PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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. The Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology offers the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, a nonthesis program, for students to further their knowledge in the field and prepare for professional careers in medical fields, higher education, and research. 
CURRICULUM
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
- BSC 6431 Practice of Biomedical Sciences (3 credit hours)
- BSC 6432 Structure-Function-Relationships of Biomedical Sciences I (5 credit hours)
- BSC 6433 Structure-Function-Relationships of Biomedical Sciences II (5 credit hours)
- BSC 6407C Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)
- MCB 6938 Seminar or IDS 7690 Seminar (1 credit hour, to be repeated by all students)
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
- 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 Mechanisms (3 credit hours)
- PCB 5527 Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (3 credit hours)
- PCB 6528 Plant Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)
- PCB 5709C Laboratory Virtual Simulations in Physiology (2 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)
- 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 5654 Applied Microbiology (3 credit hours)
- BSC 5418 Tissue Engineering (3 credit hours)
- MCB 6417C Microbial Metabolism (3 credit hours)
- MCB 5932 Current Topics in Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)
- MCB 5415 Cellular Metabolism (3 credit hours)
- MCB 5209 Microbial Stress Response (3 credit hours)
- PCB 6528 Plant Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)
- PCB 6595 Regulation of Gene Expression (3 credit hours)
- Others: If approved by Graduate Committee
Capstone—3 Credit Hours
- MCB 6026 Capstone Course (3 credit hours minimum)
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 three members for evaluation of the report.
An oral presentation on the written capstone report will be used as a final examination. A majority of the program faculty must be present for the final examination. Before graduation, the report should be submitted for consideration of publication as a review article in appropriate journals.
Comprehensive Examination
Nonthesis students must pass an oral comprehensive exam to qualify for the Master of Science degree.
All students must successfully pass an oral comprehensive examination to test the understanding of the basic concepts in the field and relevant applications. The comprehensive examination 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 2 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 Graduate Teaching Assistants for a minimum of two semesters (one semester in at least one lab section).
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 three 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.
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A written statement of research experience, area of interest, and immediate and long-range goals.
Applicants who fail to meet either the minimum program GPA or GRE requirement may occasionally be accepted if there is other convincing evidence of potential for high achievement and success. Applicants failing to satisfy minimum program criteria should submit a GRE Subject Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Test score at or above the 50th percentile. In no case will GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, or advanced) older than five years be accepted.
Applicants need not have an undergraduate degree in molecular biology or microbiology but are expected to have the equivalent of 16 semester hours of credit in the 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
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Fall
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Spring
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Summer
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Domestic Applicants
| Jan 15 | Jan 15 | - | - |
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International Applicants
| Jan 15 | Jan 15 | - | - |
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International Transfer Applicants
| Jan 15 | Jan 15 | - | - |
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FINANCIALS
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see
Funding for Graduate School, 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.
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 Fellowships, which includes descriptions of UCF fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.