MULTIDISCIPLINARY BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE, MS
Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science
M.S. in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science
The MS in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science (MBS) is intended as a terminal degree for students desiring many different career paths, including but not limited to: research (laboratory jobs in academia or industry), further graduate study (e.g. PhD), professional school (e.g., medical or dental), science education, scientific policy, science communication, or biomedical sales.
Thesis (Plan I)
The Plan I MS in MBS thesis degree at UAB can be completed over the course of five-six semesters if full-time, including at least one summer semester. Plan I students will complete a rigorous mentored research project in addition to a curriculum of required core and elective classes related to the biomedical sciences.
Successful completion of the Plan I MS in MBS degree requires passing 45 credit hours (30 hours = coursework; 15 hours = supervised research) and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Coursework
Plan I students must complete the following required classes:
1) core science (MBS 601 (4 hours), MBS 602 (4 hours), MBS 603 (4 hours), 12 hours total)
2) critical thinking (GRD 617, 3 hours)
3) biostatistics (BST 603, 3 hours) or equivalent with permission
4) three semesters of colloquium (MBS 697 (1 hour), 3 hours total)
5) three-four semesters of non-thesis research (MBS 698 (3 hours), 9-12 hours total)
6) one-two semesters of thesis research (MBS 699, 3-6 hours total)
7) electives (9 hours total).
Students have the option of earning a concentration by completing their elective credit hours in a single subject area. Students must obtain a minimum C final grade in all required (non-elective) classes in order to graduate.
Research
Plan I students must complete five separate semesters of research, including three-four semesters of MBS 698 (non-thesis research) and one-two semesters of MBS 699 (thesis research, at least one semester is required). When registered for MBS 698 or MBS 699, students are expected to work on average a minimum of 12-15 hours/week on their research projects. Students are expected to have chosen a faculty thesis adviser early in the first semester they are registered for MBS 698. Plan I students will form a committee of three faculty that is chaired by their thesis adviser and are required to hold a minimum of three committee meetings (1: introductory; 2: qualifying exam; 3: thesis defense; additional meetings may be needed depending on student progress). The thesis project must be approved by the student's committee. For the qualifying exam, Plan I students are expected to prepare a 4-6 page "NIH-style" grant proposal that is adjusted to the scope of their research project and vet in front of their committee. Following qualification for thesis candidacy, Plan I students are required to complete a thesis document of their research findings and defend it publicly as a presentation to their committee and others (e.g., students, lab members, family members), which is followed immediately by a private defense with their committee. Research projects performed by Plan I students should be able to be completed within 5 semesters. Before students can perform research they must complete all lab-specific safety training. Students must also complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training for MS students before the end of their first semester registered for MBS 698.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required MBS Coursework | 21 | |
| Molecular and Cell Biology | ||
| General Human Physiology | ||
| Biochemistry and Cell Biology | ||
| Colloquium for MBS Plan I Thesis Students (Must be repeated twice for a total of 3 Credit Hours) | ||
| Critical Thinking and Scientific Integrity for Masters Students | ||
| Introductory Biostatistics for Graduate Biomedical Sciences 1 | ||
| Research 2 | 15 | |
| Non-Thesis Research | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| Electives 3, 4 | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
| 1 |
In place of BST 603, students may take one of the following statistics courses, with permission of the Course Director and MBS Program Director: BST 601, BST 611. |
| 2 |
Students may enroll in MBS 698 for 3-4 semesters, and MBS 699 for 1-2 semesters (but a minimum of 1 semester). Total credit hours for MBS 698 and MBS 699 must equal a minimum of 15 hours. Students may take one extra semester of MBS 698 or MBS 699 in lieu of one 3 hour elective course, for a total of 18 research hours. |
| 3 |
Students may select from the following electives: BY 501, BY 511, BY 512, BY 515, BY 527, BY 530, BY 531, BY 555, BY 614, BY 620, BY 626, BY 629, BY 633, BY 634, BY 636, BY 637, BY 640, BY 662, BY 674, BY 675, BY 696, BY 697, CNBY 610, CNBY 620, CNBY 640, CNBY 660, EPI 600, GGSC 610, GGSC 615, GGSC 620, GGSC 635, GGSC 665, GGSC 670, GGSC 690, GGSC 691, GRD 701,GRD 703, GRD 705, GRD 706, GRD 707, GRD 708, GRD 713, GRD 727, GRD 735, INFO 601, INFO 602, INFO 603, INFO 610, LEAD 500, LEAD 501, LEAD 503, LEAD 505, LEAD 506, LEAD 521, LEAD 522, LEAD 523, LEAD 524, LEAD 525, LEAD 540, LEAD 543, LEAD 544, LEAD 560, LEAD 570, MBS 696, MIC 600, MIC 603, MIC 660, MIC 661, MIC 665, NBL 620, NBL 625, NBL 633, NBL 634, NBL 644, NBL 655, NBL 656, PHR 611, PHR 612, PHR 613, PHR 614, PY 620, PY 653, PY 687, PY 693. For other elective options please discuss first with the MBS Program Director before registering. |
| 4 |
Students may use 9 elective hours in one of the following themes to pursue a specialized concentration: Bioinformatics: INFO 601, INFO 602, INFO 603, INFO 610 Genetic and Genomic Sciences (GGSC): GGSC 610, GGSC 615, GGSC 620, GGSC 635, GGSC 665?,GGSC 670, GGSC 690, GGSC 691, BY 531, BY 634, BY 637 Immunology: MIC 600, MIC 603, MIC 660, MIC 661, MIC 665 Neuroscience: NBL 620, NBL 625, NBL 633, NBL 634, NBL 644, NBL 655, NBL 656, PY 620, PY 653, PY 687, PY 693 |
Non-Thesis (Plan II) for Traditional MS Students
The Plan II MSBMS non-thesis degree at UAB can be completed over the course of three semesters if full-time, including one summer semester. Plan II students will complete a rigorous curriculum of required core and elective classes related to the biomedical sciences.
