Biomedical Science & Management Program

Life in Biomedical Research I & II jointly constitute a professional development course designed to introduce new students to aspects of science and a career in science not covered explicitly in other courses – e.g., learning about the different careers available to the scientist, oral presentation skills, data analysis and figure preparation, philosophy of science, basic grant writing (NIH F30/F31-style fellowships), and networking/communication skills. Broadly speaking, the overall goal of this course is to introduce students to what “they don’t know that they don’t know” about pursuing a career in research or other areas of science.

The internship is applicable for students who have a strong interest in gaining experience and practical skills in the biomedical industry, or in the health or not-for-profit sectors related to biomedical science. A defined internship project is carried out in a program-approved professional company or organization and can be composed of several components including the discovery, development, management, and commercialization of medical products. The intern will comply with all guidelines, policies, procedures and training required by the hosting company or organization. Following the internship, the student will prepare a written “capstone“ report and presentation on the assigned internship project that will be assessed by the hosting company/organization and departmental faculty.

This course will introduce students to the multidisciplinary field of managing organizations, including psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, human resource management, social systems theory, organizational development (OD), and “learning organizations”. Students will develop expertise in analyzing behaviors and environments including the competitive landscape, macro and micro systems, and other dimensions that influence strategic planning, decision making, managing behaviors and leadership.

This course explores the concepts of scarcity, social choice, resource allocation, efficiency, investment, and market forces and their relationship to health services delivery and health policy. A variety of analytical principles and methods are examined and applied to issues including healthcare financing, cost containment, regulation, access, insurance, productivity, and program evaluation.

This course provides an overview of the legal system, legal issues, and the convergence of public health policy and the law, through analysis of contemporary topics.

This course examines basic principles that govern the responsible conduct of biomedical research. The course explores topics related to scientific integrity, collegiality, research subjects, institutional integrity and social responsibility. Students participate actively in the course through written critiques and analyses of assigned readings, in-class presentations, and group discussions.

A comprehensive course studying laboratory animals from standpoints of care, management, handling, stress, spontaneous diseases, routine clinical pathology procedures and techniques pertaining to anesthesia, injections, breeding, euthanasia and necropsy. Additional Fee for laboratory supplies.

Proficiency in interpreting primary literature and effective communication are essential skills for those involved in all areas of science and health professions. The 7100 series courses will equip students with the ability to critically read scientific articles and provide opportunities to practice both oral and written communication with their peers.

Purpose
The internship is applicable for students who have a strong interest in gaining experience and practical skills in biomedical industry, or in the health or not-for-profit sectors related to biomedical science. The internship provides students with a structured experience in a company or organization whereby they can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom and extend them to a professional work environment.

Requirement
All BSM students will register and complete the three-credit, honors/pass/fail internship experience. In general, fulfillment of the course requirement should begin when the student has completed between 16 and 30 credits, and the student has obtained the approval of their academic advisor. The internship experience should be at least the equivalent of two months of full-time work. The internship can be done either in one semester or spread out over three semesters but must be completed within one year of registering for the internship. Students will keep a log of hours spent at the internship site. At the end of the internship, the student will prepare a written "capstone" report and presentation on the assigned internship project that will be assessed by the hosting company/organization and departmental advisers. Students will not be approved to graduate until all documentation for the internship is completed and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School and the Student’s Academic Advisor.

Types of Internship
The internship experience can take many forms, all under appropriate supervision at the internship site and by school faculty. A defined internship project is carried out in a program-approved professional company or organization and can be composed of several components including the discovery, development, management, and commercialization of medical products. During the internship the student can be integrated into professional teams in existing projects as well as work on new projects. The intern will comply with all guidelines, policies, procedures and training required by the hosting company or organization.

