Master of Biomedical Sciences Program in Downers Grove

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Fast Facts

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Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

General Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
GRE General Test scores or Professional Exam Scores

Length of Program

21-24 months, full-time

Class Size

2009 Class Profiles (Class of 2011)

Female: 63%
Male: 37%
Average Age: 25
Average Overall GPA: 3.25
Class Size: 35
Top Home States: Illinois (51%), Wisconsin, Ohio

Postgraduate Education Opportunities

Medical, Dental, and Podiatry School
Ph.D. Programs in the sciences
Postbaccalaureate programs in pharmacy, health sciences

Career Opportunities

Research technicians
Governmental and regulatory agencies
Pharmaceutical laboratories
Teaching

MWU Outcomes (Class of 2010)

93% of matriculants were accepted into professional programs (Ph.D., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, optometry or podiatry)

US Employment Projections through 2012

68,000+ clinical laboratory technologists and technicians needed
15,000 additional biological scientists needed
25,000 medical scientists needed
22,000 science technicians needed

Mean Salary Range (2010)

$50,000 - $100,000 (varies by specialty)

Admission Requirements

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To be considered for admission to the Master of Biomedical Sciences Program, an applicant must have:

A bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
Test scores less than five years old from either:
- Graduate Record Examination general test (GRE) using the institutional code for Midwestern University of 1769. Contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866/473-4373 or visit www.ets.org.
  OR
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores. Contact the MCAT Program Office at 202/828-0690 or visit www.aamc.org/students/mcat.
  OR
- Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores. Contact the American Dental Association (ADA) at 312/440-2500 or visit www.ada.org.
  OR
- Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) scores. Contact Harcourt Assessment, Inc. (also known as Pearson) at 800/622-3231 or visit www.pcatweb.info.
  OR
- Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) scores. Contact Optometry Admission Testing Program at 800/232-2159 or www.opted.org.
Passed the Midwestern University criminal background check
Abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy

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Program Description

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The Midwestern University Master of Biomedical Sciences (M.B.S.) degree program is a full-time, graduate level program that provides a broad background in the biomedical sciences, laboratory experiences, and research skills. The curriculum prepares and graduates students who have extensive knowledge, technical skills, and expertise to function in a variety of biomedical professions, including technicians and supervisors in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, research personnel in biomedical sciences laboratories, employees in governmental and regulatory agencies, and undergraduate teaching. In addition, the curriculum will make the successful student a competitive candidate for admission to postbaccalaureate professional schools offering degrees in the health sciences.

The 72 quarter-hour curriculum may be completed in as little as 18 months but must be completed within two years of matriculation, excepting approved leaves of absence. The normal course of study is 21 to 24 months. All students are required to complete a research project approved by their thesis committee and must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but candidates should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

The required curriculum includes six basic science courses but allows the student to choose areas of emphasis, such as physiology, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, or biochemistry. It is recommended that the basic science courses be taken at the College of Health Sciences. However, a student may take courses at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine with permission of the Program Coordinator.

In addition to the basic science courses, students must take a series of research courses to prepare for a research project and thesis that is the culmination of the degree program. The research courses include Research Design and Methods, Principles of Statistics, Medical Writing, Advanced Topics, Seminars in Biomedical Sciences, Good Laboratory Practice, Ethics of Research and Experimentation, Research Literature Review and Thesis Proposal, Laboratory Research, and Thesis. A series of electives and independent studies are available to complete the 72 quarter-hour requirement. The electives allow students to further specify an area of interest to better prepare them for a career in their chosen field.

The Master of Biomedical Sciences program also benefits students who wish to improve their credentials for application to medical school or other health professions programs. The Master of Biomedical Sciences program allows students to demonstrate their ability to perform at a graduate level, improve their GPA, better prepare for the MCAT examination, and take course that "fill in gaps" in their undergraduate coursework.

Program Strengths

Opportunities to do research with medical school faculty
Opportunities to present at local and national conferences
Opportunities to submit grant applications
Opportunities to write publications for peer-reviewed scientific journals

Mission

The mission of the Master of Biomedical Sciences degree and program is to prepare students with a broad understanding in the biomedical sciences and significant experience in laboratory research. This training will augment their credentials and education and give graduates greater career options in further postgraduate education, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, biological laboratory research, and governmental regulatory agencies.

Planned Program Improvements

Professional Development (BISC 0530) is a 1 credit pass/fail course in the fall quarter of the first year of the curriculum. This required course will provide students with information about different career paths in the health sciences and training in interviewing, writing resumes/CVs, writing cover letters/personal statements, prepairing posters and oral presentations, writing scientific manuscripts, and grant writing.
A laboratory session (2 hours per week) in cellular and molecular research techniques has been added to the Fundamentals of Research course (BISC 0512) in the fall quarter of the first year of the curriculum.
Literature Review (BISC 0528) is a 2 credit course in the spring quarter of the first year of the curriculum. In this required course students will write a comprehensive literature review related to their thesis topic.

Accreditation

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Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.