Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Master of Arts in Bioethics

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
All students in the Master of Science degree programs, whether in the one-year or research track, are full-time students, unless specifically approved to be part-time.  The one-year master's program (track I) is more classroom intensive and does not involve the conduct of original research.  The research Master of Science degree program (track II) includes advanced courses and requires writing a thesis based upon the results of original research.  It is because of the time required to conduct original research that track II will be approximately two-years in length. 

One-Year Master's Degree Program (Track I)

Standard Curriculum
Fall Semester
Anatomy I – 3 credits
Biochemistry – 3 credits
Cell Biology – 3 credits
Physiology I – 3 credits
Research Design & Protocol I – 2 credits
Scientific Communications – 1 credit

Spring Semester
Anatomy II – 3 credits
Genetics – 3 credits
Molecular Biology – 3 credits
Neuroscience – 3 credits
Physiology II – 3 credits
Research Design & Protocol II – 2 credits

Summer Semester
Seminar I – 1 credit
Seminar II – 1 credit
Thesis dissertation – 4 credits

Length of one-year program—approximately 11 months. 

All students in the one-year Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences program take the same courses.  Each student's thesis is based on previously published research related to a topic of the student's choosing in consultation with the Dean of the College of Biosciences and under the supervision of a graduate advisory committee composed of three KCUMB faculty members (or adjunct faculty).  The two research seminars are based upon presentations related to the students’ theses.

Research Master's Degree Program (Track II)

Students in the research master's degree program take an individualized curriculum based on their entering backgrounds and goals.  Example:

Fall Semester (first year)
Biochemistry – 3 credits
Physiology I – 3 credits
Research Design and Protocol I – 2 credits
Research Project  – 3 credits
Scientific Communications – 1 credit

Spring Semester (first year)
Molecular Biology – 3 credits
Physiology II – 3 credits
Research Design & Protocol II – 3 credits
Research Project  – 3 credits
Seminar  – 1 credit

Summer Semester (first year)
Advanced Research Ethics – 1 credit
Research Project – 6 credits

Fall Semester (second year)
Advanced Readings in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology – 3 credits
Research Project – 9 credits

Spring Semester (second year)
Research Project – 11 credits
Seminar – 1 credit

Summer Semester (second year)
Seminar – 1 credit
Thesis dissertation – 6 credits

Length of research master’s program—about 24 months.  (This may vary depending on the time needed to complete an original research project, i.e., collect enough data for a thesis dissertation.)

The curriculum for each student in the research master's program is determined in consultation with the student and a graduate advisory committee composed of three KCUMB faculty (or adjunct faculty).  The graduate advisory committee must approve any changes to the originally approved curriculum.  The thesis must be successfully defended before the graduate advisory committee to fulfill the requirements for the degree. 

Master of Arts in Bioethics

KCUMB offers both a stand-alone master of arts in bioethics and a combined D.O./M.A. program for students already pursuing doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees at the University.

Curricula for the program is divided into three distinct phases incorporating 30 semester hours of course work:
Phase 1: Introductory Orientations (all courses are required)
• Introduction to Bioethics
• Historical and Methodological Foundations in Philosophy
• Religious Perspectives in Bioethics
• Diversity, Culture and Bioethics
• Bioethics at the Margins
Phase 2: Development of Individual Interests and Expertise in Bioethics
• 3-4 elective courses or independent studies, based upon student interests
• Clinical Dilemmas in Bioethics (a three-hour case study, optional for stand-alone students; required for dual-degree students)
Phase 3: Thesis or Capstone Project (one course)
• Traditionally, this requirement is fulfilled through a 25-50 page thesis that will be published in a peer-reviewed bioethics journal. However, the program does include the flexibility for non-traditional approaches, such as a video-based project or the creation of a bioethics educational curriculum for in-service training of health-care workers.