Biomedical Sciences (BMS)

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (BMS) at Elms College is a rigorous, 12-month academic program.

Students have access to career development and/or premedical preparation (including standardized test preparation).

The BMS will help students strengthen their application for medical, dental, veterinary, physician assistant, pharmacy, genetic counseling, physical and occupational therapy and other professional health programs.  It can also prepare students for the research sciences and teaching in higher education.

Curriculum and Course Requirements

A minimum of 32 credit hours of graduate coursework is required.

Curriculum

Fall Term

BIO 513 Anatomy & Physiology I (3 + 1 credits)
BIO 516 Cell Biology (3 credits)
BIO 521 Genetics (3 + 1 credits)
BIO 526 Molecular Biology (3 + 1 credits)
BMS 509 Biostatistics & Epidemiology (3 credits)
BMS 510 Endocrinology (3 credits)
BMS 570 Histology (3 credits)
PHI XXX Medical Ethics (or similar) (3 credits)
BMS 690 Capstone Internships/Research (1 credit)
BMS 695 Graduate Teaching Assistantship (1 credit)
XXX XXX Elective Courses (Courses 500 level or above)
XXX XXX MCAT or other standardized test preparation

Spring Term

BIO 514 Anatomy & Physiology II (3 + 1 credits)
BIO 540 Immunology (3 credits)
BIO 507 Bioethics (or similar) (3 credits)
BIO 530 Microbiology (3 + 1 credits)
BIO 536 Biochemistry (3 + 1 credits)
BMS 522 Pharmacology (3 credits)
BMS 527 Pathology (3 credits)
BMS 630 Neuroscience (3 credits)
BMS 690 Capstone Internships/Research (1 credit)
BMS 695 Graduate Teaching Assistantship (1 credit)
XXX XXX Elective Courses (Courses 500 level or above)
XXX XXX MCAT or other standardized test preparation

Summer Term

BIO 313/313L Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lecture and Lab (3 + 1 credits)
BIO 314/314L Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lecture and Lab (3 + 1 credits)
BIO 506 Medical Terminology (3 credits)
BIO 535 Nutrition (3 credits)

3 + 1 courses have a laboratory in which the laboratory is strongly suggested
3 credits/3 + 1 courses have an optional laboratory

Electives might include undergraduate-level courses in the sciences or in other areas such as social sciences or other courses in the undergraduate and/or graduate curriculum (Note: Undergraduate courses taken will not contribute to the 32 graduate-credit-hour completion minimum).

Duration of Program

This is a one-year program. Students who work in healthcare at a minimum of 20 hours per week in an approved position by the program director can take up to two years to complete the program.

Program Requirements for Admission

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• A GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate program.

Standardized test scores are NOT required, but if you have them, it is optional to submit them.

Students are recommended to have completed the following coursework (premedical prerequisites) to be considered for admission into the Master in Biomedical Science degree program at Elms College:

• Two semesters of Biology with laboratory
• General Chemistry I and II with laboratory
• Organic Chemistry I and II with laboratory
• General Physics I and II with laboratory
• Calculus I
• Statistics
• General Psychology
• Introductory Sociology
• 1 semester of English (composition course)
• 1 semester of reading comprehension course (i.e., literature)

Students who lack (or need to re-take) 1-2 of the above courses can do so by taking appropriate elective courses. However, undergraduate courses cannot be used for graduate credit toward the master’s degree in biomedical sciences.

Students who lack (or need to re-take) more than two of the above courses or the required GPA can apply to the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Studies certificate program at Elms College.

Students who qualify can offset tuition by earning a scholarship in exchange for becoming a teaching assistant (assist in teaching and/or preparation of labs in biology, chemistry and physics) and/or tutor in areas where students show proficiency. Students will be selected for these opportunities on the basis of prior GPA and experience in the courses to be taught.

Students will be eligible to take the onsite MCAT prep course and take advantage of all premedical advising opportunities

• Onsite MCAT prep course is available
• Other standardized test preparations are also available
• Access to the premedical advisor for advising, letters, personal statements, etc.

Program Requirements for Degree Completion

• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in the program
• Students must complete 32 credits of graduate coursework in the time specified
• 2 credits must be in the Biomedical Sciences Capstone (1 credit must be taken in each of two semesters)
• A minimum of 16 credits must be taken in BIO or BMS courses 500 level and above
• All courses must be taken at Elms College unless special provisions are made
• Students cannot withdraw from courses unless they are granted a leave of absence from the college; or special permission from the director

Degree Completion Outcomes

Students who complete the master’s degree in biomedical sciences would be eligible to:

• Apply to programs in professional health care (medicine, veterinary, dental, physician assistant, chiropractic, physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, anesthesiology assistant, cardiovascular perfusion, pharmacy and many others)
• Apply to graduate programs, including master of business administration (MBA) programs, master’s degree programs in public health or education, or master’s degree or Ph.D. programs in bioethics/medical humanities or basic science
• Enter jobs in the sciences
• Enter jobs at the instructor level in higher education

Students completing their premedical prerequisites and advanced courses in biology have matriculated to the following programs:

*Students accepted to these programs have received a full tuition scholarship

MD

DO

DMD

Veterinary

Podiatric Medicine

Optometry

Physician Assistant

Pharmacy

Master of Public Health