Biomedical Sciences (MS)

The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program is a nonthesis program for students who wish to further their knowledge in the field and prepare for professional careers in medical fields, higher education, and research. Students interested in research and thesis work should apply to the Master of Science in Biotechnology program. This degree has 5 tracks: Cancer Biology Track, Infectious Disease Track, Integrated Medical Sciences Track, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences Track, and Neuroscience Track. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for further details on these Tracks.

The Biomedical Sciences nonthesis program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of courses that includes a capstone experience. The program addresses the need of applicants who wish to pursue a teaching career in secondary schools, two-year and four-year colleges or other careers without an active research role. Nonthesis students are not considered for departmental graduate assistantships or tuition assistance.

Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Required Courses: 18 Credit Hours

• ZOO 6737 - Clinically Oriented Human Anatomy 4 Credit Hours
• MCB 6226 - Molecular Diagnostics 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 6595 - Regulation of Gene Expression 3 Credit Hours
• PHI 5634 - Medical Ethics 3 Credit Hours
• BSC 6407C - Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology 3 Credit Hours
• or
• BSC 5418 - Tissue Engineering 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 6938 - Seminar 1 Credit Hour (to be repeated by all students) or
• MCB 6314 - Industrial Perspectives Seminar 1 Credit Hours

Elective Courses: 12 Credit Hours

Nonthesis students take 12 credit hours of electives with 6 credit hours from the Biomedical Specialization and 6 credit hours from the Microbiology Specialization.

Biomedical Specialization

• BSC 5418 - Tissue Engineering 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 5225 - Molecular Biology of Disease 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 6226 - Molecular Diagnostics 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5238 - Immunobiology 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5236 - Cancer Biology 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5275 - Signal Transduction Mechanics 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5527 - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5709C - Laboratory Virtual Simulations in Physiology 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5815 - Molecular Aspects of Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5834C - Advanced Human Physiology 4 Credit Hours
• IDS 5127 - Foundation of Bio-Imaging Science 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5265 - Stem Cell Biology 3 Credit Hours
• GEB 5516 - Technological Entrepreneurship 3 Credit Hours
• Others: If approved by Graduate Committee

Microbiology Specialization

• MCB 5205 - Infectious Processes 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 5505 - Molecular Virology 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 5208 - Cellular Microbiology: Host-Pathogen Interactions 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 6417C - Microbial Metabolism 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 5932 - Current Topics in Molecular Biology VAR Credit Hours
• MCB 5415 - Cellular Metabolism 3 Credit Hours
• MCB 5209 - Microbial Stress Response 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 6595 - Regulation of Gene Expression 3 Credit Hours
• PCB 5235 - Molecular Immunology 3 Credit Hours
• Others: If approved by Graduate Committee

Capstone: 3 Credit Hours

An in-depth current literature research report on a relevant subject will be required for each student. The student will select a faculty adviser to chair a faculty committee of two members for the evaluation of the report. An oral presentation on the written capstone report will be used as a final examination.

• MCB 6026 - Molecular Biology and Microbiology Capstone 3 Credit Hours (minimum)

Capstone Process

Students are encouraged to contact faculty as early as possible to identify a faculty whose research focus complements the student's interest. The student and the mentor should select one additional faculty members to serve on the capstone evaluation committee.

Students must submit a signed Capstone Committee and Capstone Topic form to the Program Coordinator for approval as soon as the registration for the course is complete. These forms must be submitted to the Program Office.

When the student is ready to defend the Capstone project, the student must register for the capstone course (MCB 6026) for three credit hours. It is important that the student register for the capstone course with the intention of completing the project at the end of the semester.

Capstone Report

Evaluation of the capstone project requires a written report (in the format of a mini-review manuscript) and a presentation (project defense) in front of the capstone committee. Students may ask for advice and guidance from the project mentor/chair. The average capstone report ranges from 10 to 15 single-spaced pages in a manuscript format with proper citations. The student's Committee Chair will be responsible for checking the report for plagiarism using iThenticate before the report is shared with the committee. The committee must receive the report at least one week before the time of presentation.

Capstone Defense

Note: The defense (presentation) must be held no later than one week before the final exam week.

The capstone defense and comprehensive exam evaluation is designed to assess the student's knowledge and understanding of the project and other relevant subjects in the field. Questions asked by the capstone committee to evaluate the student as competent in the field will satisfy the requirement of the comprehensive exam. The oral presentation will take place in the form of a 30-40 minute seminar and will be followed by questions and discussion.

The student will be evaluated on performance in all three sections (written report, oral presentation, and ability to answer questions).

Should the student fail, a second opportunity will be provided within two weeks of the first attempt. A second failure will result in an Unsatisfactory (U) grade in the course and dismissal from the program.

Comprehensive Exam

Students must pass an oral comprehensive exam to qualify for the Master of Science. The oral comprehensive exam tests the student's understanding of the basic concepts in the field and relevant applications.

The comprehensive exam will be conducted during the capstone defense and will be administered by the capstone committee. Should the student fail this exam, a second opportunity will be provided within two weeks of the first attempt. A second failure will result in dismissal from the program.

Teaching Requirement

Students without significant prior teaching experience, such as but not limited to, a minimum of a year in secondary schools or colleges, are required to serve as Classroom Laboratory Teaching Assistants for a minimum of one semester (one semester in at least one lab section).

Research Shadowing (Optional)

Students are encouraged to discuss with their capstone mentor the possibility of joining the lab for research shadowing of other graduate students. Acquired lab skills should assist students with the capstone project and with future endeavors.

Independent Learning

In the final semester of study, nonthesis students will complete a capstone course that requires an in-depth current literature research report on a relevant subject, which will serve as the independent learning experience. The student will select a faculty adviser to chair a faculty committee of two members for evaluation of the report.

Application Requirements

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:

• One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
• A bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related area.
• Official, competitive GRE score (taken within the last five years) or MCAT score (taken within the last three years).
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A written statement of research experience, area of interest, and immediate and long-range goals.
• Resume or CV.

Personal interviews are helpful but not required. Applicants who do not have a competitive GPA or GRE/MCAT may occasionally be accepted if there is other convincing evidence of potential for high achievement and success.

Applicants who hold a BS degree in unrelated fields are expected to have the equivalent of 16 semester hours in biological sciences including a course in general microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology or cell biology, plus one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics, basic university mathematics and statistics, and laboratory skills equivalent to the minimum required of our own undergraduates. Minor deficiencies may be remedied after acceptance by enrollment at the first opportunity in an appropriate course.

Application Deadlines

Biomedical Sciences MS	*Fall Priority	Fall	Spring	Summer
Domestic Applicants	Jan 1	Jan1
International Applicants	Jan 1	Jan 1
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.

Financials

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Nonthesis students are not considered for departmental graduate assistantships or tuition assistance.

Fellowships

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

Contact Info

Graduate Admissions

Institution Codes
GRE: 5233
GMAT: RZT-HT-58
TOEFL: 5233
ETS PPI: 5233