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Biological and Biomedical Sciences | / | Immunology | / | Neuroscience | / | Virology | // | Leder Medical Sciences | // | HILS Programs |
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Biological and Biomedical Sciences | / | Immunology | / | Neuroscience | / | Virology | // | Leder Medical Sciences | // | HILS Programs |
BBS Survival GuideHello and welcome to BBS! Over the summer, many BBS students have worked together to compile this Survival Guide for you. It is comprised of general information that students felt would be helpful to you as you begin your graduate career here at Harvard Medical School. The guide consists of tips we have learned on useful topics ranging from health care coverage to information regarding where you can grab a quick bite to eat in the Longwood Area. This guide is meant to serve as a general source for tips and information that students have provided from their experiences. The Survival Guide should not be viewed as the ultimate authority on anything--especially tax information and health care coverage. You should consult other sources, such as the websites we have provided, for more information on these topics. In addition, this guide is focused on issues related to BBS and the Medical Area. For information regarding the Cambridge campus, be sure to consult the excellent and fully comprehensive book The Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Other information specific to GSAS can be found in the GSAS Student Survival Guide. We hope that this guide helps to make your transition to graduate school a little easier. Have a wonderful year!
General information for "Life as a Grad Student"Some general tips for choosing a rotation:
Advising/Advice:Here are people/offices you can go to for help with problems or answers to questions about anything: Program AdvisorWhile you have been given a faculty program advisor at random, all of the advisors were chosen to give advice because they are active in the program. They will be able to help with selecting classes, picking a rotation, and choosing a thesis lab. Of course, you may also consult any faculty member. BBS OfficeThe BBS office is a wonderful place to go for help with all kinds of problems. The staff will try to help you in any way they can, and if they themselves can't be of help, they will direct you to someone else who can help you. Tutoring: If you find you need a little extra help with your course work, then talk to the BBS office about getting a free tutor. The BBS office has a list of tutors for most courses. BBS Program HeadsDavid Van Vactor, Susan Dymecki and Michael Starnbach are great people to talk to if you are concerned about something within the BBS program. They are always able and willing to hear your concerns about program-related issues. DMS OfficeThe DMS office staff also provides a strong support group. Don't forget about them! They can answer questions you might have about funding, classes to be offered, etc. Professional counseling:If you feel you need to talk to a professional counselor, you should speak with the Program Coordinator in the BBS office so an appropriate referral can be made. For mental health counseling, please see the section on "Health Services" for information on finding a free Harvard psychiatrist at the health center. For information on Student Services, Support, and Disability Services offered through the Cambridge campus, also visit: http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/student/index.html Other BBS students:Sometimes talking with another BBS student who already has gone through some of the things you are experiencing is helpful. For example, when choosing your classes, sometimes students are better advisors than faculty about classes, simply because the students themselves recently took these classes. In addition, you can consult your "BBS buddy" or any other BBS students with your questions. Activities & clubs/organizationsAre you looking for a way to be involved in BBS? Would you like to meet new people? Here is a list of groups that many BBS students join or attend. BBSRotation ClubFirst and second years present their experiences in rotating through different labs,lunch is provided during the fall semester every Friday at noon in the DMS lounge. Dinner SeminarProfessors come and give overviews of their research, Wednesdays at 6 in MEC 227. Dinner starts at 6 pm; Talks run from 6:25-7:15. Data ClubPredominantly upper years present their own data to other BBS colleagues over dinner, Tuesday nights in Cannon Room. Dinner at 6, talks run from 6:30-7 pm. And don't forget the BBS Committees! They include:
