This course examines the fundamental concepts underlying biomedical science, including the structure and function of biomolecules, such as proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and DNA, as well as the structure and function of cellular components, such as membranes, vesicles, organelles, and the cytoskeleton. This course is designed for students who may have previously studied biology but need a refresher on the main concepts in biomedical science as well as students without a science background who wish to gain a foundation in basic biological mechanisms.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the characteristics of the major cellular macromolecules
- Explain the structure and function of major cellular components
- Build and hone critical thinking skills
When a large number of people become ill due to the same infectious agent, it is called an epidemic-or, if the disease spreads to affect even greater numbers globally, a pandemic. For example, the Bubonic Plague was active in the fourteenth century in Europe, killing almost one-third of the continent's population, while the 1918 flu killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide. More recently, the Ebola epidemic in West Africa showed that our global response to a potential pandemic is slow and lacking in early detection systems and global coordination. Vaccines, arguably one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of modern times, have allowed us to defend ourselves against rampant infections. The world community has managed to eradicate smallpox, and is close to eradicating polio. For both, the key tool was the implementation of routine vaccinations.
This course will explore historic and current threats by infectious diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential as well as strategies to prevent and control outbreaks. The course will emphasize the important role of vaccines and will cover the immunological mechanisms on which successful vaccines are based. Vaccines currently in use and major challenges in novel vaccine development and implementation will be also discussed.
Learning objectives:
- List major historical epidemics and their impact on society
- Discuss how both genetic mutations and changes in the environment together with human social behavior can give rise to new infectious diseases
- Explain how vaccines can help prevent infections
- Compare different types of vaccine strategies and their underlying immunological mechanisms
- Assess the potential of a developmental vaccine candidate
Researchers from all over the world use English as the common language to share their findings with colleagues and debate current issues. This course is designed for biomedical researchers at the NIH and beyond who are intermediate and advanced students of English and who wish to improve their listening and speaking skills in the scientific workplace and/or in other academic settings, such as at conferences or symposia.
Targeted listening practice and readings will be followed by class discussions on topics related to science, medicine, technology, as well as U.S. culture. Students will increase their academic vocabulary and fluency in English and will be able to practice new ways to express and debate issues and ideas. Throughout the course, students will develop their knowledge of English grammar and will have the chance to practice and improve their pronunciation.
The course is designed so that students will have the opportunity to work toward their individual goals, which they will communicate to the instructor at the beginning of the course.
Learning Objectives:
- Improve English-language conversational skills by speaking clearly and concisely, and finding new ways to express ideas
- Learn how to speak to a variety of audiences by using everyday English to discuss scientific topics
- Express a personal opinion or argument using persuasive, effective language
- Answer questions about one's area of interest and practice with confidence
- Prerequisites: upper-intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in English.
This review course will prepare students for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test. Initially, the focus will be on content and test-taking strategies for the Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing portions of the General Test. Numerous example problems will be conducted during class to reinforce the concepts and strategies that will be discussed by the instructor. In the final weeks, students will take full GRE exams as homework and discuss the solutions to problems.
The lectures will be interactive, with student participation strongly encouraged. All homework materials will be taken from the Official GRE Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Practice Question Books or from Official GRE Practice Tests that are provided by ETS (the makers of the test).
Learning Objectives:
- Refresh knowledge on math concepts, verbal reasoning, and analytic writing
- Sharpen skills for and gain confidence in GRE test-taking
- Improve GRE general test score
This course introduces the relevant skills needed for effective oral and written scientific communication in the diverse settings encountered within biomedical vocations. Students will interpret and critically review scientific information, practice oral presentations for defined audiences, and construct effective arguments to inform and/or influence listeners.
Students will have an opportunity to leverage communication models and learning theories within their practice in order to strengthen their speech and authorship qualities. In this course, special emphasis is placed on field-specific activities performed by biomedical professionals, such as communicating with the public or scientifically untrained audiences and ensuring understanding.
Learning objectives:
After successful completion of this course, students:
- Will understand the elements that are important for communicating effectively to mixed audiences in written and oral formats;
- Will have developed relevant knowledge regarding communication studies theoretical underpinnings pertinent to scientific communication; and
- Will be able to write persuasive, engaging, and effective scientific information.