Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog. 

  1. Completion of a four-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized college or university as described in the UND Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Catalog.Exceptions must be approved by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.
  2. Coursework:Admission into the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program is dependent upon the applicant’s demonstration of effective academic skills and appropriate undergraduate training.Ideally, the applicant will have completed the following coursework:
  • General Biology with laboratory
  • General Chemistry with laboratory
  • Organic Chemistry with laboratory
  • Physics with laboratory
  • Biochemistry or equivalent
  • Calculus

  • Advanced undergraduate coursework in at least one of the following areas: molecular biology, cell/developmental biology, genetics, neuroscience, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, anatomy, or physiology.

3. Applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. Applicants with previous graduate education should have a cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 in their graduate level course work. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required however good scores (> 50th percentile) can enhance the application.

4.  International applicants must satisfy the School of Graduate Studies English Language Proficiency Requirements.

5.  A Statement of Goals must be included with the application materials.This statement will describe the student’s academic achievements, research experience and accomplishments, career goals, and objectives for applying to the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.

6.  Three letters of recommendation addressing the student’s academic performance and research or professional experience are required to complete the application.At least two letters must be from faculty having direct knowledge of the student’s academic capabilities.

7.  Preference will be given to students who can demonstrate undergraduate research and/or a record of scholarly publication or other relevant experience.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.In addition to course work, the M.S. degree requires completion of an acceptable thesis in a program of study designed by the student with Faculty Advisory Committee approval.

  1. A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate level courses including research and thesis.

  2. Completion of the following core graduate courses: 

    BIMD 501Scientific Discovery I6
    BIMD 510Basic Biomedical Statistics (fulfills the scholarly tool requirement)2
    BIMD 516Responsible Conduct of Research2
    BIMD 590Researchat least 8
    BIMD 998Thesis4

3.   Completion of a minimum of 4 credit hours of graduate level elective courses selected from the following:

ANAT 513Gross Anatomy6
ANAT 521Principles of Developmental Biology3
ANAT 5226
ANAT 591Special Topics in Anatomy and Cell Biology1-3
BMB 533Advanced Topics1
MBIO 5012
MBIO 5042
MBIO 5082
MBIO 5093
MBIO 5122
MBIO 515Advanced Topics2
MBIO 5192
PPT 500Principles of Physiology and Pharmacology6
PPT 503Advanced Pharmacology or Physiology3
PPT 505Research Techniques1-3
PPT 511Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacology3
PPT 512Special Topics in Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics2
PPT 525Advanced Renal Physiology3
PPT 526Advanced Respiratory Physiology3
PPT 5273
PPT 528Advanced Endocrinology3
PPT 529Adv Cardiovascular Physiology3
PPT 530Advanced Neurochemistry3
PPT 5353
PPT 5403
BIMD 520Principles of Neuroanatomy2
BIMD 521Neurophysiology2
BIMD 522Principles of Neuropharmacology2
BIMD 523Neurochemical Basis of the Nervous System2
BIMD 524Neurodegenerative Diseases and Pathophysiology2
BIMD 530Components of the Immune System2
BIMD 531Components of Microbial Pathogenesis2
BIMD 532Microbial Gene Regulation1
BIMD 533Microbial Membranes and Transport1
BIMD 534Microbial Cell Structure and Function1
BIMD 535Bacterial Host: Pathogen Interactions1
BIMD 536Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of Viruses1
BIMD 537Host-Pathogen Interactions involving Eukaryotic Microbes (Parasites/Fungi)1
BIMD 538Immunological Disorders1

4.  A student must obtain at least a “B” in all required courses in order to remain in good standing in the graduate program. If less than a “B” is received, the student will be given the opportunity to remediate in a manner determined by the course director.If remediation is unsuccessful, the student may petition the Graduate Faculty to take the course a second time.In the event that the student is unable to raise the grade to at least a “B”, the student must petition the Graduate Faculty to be allowed to remain the program.

5.  Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in accordance with School of Graduate Studies guidelines (UND Graduate and Undergraduate Academic Catalog).

6.  In addition to course work, the Master of Science degree requires completion of a thesis-based scholarly project completed by the graduate student under the guidance of a faculty advisor.  It is expected that the results of the scholarly work will be publishable in a peer-reviewed journal.