RNA Therapeutics and Biology Program Courses

This course will help prospective scientists in the biological and medical sciences communicate their work effectively, in writing, graphics, and oral presentations. The course teaches how to prepare a research paper using words, statistics, and figures; how to present science to a lay audience; how to write a grant proposal; and how to present orally to scientific peers.

Credits: 2

Prerequisite(s): None

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Directors: David Lambright, Jill Zitzewitz, Neal Silverman

Semester Offered: Fall, Spring 

Last Taught: Spring 2026

This problem-based course provides learning opportunities through exploration of multidisciplinary areas of contemporary biomedical research, and creates a forum for practice in the skills required for research.

Credits: 6

Prerequisite(s): Matriculation in the PhD Program

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Directors: Jill Zitzewitz, Neal Silverman, Elizabeth Shank

Semester Offered: Fall

Last Taught: Fall 2026

BBS 708 – Biomedical Internship Placement is a doctoral-level, variable credit-bearing course that allows Biomedical PhD students at the Graduate School of Biomedical Science at UMass Chan Medical School to gain hands-on experience in diverse professional settings while maintaining active enrollment at the university. Designed as a companion to BBS 707: Professional Development for Internship, this course supports career exploration and skill development in an academic and non-academic, translational, or interdisciplinary environments such as biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations, government agencies, or scientific policy and communication roles.
Students remain formally registered at the University throughout the internship term, preserving access to University services, advising, and health benefits. The course ensures that doctoral training is integrated with experiential learning, providing a structured mechanism for applying research, analytical, and communication skills to real-world challenges.
Each internship is supported by a faculty mentor, the GSBS Office of Career  and Professional Development, and the host organization to ensure alignment with career goals and professional standards. Students will complete a set of required academic deliverables that facilitate reflection, integration of learning, and assessment of skill development.

Credits: 1-9

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Lisa Tison-Thomas

Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Last Taught: Spring 2026

The course will cover diverse topics in RNA biology using primary literature as source material. Each three-hour class will comprise a student-led presentation of background material followed by a group discussion of two research papers that all students will have read in detail beforehand. Students will learn about both historical advances and cutting-edge topics in RNA biology while building critical reading, communication, and presentation skills.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn about both historical advances and cutting-edge topics in RNA biology while building critical reading, communication, and presentation skills. By the end of this course, students will:
Acquire a fundamental understanding of nucleic acids biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and the history of the field
Develop critical research literature reading skills:
•    Identify the key question(s) addressed in a study
•    Understand the experimental techniques used and their limitations
•    Identify the conceptual limitations of a study
•    Propose alternative approaches
•    Develop critical thinking and effective communication (presentation and discussion) skills:
•    Identify important problems in the fields of RNA biology and therapeutics
•    Clearly formulate ideas
•    Actively participate in discussions by providing thoughtful questions and addressing constructive criticisms from others
•    Understand different viewpoints and how to respectfully question/critique them
Assessment will be based on engagement with course material, participation in class, student presentations and quizzes. This course does not require prerequisite courses and is not a prerequisite to other courses.

The course will cover diverse topics in RNA biology using primary literature as source material. Each three-hour class will comprise a student-led presentation of background material followed by a group discussion of two research papers that all students will have read in detail beforehand. Students will learn about both historical advances and cutting-edge topics in RNA biology while building critical reading, communication, and presentation skills.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn about both historical advances and cutting-edge topics in RNA biology while building critical reading, communication, and presentation skills. By the end of this course, students will:
Acquire a fundamental understanding of nucleic acids biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and the history of the field
Develop critical research literature reading skills:
•    Identify the key question(s) addressed in a study
•    Understand the experimental techniques used and their limitations
•    Identify the conceptual limitations of a study
•    Propose alternative approaches
•    Develop critical thinking and effective communication (presentation and discussion) skills:
•    Identify important problems in the fields of RNA biology and therapeutics
•    Clearly formulate ideas
•    Actively participate in discussions by providing thoughtful questions and addressing constructive criticisms from others
•    Understand different viewpoints and how to respectfully question/critique them
Assessment will be based on engagement with course material, participation in class, student presentations and quizzes. This course does not require prerequisite courses and is not a prerequisite to other courses.