If a student fulfills the internship requirement at his/her place of employment, the site supervisor cannot be the student’s immediate work supervisor and student needs to go “above and beyond his/her normal work duties”. The Site Supervisor should have a minimum of a Master of Science degree or a master’s degree in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. The Site Supervisor meets with the student on a regularly scheduled basis to provide guidance. The student and his/her Academic Advisor and the Site Supervisor will determine the place, scope, and duration of the internship (Internship Agreement). Students are required to submit an Internship Application to his/her Academic Advisor before they initiate their internship. The Academic Advisor and the Site Supervisor will need to sign the Internship Agreement form.

As an alternative, students may, with permission of their Academic Advisor, enroll in a 3-credit (minimum 2 months) research experience in a NYMC laboratory. The Internship Guidelines will be utilized for both the internship in-house research experience.

Student’s Academic Advisor

1. Identifies students who are academically prepared to do the internship, facilitates their registration and communicates this information to the BSM Program Director.
2. Communicates as needed with the student, the BSM Program Director, and the Site Supervisor to develop the Internship Application, Internship Agreement and Internship Report.
3. Communicates with the BSM Program Director, the Site Supervisor and the student during the course of the internship to discuss progress and to resolve any problems as needed.

BSM Program Director

1. Meets with students to develop an appropriate site where they can perform their internship that is relevant to their area of concentration.
2. Reviews and provides feedback and instruction on the development of all internship through the internship workshop and meetings with students.
3. Provides outreach and development of new internship sites, and supports proven high quality sites through ongoing site visits and utilization of evaluation reports.
4. Develops the Placement Directory, a file of currently available internship opportunities and solicits new proposals annually and maintains contacts within the companies to encourage the submission of additional placement opportunities.
5. Maintains contact with students, Site Supervisors and Academic Advisors throughout the internship to provide constructive feedback and resolve any issues that may arise.
6. Sends a welcome email to the internship Site Supervisor with the Internship Guidelines and pertinent information attached. The student and the Academic Advisor are included in the communication.

Site Supervisor

1. Provides a meaningful internship experience inclusive of organization chart, mission statement, and description of the company/organization.
2. Provides a list of pertinent readings/articles or resource information germane to the internship project.
3. Completes all necessary forms regarding the internship inclusive of the Internship Agreement and Site Supervisor Evaluation of Internship forms.
4. Explains work rules and procedures, provides necessary resources for the project, and assists in establishing access to the various data systems to be used by the student.
5. Communicates directly with the student and, as needed, with the BSM Program Director and the student’s Academic Advisor to discuss progress and resolve problems. 

Student

1. Meet with his/her Academic Advisor to review their program plan, discuss timing, and obtain approval for registration for the internship course.
2. Meet with the BSM Program Director after registering for the internship course to discuss internship placement.
3. Provide an up-to date resume to the BSM Program Director.
4. Communicate with the Site Supervisor, the BSM Program Director and the Academic Advisor to discuss progress and resolve problems during the internship experience.
5. Complete and submit in the format provided in the Internship Guidelines and Course Site, all required deliverables (Internship Application, Internship Agreement, Evaluation of Internship, log of hours, Internship Report, Student Evaluation of Internship, Site Supervisor Evaluation) Students are responsible for obtaining the necessary signatures on all forms and submitting them to the BSM Program Director.
6. Complete all required deliverables in a timely and accurate manner.

The Internship Application sets forth the proposed scope of the internship experience, including the objectives to be achieved by the student, specific learning competencies that will be attained, the proposed activities, and the timeline for deliverables. In preparing the Internship Application, student should work with their Site Supervisor, the BSM Program Director to ensure common understanding of the objectives and proposed activities of the internship.

The Internship Report summarizes the internship project. If the company allows the student to disclose the project details, then the Internship Report will describe the project, objectives, methods, results and the implications of the work. If the company does not allow the details of the project to be presented than the student will do a literature review, in the general area of the internship project. All students will give an oral presentation (Powerpoint) to a committee including their academic advisor, BSM Program Director and their departmental faculty and students.