MS Biomedical Sciences
The 36-credit Master of Science Program in Biomedical Sciences offers advanced courses in a curriculum particularly well suited to those who wish to work in a research laboratory, individuals seeking acceptance into post-graduate professional schools (e.g., medical or dental school) and students seeking a career in basic science research who are planning to continue in doctoral programs.
Students are taught by expert faculty specializing in the fields of microbiology, hematology, immunology and clinical biochemistry. Students may join the laboratories of faculty and acquire excellent research experience.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences must meet the following requirements for admission:
Application fee: $50 (non-refundable)
Please send official undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for admission is 3.0 in both the baccalaureate degree and in the major courses.
Applicants should have completed : one year of biology; one year of college math (may include one semester of statistics); one year of organic chemistry or one semester of organic chemistry and one semester of biochemistry (unless taken within the last 3 years); one semester of introductory physics.
Students for whom English is a second language must submit official score results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. The required minimum acceptable TOEFL score is: 79 Internet-based. The required minimum IELTS score: 6.5.
Two letters of recommendation are required, preferably from former science professors.
A Personal Statement that addresses the reason you are interested in pursuing graduate work in this area of study must be submitted.
A candidate whose credentials satisfy all of the above requirements, as well as university admissions requirements, may be accepted as a fully matriculated student.
Admission to the Biomedical Sciences Program is highly competitive. A student may be accepted on a limited matriculant basis if his or her credentials are deficient in not more than two areas. Limited matriculants may apply for full matriculation status after removal of all deficiencies. Deficiencies must be removed during the first year of graduate study. Courses taken to remove academic deficiencies must be passed with a grade of C or better and will not be credited toward degree requirements. Courses may also be taken on a nonmatriculant basis. A non-matriculant may apply for matriculant status after completing at least 9, but no more than 12, graduate biomedical science credits provided his/her cumulative grade point average is 3.0 or better. At least half of these credits must be from among the core courses. The student must also have removed any technical and/or academic deficiencies. Undergraduate coursework taken to fulfill a deficiency after the student has completed the bachelor’s degree must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Apply online using the link here: LIU Application
For questions: please contact Departmental Chair-Dr. Carl Figliola, carl.figliola@liu.edu
Courses taken at another university after admission to a master’s program at LIU Post may not be used for transfer credit unless prior written permission is obtained from the major department. Previous graduate credits earned at other institutions may be credited to a student’s graduate degree. A request to transfer credits must be made to and approved by the Chairperson of the Biomedical Sciences program with the submission of official transcripts of all previous graduate work. Transfer credit is normally limited to six semester credit hours with an earned grade of (B) or better. Transfer credits are not recorded on a student’s transcript unless he or she completes 15 semester credit hours in residence and is fully matriculated.
Course Description
BMS 520 Pathophysiology IThe course will be a study of the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnostic tools and management of certain infectious diseases and neoplasms affecting humans. Lectures in Pathophysiology I not only stress the molecular and cellular basis for immunity, but also introduce students to those disease states in which a basic knowledge of immunology is critical to an understanding of the disease. The course deals with the role of the immune system in health and disease, the expected and unexpected responses in fighting infections, allergy and hypersensitivity; Immune system's role in tissue transplantation, tissue graft rejection, immunosuppression, cancer, autoimmune diseases and congenital and acquired immune deficiencies including AIDS. The concepts of microbial infection pathogenesis with emphasis on the mechanisms employed by pathogenic microorganisms in establishing infection in the host and the response of the host to fight the infection will be discussed. Specific genetic, developmental and pediatric diseases and disorders of daily life and diet will also be covered.
Fall, 3 credits
BMS 550 Clinical Biochemistry
This course is the introduction to the analysis of analytes in body fluids. Emphasis is placed on describing normal and pathophysiologic changes in disease. Quality control, evaluation, interpretation and laboratory tests used in quantitation are presented. The biomedical significance of metabolic disorders of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids is discussed.
