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School of Medicine Columbia

Curriculum

Our common core of classes, designed to give you a firm foundation in biomedical sciences while providing room for electives which complement your scientific interests, will prepare you for a career in the biomedical sciences. 

Our Curriculum

Our minimum 32-credit hour program requirement consists of five core curriculum classes with the remaining course load being devoted to a set of electives that allow our students to tailor their educational experience to their goals and interests. We offer two concentrations:  Health Professional Sciences and  Applied Biotechnology.  You also have the option to do a thesis and research or select a non-thesis option.  It is required for all students to maintain a cumulative B average to remain in good academic standing during their time in our program.

Course Title Credits
BMSC 700 Introduction to Biomedical Research (required for non-health professions concentration students) 1
BMSC 703 Communication Skills for Pre-Health Professions: Basics and Practices (required for health professions concentration students) 1
BMSC 706 Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research 2
BMSC 708 Human Cell and Molecular Biology for Biomedical Students 3
BMSC 754 Biomedical Biochemistry I 4
BMSC 801 Seminar in Biomedical Science 2
Five Total Courses: 12 Credits

You and your advisor will discuss elective courses that meet your goals and interests and that you are eligible to take during your time in the program.

Your thesis can be original research that you conduct with your mentor based on a shared interest, or an original library-based literature review. Your thesis should make a contribution to the current body of knowledge in biomedical sciences. You must successfully defend your thesis in order to graduate. 

Fall Semester I: 10 Credits
Course Title Credits
BMSC 703 Communication Skills for Pre-Health Professions: Basics and Practices 1
BMSC 706 Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research 2
BMSC 708 Human Cell and Molecular Biology for Biomedical Students 3
BMSC 754 Biomedical Biochemistry I 4
Spring Semester I: 11 Credits
Course Title Credits
PHPH 701 Physiology for Health Sciences 6
PATH 711 Experimental Pathology 3
BMSC 801 Seminar in Biomedical Sciences 2
Summer Semester I: 4 Credits
Course Title Credits
BIOL 530 Histology 4
Fall Semester II: 3 Credits
Course Title Credits
MBIM 710 Basic and Clinical Immunobiology 3

*Note, this sequence of courses is one example of how students work through our program. You will work with your advisor to find the best sequence that fits your needs, along with how quickly you will want to complete your degree.*

Fall Semester I: 12 Credits
Course Title Credits
BMSC 700 Introduction to Biomedical Research 1
BMSC 706 Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research 2
BMSC 708 Human Cell and Molecular Biology for Biomedical Students 3
MCBA 740 Biological Microscopic Imaging 3
MCBA 741 Molecular Imaging Methods of Biomedical Research 3
Spring Semester I: 10-12 Credits
Course Title Credits
MCBA 742 Biological Micro Imaging II 3
MCBA 743 Molecular Imaging Methods  3
BMSC 801 Seminar in Biomedical Sciences 2
Elective Elective Course 2-4
Summer Semester I: 8-10 Credits
Course Title Credits
BIOS 700 Introduction to Biostatistics 3
Research Research  3
Elective Elective Course 2-4
Fall Semester II: 7 Credits
Course Title Credits
BIOL 717 Biological Chemistry 3
MCBA 720 Special Topics in Microscopic Anatomy 1
Research Research  3
Spring Semester II: 4 Credits
Course Title Credits
Research Research  3
Thesis Thesis Preparation 1

*Note, this sequence of courses is one example of how students work through our program. You will work with your advisor to find the best sequence that fits your needs, along with how quickly you will want to complete your degree.*

 

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