BMS Curriculum Options
The BMS Degree can be completed in as little as two semesters, but three- and four-semester options are available for students wishing to take pre-professional school prerequisites, benefit from a wider variety of courses, earn an anatomy teaching certificate, or work part-time while completing the the degree.
BMS is a 30-credit coursework-only master's degree that provides rigorous preparation for medical, dental or PA school aspirants. Students will work with their advisor to select a program that best suits their needs. The sample curricula shown below are examples only an can be tailored for each student.
Required Courses: Students entering under 2024-2025 Catalog
- BMS 505A Orientation Seminar (1 cr.)
- BMS 506A Scientific Application I (2 cr.)
- MBMB 550A and MBMB 550B (Biochemistry I and II) 2-semester sequence (6 cr. total)
- Human or mammalian physiology (400 or 500 level), 3 cr.
- Human anatomy (400 or 500 level), 3 cr.
- Statistics (400 or 500 level), 1 cr.
- Elective courses to meet 21 graded credits minimum in BMS coursework or biological science content areas, 15 credit 500-level course minimum, and graduate school 30 credit minimum for the degree.
Example Curriculum - Two Semester Sequence
Two semester sequence example I - most test prep
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
BMS 505A (Seminar/Application Prep) [1] BMS 501A (Scientific Apps/Test Prep) [2] MBMB 550A (Biochemistry I) [3] PHSL 511A (Mammalian Physiol. I) [4] PHSL 401A (Gross Anatomy I) [5]
| BMS 500B (Seminar/Application Prep) [1] BMS 501B (Scientific Apps/Test Prep) [2] MBMB (Biochemistry II) [3] QUAN 402 (Statistics) [3] PHSL 511B (Mammalian Physiol. II) [4] PHSL 503 Embryology [3]
|
15 credits | 16 credits |
Two semester sequence example II - no test prep
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
BMS 500A (Seminar/Application Prep) [1] BMS 501A (Scientific Applications) [2] MBMB 550A (Biochemistry I) [3] PHSL 511A (Mammalian Physio I) [4] QUAN 402 (Statistics) [3] Biology Elective Course for 3 credits (e.g. Neuroanatomy or pharmacology) | MBMB (Biochemistry II) [3] PHSL 511B (Mammalian Physio B) [4] Biology Elective Courses (7-9 credits) (e.g. embryology, pharmacology, or medical microbiology)
|
16 credits | 14-16 credits |
Three or Four semester sequence - use for anatomy teaching certificate, decompressed schedule, or prerequisite completion.
- Please note full-time enrollment for graduate students is 9 credit-hours per semester. Taking fewer hours may impact financial aid eligibility.
Fall Semester 1 | Spring Semester 1 |
BMS 500A (Seminar/Application Prep) [1] BMS 501A (Scientific Apps/Test Prep) [2] credits MBMB 550A (Biochemistry I) [3] PHSL 511A (Mammalian) or QUAN 402 (Statistics) [3-4] OR other biology electives or take undergraduate prerequisites if needed | BMS 500B (Seminar/Application Prep) [1] BMS 501B (Scientific Apps/Test Prep) [2] MBMB (Biochemistry II) 3 credits PHSL 511B (Mammalian) or QUAN 402 (Statistics) or other biology elective [3-5] OR take undergraduate prerequisites if needed |
6-15 credits; some may be UG credits | 6-15 credits; some may be UG credits |
Fall Semester 2 | Spring Semester 2 |
PHSL 511A (Mammalian Physio I) [4] PHSL 502 (Neuroanatomy) [4] PHSL 401A (Gross Anatomy I) [5] PHSL 420A (Pharmacology) [3] OR other elective courses as needed for prerequisites, anatomy teaching certificate, etc.
| PHSL 511B (Mammalian Physio II) [4] credits PHSL 503 (Embryology) [4] PHSL 401B (Gross Anatomy I) [5] PHSL 420B (Pharmacology) [3] OR other elective courses as needed for prerequisites, anatomy teaching certificate, etc.
|
6-15 credits | 6-15 credits |