Master of Science with a Major in Biology, Biomedical Sciences
Credit Hours: 30
The non-thesis M.S. in Biology - Biomedical Sciences concentration is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in this high-demand and rapidly evolving field. Ideal for students bridging the gap between undergraduate and professional school, our program offers an integrative curriculum that provides additional preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary science, physical therapy, biomedical/diagnostic technology, and biomedical research.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program sheet, which provides a required coursework sequence, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
We offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers the latest advances in biomedicine, including biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, physiology, and neuroscience. Students will learn from expert faculty committed to providing them with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge they need to succeed in various roles in healthcare and laboratories. As a nonthesis program, students can complete their degree in as little as 1 year (3 semesters, including summer) or up to 2 years, depending on their desired pace.
Students can start in the fall and finish the program by the summer, allowing them to enter professional school as soon as they complete the degree. We offer in-person and online courses, providing students flexibility in their course schedules. Graduate advisors provide personalized guidance to help students attain their career goals and strengthen their candidacy for professional programs.
To enrich their learning experience, students can receive credit for experiential learning aligned with their career goals by pursuing an internship (e.g., volunteering at a doctor’s office) or research participation. Enrolled students can apply to volunteer at Tanner Health System through a partnership with the UWG Center for Student Involvement.
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Biology
External Resource
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
We offer in-person courses and online courses, providing students flexibility in their course schedules. This degree cannot be earned 100% online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 30
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Biomedical Sciences Concentration Courses (minimum 12 credits across 4 courses):
Take 2 courses (minimum 6 credits) in each of the core areas listed below.
Core Area 1: Physiology & Biochemistry
BIOL 5520 Developmental Biology and Embryology (4 cr)
BIOL 5539 Comparative Physiology (3 cr)
BIOL 5731 Introduction to Toxicology (3 cr)
BIOL 5732 Biology of Aging (3 cr)
BIOL 5733 Animal Nutrition (3 cr)
BIOL 5735 Parasitology (4 cr)
BIOL 6503 Biological Perspectives: Biochemistry (3 cr)
BIOL 6513 Human Physiology (4 cr)
BIOL 6526 Vertebrate Histology (4 cr)
BIOL 6750 Clinical Neuroscience (3 cr)
BIOL 5985 Special Topics in Biology (1-4 cr)*
BIOL 6981 Graduate Independent Study (1-4 cr)*
BIOL 6982 Directed Readings (1-4 cr)*
BIOL 6985 Graduate Special Topics in Biology (1-4 cr)*
Core Area 2: Genetics & Microbiology
BIOL 5315 Bacterial Genetics (4 cr)
BIOL 5325 Advanced Medical Microbiology (3 cr)
BIOL 5631 Genetics and Medical Genetics (4 cr)
BIOL 5666 Evolutionary Genomics (3 cr)
BIOL 5727 Essentials of Immunology (4 cr)
BIOL 5728 Bacterial Pathogenesis (4 cr)
BIOL 5729 Medical Virology (4 cr)
BIOL 5730 Emerging Pathogens (4 cr)
BIOL 6325 Prokaryotic Biology (3 cr)
BIOL 5985 Special Topics in Biology (1-4 cr)*
BIOL 6981 Graduate Independent Study (1-4 cr)*
BIOL 6982 Directed Readings (1-4 cr)*
BIOL 6985 Graduate Special Topics in Biology (1-4 cr)*
*Subject to approval by the graduate program coordinator.
Electives (15 credits)
Graduate courses in Biology
Up to four credit hours may come from BIOL 6986 Graduate Biological Internship.
Up to 3 courses can be from other minor fields with approval from the graduate program coordinator.
Downloads
General
Bacterial Genetics is an advanced microbiology course which focuses on the molecular genetics of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Topics addressed include the nature of the bacterial chromosome, the multi-step process of DNA replication, DNA damaging agents and mutations, DNA repair systems, mechanisms of gene transfer and antibiotic resistance, and the regulation of gene expression. The laboratory component reinforces concepts learned in lecture and familiarizes students with modern techniques used in genetic engineering and biotechnology.
Advanced medical microbiology is designed to inform students of current developments in the areas of clinical and medical microbiology. The course will focus on mechanisms of pathogenesis and host defense. Discussion of new and emerging infectious agents will be addressed.
A course combining the fundamentals of embryology with the genetic and molecular analysis of embryonic development.
This course is designed to study the similarities and differences in how various animals have solved a wide variety of physiological problems imposed by the natural world in which they exist. The student will investigate the functions of the different organ systems in invertebrates and vertebrates. The main goal of this class is to focus on the observation of how problems in nature are solved by various organisms. A complete understanding of the physiology of the human is an absolute prerequisite for this course as this will be the point of reference for most discussions.
The major emphasis of this course is the study of both basic and advanced genetic principles and genetic analysis methods that can be applied to all eukaryotic organisms. The secondary emphasis of this course will be the study of human medical genetics.
This course covers the techniques by which genome sequences and genome functions are analyzed. This course also examines topics in evolutionary genomics such as comparative genomics, evolution or duplicate genes, evolution of genome structure and organization, evolution of protein function, and evolution of gene expression.
Essentials of immunology is designed as an introduction to the immune response. The student will obtain a broad, comprehensive understanding of the principles of immunology. The course will focus on a detailed study of antigen-antibody interactions, humoral immunity, and cell-mediated immunity. Medically important syndromes, including AIDS, will be discussed to reinforce the principles of immunology. A laboratory component is included for the exploration of clinical immuno-diagnostic techniques.