BBS BulletinThis newsletter is put together by a large group of student editors and writers. It is designed to provide an outlet for writing on topics of particular interest to the BBS community. If you have any comments or questions regarding any of the sections contact Allan Gurtan (allan_gurtan@studenthms.harvard.edu) for more information. GSAS Harvard Biotechnology ClubThis group is a non-profit, student organization that hosts events and provides services that allow members to explore the world of business and biotechnology. The Biotech Club's mission is to bridge the gap between industry and academia by building relationships with companies operating in the biotechnology and healthcare sphere. Biomedical Graduate Students Organization (DMSSO/BGSO)This organization organizes activities for DMS students. Past activities included: apple picking, movie nights, dim sum, Red Sox games, ballet performances, and much more! You'll get emails regarding future events. Science in the News (SITN)Science in the News hosts seminars throughout the year in the medical area and the Boston Museum of Science to educate local residents about the scientific topics most relevant to the public at large. Seminar topics have included: AIDS, antibiotic resistant drugs and genetically modified food. Students prepare presentations and give the seminars to the public. More information is available at International Science and Health NetworkThis group is for anyone interested in promoting scientific study and health throughout the world. Activities of this group include inviting prominent scientists to speak about international health issues and organizing drives to send unused scientific equipment to laboratories in developing nations. Contact Nina Dudnik (nina_dudnik@student.hms.harvard.edu) or Jason Heindl (heindl@fas.harvard.edu) for more information. DepartmentalCell Biology/BCMP Journal ClubUpper year students in the Cell Biology and BCMP departments read a journal article together over lunch in Folin Wu Room in Building C2. Tuesdays at lunch, lunch provided at noon, discussion at about 12:30. Students trade off presenting papers on any topic. Microbiology Journal ClubUpper year students in the Microbiology department read a journal article together over lunch, which is provided on Fridays at 12:00 on the 6th floor of building Dl in the conference room. Students trade off presenting papers on microbiology topics. Genetics Department Data/Journal Club (DJ Club)For department members or rotating students. Students and postdocs present their data or a recent journal article to the department. Meets Fridays at 12:00 in the Genetics Department Library on the 5th floor of the Warren Alpert Building. Cookies and fruit are provided. Cell Bio Pizza talksFor department members or rotating students. Students and postdocs present their data to the department. Pizza provided. Wednesdays at noon in the Cannon Room. Pathology Pizza TalksFor department members or rotating students. Students and postdocs present their data to the department. Pizza provided. Monday afternoons. Location changes, but info is posted outside of the pathology department's office. Other groups (some in Cambridge)Graduate Student Council (GSC) (Cambridge)http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~gsc/ The GSC is the voice of graduate students in academic, administrative, and residential matters. GSC also organizes a number of events during the year, awards grants for travel and research to students, sponsors GSAS student organizations, and provides services such as computing facilities and free laser printing in Dudley House Library, the Graduate Student Center. Each year, GSAS students pay $20 to GSC to fund programs. Almost exclusively, these programs are located in Cambridge. If you choose not to pay the $20, then you cannot participate in the GSC events or apply for funding from them to go to meetings. Dudley House (Cambridge)http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~dudley/ Dudley House is the center at Harvard University for students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and a small community of undergraduates. Dudley House contains a library, the Cafe Gato Rojo, meeting-places for Dudley members, and a game room. If you are musically inclined, then you might want to join one of the musical groups associated with Dudley House, including Dudley House Orchestra, Chorus, and Jazz Band. Dudley puts on many events, some of which are in association with the Graduate Student Council. To sign up for Dudley House events, you can call 617-495-2255 to add your name to the list, or stop by Dudley House. In Common (Cambridge)In Common is a confidential peer support and referral line serving graduate students. It is staffed by students from GSAS, the Graduate School of Education, Design, Law, the Divinity School, the Kennedy School of Government, and the School of Public Health. In Common supports students who are dealing with issues such as loneliness and alienation, uncertainty about careers, academic or financial problems, or difficulties in relationships. The line is open throughout the academic year, Sunday to Thursday, from 8:00 pm to midnight, excluding Harvard holidays. Calls are confidential. No caller ID. Just call 617-384- TALK (8255). For information about becoming an In Common volunteer, please call Maureen Rezendes at University Health Services (617-495-2042), Frank McNamara at the Bureau of Study Counsel (617-495-2581) or CoDirectors Eboni Cohen (ecohen@law.harvard.edu) and Brian Range (brange@law.harvard.edu). Life Raft (Cambridge; could form a group in Medical Area if there is interest)http://huhs.harvard.edu/ClinicaIServices/LifeRaft.htm Memorial Church, basement, 617-495-2042 Life Raft is a resource for students, faculty, and staff facing life-threatening illness or coming to grips with death of themselves or others. The impact of such problems can create significant distractions from work or study. Life Raft provides a forum for discussing these concerns. Talking