Program Contact: Martine Mirrione 203-582-8117

Medical laboratory research and diagnostic testing are among today’s most exciting professions. The last decade has brought many exciting breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease as well as new challenges such as AIDS, Lyme disease and the resurgence of tuberculosis. These new developments and challenges require laboratory professionals to stay on the cutting edge of their field. New techniques have to be mastered, new theories and concepts understood, and new means of managing the more complex operations of laboratories developed. The Biomedical Sciences program at Quinnipiac is specially designed to meet the educational needs of students to complete their education toward a degree in medicine or PhD programs or employment in the research/development industry and diagnostic companies. The program provides the training that is necessary to stay current with today’s rapidly changing technology and to assume positions of greater responsibility. A laptop is required for all students enrolled in the MHS in Biomedical Sciences program.

MHS in Biomedical Sciences
Program of Study

Students may choose either a thesis or a non-thesis option in the biomedical sciences program. Both options require students to take four courses or more in their specialization while allowing students to choose a number of electives to meet their individual needs.

Thesis Option Requirements (based on availability of faculty)

The curriculum includes a minimum of 35 credits including 8 credits of thesis (BMS 650, BMS 651). A total of 15–16 credits of core classes in an area of specialization is required along with three classes (9–12 credits) of electives within the specific area of specialization. Open elective courses could be chosen from any area of specialization.

BMS 650Thesis I4
BMS 651Thesis II4
Core courses in area of specialization 115-16
Three areas of specialization electives 19-12
Open electives0-3
Total Credits35-38
1

Since most courses are either 3 or 4 credits, the total credits from area of specialization and total number of elective courses are based on the number of credits for individual courses.

Non-Thesis Option Requirements

The curriculum includes a minimum of 38 credits including 2 credits of comprehensive examination (BMS 670). A total of 15–16 credits of core classes in an area of specialization is required along with three elective classes (9–12 credits) within the specific area of specialization. Open elective courses could be chosen from any area of specialization.

Comprehensive Exam2
Core courses in area of specialization 115-16
Three areas of specialization electives 19-12
Open electives 19-12
Total Credits38-41
1

Since most courses are either 3 or 4 credits, the total credits from area of specialization and total number of elective courses are based on the number of credits for individual courses.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination in medical laboratory sciences (2 credits) is a requirement for the non-thesis option in the Biomedical Sciences program. The purpose of the exam is two-fold. First, the student must demonstrate broad and specific knowledge expected of someone holding a master’s degree. Second, the student must be able to integrate knowledge obtained from individual courses into unified concepts which link the student’s own specialization to other fields of study. The student is given two opportunities to demonstrate competency. A written essay exam is administered by a designated faculty member. Students should schedule an appointment with the program director before registering for the comprehensive exam.

Areas of Specialization

Medical Sciences

Core Courses
BMS 502Research Methods4
BMS 518Pathophysiology3
BMS 522
522L
Immunology
and Immunology Lab
4
BMS 532Histology and Lab4
Specialization Electives
BIO 515Advanced Biochemistry4
BIO 568Molecular and Cell Biology4
BIO 571Molecular Genetics4
BIO 605DNA Methods Laboratory4
BIO 606Protein Methods Laboratory4
BMS 508Advanced Biology of Aging3
BMS 520Neuropharmacology3
BMS 521Advances in Hematology3
BMS 522Immunology3
BMS 527Pharmacology3
BMS 532Histology and Lab4
BMS 535Histochemistry and Lab3
BMS 536Endocrinology3
BMS 552Toxicology3
BMS 561Immunohematology3
BMS 562Blood Coagulation and Hemostasis3
BMS 563Anemias3
BMS 564Fundamentals of Oncology4
BMS 565Leukemia3
BMS 576Drug Discovery and Development3
BMS 578Cellular Basis of Neurobiological Disorders3
BMS 579Molecular Pathology3
BMS 583Forensic Pathology3
BMS 591The New Genetics and Human Future3
BMS 598Synaptic Organization of the Brain3
BMS 599Biomarkers3
PA 515Human Physiology4

