A lot has happened since my last post in May, and I wanted to have everything complete before I wrapped up my biomed blogging days with this final article. Two years have really flown by, and the summer semester which included my internship didn't give me much time to lounge on the beach... okay, maybe I snuck in a little time. The 2014 biomedical sciences graduation ceremony took place on August 1 at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. The entire event was organized very well, and was a lot of fun for both the graduates and their guests. For this last blog, I'm going to cover what forensic biology concentration students of the biomed program should expect for their final semester... FMED 508: Capstone Integrative Experience.
Internship
Each forensic student is expected to find their own internship location which will allow for 112 hours of experience. The site should allow the student to be able to utilize their forensic knowledge in an active, working environment. I completed my internship at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office (MEO) as a forensic investigation intern. My primary duties within the unit were assisting the investigators during scene investigations and completing case files reports while in the office. When on active scenes I was trained to perform and participate in field photography, next of kin interviews and body bag preparation prior to transport of the decedent. Office hours at the Philadelphia MEO
consisted of paperwork pertaining to identification reports and acquiring health histories [of recently deceased] from health care providers. I was also provided time to shadow the forensic pathologists during their medical examination hours.
My intern experience was just one of many possible to the student. As long as forensic science is utilized at the site of the internship, it's up to the student and their specifics interests in deciding where to complete their 112 hour requirement.
Capstone
In a sense, the "capstone" of the forensic biology concentration is a culmination of everything that you have learned over the past two years. and presented via a portfolio which is handed in at the end of the summer semester. The packet must include a research review article, an evaluation of the site of internship, a detailed journal of the student's intern experience and time sheets signed by the internship site's supervisor. It's smart to manage your time wisely for this process, because it takes some effort to have everything laid out in a professional manner which flows properly.
The research review article topic is chosen by the student and based upon a specific interest which was experienced during the their time interning. It should be forensic in nature, and be a broad enough topic whereby peer-reviewed journal articles are readily available for research and citation.
Parting Words
This is me signing off. It's been great being able to blog for all of your prospective and current PCOM students over the past year and a half. I hope I've been able to provide a substantial amount of information to you that you may not have been able to come across as easily during your "quest for the right school". I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors and future goals!
Rich
Monday, August 25, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Year Two Continues: Second and Third Trimester
The weathers getting warmer outside once again, and in what feels like the blink of an eye another year in academia is about to conclude. It's been quite the undertaking balancing work with classes at PCOM the past two years, but its been worthwhile in what I've gained in experience and knowledge. The graduation ceremony where all of my fellow biomedical students and myself are awarded our master's degree is right around the corner, but there's still a lot of work to be done over the summer. However, before I get into the capstone project- which I'll cover next month- I'm going to wrap up the didactic portion with this blogger post going over the past two trimesters.
Forensic medicine (FMED I/II) follows after the rigors of pathology and they focus more on real-world exposure, as well as expert experience. Each weekend class session is completely different from the next. Topics are taught to the class by experts in their respective field through class discussion, PowerPoint presentation and hands-on experience in the field. The following is a list of the subjects that we've covered in our two FMED classes over the past several months:
Manner of Death / Cause of Death
Post-Mortem Changes in Anatomy/Physiology
Entomology
Odontology
Ritualistic and Religious Crimes
Crime Scene Investigation and Fingerprinting
Blood Spatter and Forensic Photography
Anthropology
Firearm Ballistics
Electrocution
Child/Elderly Abuse
Basic Legal Systems
Arson
Water Related Death
Each subject is taught with an emphasis on how it relates to the forensic field of study. Students are expected to learn and excel at these topics with the capability of obtaining a job within a forensic/legal setting upon graduation. Some of my peers have jobs like this lined up, but others plan on furthering their education by attending a professional school (medicine, podiatry, law, etc).
The information is vast, and there's a great deal to learn- but when forming a larger picture of all of these topics- they're intertwined in a way which encompasses the forensic profession as a whole.
