General Degree Requirements of the Master's Programs
Students require 30 credits with a grade point average of 3.0 (B-average) or better to graduate. Of the 30 credits, 9 credits are required courses and the remaining 21 credits are electives. Students enrolled in the Master's program have the opportunity to obtain either a Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MS) or a Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degree.The MS requires a 5-credit research thesis while the MBS is predominantly based on coursework. Students have the flexibility to switch between MS and MBS.
MS (Master of Science in Biomedical Science) - 25 credits of course work, plus original laboratory research culminating in a written thesis (5 credits) acceptable to an advisory committee and the graduate school (thesis research option).
MBS (Master of Biomedical Science) - 30 credits of coursework and maintain a “B” average.
All master's students must take:
1. Seminar in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit) offered on Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:45 PM or Oral Biology Research Seminar (1 credit)
In these courses, faculty members present their research and engage in discussion with the class. Through this course students learn how the research in laboratory and clinical settings has advanced the knowledge and technology in life science. In addition, students develop creative and critical thinking-skills through active discussion during the seminars.
2. Research in Biomedical Sciences, also called Masters Research Rotations (2 credits), which are typically based in a research laboratory but can also involve clinical or non-laboratory research. Students who have previous research experience can obtain an exemption from this requirement, fulfilling the 2 credits with another course. Students wishing to obtain an exemption or waiver for the research rotation should contact Dr. Carol Lutz for details. Waivers are not automatic and must be requested with ample time for review.
3. Any two of the following four 3 credit courses:
Offered on Mondays, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Offered on Tuesdays, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Offered on Wednesdays, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Offered on Mondays, 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Several dental and medical courses, each of which requires permission, can substitute for one or more of the courses in category 3. Please contact your track director for advisement on dental or medical school courses. Medical scholars track | Dental Scholars track | Biomedical Research Scholars track
Elective Courses as required to attain sufficient credits to graduate. A complete list of available graduate courses can be found in the Spring and Fall Course Listings on the Course Information web page. By selecting specific sets of elective courses, students can also complete a concentration within their Master's degree, with current offerings in Neuroscience, Oral Biology, Pharmacological Sciences and Stem Cell Biology.