Purpose and Educational Objectives
The last decade has seen a significant emphasis on translational research being a central feature of biomedical-related research training. This certificate program formalizes graduate training and education in translational sciences at UAB. Students completing the certificate will be trained in one or more key facets that comprise the process and goals of translational research; namely, understanding mechanisms of disease, how these insights are then used to develop, test and apply therapies for the treatment of disease, and how translational research is a bridge between basic and applied research.
-
Admission Requirements
Any degree (MS, PhD or MD/PhD) earning graduate student who has completed the first year of graduate school, is in good academic standing (UAB GPA ≥ 3), and has begun full-time research in a laboratory can enroll in the certificate program. The following materials are also required:
- A letter from the student’s theme or program director and dissertation research mentor stating their approval for the student to enroll into the certificate program.
- A statement from the student as to how participating in the certificate program would enhance his / her research and career goals.
The certificate program director will review these materials and decide on acceptance. Non-degree earning students will not be allowed to enroll in the certificate program.
-
Requirements for Completion of Certificate
- Students are required to complete 12 credit hours (accumulated from at least one core course plus any combination of electives listed under "Academic Program") to complete the certificate. Courses can be taken at any time up until the student graduates. Only those courses that are completed and passed, up until the student graduates, will be considered for the certificate program. A failing grade (C or below) in any of the courses will not be applied to the required 12 credit hours.
- Semi-annually, students are required to submit to the certificate program administrator an update of credits received for TMS core and elective courses, and students will also be asked to complete an evaluation of the program upon completion of certificate requirements.
How to apply?
The TMS certificate is open to any UAB degree (MS/ Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.) earning graduate student who has completed the first year of graduate school, is in good academic standing (UAB GPA ≥ 3), and has begun full-time research in a laboratory (if applicable to your program). All applications are submitted online. The application fee is $45. Once you start your application, the Graduate Level Certificate Program in Translational and Molecular Sciences is considered a "Graduate Degree-Seeking Application".
The following documents are required:
- A letter from the student's theme or graduate program director and dissertation research mentor (if applicable) stating their approval for the student to enroll in the certificate program.
- A statement from the student as to how participating in the certificate program would enhance his/her research and career goals.
The certificate program director will review these materials and decide on acceptance. Non-degree earning students will not be allowed to enroll.
Academic Program
Requirements:
Students are required to complete 12 credit hours (accumulated from at least one core course plus any combination of elective courses listed below) to complete the certificate. Courses can be taken at any time up until the student graduates. Only those courses that are completed and passed, up until the student graduates, will be considered for the certificate program. A failing grade (C or below) in any of the courses will not be applied to the required 12 credit hours.
Please note that the information below is meant to serve as a guide. It is important that you check the UAB Class Schedule in BlazerNet to see exactly what is offered and when.
-
EPI 607: Fundamentals of Clinical Research - Fall
3 Credit HoursThis course will provide an overview of principles and practices related to the study of determinants and outcomes of medical interventions. Methods for conducting epidemiologic research in the "clinic", assessing the validity of diagnostic and screening tests, measuring therapeutic efficacy and safety, and describing the natural history of disease will be reviewed.
HMG 702: Phenotyping Human Disease - Fall
2 Credit HoursIntroduction to the study of human disease and translational research. The course will consist of several 2-week modules, each covering a different disease. Each module will consist of two types of lectures. During the first week of each module, a physician scientist will discuss human patients and case studies of disease. In the second week of each module, a basic science researcher will discuss the animal models used to study the same disease.
HMG 705: Drug Discovery & Development - Spring
2 Credit HoursThis course will enable the student to follow the pipeline of drug discovery from target selection to FDA approval. Additional lectures will cover cancer drugs and targets.
-
BME 690: Biodesign - Spring
3 Credit HoursThe purpose of this course is to introduce students to the process of innovating medical technologies to prepare them for a career in the medical technology industry. Students will learn the aspects of biomedical product development including needs finding, invention, developing intellectual property, business development, marketing, regulatory processes and reimbursement strategies. Following the guidelines in the text student groups will interact with physicians to need find, need screen, generate concepts and select one concept to develop a business plan.
BST 612: Intermediate Statistical Analysis II - Spring
3 Credit HoursThis course with utilize current statistical techniques to assess and analyze public health related data. In addition, students will learn to read and critique the use of such techniques in published research. Students will also determine what analytical approaches are appropriate under different research scenarios. The course is lecture based with optional help sessions and computer lab software demonstrations. Students will be expected to interact with one another and the instructor during lectures.
BST 621: Statistical Methods I - Fall
3 Credit HoursLectures will include descriptions and derivations of statistical methods as well as demonstrations of these methods using SAS software. Additional reading from the text, outside reading and homework problems will be assigned to complement the class lectures.
BST 622: Statistical Methods II - Spring
3 Credit HoursStudents are taught to intermediate-level basic analysis methods focusing on regression modeling including the links between regression and analysis of variance (parameterization), multiple regression, indicator variables, use of contrasts, multiple comparison procedures and regression diagnostics. The course will generalize these modeling concepts to different types of outcome data including categorical outcomes (i.e., logistic and loglinear modeling) and survival outcomes (i.e., proportional hazards analysis). Students are taught to conduct the relevant analysis using current software such as SAS, SPSS, and JMP.
