Mission
Program Description
Accreditation

Greetings from the Program Director
Midwestern University is pleased to offer a Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences. This program is designed as a full-time, graduate-level program that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to pursue careers in a variety of biomedical professions. Faculty from the Basic Science Division of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Chicago College of Pharmacy, and the College of Health Sciences are all collaborating to provide the courses for this program. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for students to enroll in a variety of biomedical science courses and allows students to concentrate their studies in an area of interest.

We developed this program as part of our mission to meet the educational needs of society. Graduates of the Master of Biomedical Sciences Program will help fill a critical society need for trained master's level scientists in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that there is a stronger than average demand for master's level-trained graduates in the biomedical sciences. Generally, the earning potential for master's level-trained graduates in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries is above the median with average salaries of $56,000. Successful completion of the curriculum may also enhance a student's candidacy for admission to postbaccalaureate professional schools.

Michael J. Fay, Ph.D.
Director, Biomedical Sciences Program

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 the graduate greater career options in further postgraduate education, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, biological laboratory research, and governmental regulatory agencies.

Program Description
The Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degree program is a full-time, graduate level program that provides the student with a broad background in the biomedical sciences, laboratory experiences, and research skills. The curriculum is designed to prepare and graduate students who have extensive knowledge, technical skills, and expertise to function in a variety of biomedical professions. These include careers in areas such as 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 the student’s thesis committee. 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*. In addition to the basic science courses, the student must take a series of research courses that prepare the student 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 the student to further specify an area of interest to better prepare them for a career in their chosen field.

The Master of Biomedical Sciences program will also benefit 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.

* 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.

Accreditation
Midwestern University is accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 30 North LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602.