Master
of Arts in Pathology
The
Master of Arts in Pathology Program focuses on the basic science and
laboratory techniques of anatomic pathology and related disciplines.
Graduates will be prepared to work in basic science, biotechnology and
other biomedical research laboratories designing, performing, and evaluating
research using methods based on morphology. Students learn to prepare
and evaluate animal or human cells and tissues for the effects of test
compounds, devices or procedures using morphologic methods.
Techniques
include gross, microscopic and ultrastructural techniques for examination
of cells and tissues, including histochemical staining and immunohistochemical,
immunofluorescence and radioisotopic methods; certain clinical chemistry,
hematological, immunological and radioisotopic methods for examination
of blood and tissue fluids or extracts. Offerings include some or all
of the following specialized techniques in the basic laboratory rotations
or in the student's laboratory research project: laser capture techniques,
in situ hybridization including fluorescence detection (FISH)
and confocal or electron microscopy
With
the growing use and development of highly sophisticated morphological
techniques, the demand for well-trained technical personnel in academic
and biotechnological laboratories is growing. Students interested
in careers that involve technical work using morphological techniques
to examine tissues from patients or laboratory animals will benefit
from this program.
Curriculum
Required
Courses:
GMS
BI 751
General Biochemistry, 6 cr
-or-
GMS
BI 555
Biochemistry A, 4 cr
GMS PA 600 Introduction
to Pathology and Pathophysiology of Disease, 4 cr
GMS PA 510 Medical
Immunology, 2 cr
GMS AN 710 Condensed
Histology, 3 c
GMS CI 670 Biostatistics
with a Computer, 4 cr
-or-
GMS MS 552 Presenting
Data in Biomedicine, 4 cr
GMS PA 801 Special
Topics in Pathology, 2 cr
Attendance at weekly departmental seminar is required throughout the
program. The courses are completed in the first year of study, as are
two laboratory rotations. The rotations teach basic histomorphologic
techniques and their applications. Each rotation lasts 6-8 weeks
part time (at least 15 hours per week) or 3 weeks full time (e.g., in
summer or intersession). A required rotation is taken at the Mallory
Institute of Pathology utilizing equipment, technical staff and faculty
in the Division of Anatomic Pathology at Boston Medical Center. This
rotation teaches basic tissue preparation techniques, including certain
special stains and quality control methods in use in clinical and experimental
anatomic pathology laboratories. The second rotation is determined
by the student's particular interest and generally will be in the student's
likely thesis research laboratory. It might, for example, be focused
on immunohistochemical or molecular diagnostic techniques or in
situ or confocal or electron microscopic techniques in use in a
laboratory. Research laboratories at the medical center or in
biotechnology companies are the sites used for both rotations and thesis
research with which the Department or individual faculty have managing,
consulting or service associations. The mentor's laboratory is
chosen from laboratories and mentors approved and listed by the Department.
The Director of Graduate Studies and members of the Graduate Studies
Committee of the Department advise students on their choice of laboratory.
Fourteen (14) research credits are awarded for the required Master
of Arts thesis work.
A
thesis based on laboratory research is completed in the second year
of study, reviewed and approved by the student's research mentor and
one additional Pathology faculty member. The approved thesis completes
the requirements for the degree.