Forensic medicine (FMED I/II) follows after the rigors of pathology and they focus more on real-world exposure, as well as expert experience. Each weekend class session is completely different from the next. Topics are taught to the class by experts in their respective field through class discussion, PowerPoint presentation and hands-on experience in the field. The following is a list of the subjects that we've covered in our two FMED classes over the past several months:
Manner of Death / Cause of Death
Post-Mortem Changes in Anatomy/Physiology
Entomology
Odontology
Ritualistic and Religious Crimes
Crime Scene Investigation and Fingerprinting
Blood Spatter and Forensic Photography
Anthropology
Firearm Ballistics
Electrocution
Child/Elderly Abuse
Basic Legal Systems
Arson
Water Related Death
Each subject is taught with an emphasis on how it relates to the forensic field of study. Students are expected to learn and excel at these topics with the capability of obtaining a job within a forensic/legal setting upon graduation. Some of my peers have jobs like this lined up, but others plan on furthering their education by attending a professional school (medicine, podiatry, law, etc).
The information is vast, and there's a great deal to learn- but when forming a larger picture of all of these topics- they're intertwined in a way which encompasses the forensic profession as a whole.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
My Second Year as a Biomed Student: Forensic Biology
I chose to pursue the forensic biology concentration for my second year as a biomedical student at PCOM. Thus far, the classes have provided me the opportunity to expand on the anatomy and physiology that I learned in my first year, but with specific focus on how the information can correlate in a forensic/medico-legal setting. The year is broken into trimesters and an additional capstone summer semester which allows the student to focus his or her attention on researching and writing a paper which relates to a topic within the realm of forensic science.
The first trimester of the second year was all pathology. Over these months, we covered a broad range of disease ranging from dermatopathology to renal pathology. Every system of the body was covered, and we were given information on how each given pathology occurred, appeared in a clinical setting and treatment options. The class felt very akin to the first year biomedicine classes in that the information was very dense, and we had to keep on top of our studies in order to not fall behind. Although the hours of study added up quickly, I still found the time to work close to full time at my job to continue paying the bills. The class schedule- one to two weekends a month- is very friendly to those that have jobs outside of school, but time management is crucial.
Aside from studying course material during the pathology trimester, we were also assigned several forensic medicine journal articles per class to review. After reading and analyzing the articles, we would compose a summary paper critiquing the article. I felt this allowed me to digest the material in active way since I was expected to form my own views and opinions on each respective author's research. The information/research in each of the articles was chosen to run parallel with the course material being taught. I felt this aspect exponentially enhanced our course by adding real-world depth to what we were learning in class.
My next blog will summarize my experience within the second and third trimesters of the forensic biology year: Forensic Medicine I/II
The first trimester of the second year was all pathology. Over these months, we covered a broad range of disease ranging from dermatopathology to renal pathology. Every system of the body was covered, and we were given information on how each given pathology occurred, appeared in a clinical setting and treatment options. The class felt very akin to the first year biomedicine classes in that the information was very dense, and we had to keep on top of our studies in order to not fall behind. Although the hours of study added up quickly, I still found the time to work close to full time at my job to continue paying the bills. The class schedule- one to two weekends a month- is very friendly to those that have jobs outside of school, but time management is crucial.
Aside from studying course material during the pathology trimester, we were also assigned several forensic medicine journal articles per class to review. After reading and analyzing the articles, we would compose a summary paper critiquing the article. I felt this allowed me to digest the material in active way since I was expected to form my own views and opinions on each respective author's research. The information/research in each of the articles was chosen to run parallel with the course material being taught. I felt this aspect exponentially enhanced our course by adding real-world depth to what we were learning in class.
My next blog will summarize my experience within the second and third trimesters of the forensic biology year: Forensic Medicine I/II
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Second Year: Three Different Concentrations
Upon completing your rigorous first year as a biomedical student at PCOM, if you choose to continue on with intent to earn your master of science degree, you'll have to choose among three different concentrations to pursue prior to commencing your second year. The three routes are Research, Organizational Development and Leadership (ODL) or Forensic Biology. Each one is a completely different animal from the other, and your choice should strongly play off of your strengths in class, interests and future ambitions upon graduating as a biomedical scientist. PCOM's website does a pretty good job of giving you a basic overview of each program concentration, and in this blog I'm going to expand a bit about each avenue to give any prospective candidate a better idea of what each path is all about.
