Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30 Thesis Track or 36 Non-Thesis Track
Required Courses:
Thesis Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| BMSC 8101 | Molecules to Cells | 6 |
| BMSC 8102 | Experimental Design and Biostatistics | 1 |
| BMSC 8103 | Scientific Integrity and Bioethics | 1 |
| BMSC 8201 | Organ Systems: Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutics | 4 |
| BMSC 8202 | Scientific Communications | 1 |
| BMSC 8203 | Introduction to Bioinformatic Tools and Applications | 1 |
| Concentration-Specific Student Seminar and Journal Club (2 terms) 2 | 2 | |
| Basic Elective | ||
| Select one from the following: | 2 | |
BMSC 8205 | Cell Structure & Function | |
BMSC 8206 | Molecular, Cellular and Systems Signal Transduction | |
BMSC 8207 | Molecular Approaches to Research | |
| Concentration-Specific Advanced Electives 3 | 4 | |
| Research Courses | ||
| BMSC 9991 | Biomedical Science Research | 1 |
| BMSC 9996 | Master's Thesis | 7 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
All students in the Biomedical Sciences program participate in a common first-year interdisciplinary experience that includes the core courses identified.
- 2
To complete this requirement, students select the course from the following that aligns with their area of concentration: BMSC 8500 Cancer Biology and Genetics Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8600 Infectious Disease and Immunity Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8700 Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8800 Neuroscience Student Seminar and Journal Club, or BMSC 8900 Organ Systems and Translational Medicine Student Seminar and Journal Club.
- 3
Students select approved courses identified in the grid below for their area of concentration. One basic elective not taken to complete the "Basic Elective" requirement may be substituted for an advanced elective to fulfill this requirement.
Approved Advanced Electives by Area of Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer Biology and Genetics | ||
BMSC 8502 | Cancer Biology | |
BMSC 8503 | Genetics and Epigenetics | |
| Infectious Disease and Immunity | ||
BMSC 8602 | The Biology of the Immune Response | |
BMSC 8603 | Molecular Genetics of Human Viruses | |
BMSC 8604 | Cellular and Molecular Basis of Host-Microbe Interactions | |
| Molecular and Cellular Biosciences | ||
BMSC 8703 | RNA and its Role in Gene Expression | |
BMSC 8704 | Molecular Physiology of Ion Signaling | |
BMSC 8706 | Structure and Dynamics of Biomolecules and Assemblies | |
| Neuroscience | ||
BMSC 8802 | Essentials of Neuroscience 1 | |
BMSC 8803 | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience | |
BMSC 8804 | Neuropharmacology | |
BMSC 8805 | Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse | |
BMSC 8806 | Translational Science of Nervous System Diseases | |
| Organ Systems and Translational Medicine | ||
BMSC 8902 | Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology | |
BMSC 8903 | Hemostasis and Thrombosis | |
BMSC 8904 | Translational Pulmonary Physiology - Experimental Basis | |
BMSC 8905 | Advanced Pharmacology and Translational Medicine | |
BMSC 8906 | Development, Function and Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System | |
BMSC 8907 | Organ Metabolism - Molecular Pathology and Experimental Models | |
- 1
Students who select Neuroscience as their concentration are required to complete BMSC 8802 as one of their advanced electives.
Non-Thesis Coursework Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| BMSC 8101 | Molecules to Cells | 6 |
| BMSC 8102 | Experimental Design and Biostatistics | 1 |
| BMSC 8103 | Scientific Integrity and Bioethics | 1 |
| BMSC 8104 | Introduction to Laboratory Research I | 1 |
| BMSC 8201 | Organ Systems: Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutics | 4 |
| BMSC 8202 | Scientific Communications | 1 |
| BMSC 8203 | Introduction to Bioinformatic Tools and Applications | 1 |
| BMSC 8204 | Introduction to Laboratory Research II | 1 |
| Student Seminar and Journal Club (2 terms) 2 | 2 | |
| Basic Elective | ||
| Select one from the following: | 2 | |
BMSC 8205 | Cell Structure & Function | |
BMSC 8206 | Molecular, Cellular and Systems Signal Transduction | |
BMSC 8207 | Molecular Approaches to Research | |
| Advanced Electives 3 | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
All students in the Biomedical Sciences program participate in a common first-year interdisciplinary experience that includes the core courses identified.
- 2
To complete this requirement, students select from BMSC 8500 Cancer Biology and Genetics Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8600 Infectious Disease and Immunity Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8700 Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8800 Neuroscience Student Seminar and Journal Club, or BMSC 8900 Organ Systems and Translational Medicine Student Seminar and Journal Club.
- 3
Students fulfill this requirement by selecting approved courses identified in the grid above. At least one course must be taken in each of the five areas of concentration: Cancer Biology and Genetics, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neuroscience, and Organ Systems and Translational Medicine. Basic electives not taken to complete the "Basic Elective" requirement may be substituted for advanced electives to fulfill this requirement.
Non-Thesis Project Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| BMSC 8101 | Molecules to Cells | 6 |
| BMSC 8102 | Experimental Design and Biostatistics | 1 |
| BMSC 8103 | Scientific Integrity and Bioethics | 1 |
| BMSC 8104 | Introduction to Laboratory Research I | 1 |
| BMSC 8201 | Organ Systems: Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutics | 4 |
| BMSC 8202 | Scientific Communications | 1 |
| BMSC 8203 | Introduction to Bioinformatic Tools and Applications | 1 |
| Student Seminar and Journal Club (2 terms) 2 | 2 | |
| Basic Elective | ||
| Select one from the following: | 2 | |
BMSC 8205 | Cell Structure & Function | |
BMSC 8206 | Molecular, Cellular and Systems Signal Transduction | |
BMSC 8207 | Molecular Approaches to Research | |
| Advanced Electives 3 | 12 | |
| Research Course | ||
| BMSC 9995 | Master's Project (2 terms) 4 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
All students in the Biomedical Sciences program participate in a common first-year interdisciplinary experience that includes the core courses identified.
- 2
To complete this requirement, students select from BMSC 8500 Cancer Biology and Genetics Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8600 Infectious Disease and Immunity Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8700 Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Student Seminar and Journal Club, BMSC 8800 Neuroscience Student Seminar and Journal Club, or BMSC 8900 Organ Systems and Translational Medicine Student Seminar and Journal Club.
- 3
Students fulfill this requirement by selecting approved courses identified in the grid above. At least one course must be taken in each of the five areas of concentration: Cancer Biology and Genetics, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neuroscience, and Organ Systems and Translational Medicine.
- 4
This course is taken under the direction of a faculty mentor. All BMSC 9995 credits must be earned under the direction of the same faculty mentor.
Culminating Event:
Thesis:
For the Thesis Track, the thesis must be based on an original research project. It should demonstrate the student's familiarity with laboratory techniques related to the research project and the ability to evaluate critically the literature in the student’s chosen area. The student submits the thesis in complete form not less than 14 days prior to the date of the final examination. The thesis must have been read and approved by the thesis advisor prior to distribution. The student should confirm a time and date for the thesis defense with the Final Examination Committee.
The final examination consists of a defense of the student's thesis to demonstrate competence within the field of the thesis and closely related areas. The student's Advisory Committee votes to pass or fail the thesis and the defense at the conclusion of the presentation. If the student must make revisions, those changes must be approved as arranged by the Committee.
Note that the Non-Thesis Track has no culminating event except for successful completion of coursework. Students may elect to gain research experience within a laboratory.