Fall, 3 credits
BMS 561 Introduction to Hematology
This course describes the erythroid, myeloid and lymphoid differentiation pathways from the pluripotent stem cell to mature cells; describes the pathophysiology of anemias, leukemias, lymphomas and pathways for blood coagulation and coagulopathies; emphasizes theory and procedures necessary for diagnosis of disease of blood-forming tissues.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 581 Immunology / Serology
The topics covered in this course include innate and adaptive immune systems, Cells and organs of the immune system, types of antigens, antigen recognition by T and B cells at both the cellular and molecular levels, various cellular and autocrine and exocrine interactions that regulate immunity; aberrant Immune activation; cellular, molecular and immunochemistry techniques; humoral and effector mechanisms.
Prerequisite None.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 591 Medical Microbiology
This course serves three purposes: (1) as a “refresher” course to those who are in the field; (2) as a prerequisite for further study in microbiology; and (3) as preparation for professional board examinations. The delineation of microbial species: bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses, rickettsiae, chlamydia, protozoa, helminths and other animal parasites implicated in disease are presented. The course covers methods used in diagnostic microbiology as well as medical, clinical, epidemiological and nosocomial aspects of microbial disease states. Additionally, computerization, instrumentation, miniaturization, and DNA recombinant studies applicable to microbiology are covered.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 594 Medical Parasitology
This course examines host parasite relationships relative to disease transmission, pathology, immunology, epidemiology, survey and control. Emphasis on laboratory preparations and diagnosis of parasitic diseases includes those aspects of life cycles that are useful for clinical diagnosis.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 612 Pathophysiology II
At the end of the course, the student should have a comprehensive knowledge regarding various inflammatory, neoplastic, congenital and acquired disease states affecting various organ systems of human body and to answer questions related to the pathophysiology, diagnosis and prognosis of the disease entities.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 656 Molecular Diagnostics
Molecular diagnostics is the application of methods in molecular biology to the diagnosis of disease. Molecular biology examines what is going on inside the cell at the DNA/RNA/protein level. This course surveys some of the standard techniques used in molecular biology: cloning, blotting, cell extracts, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and microarrays. Formal lectures are followed by experiments in a laboratory equipped to perform many of the aforementioned techniques. Most of these techniques represent transferable technologies that may be used in various fields; i.e., forensic pathology, clinical laboratory medicine and cancer screening.
Fall, 3 credits
BMS 661 Hematological Malignancies
In-depth coverage of concepts of cell origin and differentiation, as well as the molecular concepts of disease and current trends in research are covered. Quality control experience in lab practice, marrow differential counts, histochemical and biochemical techniques are included in-depth.
Prerequisite of BMS 561 is required.
Fall, 3 credits
BMS 673 Molecular & Cellular Biology of Cancer
This course covers molecular biology of cancer, intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate cancer, cell cycle regulation, oncogenesis, tumor markers, angiogenesis, senescence, apoptosis, metastasis, immune and biotherapy. This course covers the assessment of the effects of various biological disciplines, i.e., genetics, biochemistry, virology, endocrinology, pathology, pharmacology, hematology and immunology, upon past and present efforts in cancer research.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 687 Molecular Immunology
This course examines immunology with emphasis on current areas of research. The course is designed to give a broad but thorough covering of immunology with an emphasis on regulation of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, B-cell and T cell differentiation, determination of self from non-self and antigen recognition by T and B cells at both the cellular and molecular levels; various cellular and autocrine and exocrine interactions that regulate immunity, receptor-mediated triggering of cellular responses via second messengers, the cellular, humoral and effector mechanisms; tumor immunology, immunotherapy and tumor vaccines.
Prerequisite of BMS 581 is required.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 691 Infectious Diseases
Isolation, identification and significance of microorganisms implicated in disease and as encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory are covered in-depth. The significance of saprophytes found in the clinical specimen, unusual isolates and findings are discussed. Proficiency testing implemented as part of the practical microbiology, computerization, instrumentation, miniaturization and DNA recombinant studies applicable to microbiology are reviewed.
Prerequisite of BMS 591 is required.
On occasion
BMS 693 Advanced Topics in Cancer Research
This course will cover current topics in cancer biology including oncogenes, tumor suppressors, metastasis, cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA repair in a 3-module format. Additionally, topics related to treatment of cancer (basic pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, and mechanism of action, and development of resistance) will be covered. Each semester, three specific topics will be chosen and the students will be assigned readings from the primary literature and these articles will be discussed in a journal club format during these sessions.
Prerequisite of BMS 673 is required.