Microbiology

Core Courses
BMS 502Research Methods4
BMS 522
522L
Immunology
and Immunology Lab
4
BMS 570Virology4
BMS 572Pathogenic Microbiology4
Specialization Electives
BIO 568Molecular and Cell Biology4
BIO 571Molecular Genetics4
BIO 605DNA Methods Laboratory4
BIO 606Protein Methods Laboratory4
BMS 525Vaccines and Vaccine Preventable Diseases3
BMS 526Epidemiology3
BMS 528Advanced Clinical Parasitology4
BMS 569Antimicrobial Therapy3
BMS 573Mycology3
BMS 575Food Microbiology4
BMS 576Drug Discovery and Development3
BMS 579Molecular Pathology3
BMS 584Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases3
BMS 585Outbreak Control3
BMS 595Transplantation Immunology3

Graduate Science Electives

Open Electives
BIO 505Writing and Science3
BIO 515Advanced Biochemistry4
BIO 568Molecular and Cell Biology4
BIO 571Molecular Genetics4
BIO 605DNA Methods Laboratory4
BIO 606Protein Methods Laboratory4
BMS 503Professional Development in Biomedical Sciences1
BMS 508Advanced Biology of Aging3
BMS 510Biostatistics3
BMS 504Quality and Safety in Healthcare Organization3
BMS 511Writing for Scientists3
BMS 517Human Embryology3
BMS 518Pathophysiology3
BMS 520Neuropharmacology3
BMS 521Advances in Hematology3
BMS 525Vaccines and Vaccine Preventable Diseases3
BMS 526Epidemiology3
BMS 527Pharmacology3
BMS 528Advanced Clinical Parasitology4
BMS 532Histology and Lab4
BMS 535Histochemistry and Lab3
BMS 536Endocrinology3
BMS 552Toxicology3
BMS 556Seminar in Health Care Disparities1
BMS 561Immunohematology3
BMS 562Blood Coagulation and Hemostasis3
BMS 563Anemias3
BMS 564Fundamentals of Oncology4
BMS 565Leukemia3
BMS 569Antimicrobial Therapy3
BMS 570Virology4
BMS 572Pathogenic Microbiology4
BMS 573Mycology3
BMS 575Food Microbiology4
BMS 576Drug Discovery and Development3
BMS 577Critical Analysis and Reasoning In the Biomedical Sciences2
BMS 578Cellular Basis of Neurobiological Disorders3
BMS 579Molecular Pathology3
BMS 583Forensic Pathology3
BMS 584Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases3
BMS 585Outbreak Control3
BMS 591The New Genetics and Human Future3
BMS 595Transplantation Immunology3
BMS 597Biomedical Sciences Internship4
BMS 598Synaptic Organization of the Brain3
BMS 599Biomarkers3
BMS 681Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences I1-4
BMS 688Independent Study2
BMS 689Independent Study2
PA 515Human Physiology4
PA 516Clinical Pathology4
PA 535Disease Mechanisms4

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Scientific Knowledge: Demonstrate an advanced understanding of translational science in biomedical and microbiological topics.
  2. Translational Science: Critically analyze scientific literature and develop critical thinking skills necessary to implement evidence-based translational research.
  3. Effective Scientist: Engage in the scientific process including research ethics, experimental design and data collection and analysis. 
  4. Responsible Citizen: Evaluate the social and ethical impact of scientific discoveries on medical practice.

Mission Statement

The mission of Quinnipiac University’s Master of Health Science in Biomedical Sciences program is to provide students with the cutting-edge skills they need to manage the more complex operations carried out today in hospitals and research facilities, as well as allowing students to develop their critical thinking skills and knowledge of the biomedical sciences, sought after by PhD programs and medical schools. The two specialties included in the program (biomedical sciences and microbiology) and the integration of courses from these individual specialties provides the student with a comprehensive knowledge to meet the education and technical needs of the biomedical profession in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical research. Students are guided in the principles and methods of scientific research, and they gain knowledge of the latest advances in biomedical, biotechnological and laboratory sciences—all directly applicable to real-world work environments.

To be considered for admission into the biomedical sciences program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in the biological, medical or health sciences from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or Canada.
  • Scores for the tests of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if the applicant is from a non-English speaking country.
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75; however the most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
  • All undergraduate transcripts and a detailed autobiography indicating why the student would like admission into the program, as well as personal, professional and educational achievements.
  • Two letters of reference detailing the applicant's academic and interpersonal strengths.

Applications may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions. Applicants should refer to the graduate admission requirements found in this catalog. Applications to this program are accepted throughout the year. Incoming students can start the program in either the fall or spring semester.