Bacterial Pathogenesis is intended to familiarize graduate students with advanced topics in medical microbiology and the study of infectious disease. The course includes detailed discussions of factors involved in the infectious disease process, epidemiology, host defenses, and bacterial virulence factors. In addition, graduate students will be required to analyze and critique articles from the scientific literature, to compose a synopsis of their literature research, and orally present their work to the class. The laboratory component will focus on methods routinely used to isolate, culture, and identify bacterial pathogens. Graduate students will be required to present articles from microbiology journals and lead classroom discussions.
Medical virology is designed as an introduction to viruses that are involved in human disease. The student will obtain a broad, comprehensive understanding of the principles of virology using specific medical examples. The course will focus on a detailed study of the viral structure, replication, gene expression, pathogenesis, and host defense. A laboratory component is included for the exploration of clinical techniques.
The emerging pathogen course is designed to inform students of the dramatic changes and current developments in the area of infectious disease. The course will focus on the evolving microorganisms and the reasons that the pathogens emerged. Also the course will include discussions on the mechanisms of pathogenesis and the host defense.
The primary objective of the course is to present students with the concepts and practical applications of the science of toxicology. This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the principles of toxicology, focusing on the biochemical, physiological, and ecological effects of various toxicants. The use of toxicology in biomedical, pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and environmental research will be examined and discussed.
Course will focus on some of the ideas about aging put forward by early alchemists to modern molecular biologists. Will discuss the biological principles behind anti-aging and aging intervention agents, as well as life-style options.
This course provides a basic understanding of the fundamentals of vertebrate nutrition and builds from what biology majors already know about physiology, biochemistry and general biology. Emphases are placed on digestion, absorption, and functions of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nucleic acids, vitamins, minerals, and water to provide students with the ability to apply the logic of science in understanding diet and make decisions regarding health and nutrition of domestic animals. This course also integrates energy balance, general health, disease, and metabolism in order to consider nutrition as an integrative field.
This course introduces students to the field of parasitology. Topics covered include parasite diversity, life cycles, host defense mechanisms, parasite evasion, host pathology, ecology, evolution, and control. The laboratory component of the course will examine parasites of medical and veterinary importance.
This course is intended to introduce graduate students to the complexity and diversity of procaryotic organisms, including the eubacteria and archaea. The course will involve both lecture and laboratory learning, will engage problem solving skills, and will require extensive written and oral communication components.
This course is designed to study the interactions of biochemical pathways and the control systems that function to regulate cell and whole body metabolism. This course emphasizes the regulation of biochemical pathways as opposed to the mechanisms involved in each enzymatic step within a given pathway.
A survey of the mechanisms involved in the function of the human body. Study is approached from the organ system level to address muscular, neural, hormonal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, renal, and reproductive functions. Correlation will be made to the similarity between the demands placed on living systems regardless of whether the organism is multicellular or a single cell.
A microanatomical study of cell and tissue structure. Emphasis is on the complex nature of tissues and how the cellular associations within the tissue contribute to the overall functions of the tissues. Laboratory is devoted to preparation and interpretation of tissue samples.
This course will provide an understanding of human neuroanatomy & neurophysiology through examination of key clinical diagnoses & clinical cases. Students will apply foundation knowledge of neuroanatomy & neurophysiology from assigned readings to describe the pathophysiology associated with key clinical diagnoses, and then practice diagnostic skills with example clinical cases. Students with experience in anatomy and physiology, human physiology, and/or histology will be best prepared for this course. This course will prepare students moving into postgraduate health-related industries or professional schools.
Independent study of topics not offered in the current term. Independent study is only available for topics addressed by current courses if the topical course will not be offered during the academic year, or if the scheduling of the topical course is such that it will require a delay in timely completion of the degree for the student.
Directed readings are available for graduate students who need to conduct an independent review of the literature in a topic not addressed by the curriculum of the department. Students must complete a statement of understanding and expectation and must have the topic approved by their major professor and either the graduate coordinator or the department chair. Selected readings are appropriate for topics related to thesis research or for topics that provide a foundation for comprehensive examinations for non-thesis track students.
Specific titles will be announced for each term in class schedules and will be entered on transcripts.
Heidi Banford, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Andrew Edelman, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology, Graduate Program Coordinator, & Co-director of Wildlife Ecology Certificate Program
Frank Fontanella, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Janet Genz, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Joe Hendricks, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of the Wildlife Ecology Certificate Program
Melissa Johnson (Cavallin), Ph.D.
Professor & Undergraduate Program Coordinator
William J. Kenyon, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of Microbiology Certificate Program
Mautusi Mitra, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Sara Molesworth-Kenyon, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of Microbiology Certificate Program
David Morgan, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Nancy Pencoe, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Satyanarayana Swamy-Mruthinti, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Christopher Tabit, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Henry Zot, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program-specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative post-secondary grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Students entering this program are expected to have an undergraduate degree in biology or a closely related field. Students without a degree in biology or students lacking certain background courses in biology and related sciences may be expected to complete undergraduate courses to compensate for deficiencies.
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Personal statement up to one page, including these components:
- Relevant biographical sketch, interests, and goals in relation to the program.
- Mention your intention to pursue the non-thesis M.S. in biology - biomedical sciences concentration.
- International Applicants: must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. For those whose first language is English, the requirement can be waived based on the completion of a degree taught in the English language from an English-based educational system (USA, Canada, UK, Australia, etc.).
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
Program Questions
biology@westga.edu
678-839-6547
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate only), Financial Aid, Fee Payments, Registration, Start/End of term, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
- Summarize core biological and biomedical sciences principles from biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, and neuroscience.
- Communicate effectively about biology to general and scientific audiences.