On occasion
BMS 698 Medical Virology
Isolation, identification and classification of the viruses in man and animals with application to disease states such as causes, diagnosis and prevention are examined.
Prerequisite: Course in biochemistry or molecular biology.
Spring, 3 credits
BMS 703 Research Methods
This is a course designed to provide practical tools for initiation and development of a research proposal. The scientific approaches to problem-solving, data collection and analysis are discussed.
Fall, 3 credits
BMS 706 Research Project
This course provides another option for successful completion of the Master of Science degree through the completion of a research project and a comprehensive examination in the specialty. Open only to matriculated students with approval by department chairperson, Graduate Committee and mentor.
Prerequisite of BMS 703 is required.
Every Semester, 3 credits
BMS 707 Introduction to Research
Open only to matriculated students with the approval of a faculty mentor and department Chairperson. A student is provided with the opportunity to develop and enhance laboratory research skills leading to the design and completion of an experimental thesis (BMS 708).
On demand, 3 credits
BMS 708 Experimental Research Thesis
For experimental theses, the model system may be animals, tissue cells or microbial agents. The topic selection for experimental thesis is generally decided by the mentor. The student (with the help of the mentor) has to have logically defined objectives and a clear hypothesis. In this course the student carries out the experiments, reviews relevant literature, collect all research data, formulates graphs, figures or tables and writes the results, discussion, summary, conclusions and defend the thesis with a PowerPoint presentation.
Prerequisite of BMS 703 or 707 is required.
Every semester, 3 credits
Degree Requirements
Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 average and remain in good standing with the department. Overall GPA below a B are unacceptable toward continuation in the major and may result in dismissal from the program.
Students in the M.S. in Biomedical Sciences program will complete 33 credits in required courses and 3 credits in elective. Please note: From Fall 2021, there are no concentrations offered in this program.
|
Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
REQUIRED MS BIOMEDICAL COURSES |
||
|
BMS 520 |
Pathophysiology I |
3 |
|
BMS550 |
Clinical Biochemistry |
3 |
|
BMS 561 |
Hematology |
3 |
|
BMS 661 |
Hematological Malignancies |
3 |
|
BMS 581 |
Immunology |
3 |
|
BMS 591 |
Medical Microbiology |
3 |
|
BMS 612 |
Pathophysiology II |
3 |
|
BMS 656 |
Molecular Diagnostics |
3 |
|
BMS 673 |
Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer |
3 |
|
BMS 687 |
Molecular Immunology |
3 |
|
BMS 698 |
Medical Virology |
3 |
|
BMS 703 |
Research Methods |
3 |
|
ELECTIVE COURSES (ONE OF THE FOLLOWING-3 credits) |
||
|
BMS 594 |
Mycology/Parasitology |
3 |
|
BMS 661 |
Hematological Malignancies |
3 |
|
BMS 691 |
Infectious Diseases |
3 |
|
BMS 693 |
Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology |
3 |
|
BMS 706 |
Research Project |
3 |
|
BMS 707 |
Introduction to Research |
3 |
|
BMS 708 |
Experimental Research Thesis |
3 |
Typical Sequence
Please note: there are no official concentrations offered with the MS in Biomedical Sciences degree. Under rare circumstances, students can request an alternate plan of study from one listed here. These requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Chair of Department of Diagnostic Health Professions.
|
Plan of Study for students entering in the Fall Cohort: |
||
|
Semester |
Courses |
Credits |
|
Fall 1 |
BMS520, BMS581, BMS550 |
9 |
|
Spring 1 |
BMS612, BMS687, BMS561 |
9 |
|
Fall 2 |
BMS656, BMS703, |
6 |
|
Spring 2 |
BMS591, BMS673, BMS698 |
9 |
|
Elective |
One of 594/661/706/708 |
3 |
|
Total |
36 |
|
|
Plan of Study for students entering in the Spring cohort |
||
|
Semester |
Courses |
Credits |
|
Spring 1 |
BMS612, BMS687, BMS561 |
9 |
|
Fall 1 |
BMS520, BMS581, BMS550 |
9 |
|
Spring 2 |
BMS591, BMS673, BMS698 |
9 |
|
Fall 2 |
BMS656, BMS703 |
6 |
|
Elective |
One of 594/661/706/708 |
3 |
|
Total |
36 |
|
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