with others may ease the burden of isolation. Life Raft offers contact by phone, by mail, or in meetings every Wednesday from noon to 2 pm in the conference room of Memorial Church basement, Harvard Yard. Members of the Harvard community are welcome to attend any time for confidential discussions. For more information, contact Elizabeth Bunn, director of Life Raft, at Harvard University Health Services. Minority Biomedical Scientists at Harvard (MBSH)http://www.hms.harvard.edu/dms/diversity/ This organization was founded by Harvard postdoctoral research fellows and Division of Medical Sciences graduate students. Its mission is to help meet the career development needs of biomedical scientists from groups traditionally under-represented in academic departments. MBSH has over 100 members. Its activities include journal clubs, professional development workshops, and sponsorship of an annual invited lecture. For more information, contact: Jocelyn Spragg, Ph.D., Ed.M., phone 617-432-1342, fax 617-432-2644. Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Graduate Students Association (LBGGS) (Cambridge)http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~lbggs/ This group organizes academic and social activities and sponsors events with other GSAS organizations and other Harvard-affiliated lesbian, bisexual, and gay groups. The group holds a business meeting followed by a social hour on the first Thursday of every month and sponsors other activities, forums, speakers, and discussion groups throughout the year. Students with ideas for activities or who wish to participate on the Steering Committee are invited to contact the group bye-mail atcamp@wjh.harvard.edu. All students are particularly encouraged to sign up for the confidential e-mail network by sending a message to lbg-request@katla.harvard.edu. A list of events can be found at http://www.actwin.com/cgi-bin/calendar/index/qHarvard. Kinsey Caucus (Medical Area)A coalition of straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans members of the Harvard medical community working to make society more comfortable for all. They often meet for a Film Series on Wednesdays and Thursdays at noon for lunch. They have an e-mail list affiliated with it: k2to6ers@rcc.med.harvard.edu. To subscribe, simply e-mail the address and put "subscribe" in the subject line. GSAS Christian Fellowship (GSASCF) (Cambridge)http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~gsascf/ This group is a community of Christian graduate students who come together to encourage one another in living their lives following Jesus Christ. In so doing, they seek to unite their faith and their scholarship through the discussion of faith-related issues in various disciplines, as well as through prayer, worship, and the study of scripture. Christ's message challenges and sharpens all aspects of everyone's lives-intellectual, relational, and spiritual-and thus they wish to provide the graduate school with an intelligent, faithful presentation of the Christian faith. For more information, contact Andrew Houck at houck@fas.harvard.edu or send a request to Emy Chen at elchen@fas.harvard.edu to join the GSAS Christian Fellowship email list. Jewish Students in Arts and Sciences (JSAS) (Cambridge)http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~jsas/ This group seeks to provide a sense of community for Jewish students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences by a combination of weekly gatherings and special events. Several events will be planned each semester and may include holiday observances and celebrations, bagel brunches, movie nights, and evenings at the theatre, symphony, and Boston Jewish Film Festival. Events will be open to people of all backgrounds. Contact the group at jsas@fas.harvard.edu or at their website. To subscribe to the email list email Maiordomo@fas.harvard.edu with no subject and "subscribe jsas-list" in the body of the text. The Longwood Christian CommunityThe Longwood Christian Community is a growing group of students, staff, and faculty in the Longwood Medical Area who desire to follow Jesus Christ together. Their common calling is to possess a faith that expresses itself in love. They seek to do this by living in God's presence as a community, participate in His redemptive work in the world, and to extend God's welcome to others. For more information please visit their website at http://thelongwoodcommunity.org/
Computers at Harvard Medical SchoolThe main computer lab at Harvard Medical School is located in T-MEC 250. Here you will find 10 Macs, 11 PCs, and lots of medical students. This also is an excellent place to hang out with other GIs after classes. In addition to the main computer lab on the 2nd floor, you also will find computers on the other floors of T -MEC (next to the classrooms where MICRO 230 sections are held). Also, once you have found a rotation, you will be able to use the computers in your lab. Another great place to find some speedy computers is in Countway Library, and new computers are on almost every floor. Another new edition to Harvard's computer resources is the Research Computing Center, which provides computer support, technical expertise, and services to researchers in the HMS quad by bioinformatics people. They offer several classes in order to help you learn various bioinformatics