Program Contact: Martine Mirrione 203-582-8117
The Department of Biomedical Sciences offers a five-year program leading to a Dual-Degree BS in Biomedical Sciences/MHS in Biomedical Sciences (4+1) with concentrations in Medical Sciences, Microbiology, or Neuroscience. The curriculum for this dual-degree program provides a solid foundation in the basic and biomedical sciences, which allows students to pursue many different avenues of opportunity depending upon their goals and interests. Students completing this graduate program may qualify for employment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; the medical diagnostics industry; university-based biomedical research; and city, state and federal health/research laboratories. Additionally, a student with this degree may wish to continue their education in graduate/professional school in: biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, pathologists’ assistant, cardiovascular perfusion, microbiology and immunology, molecular biology, biotechnology, neurobiology, pharmacology, toxicology, cancer biology, plus many other areas.
To remain in good standing within the program, students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 overall, as well as in math and science for the remainder of their undergraduate careers. Students also must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 for the graduate portion and successfully pass the comprehensive examination in their final semester of their graduate year.
Dual-degree BS/MHS students replace up to three undergraduate classes (9-12 credits) with graduate-level courses in the third or fourth year. Course availability, potential transfer credits, and course prerequisite completion may influence the final course schedule for each program. To remain in good academic standing within the Dual-Degree program, the student must maintain a GPA of 3.00 overall, as well as in math and science.
The Dual-degree BS/MHS program is accessible to all undergraduate science majors at Quinnipiac. Students in other science programs at Quinnipiac such as Health Sciences, Behavioral Neuroscience, Biology or Chemistry who successfully complete a rigorous undergraduate science curriculum may be eligible for admittance into the graduate portion of the program and should contact the program director.
Program requirements for the graduate phase are identical to those listed in the MHS in Biomedical Sciences curriculum. The following shows an example course plan for a Biomedical Sciences undergraduate major progressing from the bachelor's degree to the postbaccalaureate phase (the +1 or fifth year) following the non-thesis, medical track. However, the path to the graduate program is very flexible as students may enroll in any three graduate-level courses applicable to the graduate BMS degree in replacement of undergraduate electives. Students interested in graduate or professional school can also investigate research and/or an independent study.
Undergraduate Phase (Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences)
In the example course plan below, a BMS undergraduate student can replace required Pathophysiology (BMS 318) and Immunology (BMS 375 & BMS 375L) with graduate level Pathophysiology (BMS 518) and Immunology (BMS 522 & BMS 522L), along with an additional graduate science elective.
This is a recommended plan of study for the undergraduate phase of a BMS major as course plans are subject to change.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| BIO 150 | General Biology for Majors | 4 |
| CHE 110 & 110L |
General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab |
4 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to College-Level Reading And Writing | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| MA 140 or MA 141 |
Pre-Calculus 1 or Calculus of a Single Variable |
3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 151 | Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L |
General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab |
4 |
| EN 102 | Reading, Writing, & Research In College and Beyond | 3 |
| BMS 275 | Introduction to Biomedical Research | 2 |
| UC Disciplinary Inquiry | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 211 & 211L |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I |
4 |
| CHE 210 & 210L |
Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab |
4 |
| MA 275 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| UC Disciplinary Inquiry | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 212 & 212L |
Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab |
4 |
| CHE 211 & 211L |
Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab |
4 |
| BMS 370 & 370L |
General Microbiology and General Microbiology Lab |
4 |
| UC Disciplinary Inquiry | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHE 315 & 315L |
Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Lab |
4 |
| PHY 110 & 110L |
General Physics I and General Physics I Lab |
4 |
| BMS Elective(s) | 4 | |
| UC Personal Inquiry | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PHY 111 & 111L |
General Physics II and General Physics II Lab |
4 |
| Choose one of the following | 4 | |
| Biotechnology ( (Lecture & Lab Combined)) | ||
| Molecular Genetics and Molecular Genetics Lab |
||
| BMS Elective(s) | 3 | |
| Open Elective(s) | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BMS 522 & 522L |
Immunology and Immunology Lab |
4 |
| UC Personal Inquiry | 3 | |
| UC Personal Inquiry | 3 | |
| Open Elective(s) | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMS 518 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Graduate BMS Open Elective(s) | 3 | |
| SHS 420 | Integrative Capstone | 3 |
| UC Personal Inquiry | 3 | |
| Open Elective(s) | 2 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
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Minimum mathematics requirement: MA 140. For those interested in graduate or professional schools, MA 141 is recommended.
Post-Baccalaureate Phase (Master's)
Students earn a Master of Health Science in Biomedical Sciences by combining the graduate-level credits taken as an undergrad with additional credits during the fifth year. Students choose between concentrations in Medical Sciences, Microbiology or Neuroscience with differing specialization elective options (see Areas of Specialization below). The program offers a variety of science electives including independent study research or internships for a tailored experience.
