Biomedical Sciences (MS), Program Information

Program Faculty

Yun-Chi Chen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Frank Denaro, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Christine Hohmann, Ph.D.

Professor

Yuejin Li, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Pumtiwitt McCarthy, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Simon Nyaga, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Valerie Odero-Marah, Ph.D.

Professor

Gerald Rameau, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

James Wachira, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Program Description

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MS-BMED) program at Morgan State University School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (SCMNS) is a masters-level graduate program created in response to the need to increase the number and diversity of professionals in the healthcare industry and the biomedical workforce that would lead to enhanced access to care for populations in urban and under served areas.

As a gateway program to medical school, the curriculum of the MS-BSMED program mirrors the first-year curriculum of medical schools to enhance the preparedness and competitiveness of students who are interested in further postgraduate studies in medical school or pursuing a career in the biomedical industry.  As such, the MS-BMED degree program is designed for those who have completed premedical curricula and who desire additional time, advising, and mentoring to explore various health careers of their interest, strengthen their academic credentials, and gain experience so that they can propel themselves to an advanced degree by enhancing their scientific and professional preparation.

Prospective students have the option to apply to either the Accelerated Medical Track (non thesis) or the Traditional Research Track (thesis).

1.  The MS-BMED Accelerated Medical Track is designed for applicants who have shown a strong academic performance in undergraduate school but wish to spend a gap-year in a rigorous graduate program resembling the first year of medical school before applying or reapplying to medical school.  Students selected for this track are expected to successfully complete all program courses in three semesters.  The MS-BMED Admissions Committee will select students for this track based upon academic merit and program interview.  Those accepted into the MS-BMED Accelerated Medical Track may opt to or be advised to shift to the MS-BMED Traditional Research Track.

2.  The MS-BMED Research Track follows the traditional design of Master of Science degree programs.  Students in this track have the opportunity to choose elective courses so that they can explore other related subjects and broaden their educational experience.  Although the course load per semester may be slightly less intensive in this track, students are expected to complete a master’s capstone or thesis, and successfully defend their project.

Program Objectives

The objective of the MS-BMED program is to further develop the training of aspiring health professionals who will diversify the healthcare industry and biomedical by:

• providing advanced scientific training in the basic medical sciences by engaging students in research, experiential learning, outreach activities, and a rigorous curriculum resembling the first year curriculum of medical school,
• deliver a series of core and elective courses that are taught using traditional and innovative strategies to enhance active learning,
• providing advising, shadowing, internship, and professional development opportunities that help students increase their preparedness and competitiveness through improved skills, resumes, and graduate school applications while gaining insight into a career in the healthcare industry, and
• performing both formative and summative evaluations to gauge progress toward achieving targeted activities and impact of the program on student achievements and institutional development.

By the end of the program, students are expected to:

• demonstrate a thorough understanding of foundational medical sciences such as human anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and physiology,
• demonstrate the ability to recognize ethical dilemmas in biomedical sciences, and abide by professional and ethical standards in research and service,
• be proficient in utilizing technology and online resources to acquire information and solve problems in health-related and medical sciences, and
• be able to communicate scientific information in written and oral forms to convey the results of scholarly work.

General Requirements

The Accelerated Medical Track - Candidates for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree who are in the 1-year Accelerated Medical Track must complete a minimum of thirty-two (32) academic credit hours, earn and maintain a cumulative grade point ave rate of 3.0 or better, pass all courses in their study plan with no more than six (6)* credits of “C” grades, and pass the comprehensive exam within the 1-year study period.  Students who are not able to complete these requirements within the time frame of their study will be advised to switch to the Research Track.

The Research Track - Candidates for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree who are in the Research Track must complete a minimum of thirty-five (35) academic credit hours, earn and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and pass all the required courses in their study plan with no more than six (6)* credits of “C” grades.  They are also required to complete a written master’s capstone or research thesis and successfully defend in public.

*Students exceeding credit allowance on “C” grades must retake the same courses until satisfactory grads are earned to bring the student in compliance with the regulation.

Admission

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, an applicant must:

• have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university preferably in areas such as biology biochemistry, health sciences, etc.,
• have completed the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher prior to matriculation (for these prerequisite courses, credits earned at a community college is accepted):

General biology with laboratory (2 semesters)

General chemistry with laboratory (2 semesters)

Organic chemistry with laboratory (2 semesters)

General physics with laboratory (2 semesters)

College level mathematics (1 semester)

English composition/grammar (2 semesters)

• posses an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher to be considered for regular admission.  Students applying to the 1-year Accelerated Medical Track of the MS-BMED program must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher.  Students who possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission to the Traditional Research Track of the MS-BMED program.  Post-bachelor’s undergraduate credits will not be used to enhance GPA requirements for admission to graduate study.
• submit an application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies.   All required documents must be submitted as directed by the School of Graduate Studies prior to program review and admission decision.
• use the application system to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be placed with the application.  Theses letters must be from officials or faculty members of institutions previously attended who are acquainted with the applicant’s ability for graduate study or from employment supervisors where applicable.
• submit a typed exposition regarding the candidate’s personal academic and professional plans and the reasons for selecting Morgan State University.

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements and submitting all the required documents does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made to the applicant.  The decision of the Program Admissions Committee involves a review and analysis of all the elements of the application as well as the availability of positions in the program.  The committee then recommends to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies that an offer of admission should be made based on that review.

Candidacy

Students achieve candidacy by successfully passing the comprehensive examination (Accelerated Medical Track( or successfully defending their research proposal (Traditional Research Track).

Comprehensive Exam

At the end of the third semester of their tenure (Spring), students in the accelerated Medical Track must take and pass the comprehensive exam which is administered by the department or program/examination may be written, oral, or both.  The exam is designed to ensure that students graduating from the MS-BMED program have firmly grasped the foundational knowledge expected of students pursuing mastery in the field, and they are ready for the next steps of their career.

Capstone or Thesis Completion

Students must write and successfully defend an acceptable master’s capstone or thesis under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty.  the capstone/thesis must be approved by the research advisor and the Advisory Committee consisting of the advisor, the program director, and the Chair of the Department of Biology prior to submission to the Dean’s Office at the School of Computer, Mathematical, and natural Sciences.  After completion, the student is expected to defend the capstone/thesis before a public audience.  For students completing a research thesis, the thesis must conform to the style, form and overall requirements set forth in the Graduate School Handbook.  The final thesis will also be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for final approval and publication.

Additional Requirements

In addition to following the general university code of conduct, students are expected to generate intellectual products through original research and writing.  Students are also expected to accurately document their research and report research findings honestly.  In cases where the student is supported by a grant, all publications, including conference abstracts must acknowledge the financial support.

Appeals for grades or other academic matters, including research mentoring, will be reported to the program coordinator and department chair for adjudication in accordance with university policies.

Program Course Requirements

Biomedical Sciences Curriculum Sequence

Biomedical Sciences (MS), Curriculum Sequence