Biomedical Studies MS
Major: Biomedical Studies
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 51.0 graduate, 28.0 undergraduate
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0102
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1042
About the Program
This full-time, two-year special master's degree program is designed for students who have completed all health professional school prerequisites and need to strengthen their science background and MCAT score before applying to medical or other health professional schools. It offers a unique opportunity to enhance students' credentials to become competitive applicants for medical or other health professional schools.
The first-year curriculum consists of advanced undergraduate courses in physics and chemistry; graduate courses in biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, psychology/sociology and laboratory techniques; a community outreach course; and yearlong dedicated MCAT preparation. Students transition into the second year of the program after passing all courses with a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0, sitting for the MCAT and completing a summer research project. The second-year curriculum offers rigorous coursework in biochemistry, physiology, microanatomy and neuroanatomy, utilizing the medical-school-equivalent lectures and laboratory materials of the IMS curriculum, complemented by an ethics and a professionalism course.
The Master of Science degree will be awarded contingent upon satisfactory completion of all program requirements, including a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0.
Additional Information
Drexel University College of Medicine
Division of Pre-medical and Pre-health Programs
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
Health Sciences Building
60 North 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 267.359.2761
Email: CoM_MedicalSciences@drexel.edu
For more information about this program, visit the College of Medicine's Master of Science in Biomedical Studies webpage.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MBS program must have fulfilled all undergraduate pre-medical requirements and demonstrated mastery of the material at a minimum grade of C. These requirements include a year of biology, chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry, including respective laboratory sections. Applicants are required to submit official MCAT scores if the exam was taken or official GRE scores in lieu of the MCAT. The following credentials are competitive for application to the MBS program:
- A minimum undergraduate math/science (BCPM) and cumulative GPA of 2.9
- All premedical prerequisite courses at a grade of C or better
- Minimum MCAT scores of 35th percentile or minimum GRE scores of 50th percentile
Applicants with lower scores may be considered if they can demonstrate a marked improvement in their academic history. Healthcare-related experiences, community service, research, leadership, and extracurricular activities are also taken into consideration.
Degree Requirements
| Required Undergraduate Courses | ||
| MSPP 400S | Advanced Topics in Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| MSPP 401S | Advanced Topics in Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| MSPP 402S | Advanced Topics in Physics I | 4.0 |
| MSPP 403S | Advanced Topics in Physics II | 4.0 |
| MSPP 404S | Concepts in Science and Verbal Reasoning I | 6.0 |
| MSPP 405S | Concepts in Science and Verbal Reasoning II | 6.0 |
| Required MS Courses | ||
| IMSP 502S | Medicine and Society | 3.0 |
| IMSP 506S | Medical Professionalism and Leadership | 3.0 |
| IMSP 513S | Medical Biochemistry | 6.0 |
| IMSP 522S | Medical Physiology I | 3.0 |
| IMSP 523S | Medical Physiology II | 3.0 |
| IMSP 542S | Medical Microanatomy I | 4.0 |
| IMSP 543S | Medical Microanatomy II | 2.0 |
| IMSP 562S | Medical Neuroanatomy | 6.0 |
| MSPP 505S | Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 2.0 |
| MSPP 511S | Concepts in Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 4.0 |
| MSPP 512S | Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors in Health and Medicine | 3.0 |
| MSPP 513S | Advanced Human Anatomy | 4.0 |
| MSPP 515S | Advanced Human Physiology | 4.0 |
| MSPP 525S | Community Dimensions of Medicine | 2.0 |
| Summer Research Project | ||
| MSPP 550S | Research Project | 2.0 |
| Additional Non-required Courses | ||
| Medical Immunology I | ||
| Medical Immunology II | ||
| Medical Nutrition | ||
| Total Credits | 79.0 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Required Undergraduate Courses | Required Undergraduate Courses | ||
| MSPP 400S | 4.0 | MSPP 401S | 4.0 |
| MSPP 402S | 4.0 | MSPP 403S | 4.0 |
| MSPP 404S | 6.0 | MSPP 405S | 6.0 |
| Required Graduate Courses | Required MS Courses | ||
| MSPP 505S | 2.0 | MSPP 513S | 4.0 |
| MSPP 511S | 4.0 | MSPP 515S | 4.0 |
| MSPP 512S | 3.0 | ||
| MSPP 525S* | 2.0 | ||
| 25 | 22 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| IMSP 513S | 6.0 | IMSP 506S | 3.0 |
| IMSP 522S | 3.0 | IMSP 523S | 3.0 |
| IMSP 542S | 4.0 | IMSP 543S | 2.0 |
| IMSP 502S | 3.0 | IMSP 562S | 6.0 |
| MSPP 550S | 2.0 | Optional | |
| Optional | |||
| 18 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits 79 | |||
- *
This course will be offered over two semesters
Program Level Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in science courses required for entry into medical or other health professional school
- Achieve a competitive MCAT score
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical standards and professionalism for entering a healthcare profession
- Demonstrate the ability to discuss and communicate current themes in healthcare
- Attain a functional knowledge of medical sciences comparable to the content of the first year medical school curriculum
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct and report scientific research
- Demonstrate knowledge base and skill set for a career and/or future schooling in health care or related fields in health professional programs