Biomedical Science Graduate Programs

Biomedical Science Graduate Programs and Curriculum

The field of biomedical science is complex. Students who want to complete a master’s in biomedical science or a Ph.D. in biomedical science should have a solid academic background in the sciences and mathematics, especially in fields like physics, biochemistry, calculus and biology. After completing a graduate degree in biomedical science, students will be prepared to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, research institutes, universities and laboratories.

Students should also be interested in conducting research because the vast majority of work in biomedical science involves research and related work. Biomedical scientists work in teams with other scientists and health care workers, so good communication skills are critical. Biomedical scientists need to be able to translate their work and research into coherent written reports and oral presentations that both scientists and laypeople can understand.

Generally, a graduate-level biomedical science program has two purposes:

1. To prepare graduates for further academic and research training at the Ph.D. level, or for medical school
2. To prepare graduates for jobs as technicians and managers in labs, and as educators and scientists in a number of fields from government agencies to pharmaceutical and hospital settings.

Students who want to apply for a master’s degree program in biomedical science should have an undergraduate degree in a related field as well as a very strong academic background. They will need to complete all required graduate examinations, and many programs require a specialized science or mathematics exam as well. It is common for master’s in biomedical science degrees to focus on one of several areas of study, including:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Anatomy
• Pharmacology

Coursework usually takes about two years to complete, with the second year of work focusing more heavily on research and the creation and defense of an original thesis based on the research.

Biomedical science at the doctoral level has numerous discrete fields of study. Students who wish to enter a Ph.D. program in biomedical science will be required to meet the same requirements as a master’s degree applicant, as well as providing a letter of intent and letters of recommendation. Upon acceptance (or in some programs, during the application process) students will be required to choose a focused track of study, or to create, and have approved, an individualized program of interdisciplinary study. Ph.D. degrees in biomedical science may be specialized in one of a number of different areas, including:

• Biological chemistry
• Cell and developmental biology
• Molecular and cellular pathology
• Cancer biology
• Human genetics

Source: University of Michigan Medical School

A Ph.D. program in biomedical science is an extremely rigorous course of study, taking five to seven years to complete. Core classes will be heavily focused on biological sciences and medical information classes, and may include:

• Cell biology
• Tissue and organ biology
• Human disease: Technologies and biomedical applications

Source: University of California, San Francisco

A significant portion of the Ph.D. program is dedicated to laboratory studies and teaching. The final two years of the program focus on completion of research studies and the presentation and defense of a dissertation in the specialized field of study.

Biomedical Science Career Paths

Biomedical scientists have a wide array of career options available to them. They can teach at the high school, undergraduate, or graduate level, and conduct research in university settings, laboratories, medical facilities and research institutes. They can function as policy makers and writers. They can work at philanthropic and non-profit organizations, consulting firms, law firms, communication organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Data according to

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

Biomedical Science Future Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for all medical scientists was $76,710 in 2010. Those in the top 90% had a median annual salary of $142,800.

Data according to

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the future job outlook for biomedical scientists is expected to be very good, with job opportunities for those with Ph.D.’s and M.D.’s being the best. Job growth in the sector is expected to be much faster than average, with a growth of 40% in the field between 2008 and 2018. This is due in large part to the tremendous research gains in the field in the last few decades.