This course will cover current research in the general area of RNA biology. Topics include RNA synthesis; modification and processing pathways; RNA structure; RNA transport and subcellular localization; translational regulation; RNAi and microRNAs; RNA decay; RNA aptamers; RNA catalysts; RNA and early evolution; and RNA as a drug and/or drug target. The format of this course will center around group discussion of papers from the primary literature. Grading will be based on student attendance, performance in presentations and participation in group discussions.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite(s): BBS 614 or BBS 748 (non-degree students) or course equivalent

Fulfills an elective requirement: Yes

Course Directors: Phillip Zamore and Andrei Korostelev

Semester Offered: Spring, even years

Last Taught: Spring 2024

This highly flexible tutorial is designed to provide students with an in-depth exploration of a specified topic of interest while benefiting from structured feedback and mentorship. The mentor must provide a syllabus to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs that includes the essential elements of graduate course syllabi prior to the student enrolling in the tutorial.

Credits: 1-3

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Varies

Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Last Taught: Spring 2026

Gain introductory exposure to research methodologies and practices
Students will observe, practice, or assist with research methods, techniques, or analytical approaches used in the group in order to develop familiarity with the methodological frameworks that define the research group’s work.

Demonstrate professional engagement and readiness for doctoral research
Students will demonstrate responsible participation, intellectual curiosity, and scientific integrity through preparation, follow-through, and reflective communication, providing evidence of readiness for sustained dissertation research.

Build introductory familiarity with the scholarly literature relevant to the research group
Students will identify, read, and discuss selected primary literature to develop a basic understanding of the questions, approaches, and scholarly context of the research group.

Explore the research environment and scholarly culture of a research group
Students will engage in the intellectual life of the research group by participating in group meetings, seminars, and informal scientific discussions to understand how research questions are generated, refined, and pursued within that environment.

Reflect on alignment between the research group and the student’s interests and working style
Students will assess how the research focus, mentoring style, expectations, and collaborative norms of the group align with their own goals, strengths, and learning needs.

Credits: 2-5

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Varies

Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Last Taught: Taught every Fall, Spring, and Summer

Gain introductory exposure to research methodologies and practices
Students will observe, practice, or assist with research methods, techniques, or analytical approaches used in the group in order to develop familiarity with the methodological frameworks that define the research group’s work.

Demonstrate professional engagement and readiness for doctoral research
Students will demonstrate responsible participation, intellectual curiosity, and scientific integrity through preparation, follow-through, and reflective communication, providing evidence of readiness for sustained dissertation research.

Build introductory familiarity with the scholarly literature relevant to the research group
Students will identify, read, and discuss selected primary literature to develop a basic understanding of the questions, approaches, and scholarly context of the research group.

Explore the research environment and scholarly culture of a research group
Students will engage in the intellectual life of the research group by participating in group meetings, seminars, and informal scientific discussions to understand how research questions are generated, refined, and pursued within that environment.

Reflect on alignment between the research group and the student’s interests and working style
Students will assess how the research focus, mentoring style, expectations, and collaborative norms of the group align with their own goals, strengths, and learning needs.

Secure a PhD research placement, if not already accomplished.

Credits: 6

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Varies

Semester Offered: Summer

Last Taught: Taught every Summer

Students are required to register for this course in the fall semester of the academic year in which they are to pass their Qualifying Examination.

Credits: 1

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Mary Ellen Lane

Semester Offered: Fall

Last Taught: Taught every year 

All graduate students are required to have at least one Thesis Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting each academic year. After passing their Qualifying Examination and selection of their TRAC, students are required to register for this course each fall semester until their Dissertation Advisory Committee is formed.