The preceding undergraduate phase example course plan applies 10 credits (BMS 522, BMS 522L, BMS 518, and a 500-600 level elective) to the graduate degree. The following master's phase example course plan would require an additional 25 credits. Medical core classes are shown in the example, along with non-thesis track (comprehensive exam) in the final semester.
| Fifth Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| BMS 502 | Research Methods | 4 |
| Specialization Elective | 3-4 | |
| Specialization Elective | 3-4 | |
| Open Elective(s) | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMS 670 | Comp Exam/Biomedical Sciences 1 | 2 |
| Specialization Elective | 3-4 | |
| Open Elective(s) | 3-6 | |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
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The comprehensive exam must be completed by April 15 of the fifth year.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination in biomedical 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.
Thesis Option
Undergraduate students engaged in a faculty-mentored research project may also have the opportunity to continue the work as a master's thesis in the graduate year. A student following thesis track (35 credits) would take fewer open electives and would be required to successfully write and defend a master's thesis.
Areas of Specialization
Students in the thesis or non-thesis track may choose between concentrations in Medical Sciences, Microbiology or Neuroscience with differing specialization elective options. This requirement is fulfilled by the student taking at least three courses within one of the specialization areas. A student may choose to take more than three courses, or courses from multiple specialization area categories, as all graduate BMS courses can also be used toward open electives.
Medical Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Electives | ||
| BMS 518 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BMS 519 | Computational Biomedicine | 3 |
| BMS 527 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| BMS 532 | Histology and Lab | 4 |
| BMS 536 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| BMS 564 | Fundamentals of Oncology | 4 |
| BMS 570 | Virology | 4 |
| BMS 576 | Drug Discovery and Development | 3 |
Microbiology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Electives | ||
| BMS 500 | Molecular Basis of the Cell | 3 |
| BMS 526 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| BMS 528 | Advanced Clinical Parasitology | 4 |
| BMS 569 | Antimicrobial Therapy | 3 |
| BMS 570 | Virology | 4 |
| BMS 572 | Pathogenic Microbiology | 4 |
| BMS 575 | Food Microbiology | 4 |
| BMS 576 | Drug Discovery and Development | 3 |
Neuroscience
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Electives | ||
| BMS 519 | Computational Biomedicine | 3 |
| BMS 520 | Neuropharmacology | 3 |
| BMS 527 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| BMS 536 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| BMS 576 | Drug Discovery and Development | 3 |
| BMS 578 | Cellular Basis of Neurobiological Disorders | 3 |
| BMS 598 | Synaptic Organization of the Brain | 3 |
Graduate Science Electives
Open electives are fulfilled with any 500 or 600-level graduate BMS Science electives offered, including specialization area courses across all three areas. The student will take open elective courses so that the total adds up to a minimum of 35 credits to complete degree requirements. Additional options from the graduate Molecular and Cellular Biology (BIO) and Pathologist Assistant (PA) programs listed below may also be applied to open electives in the traditional MHS in BMS degree (limited seats, based on space availability).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Open Electives | ||
| BIO 515 | Advanced Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIO 568 | Advanced Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 571 | Advanced Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| PA 515 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| PA 516 | Clinical Pathology | 4 |
| PA 535 | Disease Mechanisms | 4 |
Mission Statement
The mission of Quinnipiac University’s Dual-Degree BS/MHS in Biomedical Sciences (4+1) program (with concentrations in Medical Sciences, Microbiology, or Neuroscience) 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, medical schools, dental schools, physician assistant programs, and allied health professions. The program 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, medical research, and healthcare.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Dual-Degree BS/MHS in Biomedical Sciences (4+1) program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Foundational Knowledge: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the major disciplines in the Biomedical Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pathophysiology).
- Disease Mechanisms: Identity factors that influence human health and disease.
- Translational Science: Critically analyze how new research discoveries can be translated into effective patient treatments/interventions.
- Professional Skills: Master the essential technical skills critical for success in a laboratory environment.
- Effective Scientist: Engage in scientific research and effectively communicate the dissemination of results to various audiences.
- Responsible Citizen: Evaluate the social and ethical impact of scientific discoveries on medical practice.
Admission to the Program
Students interested in applying to the Dual-Degree BS/MHS in Biomedical Sciences (4+1) with concentrations in Medical Sciences, Microbiology, or Neuroscience must meet with the program contact and complete the intent to continue form. It is encouraged that interested students work with the graduate BMS program director, in addition to their academic adviser, to plan for taking graduate courses during junior or senior year. In the fall of the senior year, the student may apply for admission into the program. Admission into the program is dependent on the applicant’s potential to pursue a university program and on past academic performance. At the time of application submission, students must have a GPA of 3.00 overall, as well as in math and science. To remain in good standing within the program and be eligible to enter the graduate curriculum, the student must maintain a GPA of 3.00 overall, as well as in math and science for the remainder of their undergraduate careers.
Students in other science programs at Quinnipiac such as Health Sciences, Behavioral Neuroscience, Biology or Chemistry who successfully complete a rigorous undergraduate science curriculum may be eligible for admittance into the graduate portion of the program and should contact the program director.
Pre-Medical Studies
The Pre-Medical Studies designation is designed for undergraduate students interested in pursuing clinical doctorates such as MD, DO, PharmD, OD, DPM, DC, DPT or DVM. The designation allows students to enroll in and track common medical or professional school course requirements. Interested students should refer to the Pre-Medical Studies page for more information.