tools (which you will need to use for Cell Biology and Biochemistry in the spring). For a complete listing of classes offered by the RCC, visit their website at http://rcc.med.harvard.edu. You must pre-register for all classes, and seating is limited. Copiers at Harvard Medical SchoolThe best place to find pay-per-use copiers is at Countway Library. They have old copiers on L2 and new copy machines on the L1 and 1st floor. Students get copies at 5 cents instead of 10 cents a piece. To take advantage of this great deal, you must go to the circulation desk and show your student ID. In addition, there is a copy machine located just outside of the computer lab on the 2nd floor in T-MEC, and there is one at Vanderbilt Hall in the room next to the security desk. Unfortunately, neither of these copiers takes cash. They only take crimson cash that has been put on your Harvard ID. But soon you will not need to pay for copying; once you join a lab, you will have access to a free copy machine. The Computing Resource Center, operated through Countway Library, offers classes in order to help you learn various bioinformatics tools. Courses include DNAStar's Lasergene Introduction, Biocomputing on the Web, Research Imaging Techniques, Molecular Phylogenetics, and Functional Discovery. For registration and a complete listing of course dates, visit their website at www.countway.harvard.edu/
Where to find general Boston infoGeneral Websiteswww.boston.com - Sponsored by the Boston Globe. Great for local weather, news, etc. www.ci.boston.ma.us - Official city site. www.bostonapartments.com, boston.craigslist.org, www.bostu.com or www.justrentals.com - For information about apartments for rent. boston.citysearch.com - Info and reviews on arts/events/restaurants/concerts and just about anything going on in Boston. Published PeriodicalsImproper BostonianMagazine that can be picked up for free throughout the city. Provides information about what's going on in the city. Published every other week. PhoenixFree weekly paper that provides information on exciting happenings around the city.
Grocery delivery serviceswww.peapod.comIf you don't have a car or if you live in a building without an elevator, you can get your groceries delivered to your door with Peapod. Peapod is associated with the Stop & Shop grocery store chain.
HousingApartmentsWhile Boston remains one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, things have improved over the last several years. There are many different neighborhoods in which to live; talking to current students is a good way to begin thinking about where to search for apartments. The neighborhoods of the Fenway and Mission Hill, as well as the town of Brookline, are adjacent to the medical area and are within walking distance to classes and many labs. The Harvard M2 shuttle service from Cambridge also makes that area a viable alternative. Some students find that living farther from the center of Boston, in the more residential neighborhoods of Allston / Brighton and Somerville, can help to minimize their rent. The time BEFORE you sign your lease is a good time to familiarize yourself with the landlord/tenant laws of Massachusetts. These laws strongly favor the tenant during disputes, however, it is always a good idea to know your rights before you sign any document, preventing disputes from occurring in the first place. For example, there are limits to the amount of money your landlord can collect from you prior to your tenancy, and you are due interest on any money you pay upfront towards your last month's rent or security deposit. These things are spelled out in the Massachusetts General Laws Section 186: http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/gl-186-toc.htm A summary of these laws and your rights in plain English can be found at the following websites: http://www.state.ma.us/consumer/pubs/tenant.htm http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/landlord.html Top of PageTransportation and safetyTaxi Escort ServiceIf you find yourself caught in the Medical Area at night or very early in the morning but can't make it home by your normal means or if you fear for your safety, then you have no need to worry: Taxi Escort Service is available to Harvard Students from 9pm to 3 am seven days a week. To catch a taxi, go to the security desk at Vanderbilt Hall and present your Harvard ID. The taxi service is free within a 1-mile radius of the campus. Should your destination go beyond the one mile radius of the campus, the taxi meter will be turned on and the patrons will be responsible for the additional fare beyond the one-mile radius. So please be safe and take a free taxi ride home when it is late! Harvard buses and other free buseshttp://www.masco.org/transit/ptsM2.htm M2: From Vanderbilt Hall to Cambridge The M2 bus is free with your GSAS student ID. This bus travels down Massachusetts Avenue and makes stops all along the way, including MIT and Central Square. Certain buses on the schedule also travel through Coolidge Corner. It probably provides the fastest route between Cambridge and the Medical Area. Bus service is offered Monday through Saturday. For a complete bus schedule, try their website at Shuttle buses to MGHTo get to MGH from the Medical Area, catch the shuttle going between Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) - Prudential- MGH, which