Medical Science
2023-24 Student Handbook for Medical Science
The Master of Science (MS) program in Medical Science is a specialized master’s program designed to provide additional opportunities to those individuals who would like to enhance their credentials for entry into:
- Medical
- Dental
- Chiropractic
- Pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Or other professional schools
This is achieved by offering a strong, challenging biomedical sciences curriculum in the environment of a health science center. The average time to complete the program is 12 months.
The Master of Science Cohort Option
The cohort option is designed for the student who works best in a team setting alongside other students with daily faculty interaction. Cohort students will participate in didactic lectures interacting in real time with faculty and other students. Cohort students participate in the cadaver lab for “Gross Anatomy” and team-based learning exercises. The cohort option begins each summer semester, which enables students to complete the degree requirements by the following spring, in time to matriculate into professional programs immediately.
Summer Semester
- BMSC 5100 Application & Skills Workshop
- BMSC 5141 Health Disparities Conference Short Course
- BMSC 5300 Biostatistics for Biomedical Sciences
- MIMG 5225 Introductory Biochemistry (Introductory Biochemistry is an optional course that MS in Medical Sciences students may elect to take to review basic biochemistry.)
Semester total credit hours: 5-9 hours
Exam Prep Course
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)/Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Preparatory course is optional for students in the Medical Sciences program. The MCAT/DAT Prep course is only offered in the summer semester each year.
Students have the option to select one Exam Prep Course from the following courses:
- BMSC 5202 MCAT Prep
- BMSC 5203 DAT Prep
Fall Semester
- BMSC 5231 Introduction to Health Disparities Issues in the United States
- BMSC 5301 Principles of Biochemistry
- BMSC 5302 Molecular Cell Biology
- BMSC 5303 Immunology and Microbiology
- BMSC 5260 Principles of Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine
- PHAN 5201 Histology
Semester total credit hours: 15 hours
Spring Semester
- BMSC 5121 Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues for Responsible Clinical Research
- BMSC 5504 Physiology
- BMSC 5207 Pharmacology
- BMSC 5312 Introduction to Clinical Research and Studies
- PHAN 5501 Gross Anatomy
Semester total credit hours: 17 hours
The Master of Science Online Option
The master of science online option is designed for students who want to improve their qualifications for applying to professional school while maintaining a life balance. The MS is completed 100% online. In addition to the rigorous basic science curriculum, including anatomy training using a computer model, students will have access to interview preparation and advisors. You must enroll full time with this option. The average time to complete the program is 12 months. Campus resources are available without traveling to our physical location. This includes Financial Aid, the Library, Career Services and the Center for Academic Performance.
Fall Semester
- BMSC 5100 Application & Skills Workshop
- BMSC 5231 Introduction to Health Disparities Issues in the United States
- BMSC 5301 Principles of Biochemistry
- BMSC 5302 Molecular Cell Biology
- BMSC 5206 Immunology and Microbiology
- BMSC 5350 Principles of Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine
- PHAN 5201 Histology
Semester total credit hours: 16 hours
Spring Semester
- BMSC 5121 Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues for Responsible Clinical Research
- BMSC 5504 Physiology
- BMSC 5207 Pharmacology
- BMSC 5312 Introduction to Clinical Research and Studies
- PHAN 5402 Structural Anatomy
Semester total credit hours: 16 hours
Summer Semester
- BMSC 5300 Biostatistics for Biomedical Sciences
- BMSC 5141 Health Disparities Conference Short Course
Semester total credit hours: 4-6 hours
Exam Prep Course
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)/Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Preparatory course is optional for students in the Medical Sciences program. The MCAT/DAT Prep course is only offered in the summer semester each year.
Students have the option to select one Exam Prep Course from the following courses:
- BMSC 5202 MCAT Prep
- BMSC 5203 DAT Prep
Five-Semester Option
The five-semester online option is designed for students who wants to improve their qualifications for applying to professional school while working full time. The MS is completed 100% online. In addition to the rigorous basic science curriculum, including anatomy training using a computer model, students will have access to interview preparation and advisors. Full-time enrollment is required. The time to complete the program is 21 months. Campus resources are available without traveling to our physical location. This includes Financial Aid, the Library, Career Services and the Center for Academic Performance.
Year 1: Fall
- BMSC 5100 Application & Skills Workshop
- BMSC 5301 Principles of Biochemistry
- BMSC 5302 Molecular Cell Biology
- BMSC 5206 Immunology and Microbiology
Year 1: Spring
- BMSC 5121 Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues for Responsible Clinical Research
- BMSC 5504 Physiology
- BMSC 5207 Pharmacology
Year 1: Summer
- BMSC 5300 Biostatistics for Biomedical Sciences
- BMSC 5141 Short Course in Health Disparities
Exam Prep Course
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)/Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Preparatory course is optional for students in the Medical Sciences program. The MCAT/DAT Prep course is only offered in the summer semester each year.
Students have the option to select one Exam Prep Course from the following courses:
- BMSC 5202 MCAT Prep
- BMSC 5203 DAT Prep
Year 2: Fall
- BMSC 5231 Introduction to Health Disparities Issues in the United States
- BMSC 5260 Principles of Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine
- PHAN 5201 Histology
- BMSC 5208 Bioethics (Optional)
Year 2: Spring
- BMSC 5312 Introduction to Clinical Research and Studies
- PHAN 5402 Structural Anatomy
- BMSC 5225 Communication in Healthcare (Optional)
Two-Year Research Track Option
The successful applicant to the Medical Science Research Track will have excelled in the requirements for the Medical Science discipline and expressed a strong interest in education and/or research within a specific field. Interested students will interview with faculty and create a project proposal outline prior to transfer into this track.
In addition to the Medical Science curriculum, students will undertake a combination of additional courses and independent project(s) to be completed in campus laboratories and produce a practicum report on the latter. Students will work with an advisory committee for the production of the practicum report.
Program Success
This program has been very successful in assisting students to better their chances for acceptance into a professional school. On average, after completion of the program, 75% or more of students were admitted to professional schools.
Opportunities for Master of Science Graduates
The MS in Medical Science program responds to the need for generalist graduate study in the medical sciences to provide students with the background required for the pursuit of a variety of careers in the health professions. It is a broad curriculum that can prepare students to meet the requirements of medical school, dental school, physician assistant school, veterinary school or advanced graduate education. The curriculum also can prepare students to enter a career in allied health sciences, such as public health and health care administration, clinical research or in non-research positions, including managerial and biotechnology patent law, teaching and medical writing.
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