Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

The MS in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) is a research intensive degree program for individuals seeking to improve their credentials for PhD programs or to pursue careers in the biotech industry, government agencies, or higher education. With the exception of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, thesis work will involve in person, laboratory research at the bench. To be successful and graduate on time, students should expect to devote a minimum of 40 hours per week on their coursework and research projects.

Requirements

No single metric is used to assess applicants, but rather a broader picture of the candidate's qualities is considered by our admissions committee. As a guideline, candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater are more likely to be considered favorably. Submission of a standardized test score is not required but will be considered if submitted. Students interested in Biostatistics and/or Epidemiology are strongly encouraged to submit official GRE scores. Any of the following test scores are accepted: unofficial or official GRE scores (school code 5407), unofficial MCAT, unofficial DAT, or unofficial PCAT. To submit unofficial test scores, scan or screenshot your score report and insert it as a page in your resume/CV that you submit with your application. There are no school codes for the MCAT, DAT, or PCAT.

Experience in research is desirable, although not required.

International Students

Because several months may be required for securing needed information and for processing an application from abroad, foreign nationals are urged to submit complete information as early as possible. In addition to other official entrance credentials, those applicants whose native language is not English must submit the official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS score). The TOEFL or IELTS score must not be more than two years old. Final consideration cannot be granted to an international student's application for admission until these official scores are received by the Office of Enrollment Management. For international students, a TOEFL score of at least 100 or IELTS score of 7 is required.

If an international applicant has graduated or will graduate from an institution that uses English as the language of instruction, the TOEFL may be waived upon request.

Application Process

Applications for the MSBS degree will be considered by a committee of faculty from all tracks. Admission is granted to the MS in Biomedical Sciences program, not a specific track. Admitted students are encouraged, but not required, to rotate in at least two laboratories in their first semester before choosing a thesis mentor and discipline specific track. Students planning to study biostatistics and epidemiology are not expected to do laboratory rotations, and should indicate this interest in their essay.

In addition to the application itself, the applicant must complete supplemental reference materials. The necessary forms are available in PDF format within the application and are also sent through email once an application is submitted.

Applicants are required to submit unofficial or official transcripts for each and every post-secondary school attended even if listed as transfer credit on another transcript. All materials must be received by the application deadline. In the cases where we accept unofficial documents, the unofficial document must be a copy of the original. If you are submitting an unofficial transcript, it must reflect all courses, grades, degrees awarded (if applicable), and the name of the institution must be clearly visible.

Some academic advising reports and degree audits do not contain all the necessary information so please review the document before submitting. As part of your online application, you may upload one copy of the scanned unofficial transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution where you earned credit.

If you are offered a position, you will be asked to request an official transcript from each institution listed in the Education section of your application, regardless of the number of credits earned. MUSC reserves the right to rescind any offer of admission if any discrepancies are found between your unofficial and official transcripts.

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

Application Deadlines

Start Term Application Type Available Deadline
Fall 2021 Regular December 1, 2020 June 1, 2021
Fall 2022 Regular December 1, 2021 June 1, 2022

A directory of potential research mentors can be found at the Explore Our Research link.

Admissions

Learn more about the admission steps and requirements for the program.

Curriculum

Individuals admitted to this program and choosing any of the six laboratory science tracks complete 49-academic credit hours, including a minimum of 15 didactic semester hours, and thesis. The program includes classroom lectures, seminars, scientific writing requirements, oral presentations, and mentored original research. The degree is designed to be completed in 21 months on a continuous, full time basis, beginning each fall. Part-time enrollment is not permitted. The Fall 1 term is a common curriculum for all tracks except Biostatistics and Epidemiology, and students are encouraged to try different disciplines through laboratory rotations of the student's choice. Thesis mentors and tracks are usually chosen at the start of the Spring 1 term.

Year 1, Fall

CGS 765 Proteins:Dynam Struct & Funct 3
CGS 766 Genes: Inheritance/Expression 4
CGS 767 Cells:Organization/Communicate 3
CGS 768 Techniques & Experimental Design 2
CGS 970 Research 1
Semester Total 13*

Year 1, Spring

CGS 770 Principles Practices & Prof 2

Track Specific Research & Electives 7
Semester Total 9*

Year 1, Summer

CGS 762 Scientific Writing for MBS 1

Track Specific Research & Electives 8*
Semester Total 9*

Year 2, Fall


Track Specific Research & Electives 9*
Semester Total 9*

Year 2, Spring


Track Specific Research & Electives 9*
Semester Total 9*
Curriculum Total Minimum 49

*Required Track-specific additional coursework:

BMB 730. Seminar in Biochemistry Research & Methods, 1 credit hour, in Spring 1, Fall 2, Spring 2

PATH 700. Seminar in Pathobiology, 1 credit hour, in Spring 1, Fall 2, Spring 2

NSCS 730. Fundamentals of Neuroscience, 2 credit hours, Spring 1

BMTRY 700. Introduction to Clinical Biostatistics, 4 credit hours

Optional unless required by thesis committee

Optional unless required by thesis committee

  • BMTRY 700. Introduction to Clinical Biostatistics, 4 credit hours
  • BMTRY 701. Biostatistical Methods II, 4 credit hours
  • BMTRY 702. Methods IV: Advanced ANOVA & Regression, 4 credit hours
  • BMTRY 706. Theoretical Foundations of Statistics I, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 707. Theoretical Foundations of Statistics II, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 711. Analysis of Categorical Data, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 713. Infectious Disease Epidemiology, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 714. Linear Models in Biology & Medicine, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 717. Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials, 2 credit hours
  • BMTRY 719. Bayesian Biostatistics, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 722. Analysis of Survival Data, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 724. Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 725. Grant Development of Clinical Research, 2 credit hours
  • BMTRY 726. Multivariate Methods in Biology & Medicine, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 734. Cancer Epidemiology, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 736. Foundations of Epidemiology, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 737. Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 738. Field Epidemiology, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 745. Environmental Epidemiology, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 747. Foundations of Epidemiology II, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 748. Foundations of Epidemiology III, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 757. Molecular Epidemiology, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 759. Health Disparities, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 761. Longitudinal Data Analysis, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 763. Spatial Epidemiology - Statistical Methods & Applications, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 765. Chronic Disease Epidemiology, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 766. Methods & Outcomes in Cancer Population Sciences, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 776. Public Health Seminar, 1 credit hour
  • BMTRY 779. Advanced Inference, 4 credit hours
  • BMTRY 781. Methods in Clinical Cancer Research, 2 credit hours
  • BMTRY 783. Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics, 2 credit hours
  • BMTRY 784. Biostatistical Methods III, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 785. Probability & Statistical Inference, 3 credit hours
  • BMTRY 790. Machine Learning & Data Mining, 3 credit hours