2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences & Biomedical Sciences Research
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Program Options
With an expanded mission that includes greater emphasis on research and discovery, KCU established the College of Biosciences (COB) in 2004. The college granted its first diplomas to graduates of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program in 2006.
Students can enroll in either the one-year Biomedical Sciences (BIOS) program or the two-year Biomedical Sciences Research (BIOS-Research) program.
The Biomedical Sciences program includes core coursework in biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, immunology, and anatomy, as well as elective coursework such as genetics, histology, bioinformatics, and embryology. It places emphasis on the acquisition and application of knowledge regarding human health and disease and prepares students for doctoral programs in the health care professions. Some top-ranked BIOS graduates are admitted to professional programs, such as DO, MD, DDS, DMD, DVM, PharmD, DPT, OD and PhD Programs.
The Biomedical Sciences Research program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in research or enrolling in doctoral programs in health-related fields.
Mission Statement
Through intellectual development and scholarly training, the College of Biosciences prepares graduate students for careers in teaching, research and/or service in the life sciences and health care fields.
Vision
The College of Biosciences will be recognized for educating graduate students from diverse backgrounds to become innovators who think critically and are prepared for health and research professions.
Graduates from the degree programs may pursue one or more of the following:
- Enrolling in graduate and doctoral programs in health care
- Enrolling in doctoral programs in biomedical and life sciences.
- Participating in clinical, epidemiological, basic science and public health research.
- Pursuing health care policy, leadership and clinical employment opportunities.
- Pursuing careers in lab science or biotechnology.
Academic Load
All students in either program will be full-time unless specifically approved to be part-time.
| Fall/Spring Semester Academic Load |
Number of Credits |
| Full-time |
9 or more semester credits |
| Half-time |
6-8.5 semester credits |
| Part-time |
Less than 6 semester credits (not aid eligible) |
| Summer Semester Academic Load |
Number of Credits |
| Full-time |
6 or more semester credits |
| Half-time |
3-5.5 semester credits |
| Part-time |
Less than 3 semester credits (not aid eligible) |
Academic Program Length Restrictions
All master’s degree students must complete all degree requirements within three years of the date of matriculation unless required by law, judicial order, or to facilitate compliance with applicable laws or legally binding agreements.
Academic Standing
Students are considered to be in good academic standing when they meet the minimum criteria for continued enrollment.
Grades & Grading Policies
Grades and Quality Points - MS in Biomedical Sciences & Biomedical Sciences Research
| Final Grade |
% Range |
Quality Points |
| A |
90-100% |
4.0 |
| B |
80-89% |
3.0 |
| C |
70-79% |
2.0 |
| F |
<70% |
0.0/Fail |
| H |
≥90% |
Honors |
| P |
≥70% |
Pass |
| I |
- |
Incomplete |
| W |
- |
Withdrawal |
| Remediated Letter Grades |
Remediated Pass/Fail Grades |
| F/B |
C/B |
F/P |
| F/C |
C/C |
F/F |
| F/F |
C/F |
- |
Testing/Grading
Students will receive a letter grade for each course except those designated Pass/Fail.
The course director will assign a letter grade of A, B, C or F, for each course, as earned by the student, and based on the grading scale.
Upon final grade posting, term and overall GPAs will be calculated each semester and reflected on the student transcript for that term of enrollment.
Examinations
Examinations are regularly scheduled and required. Students are evaluated on the basis of their performance on assignments and/or achievements on examinations.
Testing Policy
Students will not be allowed to enter the room after the scheduled start time. Students are not permitted to begin writing on any materials until the start of the exam. No students are allowed to leave the room until 15 minutes have elapsed from the scheduled start of a written exam. If a student arrives after the start of testing, he/she must submit an excused absence request in order to take the exam at a later date and time. A student with an unexcused absence will not be permitted to make-up the quiz/exam and will receive a zero. Academic accommodations are available consistent with KCU’s Disability Accommodations policy.
Any student flagged or otherwise found to be engaged in any suspicious or unusual behavior in any testing environment, including but not limited to leaving the view of the camera and/or the testing area, making efforts to avoid the camera, engaging in side conversations, accessing textbooks or previously prepared notes, will be referred to the BIOS program dirctor for review. KCU is unable to ascertain intent behind a student’s suspicious behavior in a testing situation and may be considered to be academically dishonest. Students will be referred to Student Services for breach of the professional code of conduct.
