Biomedicine and Digital Media MS

Major: Biomedicine and Digital Media
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 36.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.9999
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 27-1014    

About the Program

The MS in Biomedicine and Digital Media is an online program that intersects science, technology, entrepreneurship, and interactive digital art design and animation. This skills-based program is for individuals interested in media design and production careers with an emphasis in health and science.

Graduates of this program will be prepared to progress into more advanced graduate studies in science or digital media and/or careers in scientifically oriented media/communication jobs in the public or private sector (e.g., academic, scientific publishing and media companies), or lead their new ventures in digital imaging.  

Curriculum

This is an interdisciplinary online program offered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies at the College of Medicine. The science courses are taught by faculty from the College of Medicine. Faculty from Drexel University's Westphal College of Media Arts and Design teach the digital media courses. Students must complete a minimum of 36.0 semester credits to graduate.

• Non-thesis program (36.0 semester credits are needed to graduate)
• Required and elective courses in each discipline
• Flexible internship elective (experiential learning)
• Customizable plan of study

Format

• Online
• New students admitted each fall and spring semesters
• Classes taught throughout the year (fall, spring, and summer)
• Accelerated: one-year MS (full-time) or 1.5 years (part-time)

Full-Time and Part-Time Options

Students may meet the degree requirements on either a full-time (at least 9.0 credits per semester) or part-time basis. Full-time students generally complete the program in one year. Part-time students must complete the program within four years. Students must enroll in at least 4.5 semester credits of College of Medicine courses to qualify for financial aid. For information regarding financial aid, please visit Drexel Central. 

Additional Information

For questions about the curriculum and program goals, please email Program Director Sujata Bhatia, MD, PhD, at skb322@drexel.edu.

For questions about how to apply to the program, please contact an enrollment counselor at duonline@drexel.edu.

Admission Requirements

New students are admitted every fall and spring semester.

Post-college applicants must have completed a four-year degree program. An undergraduate degree in science is preferred but not required. Although a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is strongly desired, an applicant with a lower cumulative GPA will be considered if other strengths are apparent in the application.

Applicants must provide the following requirements for consideration:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Essay/personal statement
• Resume
• References from at least three instructors or professionals

Official test scores from graduate admission exams, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), are optional but highly desirable.

Three letters of recommendation are required. If you received your degree within the last five years, it is strongly recommended that at least one letter of recommendation be provided by someone familiar with your academic qualifications and potential (e.g., your undergraduate advisor, a course instructor or your research mentor). If you are requesting a letter from someone at your place of employment, the recommendation should be provided by a supervisor (or another more senior manager) with direct knowledge of your work and should address your scientific aptitude as well as your work ethic.

International applicants (non-United States citizens) must meet the same requirements for admission as students from the United States. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate the ability to speak, write, and understand the English language by submitting an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). IELTS scores may be submitted in lieu of TOEFL scores. An evaluation by World Education Services (WES) is required for transcripts from institutions outside the United States. 

• TOEFL score needs to be at least 90 with at least a 27 in both the reading and writing sections
• IELTS score needs to be above 7

Certain visa types do not permit individuals to enroll in online or hybrid programs. Foreign applicants should check with their visa sponsors for eligibility. Drexel University cannot sponsor F-1 or J-1 visas for individuals interested in online, hybrid or part-time programs.

Online applications are accepted year-round for consideration for either fall or spring admission. Students may defer admission by one year. All admission decisions are made at the College of Medicine.

Additional Information

For questions about the curriculum and program goals, please contact Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

For questions about how to apply to the program, please contact an enrollment counselor at duonline@drexel.edu or visit the Drexel University Online MS in Biomedicine and Digital Media webpage.

For information regarding financial aid, please visit Drexel Central. 

Degree Requirements

Science courses are offered by Drexel University College of Medicine and are taught in semester terms (fall and spring). Digital Media courses are offered by Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and are taught in quarter terms (fall, winter, spring and summer).  

Three (3.0) credit quarter courses confer the equivalent of 2.0 semester credits. The program requires the completion of 36.0 semester credits for graduation. Semesters and quarters overlap sufficiently to allow full-time students to meet the degree requirements for this program in two years.  

There are several ways to customize the internship or experiential learning component (2.0-6.0 semester credits) so that it satisfies both the degree requirements and, especially, the student’s own personal needs and career aspirations. The duration of the internship may vary. Shorter rotations may require that the student enrolls in elective courses to meet the semester credit requirements for the degree.

*

 Substitutions: MIIM 515S and MIIM 516S; or MIIM 530S or MIIM 531S

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 Substitution: MIIM 535S and MIIM 536S

***

Credits shown for Drexel University College of Medicine courses are semester credits, and credits shown for the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and Close School of Entrepreneurship are quarter courses but have been converted to semester credits. (3.0 quarter credits = 2.0 semester credits). Fall quarter courses may be taken in the Fall semester, and Winter quarter courses may be taken in the Spring semester, as semesters and quarters overlap. This program requires a minimum of 36.0 semester credits to meet the degree requirements. If a minor is added to the curriculum, the required number of credits to complete the program is 42.0 semester credits.

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Quarter courses will be listed on the transcript as RCIP versions.

Additional Information

For more information, please email Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

Sample Plans of Study

These are samples of customizable plans of study. Variations may occur depending on course availability and each student's interest. This program is available as an online program, starting in the fall semester.

Full-time, Fall Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Full-time, Spring Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Full-time, Summer Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Part-time, Fall Start 

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Part-time, Spring Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Part-time, Summer Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Additional Information

To learn more about part-time options, please contact Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the degree requirements of this program students will have developed:

• A broad core knowledge in interactive digital media development for application in biomedical science and innovative technologies
• More in-depth analytical, research and critical thinking skills applicable to the process of biomedical technology development
• Skills to identify professional ethical dilemmas and evaluate appropriate solutions
• Graduate-level communication and leadership skills
• Additional professional soft skills (e.g., teamwork, problem-solving, knowledge of career opportunities, networking)

Core Intellectual and Practical Skills:

• Communication
• Creative and critical thinking
• Ethical reasoning
• Information literacy
• Self-directed learning

Experiential and Applied Learning: 

• Global competence
• Leadership
• Professional practice
• Research, scholarship, and creative expression
• Responsible citizenship

Additional Information

For questions about the curriculum and program goals, please email Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

Program Level Outcomes