MS in Biomedical Research Technologies

The Master of Science in Biomedical Research Technologies is a new one-year program designed to prepare students for careers in biomedical research. The degree equips students with a solid grasp of the principles underlying various research core technologies operations, their relevance to an array of biomedical problems, the knowledge base to access and use publicly available bioinformatics resources, and the technical skills to implement these technologies.

Program Overview

Application of advanced technologies is at the core of biomedical sciences. Biomedical research cores have developed over the years as centralized expertise to help advance biomedical research. Biological and medical sciences have made great strides owing also to the development and application of such technical expertise, whether through proficiency in viewing cells in motion (imaging core), analyzing genes and gene expression (genomics core), or protein profiling (proteomics core), to name a few.

These developments and an increased reliance on technology have created a demand for skilled individuals with the ability to understand and develop new biological technologies to investigate biological problems.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate mastery of fundamental and advanced concepts in biology and biochemistry, with emphasis on the molecular and biological components of these disciplines necessary to understand the foundation of biological technologies.
  • Demonstrate expertise in the scientific method, including hypothesis, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and critical assessment of results in the context of the scientific literature.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a broad array of ongoing research technologies and their application to scientific research.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the current publicly available bioinformatics resources and databases and show proficiency in using bioinformatics search and analysis tools.
  • Demonstrate technical and analytical skills in the areas of at least two research cores.
  • Demonstrate ability to design and implement a research project and to present research in both written and oral forms.

Graduate Outcomes

Boston University’s MS in Biomedical Research Technologies prepares future experts with a solid grasp of the principles underlying research core operation and their relevance to an array of biomedical problems. Students also gain the technical skills to implement these technologies across a variety of disciplines. Graduates are able to apply ongoing and emerging technologies to biomedical research in highly competitive research settings, whether in pharmaceutical industry or academia. The program also provides a foundation for continued education toward PhD and/or MD degrees.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the MS in Biomedical Research Technologies will be required to complete a minimum of 32 graduate credit hours that include completion of either a Capstone Project or a research-based thesis.

Coursework

Core courses will include theory as well as practicum in research cores relevant to biomedical sciences, such as flow cytometry, imaging, metabolic function, or proteomics. Electives are offered in areas related to Science Behind Technology, Business Management, and Clinical/Translational Research.

The MS program requires successful completion of 24 classroom-based credits during the fall and spring semesters and 8 credits of a Biological Core Technology-Practicum course for a total of four semesters and 32 credits for graduation. Six core courses (total of 21 credits) and elective courses (11 credits) are required. Students will be able to complete this program within one year of study.

Required Courses

  • GMS BI 751 Biochemistry/Cell Biology
  • GMS BR 700 Core Technology Practicum A1
  • GMS BR 700 Core Technology Practicum A2
  • GMS BR 730 Critical Assessment of Biotechniques
  • GMS MM 730 Biological Core Technology
  • GMS MS 700 Biostatistics
  • GMS MS 971/972 Related Medical Research

Elective Courses

Examples of elective courses to select from:

Hands-on Training in Basic Laboratory Skills

  • GMS BR 650 Biotechniques Laboratory

Clinical/Translational Research

  • GMS CI 631 Management of Clinical Research
  • GMS CI 640 Regulatory and Compliance Issues
  • GMS CI 660 Good Clinical Practice in Clinical Research
  • GMS CI 675 Designing Clinical Research Studies
  • GMS CI 680 Legal and Ethical Issues in Clinical Research
  • GMS MM 707 System Disease
  • GMS MM 710 Molecules to Molecular Therapeutics
  • GMS MS 791 Essential Readings in Translational Research
  • GMS MS 793 Fundamentals of Medical Biotechnology

Science Behind Technology

  • GMS AN 723 Human Body Systems
  • GMS BI 776 Gene Targeting in Transgenic Mice
  • GMS BI 777 Biochemistry Methods
  • GMS BI 793 Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics and Functional Genomics
  • GMS BN 778 Basic Neurosciences Survey
  • GMS BN 779 Beginning Basic Neurosciences
  • GMS MS 783 Molecular Basis of Neurologic Diseases
  • GMS PA 600 Introduction to Pathology and Pathophysiology of Disease
  • GMS PA 910 Human Biospecimens for Research
  • GMS PM 730 Introduction to Medical Pharmacology

Business Management

  • GMS PA 810 Business of Science

Admissions

The MS in Biomedical Research Technologies reviews applications on a rolling basis. The registration deadline for fall matriculation is June 30 (for a possible delay/exception to this deadline, please contact the program director).

Applicant Credentials

  • Bachelor’s degree in biological or biomedical or biotechnology sciences, including a passing grade in at least one of the following courses required as background for the core curriculum:
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Biology
    • Advanced Biology
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from a science professor. Three letters are preferred.
  • Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), or the Dental Admission Test (DAT) are optional, not required.