While taking exams students should have in their possession only items that are necessary for the exam. All purses, backpacks, iPods, hats, sunglasses, unnecessary clothing items, pagers, headphones, CD players, calculators, smart watches, etc., need to be left outside of the room. Cell phones must be turned off and placed outside the testing area. Recording or communication devices of any type are not allowed at any time in the testing environment. Academic integrity, honesty, and personal conduct guidelines will be strictly enforced.
Any student found in possession of any type of electronic device capable of accessing the internet in any testing environment (iPad used for testing is the sole exception) will be awarded an automatic failure of the exam in question. KCU is unable to ascertain intent behind possession of any electronic device in a testing situation, and any student found in possession of such devices will be considered academically dishonest. Students will be referred to Student Services for breach of the professional code conduct.
Review of Examinations
Following the completion of a written exam BIOS students will have the opportunity to review the exam in a secure and proctored environment the week following the delivery of all exams. Students are expected to follow university policies and guidelines. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a zero (0) score for that exam and referral to the BIOS program director and Student Services for breach of the professional code of conduct.
Course Remediation Exam
Students are eligible to complete one course remediation exam for one lecture-based course each semester, if they have earned a grade of C or F in the course.
Students must request permission from the BIOS SPC to remediate the course by sending an email to the BIOS SPC Chair within 2 business days of receiving the final course grade, specifying the course they wish to remediate.
Remediation consists of students successfully completing a cumulative assessment on the course material. This exam will occur within 2 weeks of the final exam of the semester.
Remediation Grading:
- Remediation exam score < 70%: F
- Remediation Exam Score 70-79%: C
- The maximum score granted for the Remediation Exam is 80%: B
For courses using the H/P/F grading scheme, achieving a Remediation Exam Score ≥70% will result in a grade of P.
Incomplete Grades
A student may request an incomplete grade by contacting the course director. The course director of the course may assign a grade of incomplete if they believe that the student has been unable to complete the course/section on time because of extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control. An Incomplete Grade Contract must be completed by the course director, and approved in advance by the Program Director and should clearly detail the requirements for completion of the course/section.
The course director will provide the Incomplete Grade Contract form to the student. The student’s signature is not required for the Incomplete Grade Contract to be considered accepted by the student. The student will have three business days to decline the incomplete grade. Declining an Incomplete Grade Contract causes the student to receive the current earned grade and cannot be appealed.
Once the student has met the requirements specified in the Incomplete Grade Contract, the course director will process a change of grade form converting the incomplete grade to the earned letter grade. The Incomplete Grade Contract requirements must be completed prior to the first day of classes of the next academic term. If the student has not completed the course within the specified timeframe the incomplete grade reverts to a failed grade.
For incomplete grades, should a student decide to withdraw from the University or if he/she is otherwise separated from the University prior to completing coursework for an incomplete grade, the incomplete grade will be updated to reflect a failure (F).
A degree cannot be awarded to a student with an Incomplete grade on his/her record.
Grade Changes/Corrections
Grades may be changed or corrected by the course director, upon certification in writing that an error occurred in computing or recording the grade (subject to the grade appeal policy), or a section or course has been successfully remediated. The change of grade must be documented using the Workday grade change process and submitted to the Office of the Registrar for processing.
Grade Appeals
See Student Handbook.
Course Repeat Policy
Students may request permission to repeat no more than 2 courses previously taken per semester. All course enrollments and earned grades will remain on the student’s academic transcript. If a student repeats a course in the BIOS or BIOS-Research program, the most recent grade earned is used in the calculation of the student’s GPA. Students should speak to Student Accounts and Financial Aid to understand the implications of adding credit hours and/or taking repeated coursework.
Academic Assessment & Promotion
Eligibility for Continued Enrollment
The BIOS program director, in partnership with course directors, evaluates student performance at the end of each semester to determine if the student has fulfilled all academic requirements for continuation to the next semester. The BIOS-SPC reviews student eligibility for continuation and/or graduation at the conclusion of each academic year.
Dismissal from the College of Biosciences
A student shall be dismissed from either the BIOS or BIOS-Research program, subject to the SPC policy, for any of the following reasons:
- Earning less than 2.6 GPA at the end of the fall or spring semester; dismissal may be appealed to the BIOS program director.
- Failing 1 or 2 courses in a single semester; dismissal may be appealed to the BIOS program director.
- Withdrawing from more than 1 course per semester; dismissal may be appealed to the BIOS program director.
- Failing 3 courses; this dismissal has no option to appeal.
- Failing the comprehensive examination after two attempts; this dismissal has no option to appeal.
- Not completing all required coursework within three years of matriculation date; this dismissal has no option to appeal.
- Failing BIOS 590 - Thesis; this dismissal has no option to appeal.
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