Research
If you love wet-bench work, and seem to have an insatiable appetite for spending your time wearing your white coat in the lab with a pipetman at hand, then this is probably going to be a good choice for you. Toward the end of your first year, students interested in this direction will be informed on the research projects going on at PCOM which they're welcome to join in on in assisting for their second year. Every year different faculty members at PCOM work on different areas of research. Over the course of your research year, you will be expected to be very much involved in the project and typing up/publishing a paper for your given research assignment. At the end of the year your research group will likely travel somewhere in the country to present your work at a convention. Although most of your time as a research student is going to be geared toward working in the lab with a supervising professor, you will also be expected to make some room for classes such as epidemiology. Understand that if you choose this track, your research at PCOM is going to on a large chunk of your time (think: full-time job). The other two second year concentration tracks offered are considered much more flexible in regards to their schedule.
Organizational Development and Leadership
Although many biomed students are interested in a future where they'll be involved within a clinical or laboratory setting, the ODL program at PCOM will help you develop leadership skills which will advance your communicative and organizational skills within any work environment. Students within the ODL program spend their second year as biomedical students sharpening their abilities on writing, group presentation and the importance of building- and managing- a successful working team.
Forensic Biology
The forensic biology track will start off by continuing to expand your knowledge of the human body with where you left off at the end of your first year. The first trimester is an intensive pathology class taught by the same professor who teaches the medical students pathology at PCOM. The second and third trimesters will then switch gears to focus more upon the forensic nature of medicine both within the worlds of clinical care and law enforcement. The class schedule for forensic biology allows for a more manageable timetable if you're a graduate student who must also work full-time outside of the classroom. Class sessions take place Friday through Sunday from 0800 until 1600. This kind of schedule may sound daunting, but this Fri-Sun gauntlet only takes place one to two times a month. Toward the end of the year, you will be expected to have acquired an internship relating to your interests/future aspirations after graduating with your degree. You are expected to keep a log of your activities during your internship, and upon its completion, complete a capstone research project based upon a specific area of forensic science.
Research
If you love wet-bench work, and seem to have an insatiable appetite for spending your time wearing your white coat in the lab with a pipetman at hand, then this is probably going to be a good choice for you. Toward the end of your first year, students interested in this direction will be informed on the research projects going on at PCOM which they're welcome to join in on in assisting for their second year. Every year different faculty members at PCOM work on different areas of research. Over the course of your research year, you will be expected to be very much involved in the project and typing up/publishing a paper for your given research assignment. At the end of the year your research group will likely travel somewhere in the country to present your work at a convention. Although most of your time as a research student is going to be geared toward working in the lab with a supervising professor, you will also be expected to make some room for classes such as epidemiology. Understand that if you choose this track, your research at PCOM is going to on a large chunk of your time (think: full-time job). The other two second year concentration tracks offered are considered much more flexible in regards to their schedule.
Organizational Development and Leadership
Although many biomed students are interested in a future where they'll be involved within a clinical or laboratory setting, the ODL program at PCOM will help you develop leadership skills which will advance your communicative and organizational skills within any work environment. Students within the ODL program spend their second year as biomedical students sharpening their abilities on writing, group presentation and the importance of building- and managing- a successful working team.
Forensic Biology
The forensic biology track will start off by continuing to expand your knowledge of the human body with where you left off at the end of your first year. The first trimester is an intensive pathology class taught by the same professor who teaches the medical students pathology at PCOM. The second and third trimesters will then switch gears to focus more upon the forensic nature of medicine both within the worlds of clinical care and law enforcement. The class schedule for forensic biology allows for a more manageable timetable if you're a graduate student who must also work full-time outside of the classroom. Class sessions take place Friday through Sunday from 0800 until 1600. This kind of schedule may sound daunting, but this Fri-Sun gauntlet only takes place one to two times a month. Toward the end of the year, you will be expected to have acquired an internship relating to your interests/future aspirations after graduating with your degree. You are expected to keep a log of your activities during your internship, and upon its completion, complete a capstone research project based upon a specific area of forensic science.
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