Welcome and Thank You for your interest in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program at Marshall University! We are excited to tell you about our program and how we can bring you some of the finest education in the field of Biomedical Sciences. 
Program Overview
The basic science departments of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine offer an interdisciplinary program leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Biomedical Sciences. The primary aim of the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Program is to graduate students who are broadly based in the biomedical sciences with definite interests and special in-depth training in one of the following areas of emphasis: Cancer Biology; Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity, and Diabetes; Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis; Neuroscience and Developmental Biology; and Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences. These areas are designed to be flexible and research oriented in order to develop the interests, capabilities and potential of all students pursuing careers in academic or industrial biomedical sciences. In addition, the BMS Program offers a non-thesis Master of Science degree in a Medical Sciences area of emphasis for students wishing to pursue non-research careers in the health profession or in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This area of emphasis is also designed to improve the science foundation of students seeking admission into doctoral programs in medicine. Admission into this program does not guarantee admission into medical school. Because of the nature of the curriculum, applicants to the medical sciences area of emphasis will only be considered for admission for the fall semester. The Biomedical Sciences Doctor of Philosophy Degree program accepts a very limited number of students to study concurrently with the Doctor of Medicine degree; individuals must be admitted into each program separately.
Duration of the Program
Students generally complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree (medical sciences area of emphasis) within two years and the Master of Science degree (thesis) within three. Those who pursue the doctoral degree usually complete the requirements within five to six years. Students who possess a M.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences or the equivalent when admitted into the doctoral degree program, generally require three to four years to complete the Doctor of Philosophy Degree.
Required Courses - Ph.D. and M.S. (Thesis)
Each student will take a core set of courses: Cellular and Molecular Biology (BMS 600), Statistics/Biostatistics (PSY 517, EDF 517, or equivalent), Biomedical Sciences Communication Skills (BMS 660 and 661), Seminar (BMS 680, minimum of 6 hours), Introduction to Research (research rotations) (BMS 685), and Research (BMS 882, maximum of 15 hours). Also, the student must successfully complete additional courses required by his/her research cluster and advisory committee. Required Courses - M.S. (Medical Sciences Area of Emphasis)
A minimum of 36 credit hours is required to qualify for this non-thesis Master of Science degree. Students will generally take Cellular and Molecular Biology, Human Biochemistry, Statistics/Biostatistics, Introduction to Research, and Seminar.