Successful completion of the Plan II MSBMS degree requires passing 30 credit hours of coursework and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Coursework
Plan II students must complete the following required classes:
1) Core Science (MBS 601 (4 hours), MBS 602 (4 hours), MBS 603(4 hours), 12 hours total)
2) Critical Thinking (GRD 617, 3 hours)
3) Biostatistics (BST 603, 3 hours) or equivalent with permission
4) Non-Thesis Colloquium (MBS 695, 1 hour)
5) Biotechnology skills lab (BT 650, 2 hour, OR BT 651, 2 hour)
6) Electives (9 hours total). Students have the option of earning a concentration by completing their elective credit hours in a single subject area.
Students must obtain a minimum C final grade in all required (non-elective) classes in order to graduate.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MBS 601 | Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| MBS 602 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 4 |
| MBS 603 | General Human Physiology | 4 |
| MBS 695 | Professional Development Colloquium for Non-Thesis Students | 1 |
| BT 650 | Applications in Biotechnology I 1 | 2 |
| GRD 617 | Critical Thinking and Scientific Integrity for Masters Students | 3 |
| BST 603 | Introductory Biostatistics for Graduate Biomedical Sciences 2 | 3 |
| Electives 3, 4 | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| 1 |
Students may substitute BT 651 (spring semester) for BT 650 (fall semester). |
| 2 |
In place of BST 603, students may take one of the following statistics courses, with permission of the Course Director and MBS Program Director: BST 601, BST 611. |
| 3 |
Students may select from the following electives: BY 501, BY 511, BY 512, BY 515, BY 527, BY 530, BY 531, BY 555, BY 614, BY 620, BY 626, BY 629, BY 633, BY 634, BY 636, BY 637, BY 640, BY 662, BY 674, BY 675, BY 696, BY 697, CNBY 610, CNBY 620, CNBY 640, CNBY 660, EPI 600, GGSC 610, GGSC 615, GGSC 620, GGSC 635, GGSC 665, GGSC 670, GGSC 690, GGSC 691, GRD 701, GRD 703, GRD 705, GRD 706, GRD 707, GRD 708, GRD 713, GRD 727, GRD 735, INFO 601, INFO 602, INFO 603, INFO 610, MBS 696, MBS 698, MIC 600, MIC 603, MIC 660, MIC 661, MIC 665, NBL 620, NBL 625, NBL 633, NBL 634, NBL 644, NBL 655, NBL 656, PY 620, PY 653, PY 687, PY 693. For other elective options please discuss with the MBS Program Director. |
| 4 |
Students may use 9 elective hours in one of the following themes to pursue a specialized concentration: Bioinformatics: INFO 601, INFO 602, INFO 603, INFO 610 Genetic and Genomic Sciences (GGSC): GGSC 610, GGSC 615, GGSC 620, GGSC 635, GGSC 665?,GGSC 670, GGSC 690, GGSC 691, BY 531, BY 634, BY 637 Immunology: MIC 600, MIC 603, MIC 660, MIC 661, MIC 665 Neuroscience: NBL 620, NBL 625, NBL 633, NBL 634, NBL 644, NBL 655, NBL 656, PY 620, PY 653, PY 687, PY 693 |
Non-Thesis (Plan II) for Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) Program Students
Undergraduates at UAB who meet qualifications for admission the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) program, and/or who also received an early acceptance (EA) option for a MS program at UAB, may choose to complete the Plan II MS non-thesis degree in MBS. Plan II students will complete a rigorous curriculum of required core and elective classes related to the biomedical sciences. Up to 12 of these elective credit hours may be used as shared credit towards both their B.S. and M.S. degrees. Successful completion of the Plan II MSBMS degree requires passing 30 credit hours of coursework and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Coursework
Plan II students must complete the following required classes: 1) core science (MBS 601 (4 hours), MBS 602 (4 hours), MBS 603 (4 hours), 12 hours total); 2) critical thinking (GRD 617, 3 hours); 3) biostatistics (BST 603, 3 hours) or equivalent with permission; and 4) electives (12 hours total). Students have the option of earning a concentration by completing three elective courses (minimum 9 hours) in a single subject area. Students must obtain a minimum C final grade in all required (non-elective) classes in order to graduate.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MBS 601 | Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| MBS 602 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology | 4 |
| MBS 603 | General Human Physiology | 4 |
| GRD 617 | Critical Thinking and Scientific Integrity for Masters Students | 3 |
| BST 603 | Introductory Biostatistics for Graduate Biomedical Sciences 1 | 3 |
| Electives 2,3 | 12 | |
As the majority of ABM students entering our program already perform undergraduate research, and also have required colloquium courses with similar content for their majors, we do not require them to take BT 650/651 or MBS 695. These three hours may be used for elective coursework to complete requirements for their MS degree.