MD/PhD Goals: 1) To periodically review progress along thesis research project advised by content experts 2) To provide guidance for establishing a thesis research project consistent with the MD/PhD Program goals

MD/PhD Curricular Expectations: Two Thesis Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting each academic year as define by the Professionalism Benchmark Checklist

Credits: 1

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Mary Ellen Lane

Semester Offered: Fall

Last Taught: Taught every year

Develop foundational research competencies
Students will demonstrate the ability to formulate a research question, identify relevant literature, and articulate how their emerging project fits within the field.

Apply core research methodologies with and without supervision
Students will execute foundational experimental or analytical techniques and document their procedures and outcomes with increasing independence.

Critically evaluate research findings
Students will analyze preliminary data, identify limitations or alternative interpretations, and propose next steps grounded in scientific reasoning.

Develop a foundational knowledge base in the relevant scholarly literature
Students will critically engage with primary literature to support their developing research question and preparation for the qualifying examination.

Prepare a research proposal
Students will synthesize their knowledge base into a coherent proposal and engage in structured feedback with mentors to refine their rationale, aims, and research approach.

Credits: 9

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Last Taught: Taught every semester

Advance an independent line of scientific inquiry
Students will design and implement research strategies that build directly toward dissertation aims, demonstrating increasing autonomy in decision-making.

Generate and interpret substantive research findings
Students will produce, analyze, and contextualize research results in relation to existing scholarship.

Maintain and apply current scholarly knowledge relevant to dissertation research
Students will evaluate and integrate current and foundational literature to guide research design, data interpretation, and refinement of dissertation aims.

Integrate feedback to refine the research trajectory
Students will incorporate mentor and committee guidance to adjust experimental plans, troubleshoot challenges, and prioritize high-impact next steps.

Communicate research effectively within the scientific community
Students will prepare and deliver clear written and oral presentations (e.g., manuscripts, TRAC updates, conference talks) that accurately convey the methods, results, conclusions, and significance of their dissertation research.

Credits: 12

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Last Taught: Taught every semester

Synthesize and contextualize dissertation research
Students will integrate multiple results, data sets, and analyses into a coherent scholarly narrative that advances knowledge in their field.

Synthesize and situate dissertation research within the scholarly literature
Students will synthesize primary literature to contextualize their findings, articulate contributions to the field, and support dissertation writing and defense.

Prepare the dissertation and associated publications
Students will draft, revise, and finalize dissertation chapters and manuscripts that meet programmatic and disciplinary standards for scholarly communication.

Demonstrate readiness for the dissertation defense
Students will construct a clear and rigorous defense presentation, anticipate committee questions, and justify methodological and interpretive choices.

Articulate future research directions and professional goals
Students will identify and articulate logical extensions of their dissertation work and prepare materials (research statements, letters of intent, postdoctoral applications, job applications etc.) that reflect their emerging scholarly identity.

Demonstrate skills acquired in scientific communication through a professional oral presentation
Students will effectively communicate the importance of the problem that was studied, the central hypothesis of the work,the outcomes of the project, and how these outcomes test the central hypothesis for audience of peers, faculty, and community partners, in a manner that demonstrates clarity, engagement, and audience awareness.

Credits: 0

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: Student's thesis advisor

Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Last Taught: Taught every semester

This course provides students opportunities to recognize and solve ethical problems in the responsible conduct of research. Major NIH required topics include those relevant for graduate students at this stage of training.

Credits: 0.5

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: David Weaver

Semester Offered: Fall

Last Taught: Fall 2025

This course provides students opportunities to recognize and solve ethical problems in the responsible conduct of research. Major NIH required topics include those relevant for graduate students at this stage of training.

Credits: 1

Fulfills an elective requirement: No

Course Director: David Weaver

Semester Offered: Fall

Last Taught: Fall 2025