Biomedicine and Cell & Gene Therapy MS

Major: Biomedicine and Cell and Gene Therapy
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: 17-2031

About the Program

Drexel's MS in Biomedicine and Cell and Gene Therapy is unique, as students are able to take courses in both the College of Medicine and the College of Engineering. Students are taught by both medical school professors and engineering professors; our program operates at the intersection of these two fields, and our graduates can talk to professionals in both fields. Another unique feature of our curriculum is that every MS student takes a capstone course on the commercialization of a novel biomedical technology and works with a team to develop a commercialization plan. Students also have the option of completing a virtual industry internship to build their resume and experience. Students of all undergraduate backgrounds are welcome, as we will provide foundational coursework.

Additional Information

For questions about the curriculum and program goals, please contact 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.

For information regarding financial aid, please visit Drexel Central.

Admission Requirements

New students are admitted every fall, spring, and summer 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 preferred.

Applicants must also fulfill the following requirements for consideration:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Official test scores from graduate and professional admission exams are highly desirable, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
• References from at least three instructors or professionals

Official test scores from graduate and professional admission exams, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), 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 J1 visas for individuals interested in online, hybrid, or part-time programs.

Online applications are accepted all 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.

Degree Requirements

*

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

**

Substitution: MIIM 535S and MIIM 536S

***

Credits shown for Drexel University College of Medicine courses are semester credits. Credits shown for engineering courses have been converted to semester credits (3 quarter credits = 2 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.

Sample Plan of Study

Full time, Fall start* 

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

*

For this Plan of Study, the student would need to have some biological background so as to be prepared to take MIIM 571S Cell and Gene Engineering 1 and CHE 571 Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Manufacturing 1 concurrently with MIIM 518S Foundations of Applied Biomedicine. If a student has a limited background in biology, they are encouraged to develop a Plan of Study that includes MIIM 518S before those course. 

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, Summer Start 

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