MS in Applied Medical Sciences
The M.S. program in Applied Medical Sciences is designed to prepare students for careers in basic research, clinical diagnosis, industrial research, and teaching. Graduates of the Applied Medical Science Program are competitive for further graduate studies at the doctoral level (Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.V.M. and D.D.S.) as well as for research positions in biotechnology companies and academic or private research laboratories.
The program is an interdisciplinary biomedical graduate program with coursework and research opportunities in diverse disciplines such as: immunology, microbiology, toxicology, virology, cancer biology, epidemiology, and applied biostatistics.
The program is a combination of challenging coursework, specialized readings, and research. The student will be provided the opportunity to tailor their program of study to specific interests by choosing a concentration in one of the following:
- Toxicology & Cancer Biology
- Immunology & Infectious Disease
- Epidemiology
- Biotechnology
In addition, students will learn general skills required of all scientists, namely: critical evaluation and presentation of the current scientific literature, reading and writing of technical material, problem solving, experimental design, logic, and ethics.
Courses & Requirements
Forty credits are required for the M.S. degree in Applied Medical Sciences: 30 credits of coursework (lectures, labs, and readings), 4 credits of Journal Club and Seminar, and 6 credits of thesis or externship research. Students must enroll in a specific concentration by the completion of their first year. There are four concentrations from which students are able to choose:
- Toxicology & Cancer Biology
- Immunology & Infectious Disease
- Epidemiology
- Biotechnology
Each student is assigned an academic committee, which is responsible for ensuring that the student fulfills all requirements of the program.
All students will be required to take the following core courses (19 credits):
AMS 535 Introduction to Epidemiologic Research
AMS 545 Applied Biostatistical Analysis
AMS 530 Molecular Biology
AMS 531 Molecular Biology Lab
AMS 595 Seminar: Journal Club
AMS 691 Seminar: Advanced Seminar in Biomedical Sciences
In addition, students must complete the requirements for their chosen concentration:
A. Toxicology / Cancer Biology Concentration
AMS 590 Introduction to Toxicology
AMS 593 Molecular Methods in Toxicology
AMS 698 Thesis
Electives (6 cr., to be approved by the advisory committee)
and at least two of the following:
AMS 594 Marine Mammal Biology and Toxicology
AMS 674 Neurotoxicology
AMS 675 Developmental Toxicology
AMS 694 Genetic Toxicology
AMS 695 Chemical Carcinogenesis
AMS 696 Metal Toxicology
or approved readings courses
B. Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration
AMS 552 Immunology
AMS 551 Immunology Lab
AMS 560 Virology or AMS 565 Molecular Microbiology
AMS 698 Thesis
Electives (6 cr., to be approved by the advisory committee)
and at least one of the following:
AMS 693 Advanced Research: Immunology
AMS 692 Advanced Readings: Immunology
AMS 693 Advanced Research: Infectious Disease
AMS 692 Advanced Readings: Infectious Disease
C. Epidemiology Concentration
AMS 578 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
AMS 579 Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases
AMS 677 Regression Models in the Health Sciences
AMS 698 Thesis
Electives (6 cr., to be approved by the advisory committee)
and at least one of the following:
AMS 638 Practicum in Epidemiologic Research
AMS 673 Epidemiology and Prevention of Cancer
AMS 635 Applied Epidemiology in Public Health Agencies
AMS 636 Environmental Epidemiology
D. Biotechnology Concentration
AMS 552 Immunology
AMS 551 Immunology Lab
AMS 540 Interdisciplinary Biomedical Science & Biotechnology
AMS 541 Independent Studies in Biotechnology Strategies
AMS 698 Thesis or AMS 697 Externship
Electives (6 cr., to be approved by the advisory committee)
one of the following:
AMS 560 Virology
AMS 565 Molecular Microbiology
AMS 680 Molecular Basis of Diseases
and one of the following:
MMS 620 Quality System
MMS 625 Manufacturing Strategies
Note: Laboratory fees are assessed in all AMS laboratory courses to cover the cost of supplies.
Recommended Course of Study for Toxicology Track in the AMS MS Program | ||||
Year | Fall Semester Course | Credits | Spring Semester Course | Credits |
One | AMS 590 Toxicology I | 3 | AMS 593 Molecular Methods in Toxicology | 3 |
| AMS 530 Molecular Biology | 3 | AMS 535 Epidemiology | 3 |
| AMS 531 Molecular Biology Lab | 3 | Graduate Level Elective** | 3 |
| AMS 595 Journal Club | 2 |
|
|
| Total Credits | 11 | Total Credits | 9 |
Two | AMS 545 Biostatistics | 3 | Toxicology Elective#** | 3 |
| Toxicology Elective#** | 3 | Graduate Level Elective** | 3 |
| AMS 698 Thesis | 3 | AMS 698 Thesis | 3 |
| AMS 691 Seminar | 1 | AMS 691 Seminar | 1 |
| Total Credits | 10 | Total Credits | 10 |
#Whichever one is offered- list varies from year to year; **May be a reading course with Toxicology faculty. Committee meetings: Year one spring semester & once each semester after that
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