EPI 680: Topics in Clinical Research - Summer
2 Credit HoursProvide health sciences professionals interested in clinical trials, clinical epidemiology, and other forms of population research with both essential principles and specific technical knowledge in a variety of areas relevant to the conduct of biological and behavioral investigation of human subjects. This course begins in the Spring term and extends into the Summer term. Registration for this course is during the Summer semester. Please contact the Program Coordinator for the course syllabus and course schedule.
GBS 745: NeuroImmunology - Spring
2 Credit HoursThe purpose of this course is threefold: 1) to provide students with a basic overview of immunology and neuroscience in conjunction with a specific focus on how neuroinflammatory processes affect the brain, 2) to teach students basic neuroanatomy of the brain, and 3) to have students undestand the clinical implications of neuroinflammatory diseases by attending rounds with clinicians.
GBS 775: Cancer Treatment - Fall
3 Credit HoursStudents will study current theories regarding chemotherapy, radiation therapy, drug discovery & development, clinical trials, chemoprevention, and imaging. Students will also e exposed to state-of-art for each of these treatment/diagnostic modalities.
GBS 779: Translational Cancer Research - every other Fall
3 Credit HoursThe goal of this class is to give students a general understanding of what patient-based research methods are available and how they may incorporate these studies into their basic science pursuits.
GBSC 715: Molecular Basis of Disease - Spring
3 Credit HoursThis is an advanced, graduate course that explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the causes, symptoms, and complications of various diseases, including diabetes, autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, and cancer. An integrative approach to the clinical, pathologic, biochemical, and molecular perspectives of diseases is introduced. This will help the students to understand how metabolic pathways, cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, transcription factors, and protein glycosylation impacts on our ability to understand and treat human disease. Requirement: This course is designed for graduate students admitted to campus-wide PhD programs in the biomedical and basic sciences, post-doctoral fellows, medical students, residents, staff, and members of the faculty interested in the latest advances and approaches in understanding and treating human disease. Prerequisite: Successful completion of doctoral level biochemistry/molecular biology course. Individuals may contact the Course Director before enrolling in the course.
HMG 704: Modeling Human Disease - Summer
2 Credit HoursIntroduction to the study of disease-based research. The format will consist of clinical-pathobiological conference-style experience where students will present patient cases and researchers will discuss molecular basis of each disease.
HMG 707: Vocabulary in Clinical Research - Fall
1 Credit HourStudents will be exposed to basic topics in clinical research and learn the details involved in designing clinical trials. Students will also sit in as ad-hoc members of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UAB General Clinical Research Center and learn the review process for human/clinical research trials.
MBA 673: Technology Based Venture Planning - Spring
3 Credit HoursTranslating scientific and technology discovery into viable business models requires careful analysis and planning. The business plan is the DNA or genetic map of a technology venture. This course is designed to prepare students for the challenges of preparing business plans for technology-based innovations. Because many business plans focus on internal strategy rather than a comprehensive assessment of the competitive landscape, particular attention will be paid to market due diligence and competitive analysis. The course is practically focused and experiential: students prepare full business plans for real technology-based innovations.
MBA 681: Idea to IPO - Fall
3 Credit HoursThis course is specifically designed to give graduate students in business, medicine, and engineering a deeper understanding of the issues involved in determining how to take the right idea from the laboratory to the marketplace.
NTR 722: Recent Advances in Nutrition and Cancer - every other Summer
1 to 3 Credit HoursCritical evaluation of the effects of genetics and environmental factors, especially nutrients, on the development and prevention of obesity, atherosclerosis, and cancer.
NTR 725: Nutrition Through Life Cycle - every other Fall
3 Credit HoursExamination of the role of nutrition and dietary factors on the growth, development, and maintenance of health throughout the human life cycle. Nutritional guidelines/recommendations, special nutritional needs, physiology, and nutritional health concerns for each stage of the human lifecycle beginning with preconception and continuing throughout adulthood and aging.
NTR 750: Body Composition and Energy Metabolism - every other Summer
3 Credit HoursMethods of measurement and relationship to human health and disease.
NTR 779: Obesity in the XXI Century - every other Spring
3 Credit HoursOverview of the facts and research findings underlying the understanding of obesity, its co-morbidities, and its consequences in the population.
PAT 700: Biology of Disease - Fall
3 Credit HoursThe Biology of Disease course is a comprehensive course in general pathology designed specifically for graduate students in the biomedical sciences. In this course we will begin with a review of normal anatomy (autopsy organs) and histology (microscopic slides and virtual microscopy). Then we will do an overview of general pathology principles emphasizing pathogenetic mechanisms and clinically important diseases where current research areas will be highlighted. The biomedical scientist will learn the mechanisms involved in disease processes and will develop an understanding of diseases and clinical medicine which will help them to converse knowledgeably with medical colleagues and to target their research towards clinically relevant issues.
PAT 777: Autopsy Experience - Spring
1 Credit HoursThe purpose of offering an optional autopsy experience for PhD graduate students in MCP is to provide education of the thought processes and investigation involved in determining the pathological basis and causes of disease. It is anticipated that this experience will broaden the appreciation of the application of pathology as study of the science of disease.