Biomedical Sciences, MS

Program Description

The graduate program in Biomedical Sciences is designed for students preparing for entry into doctorate or health professional programs, or for expanding career opportunities in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, health science research, bioinformatics, and genomics, or educational sectors. The program offers students with biological or biochemical preparation the opportunity to increase knowledge in biomedical sciences and provides initial or additional experiences using the biotechnologies emerging from the rapidly-growing disciplines in cell and molecular biology, and/or anatomy and physiology. The development of laboratory research skills occurs in a laboratory-focused curriculum that has a health and human emphasis.

Program Objectives

1. To educate students at the graduate level in modern concepts and methodologies of cell and molecular biology, and anatomy and physiology.
2. To build upon the student’s foundation of knowledge biosciences in cell and molecular biology through enhanced exposure to course, laboratory, and research opportunities.
3. To enhance the student’s ability to carry out independent research in biomedical sciences.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires evidence that the applicant will be able to successfully complete a rigorous graduate program in the sciences at a high level of performance. Entrance into the program requires completion of the following.

1. A cumulative GPA or a GPA based on the last 60 hours of college course work attempted of no less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Consideration may also be given to an applicant whose GPA falls below the minimum if a strong GRE score (e.g. greater than 50th percentile in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing) has been earned or if other evidence of potential for academic success in graduate education can be presented. Graduate work will be considered on an individual basis. 
2. GRE scores are optional if the applicant exceeds GPA and course work requirements, or if other evidence of potential for academic success in graduate work can be presented.  
3. Completion of the following course work:

• introductory biology or biomedical science course
• upper division life science course
• general chemistry
• organic chemistry or biochemistry
• college level physics or biophysics or calculus

Application materials include three letters of recommendation and a statement of research interest. For a complete list of required application materials, see the GradCAS application. 

Applicants will be evaluated for admission based upon their submitted materials. Assessment of applicants can only begin once an application has been completed. We use rolling admissions. By the end of the first semester, candidates must be accepted into a research laboratory by a member of the graduate faculty who becomes the student’s advisor. The candidate must also choose at least 2 additional graduate faculty to serve on a thesis or advisory committee.  

Accelerated Master’s Degree Option

Majors in Biomedical Sciences may be accepted into the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program after admission requirements for the accelerated master’s option are met. Once accepted for early admission, up to 12 credit hours of approved 600 and 700-level coursework may be counted toward both the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science degree programs. Other required 600-level courses in the master’s program that are taken by the undergraduate student, but not included in the accelerated option, may be waived on the master’s degree program by the student’s graduate advisor if the required courses were taken less than four years previously and the student earned at least a grade of B or better in those courses. Additional graduate coursework to replace waived courses may be needed to meet the 32 hours degree requirement. Accelerated option students must enroll in BMS 730 each semester.

The accelerated option allows biomedical science majors who are interested in biomedical research to complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree in two semesters and a summer rather than the typical four semesters and a summer. Contact the program director in the School of Health Sciences for information and guidelines.

Before enrolling in each course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and complete a mixed credit form.

Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). See the Graduate College for further information.

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Option

1. Junior standing and an overall GPA of 3.40 or better
2. Completion of BMS 110, BMS 231, BMS 321; CHM 160/161, CHM 170/171, CHM 342 with a GPA of 3.40 or better
3. Undergraduate laboratory research experience is strongly recommended before applying
4. Acceptance of the applicant by a graduate faculty member in biomedical sciences.

Application materials include a letter of acceptance and recommendation from the faculty member with whom the student will be working, a second letter of recommendation, and a statement of research interest. For a complete list of application materials, see the accelerated application.