Biomedical Science, M.S.
Program Director: Ann Boyd, Ph.D.; boyda@hood.edu; 301-696-3683
The Master of Science degree in Biomedical Science is a 33-credit program of graduate research and academic study developed for:
- Persons holding a bachelor’s degree and currently employed in a biomedical or biotechnological research establishment who are seeking additional academic background as part of a career and professional growth program;
- Teachers and other professionals with interests in biomedical science who wish to obtain a graduate degree; and
- Professionals already holding advanced degrees who desire to update or extend their previous academic experiences in biomedical or biotechnological sciences.
The courses are taught in the evenings, thus, the program offers an alternative to conventional graduate education for those who work full time.
Application Requirements
Applicants will be accepted into the program based on selection criteria that include undergraduate coursework, grade point average, area of research interest and experience. Relevance of the undergraduate degree is considered. Priority is given to students who majored in biology, biochemistry or chemistry. Undergraduate coursework required includes completion of the following with a grade of B or better: microbiology, organic chemistry, upper level genetics (equivalent to Hood's BIOL 316), and cell biology (equivalent to Hood's BIOL 339). All official transcripts must be submitted. In addition, an essay that discusses the student’s work experience and future goals is required.
For additional admission information, see Graduate Admission.
The program in biomedical science is administered within the Department of Biology by the director of the Biomedical Science Program, assisted by an Advisory Council and Faculty for Biomedical Science.
Dual Degree
Students majoring in Biology or Biochemistry may during their junior year apply to the BMS program for dual degree status. If accepted in the program, students may take some of the required and elective courses at the 400 level as undergraduates and not repeat them during the graduate degree phase. In the senior year the student may pursue research for the undergraduate capstone requirement and pursue more in depth research for the Master’s thesis. A student in dual degree status may apply 9 credits of 500-level BMS courses toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees with prior approval.
Program Requirements
Prerequisite Course
The prerequisite course provides background knowledge and skills necessary for the completion of the degree requirements. Students admitted to the BMS program that do not meet all of the academic requirements for admission to the program will be required to take this course in addition to the 33 credits required for program completion.
Core Courses (all concentrations)
The core courses provide a foundation for electives in either curricular concentration: Biotechnology/Molecular Biology or Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Curricular Concentrations
Students are encouraged to select elective courses within a concentration. The curricular concentrations are the faculty’s suggestions to help ensure a cohesive program of coursework. However, students, in consultation with their academic advisers, may select a combination of elective courses individualized to their own needs and interests.
Concentration in Biotechnology/Molecular Biology
| BMS 512/BIOL 412 | Biochemistry of Intermediary Metabolism | 3.0 |
| BMS 520 | Protein Purification and Characterization | 3.0 |
| BMS 525/BIOL 425 | Virology | 3.0 |
| BMS 528/BIOL 428 | Immunology | 3.0 |
| BMS 534/BIOL 434 | Basic Principles & Methods in Molecular Genetics | 3.0 |
| BMS 535 | Advanced Topics in Recombinant DNA Technology: Gene Transfer, Expression, and Detection | 3.0 |
| BMS 539 | Molecular Immunology | 3.0 |
| BMS 540 | Advanced Topics in Recombinant DNA Technology: Genome Analysis & Mapping | 3.0 |
| BMS 541 | Advanced Topics in Recombinant DNA Technology: Gene Structure & Function | 3.0 |
| BMS 542 | Ethics in Science | 3.0 |
| BMS 552 | Biomedical Literature Review | 3.0 |
| BMS 590 | Advanced Topics in Biomedical Techniques | 3.0 |
| BMS 597 | Internship | 1.0-3.0 |
| ENV 505 | Biostatistics | 3.0 |
Concentration in Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Thesis Track Requirements
| | Four core courses | 12.0 |
| | Five elective courses | 15.0 |
| BMS 580A | Biomedical Science Thesis A | 3.0 |
| BMS 580B | Biomedical Science Thesis B | 3.0 |
BMS 580 (A and B): under the direction of a thesis adviser and a reading committee (3 credits for each section; 6 total thesis credits).
An oral defense of the thesis is required.
The following courses are labs: BMS 520, BMS 527, BMS 534, BMS 535, BMS 539, BMS 541
Non-thesis Track Requirements
| | Four core courses | 12.0 |
| | Six elective courses, three of which must be laboratory lecture courses | 18.0 |
| BMS 571 | Biomedical Science Seminar | 3.0 |