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

Coordinator: Dr. Brian Adams

Scope and Purpose

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Degree within the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences is a 12-month, 36-hour, non-thesis degree program which features graduate- level instruction in courses such as Gross Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Biochemistry, Microbiology/Virology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Human Genetics, Pharmacology, and other Biomedical Sciences. One goal of the curriculum is to help students become stronger applicants to the various healthcare graduate programs (medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, physician assistant program, optometry school, physical and occupational therapy schools are common examples), as well as to improve probability for admission. Courses offer didactic and laboratory experiences where appropriate.

Philosophy and Conceptual Framework of the Graduate Program

Many students enter college with dreams of pursuing medical school or other advanced degree programs within the healthcare arena. If these students struggle early or if their academic performance sags due to circumstances beyond their control, the impact on their grades may be such that any subsequent academic improvement is insufficient to attain the minimum G.P.A. required for professional school admission. In fact, it is for circumstances such as these that the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans established a “32-hour policy” that allows applicants to distance themselves from a weaker undergraduate G.P.A. by pursuing a minimum of 32 hours of post-baccalaureate coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, or mathematics. For the purposes of student selection, the admissions committee then bases any decisions strictly upon the G.P.A. attained in those 32 hours or more of post-baccalaureate courses. This graduate program in biomedical sciences not only serves those students who need to strengthen their G.P.A., but also provides the academic support necessary to improve a weak MCAT, DAT, or GRE score.

Student Outcomes of the Graduate Program

Upon completion of the Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate acquisition of the core knowledge and critical thinking skills in the biomedical sciences necessary to compete successfully for admission to graduate programs in the health professions;
2. Correlate fundamental facts, processes, and pathways in the biomedical sciences with clinical applications in the health professions;
3. Read, understand, and critique standard reference works and professional periodicals.
4. Demonstrate laboratory proficiencies in dissection, microscopy, and basic interpretation of radiographic images; and
5. Communicate effectively with peers and healthcare professionals incorporating the biomedical and clinical terminology specific to the field of health sciences.

Nature of Graduate Work

Candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions appropriate to their respective professions. Throughout the Program, candidates experience academic rigor through learning assessments such as oral and written presentations, traditional tests, and a mandatory participation in a graduate seminar. Graduate candidates are expected to assume responsibility in pursuing lifelong learning that will best meet their professional needs.

Degree Offered

The Department of Biological and Physical Sciences administers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Sciences.

Graduate Admissions

In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, University of Holy Cross accepts applications for admission from students without regard to ethnicity, race, creed, color, sex, age, disability status, or national origin.

Admission Procedures to The University of Holy Cross

Applicants must first be admitted to the University. To be considered for admission to the University, applicants must submit the following:

1. A completed official graduate application form;
2. Official transcripts for all prior undergraduate and graduate course work. (Transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from each institution attended, which must indicate completion of a minimum of a Baccalaureate degree from a university or college approved by a recognized regional accrediting agency in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university.); and
3. Three letters of recommendation written by people qualified to evaluate academic potential and personal and professional promise.

The above-listed criteria should be received by the Office of Admissions within 30 days of the beginning of the applicant’s first semester.

The application and letters of recommendation forms are available online at www.uhcno.edu and at the Office of Admissions. A one-time, non-refundable application fee must accompany the admission application.

Admission Procedures to a Graduate Program (Candidacy)

To be considered for admission to the Program for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, applicants must submit the following by the designated deadline posted in the application packet:

• A completed official graduate application form;
• Payment of a one-time, non-refundable graduate application fee;
• A completed Baccalaureate degree from an accredited College or University. The application may be made prior to graduation, but the degree must be completed prior to beginning the graduate program;
• Official transcripts for all prior undergraduate and/or graduate course work with documentation that a baccalaureate degree has been awarded by a university or college approved by a recognized regional accrediting agency in the United States, or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university. The minimum G.P.A. required for admission into the program is 2.75. Transcripts are to be sent from the institutions attended directly to the Office of Admissions. The earned baccalaureate degree does not have to be in Biology; however, applicants are expected to have completed the following prerequisites:
  • Biology: 16 credit hours (including 8 hours in Anatomy and/or Physiology)
  • General/Inorganic Chemistry: 8 credit hours
  • Organic Chemistry: 4 credit hours
  • Physics: 8 credit hours
  • Math: 6 credit hours

Students who do not have these prerequisites are considered for admission but may be required to complete prerequisite courses prior to taking specific graduate courses. This is a decision made by the graduate coordinator;

• Three references letters from professors, physicians, or other appropriate professionals who can speak to your potential to succeed in a graduate program. Two of the letters must be from previous science professors;
• A current resume including a one-page personal goal statement;
• Current scores from one of the following standardized tests: Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or Dental Admissions Test (DAT) score. The following thresholds for admission are used:
  • MCAT minimum score: 495
  • GRE minimum score: 290
  • DAT minimum score: 15

Foreign and ESL Students

A foreign or ESL (English as a Second Language) applicant must present evidence of satisfactory proficiency in the reading, writing, and speaking of English. The applicant may do so by presenting a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), normally 550, or iBT score of 79. For information about TOEFL, the applicant should write to TOEFL, 1755 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036 or visit www.ets.org/toefl/index.html. A foreign applicant is also required to take the Graduate Record Examination.

