Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Curriculum
All students in the master of science in biomedical sciences degree programs, whether in the non-research or research track, will be full-time students, unless specifically approved to be part-time. The non-research track requires the completion of 33 semester credits, is more classroom intensive and does not involve conducting original research. The research track requires the completion of approximately 60 semester credits, which includes courses and a thesis based upon the results of original research. The time required to conduct original research necessitates two years to complete this track.
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences - Research Track
The length of the research track is approximately 22 months. This may vary depending on the time needed to complete an original research project and collect enough data for a thesis dissertation.
The curriculum for each student in the research track will be determined in consultation with the student’s mentor. The graduate thesis committee is composed of three or more faculty members, at least one of whom should be affiliated with another institution. The director of the student’s research project will be a member of the committee and serves as the student’s academic advisor, as appointed by the dean of COB. However, students who perform research off-site will have a KCU academic advisor named by the dean. The thesis must be successfully defended before the graduate thesis committee to fulfill the requirements for the degree.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates from the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences research track will:
- Be able to understand and summarize articles on research topics from biomedical science journals.
- Have a basic knowledge of the role and use of biostatistics in biomedical research and be able to generate hypotheses and select appropriate statistical tests to properly evaluate and compare research data.
- Be able to summarize how research is used to develop new therapies in medicine.
- Be able to articulate interrelationships of diverse information and apply those relationships to current clinical situations.
- Be prepared to succeed in doctoral programs in the health professions and life sciences.
- Be able to effectively use biomedical databases when investigating scientific questions.
- Be able to interpret/analyze biomedical information and use it to design/conduct research in biomedical sciences.
- Be able to conduct original, translational research.
- Be able to develop the ability to meet professional standards for writing publications and assist with grant preparation and submissions.
- Be able to present professional reviews of the topics in seminars and professional quality papers.