor
Laboratory Evaluation Form [ in PDF]
Description of Elective Courses
In addition to the required courses, trainees must take electives that must total at least two course units. The student's mentor and the MTR oversight committee must approve the elective courses chosen by the student at least 2 months in advance of registering for the course. These should be graduate level courses that complement an aspect of POR important to the student's future career plans in translational research.
The list below is a representative sample of the elective course options. It is anticipated that elective courses will be pursued in the first and second years. There is an increase in the availability of elective course units. New elective courses are also under development in areas such as Quantitative Genetics, Genomics, Proteomics, and Drug Development. Elective courses outside the school of medicine can also be considered.
Pharmacometrics (MTR 607 - Spring semester)
This course introduces the discipline of pharmacometrics, highlighting related disciplines such as Clinical Pharmacology and Biostatistics and demonstrating the application of pharmacometric principles applied to drug development and translational research. Relevant statistical methodology is introduced along with targeted lectures in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and population-based methods.
Regulation of Eukaryotic gene Transcription (Genetics 608)
An advanced seminar course emphasizing the molecular biology and molecular genetics of transcription in eukaryotes. Based on current literature, the presentations and discussions familiarize the student with current technology and developing principles.
Fundamentals of
Pharmacology (PHARM 623) (one half course unit) (First Year Fall Term)
This course emphasizes quantitative approaches to analyzing biochemical and pharmacological data. Students examine basic principles of drug action, including: drug disposition and metabolism, pharmacokinetics, drug receptor interactions, enzymes as targets for drug action, and experimental methods used in molecular pharmacology.
Advanced Topics
in Cell Biology/Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis (CAMB 691)
This course will examine selected topics in cell biology, with a focus on understanding disease at the molecular and cellular level. Topics to be addressed include the cellular cytoskeleton, muscle cell biology, neuronal cell biology, cytokinesis, and genetic and acquired diseases that have been associated with defects in each of these areas. Course evaluation will be based on presentations, participation in discussions, and a final paper.