Financial Aid

There are several aid programs to which graduate students may apply. Information about other loan options may be obtained from the Office of Admissions.

Letter of Good Standing

Students enrolled in graduate programs at other institutions who wish to register for transfer credit or as guest students must submit a Letter of Good Standing and are not be required to submit complete transcripts. The Letter of Good Standing must come from the Dean of the student’s Graduate School.

Course Load

To be classified as full time, a graduate student must register for at least nine (9) credit hours each semester. The advisor must approve overloads.

Grade-Point Requirements

An overall Grade Point Average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is required for the maintenance of good standing in the graduate program. A passing grade for graduate students in Biomedical Sciences must be no lower than a C. A graduate student who attains a D or lower in any course is automatically placed on probationary status, must repeat the course during the next semester it is offered, and must earn a minimum of a B in that course, or the student will be dropped from the graduate Biomedical Sciences program. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only once, and the course must be repeated at UHC. If a student receives more than one D during the program of study, the student will be dropped from the graduate program in Biomedical Sciences.

Graduate students whose semester average in course work is below 2.75 are placed on probationary status and are not allowed to register for more than seven (7) hours during the following semester, unless approved by the Director of the program. To be removed from probationary status, the student must raise his or her cumulative Grade Point Average to 2.75. If a student on probation fails to raise his or her cumulative Grade Point Average to 2.75 within a two-semester period, the student will be dropped from the graduate program

Appeal

Subject to the review of the Graduate Council, students may be dropped from the program for factors other than Grade Point Average, without having a probationary period. The Graduate Council then determines the student’s status. The student may appeal decisions of the Graduate Council by submitting a written appeal to the Chief Academic Officer.

Time Limit

A maximum of five (5) years from the first semester attended is permitted to complete the requirements for the Master’s degree. Re-admission does not qualify the applicant to begin anew the five-year requirement. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Student Responsibility

Each student is responsible for knowing all pertinent requirements and regulations for the successful completion of the Master’s degree. Students should become familiar with this section of the Catalog and the Graduate Handbook. The graduate student must sign and give to his or her advisor the Agreement Contract, which is at the back of the Graduate Handbook.

Transfer Credits

A maximum of nine (9) semester hours may be transferred from a regionally accredited institution. Approval of all transfer credits must be obtained from the Graduate Program Coordinator. An official transcript from the institution in which the courses were taken must verify these courses. Only courses taken within the past five years may be transferred if approved, unless an exception is made by the Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Advisor

Each student, upon admission to the University, is assigned an advisor. The advisor is usually assigned before the student’s first registration and aids the student in the development of the individual graduate program.

Program of Study

The student works closely with his or her advisor to develop a sequence of study that outlines the courses to be taken toward the Master’s degree. The sequence is designed to meet both the student’s and the institution’s goals and objectives for graduate study.

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates are required to demonstrate readiness for graduation by successful completion of the MCAT, DAT, or GRE exam (or an approved equivalent). Taking one of these national exams serves as the exit exam for this graduate degree program. The student must register for BIO 699, Exit Exam, during his or her final semester. The national exam scores must be reported to the school prior to the end of the student’s final semester in order for the student to achieve a passing grade for BIO 699.

Commencement

Upon successful completion of course work and the comprehensive examination, a candidate is eligible for graduation. Candidates who qualify for graduation are expected to attend commencement exercises.

When eligible, candidates must apply for graduation. A Graduation Clearance Form must be completed during the semester prior to graduation. The due dates for submission of this form are published in the Academic Calendar.

Required

BIO 503	Principles of Pharmacology	3
BIO 507	Histology	4
	And
BIO 553	Clinical Pathophysiology	3
BIO 580	Graduate Seminar	1
BIO 635	Human Genetics	3
BIO 645	Cell & Molecular Biology	3
BIO 655	Clinical Anatomy	4
	And
BIO 655L
BIO 662	Medical Biochemistry	3
BIO 672	Clinical Microbiology & Virology	3
	And
BIO 672L	Clinical Microbiology & Virology Lab	1
BIO	Biomedical Science Electives	7
Total Credit Hours:		36

Courses may be substituted or changed with the approval of the Graduate Advisor in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and the Department Chair.