Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (M.S. BMS)

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Students should consult the General Regulations section of the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding Graduate School admission requirements, transfer credit, and other critical policies and procedures.

Mission

The M.S. program and certificate in the Biomedical Sciences are designed to achieve the following: 1) to prepare students for future entry into medical and other professional schools in the health sciences and 2) to provide students with advanced knowledge in the biomedical sciences.

Upon completion of the degree program, students will gain a thorough knowledge of biomedical concepts developed through courses that focus on the changing face of medicine and biotechnology. This program will foster strategic and critical thinking, logical analysis, and propose solutions to the challenges of medicine, the allied health sciences, and biotechnology.

The expected program learning outcomes of students enrolled in the Master of Science in the Biomedical Sciences include:

Demonstrate a conceptual competence of the basic biomedical sciences.
Develop a framework for maintaining technological currency in the biomedical sciences and healthcare.
Develop critical thinking skills for applying scientific knowledge in problem-solving.
Acquire skills for developing hypotheses, analyzing data, and interpreting and communicating results in the biomedical sciences.
Develop written and oral skills for communicating effectively and professionally.
Promote ethical standards for all professional activities in the biomedical sciences and healthcare.

Prerequisite Requirements

Candidates for admission must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. At a minimum, applicants should have successfully completed Genetics (BIO 3320/BIO L320, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II (BIO 3347/BIO L347, BIO 3348/BIO L348), and Microbiology (BIO 3372/BIO L372).

Other prerequisites include General Physics I, II (PHY 2252/PHY L252, PHY 2253/PHY L253), General Chemistry I, II (CHM 1142/CHM L142, CHM 1143/CHM L143), and Organic Chemistry I, II (CHM 3342/CHM L342, CHM 3343/CHM L343). Students with undergraduate degrees outside of the biological sciences are encouraged to inquire about the program.

Admission Requirements

To apply for admission to the M.S. program in Biomedical Sciences, applicants must submit the following:

Completed Application for Admission to the Graduate School;
Official transcript(s)
Official copy of one of the following: GRE (with writing score), GMAT or MCAT, PCAT, OAT, DAT, or equivalent.
Two letters of recommendation from professors, physicians, or other appropriate professionals that address the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate program; and
A 500-word personal statement that addresses the applicant’s professional goals, readiness for graduate school, and potential for completing the M.S. B.M.S. program.

Unconditional Admission

Applicants may be admitted unconditionally if they meet the following requirements:

Applicants who have completed a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university may be admitted unconditionally. Applicants must submit all materials listed in Admission Requirements for the M.S. in Biomedical Sciences.
Attained a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and achieved a minimum of 2.5 GPA in all undergraduate courses.
Have an acceptable score on the appropriate entrance exam: GRE 290 (recommended: 150 verbal, 140 quantitative) and GRE writing score. If the student has taken the MCAT (recommended: 487), DAT (recommended: 16), or equivalent professional exam, then this may be substituted for the GRE.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be granted under certain circumstances to applicants who cannot satisfy all unconditional admission requirements to a graduate program. See conditional admission requirements in the general regulations section of this Catalog.

Students admitted conditionally only because of a low undergraduate grade point average will be cleared of their conditional status if, at the completion of nine semester hours, they have achieved a 3.0 grade point average or greater on all graduate work attempted. Students must clear the conditional admission requirement of a 3.0 average at the completion of nine semester hours, or they will be dropped from the graduate program for one calendar year after which they may petition the Dean of the Graduate School to re-enter.

Students admitted conditionally only because of a low test score will be granted unconditional admission at the completion of nine semester hours provided they have maintained a 3.0 grade point average on all graduate work attempted or have retaken the test and received a satisfactory score.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of four courses (12 semester credit hours) taken at another regionally accredited institution, each with a “B” grade or better, can be applied toward the degree. These courses must be comparable in catalog description to Troy University courses in the M.S. program in Biomedical Sciences and must be approved by the Chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Students who transfer a “core” course will still be held accountable for all material and Troy courses. In addition, transfer students must still successfully complete the comprehensive exam.

Degree Requirements

Unconditional admission.
Overall 3.0 GPA in all graduate work completed.
No more than two grades in any coursework attempted with a grade of C or below.
Completion of the curriculum listed below. A grade of “B” or better is required for BIO 6691 (3) Research Methodology and Experimental Design. If the student makes a “D” or “F” in an elective course, the course may be retaken or another elective taken in its place.
For Non-Thesis Option, successful completion of all components of the comprehensive examination.

Curriculum (30-31 sh)

The Master of Sciences in Biomedical Sciences is a 30-31 hour non-thesis or thesis-option degree.

The University requires that 6000-level courses make up at least 50% of the 30-31 semester hours.
Courses with separate lectures and labs must be taken together.
Please note that 5000-level courses cannot duplicate undergraduate courses that the student has taken as an undergraduate.
Please note that the 6000-level core classes are ONLY offered in a 16-week format during the fall and spring semesters. Summer courses (6000-level) are offered on an 8 week format.
BIO 6691 (3) Research Methodology and Experimental Design requires a grade of “B” or better.
Under the guidance of the student’s advisor and the Chair of the Department, the student may pursue original research (independent acquisition and interpretation of data) in a particular area of the biomedical sciences. The completion of a thesis is required.

Required Core Courses (19 sh)

Additional Requirements

In addition to these Required Core Classes, students must take additional classes to complete the graduation requirement of 30-31 semester hours.

Or select one (1) of the following:

Comprehensive Examination

After the completion of all core courses, Non-Thesis Option students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam is given in the semester or term prior to graduation. Students should work closely with their advisor to prepare for their comprehensive exams, which will be prepared, administered, and evaluated by the graduate committee. Comprehensive exams will be taken as scheduled by the University and/or Department.

Thesis Option: (30-31 sh)

Required Core Courses	19 sh
Thesis Hours	6 sh
Advisor-approved Electives	5-6 sh
Total	30-31

Degree Plan

M.S. - Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Degree Plan/Progress Record