Transplantation and Donation Sciences - Master of Science in Biomedical Science (M.S.B.S.)

Program Overview

The Transplantation and Donation Sciences master's program at The University of Toledo prepares students for leadership roles in organ donation and transplantation. The program offers two tracks: full-time, on-campus and online. Students develop a deep understanding of the scientific, ethical, and social issues involved in organ donation and transplantation, as well as the skills necessary to manage and coordinate these processes. Graduates are prepared for careers as organ procurement coordinators, donation specialists, transplant coordinators, policy analysts, and research scientists.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview:
The Transplantation and Donation Sciences master's program at The University of Toledo is the first academic program in the country to prepare students to coordinate and oversee organ donation and transplantation.
• Objectives:
The program aims to prepare students for high-level leadership roles in organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Students will develop a deep understanding of the scientific, ethical, and social issues involved in organ donation and transplantation, as well as the skills necessary to manage and coordinate these processes.
• Description:
The program offers two tracks: a full-time, on-campus track and an online track. Both tracks provide students with a strong foundation in the basic and medical sciences relevant to organ donation and transplantation, as well as training in professional skills such as business, project management, policy, and law. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in clinical experiences and research projects.

Outline:

The program's curriculum covers the following topics:

• Basic sciences: Anatomy and physiology, immunology, genetics, and pharmacology
• Medical sciences: Organ donation and transplantation, critical care medicine, and infectious diseases
• Professional skills: Business, project management, policy, and law
• Clinical experiences: Students will participate in clinical rotations at local hospitals and organ procurement organizations.
• Research projects: Students will complete a scholarly project under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams: Written exams, quizzes, and oral presentations
• Projects: Research projects, case studies, and presentations
• Clinical evaluations: Evaluations of students' performance in clinical rotations
• Portfolio: A collection of students' work that demonstrates their progress and development

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of basic scientists and clinical faculty from The University of Toledo Medical Center. Faculty members have expertise in a wide range of areas related to organ donation and transplantation, including surgery, medicine, ethics, and law. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Traditional lectures provide students with foundational knowledge in the basic and medical sciences
• Small group discussions: Small group discussions allow students to delve deeper into complex topics and share their perspectives
• Case studies: Case studies help students to apply their knowledge to real-world situations
• Clinical rotations: Clinical rotations provide students with hands-on experience in organ donation and transplantation
• Research projects: Research projects allow students to work closely with faculty members and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field

Careers:

Graduates of the Transplantation and Donation Sciences master's program are prepared for a variety of careers in the field of organ donation and transplantation. These careers include:

• Organ procurement coordinator: Organ procurement coordinators facilitate the donation process from start to finish.
They are the liaisons between the donor's family, the coroner or medical examiner, the medical and nursing staff, the organ procurement organization, and the transplant center.
• Donation specialist: Donation specialists work with potential organ donors and their families to educate them about the donation process and help them to make informed decisions.
• Transplant coordinator: Transplant coordinators coordinate the care of transplant patients from the time they are listed for a transplant to the time they receive a transplant.
They also provide support to patients and their families throughout the transplant process.
• Policy analyst: Policy analysts develop and implement policies that govern organ donation and transplantation.
They work with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and patient advocacy groups to ensure that the donation and transplantation process is fair, equitable, and efficient.
• Research scientist: Research scientists conduct research to improve the outcomes of organ donation and transplantation.
They work to develop new techniques for organ preservation and transplantation, as well as new treatments for transplant patients.