runs Monday-Friday, 5:30 am-8:30 pm. The Partner's HealthCare System Shuttle Service Schedule can be picked up at the information desk of BWH or at the web site listed above. In general, the schedule is: 6:00am - 7:30am every half hour 7:30am -6:30 every 15 minutes 6:30 - 8:30pm every half hour The shuttle stops at the corner of BWH nearest to Brookline Avenue on the corner of Francis Street and Binney Street. The stop at MGH is at the valet parking area at the bus shed. The hospital shuttles are operated by Partners Healthcare System. For more information, check out the web site or call 617-726-2250. Transportation to MG H EastMGH East provides free taxi service between the Longwood Medical area and Charlestown 24 hours a day. You must show a valid Harvard ID to security in Vanderbilt Hall and they will call a cab for you. When returning from Charlestown, just see the security guards in the main lobby. By subway from LongwoodTo get to MGH East, take the Green line trains to North Station and catch the MGH - North Station - MGH East shuttle, which takes you directly to the hospital. This bus runs every 15 minutes for most of the day and ends at about 11:30 pm. On the return trip in the afternoons, this bus also stops at the Red Line (Charles/MGH). By free bus from LongwoodYou also could shuttle to MGH East by taking the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Prudential- MGH (mentioned above) from Longwood to MGH and then taking the MGH North Station - MGH East shuttle, which journeys via North Station, to MGH East. The MGH Main Campus Shuttle Stop is between the Jackson building doors and the Blossom St. loading dock ramp. Starting at 6:00 pm, the Shuttle Stop is at the Gray building doors. This shuttle runs Monday-Friday 5:30 am to 7: 15 pm every 15 minutes (from MGH East) and from 7: 15 am-I: 15 am every half an hour (last run: 1: 30 am from the main hospital). On the weekends, it runs every half an hour from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm (leaving MGH on the quarter hour and MGH East on the hour and half hour). Partners also operates a number of other shuttles to parking lots around the medical area and to several health service centers. Check out the web site or call the number above for details. MIT Safe rideTo get from MIT to Longwood, wait at the MIT M2 stop and get on the Boston West white Saferide van. They depart every 30 minutes after 6:30 pm, but you must tell the driver that you would like to go to Longwood when you get on the bus. Public transportation
Discounted T passesThrough HarvardThe MBTA passes for October through May are available through Harvard at a discount. Passes can be purchased at the start of each semester from GSAS. For more information about the MBT A's semester T -Pass program and to print the order form, visit the GSAS web page: http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/student/mbta.html. To participate in this program, you must submit the form along with a check payable to the Graduate Student Council for the amount of the type of pass you wish to purchase. Students can request their monthly T passes be sent to the Longwood Medical Area for pick-up. These passes can then be picked up in the DMS office (MEC 435). Note that the bus passes are valid for the above ground Green Line stops throughout Brookline, so you may not need to purchase a Subway T pass if you live in that area. Through MBTA: Annual T pass programhttp://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/passes passprograms.asp#ann Get 12 passes for the price of 11. Pay for 11 passes by check or money order, and they will mail you a pass every month for a year. Payment must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the start month. Print out an annual pass application or call (617) 222-5218 to have one mailed. Regularly priced T passesYou also can purchase T passes at the Government Center, Downtown Crossing, or Harvard Square T stops until the 5th of the month. Alternatively, you can purchase them on-line or at various businesses. Close places to buy them include the 7-Eleven at Brigham Circle and the newsstand in the Longwood Galleria near the food court. Check out www.mbta.com to find other places where you can buy one. They offer multiple passes depending on how often you will be using the T /Bus/Commuter Rail. General Information Regarding Monthly Passes: There are benefits to purchasing monthly passes besides the convenience of not needing to remember to bring change for the T in the morning. With all monthly passes, you can bring one guest with you free of charge on Sunday. In addition, many car insurance companies offer discounts if you use public transportation--check with yours! Subway Pass: all $1.25 stations and D line to Reservoir. What you may not know is that it also covers some bus routes: #39, #49, and #1 (but only valid between certain stations). Bus Pass: All $0.90 stops. It also covers all above ground stops on the B, C and E green lines, as well as the Reservoir through Fenway stops on the D line. Commonly used bus lines in the medical area include: There is also a combo pass available that can be used for both the T and bus. CarParking in the Medical Areahttp://parking.med.harvard.edu/Default.asp After hours parking stickers
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