Program Overview

Introduction to the MS in Biomedical Research Program

The MS in Biomedical Research (MBR) program is designed to be completed in two years. MBR students will take graduate-level courses with PhD students while also working on an independent master’s thesis project.

Program Structure

Year One

In the first year, students will take several core courses in fundamental science topics relevant for biomedical research, including:

• Graduate Biochemistry
• Graduate Cell Biology Students will also take foundational courses relevant to the discipline they have chosen for the MS degree.

Journal Club

Students will also enroll in a 1st Year Student Master’s Journal Club. In addition to learning how to critically read and evaluate primary research papers, students will learn how to make clear and effective research presentations (poster and oral formats).

Lab Rotations and Thesis Research

Students will complete two 6-week lab rotations in the fall semester and select a thesis lab by the beginning of the spring semester. Thesis work will begin once the laboratory has been identified and may build on work done during one of the lab rotations. Students will choose a thesis lab from a large selection of potential faculty mentors in the GSBS program that matches their chosen discipline.

Year Two

Didactic Courses

Students will have the option to take elective courses in a variety of advanced topics tailored to their field of study. Among the courses offered:

• Fundamentals of Neuroscience
• Synapse Neurobiology
• Neurobiology of Disease
• Gene Expression and Signal Transduction
• Introduction to Genetics
• Mammalian Genetics
• Biomedical Statistics and Computational Biology
• Introduction to Immunology
• Advanced Cellular Immunology
• Inflammation and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
• Immunochemistry Signaling and Dynamics
• Microbial Genetics and Microbiology
• Host-Pathogen Interface/Bacterial Host Cell Interactions
• Animal Virology

A full listing of courses available can be found in the GSBS catalog.

Thesis Research

Thesis research continues leading to the preparation and defense of an MS thesis.

Degree Programs

The following degree programs are available:

• Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Immunology
• Molecular Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical & Translational Science
• MD/PhD - MSTP
• Biomedical Research
• Pharmacology & Drug Development

Non-Degree Options

• Certificate Programs
• Pathway to the PhD
• IRACDA Postdoc Program