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Why KCOM? : Preparing for D.O. Program Admission : Preparing for M.S. Program Admission : Visit KCOM : Accreditation : International Student Admissions

Preparing for M.S. Program Admission

General Admissions Requirements : Biomedical Sciences Research Track Requirements : Human Anatomy Education Track Requirements : Dual Degree D.O./M.S. Requirements : Application Checklist

Research Track Requirements

The following are the degree requirements for the Research Tracks of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Program.

  • The candidate must earn at least 40 quarter-credit hours (QCH) by taking all Required Courses (34 QCH) and at least 6 QCH of Elective Courses (as approved by the individual's Advisory Committee). Required and Elective courses including 3 DO-level courses during the first year are listed below.
  • The candidate must achieve a grade of B- (80%) or better in Biochemistry I, must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least B- (80%), and pass every course, (i.e., C- or 70%) in graded courses (refer to course descriptions). Failure to meet these academic standards will result in academic probation or dismissal, depending on review by the Graduate Program Committee. Probation status, if granted, is reviewed at the end of each academic quarter and failure to demonstrate acceptable progress will result in dismissal. Grades of "Incomplete" may be assigned under certain circumstances until course work has been completed. All incomplete grades must be resolved within 3 years.
  • The candidate must write a thesis of publishable quality (determined by the individual's Advisory Committee and one member of the Graduate Program Committee) and defend it orally in open and closed sessions. It is encouraged that the manuscript portion of the thesis be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
  • Each student in the program must have a Research Advisor. Students admitted into the program must match with a Research Advisor by October 1of their first year. A 3-5 member Advisory Committee must be established by November 15 of the student's first year and must approved by the Graduate Program Committee. The Research Advisor will normally be the Chair of the Advisory Committee. At least one member of the Advisory Committee must be from outside of the Advisor's Department. Advisory Committees are set up for individual students and function until the student completes the program. The Advisor and the Advisory Committee shall guide the student in the selection of his/her course work and in the conduct of his/her thesis research, writing and presentation.
  • An individualized projection of the student's study program must be approved by the Advisory Committee and be submitted to the Graduate Program Committee for final approval by the end of the student's second quarter of study. The Advisory Committee and the Graduate Program Committee must approve any subsequent changes to the study program. This study program should be designed to be completed within a total of two years and must be completed in a maximum time of three calendar years (exceptions require approval by the Graduate Program Committee).
  • It is expected that students will maintain continuous enrollment while in the Masters program. Students may be granted a Leave of Absence from the program upon recommendation from the individual's Advisory Committee and the Graduate Program Committee, with final approval by the Vice President for Student and Alumni Services. Students must have fulfilled all Masters' program requirements before April 7 to be eligible to participate in the KCOM commencement, the third weekend in May.
  • Required Courses: (see Graduate Program Course Descriptions)
    • BMSCI 510 Human Biochemistry I (6 QCH)
    • BMSCI 540 Techniques in Biomedical Science (3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 541 Introduction to Research Design (2 QCH)
    • BMSCI 542 Research, Design and Biostatistics (4 QCH)
    • BMSCI 544 Grant Writing (2 QCH)
    • BMSCI 545 Oral Presentation (2 QCH)
    • BMSCI 546 Ethics in Biomedical Research (2 QCH)
    • BMSCI 548 Critical Reading for Biomedical Science (1 QCH)
    • BMSCI 550 Topics in Biomedical Science (2 QCH)
    • BMSCI 561 Thesis Seminar (1 QCH)
    • BMSCI 700 Thesis Research (9 QCH minimum, 15 QCH maximum, 1-5 QCH allowed per quarter
  • Elective Courses: (see Graduate Program Course Descriptions)
    • BMSCI 512 Human Biochemistry II (4 QCH)
    • BMSCI 514 Human Nutrition (3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 516 Histology I (3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 518 Histology II (3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 520 Immunology (2 QCH)
    • BMSCI 522 Medical Microbiology (4 QCH)
    • BMSCI 523 Infectious Diseases (4 QCH)
    • BMSCI 524 Physiology I (5 QCH)
    • BMSCI 526 Physiology II (4 QCH)
    • BMSCI 527 Neuroscience I (3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 528 Pharmacology I (3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 529 Pharmacology II (3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 530 Issues in Biomedical Science (1-3 QCH)
    • BMSCI 600 Advanced Standing Credit (10 QCH)
    • BMSCI 610 Hollister Research Training (13 QCH)
    • BMSCI 624 Clinical Research (1-3 QCH)

Specific questions regarding graduate program policies should be directed to the Graduate Program Committee, which governs the master's program in biomedical sciences. All Graduate Program Committee decisions may be appealed to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.