This pre-health Master's program has a flexible curricula and it builds on the existing strengths of basic and clinical faculty in the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) and Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM). We are located on the same campus as NJMS and RSDM and our students are taught by the faculty of Rutgers NJMS and RSDM. Students enrolled in the Master's program have the opportunity to obtain either a Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MS) or a Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degree. The MS requires a 5-credit research thesis while the MBS is predominantly based on coursework. Students have the flexibility to switch between MS and MBS.
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Students applying to the Masters Program can apply to be part of one of the following tracks:
Medical Scholars Track
Pre-Medical StudentsThis track is designed for students interested in applying to medical school, including schools of osteopathic medicine, and to other health related professions such as physician assistant. Students in the program receive personalized advice from Dr. Lawrence Gaspers and Dr. Mariana De Lorenzo. Students who meet select academic criteria have the opportunity to take medical courses and be graded with Rutgers NJMS student. Students with a 3.6 GPA after at least 20 credits and an MCAT of at least 127 in each section (permanent resident or citizen of the US) are eligible for a guaranteed interview at Rutgers NJMS.
Dental Scholars Track
Pre-dental studentsThe Dental ScholarsTtrack is designed for students interested in applying to U.S. dental schools. Students who meet select academic criteria have the opportunity to take dental school courses and be graded with RSDM students. Students with a 3.7 GPA and a DAT score of at least 20 Total Science and 20 Academic Average or passage on National Boards parts 1 and 2 on first take by BDS students are eligible for a guaranteed interview at Rutgers NJMS. Our students have access to three faculty from RSDM as academic advisors: Dr. Vincent K. Tsiagbe, Dr. Daniel Kadouri and Dr. Carla Cugini.
Biomedical Research Scholars Track
Students and professionals pursue the Biomedical Research Scholars track to learn more about biomedical research in areas including but is not limited to cell biology, neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, immunology and infectious diseases, microbiology, molecular biology, and genetics. Students receive personalized advisement on curriculum and career development from Dr. Doreen Badheka. Graduates from this program enter into Ph.D. programs or enhance their career in the biopharma industry or teaching in higher education.
Curriculum
Students require 30 credits with a grade point average of 3.0 (B-average) or better to graduate. Of these 30 credits, 9 credits come from the core (required) courses. The remaining 21 credits are from elective courses.
Students require 30 credits with a grade point average of 3.0 (B-average) or better to graduate. Of the 30 credits, 9 credits are required courses and the remaining 21 credits are electives. Students enrolled in the Master's program have the opportunity to obtain either a a Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degree or a Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MS) degree. The MS requires a 5-credit research thesis while the MBS is predominantly based on coursework. Students have the flexibility to switch between the two degree types. The MBS degree can be completed in 12 to 24 months. Students who are engaged in full-time employment or have other commitments have the option to complete the program in up to four years.
MS (Master of Science in Biomedical Science) - 25 credits of course work, plus original laboratory research culminating in a written thesis (5 credits) acceptable to an advisory committee and the graduate school (thesis research option).
MBS (Master of Biomedical Science) - 30 credits of coursework and maintain a “B” average.
All master's students must take:
1. Seminar in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit) or Oral Biology Research Seminar (1 credit): In these courses, faculty members present their research and engage in discussion with the class. Through this course students learn how the research in laboratory and clinical settings has advanced the knowledge and technology in life science. In addition, students develop creative and critical thinking-skills through active discussion during the seminars.
2. Research in Biomedical Sciences, also called Masters Research Rotations (2 credits), which are typically based in a research laboratory but can also involve clinical or non-laboratory research.
3. Any two of the following four 3 credit courses: (1) Fundamentals in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry (2) Fundamentals in Biomedical Sciences B, Cell Biology (3) Fundamentals of Pharmacology (4) Fundamentals of Human Physiology. Several dental and medical courses, each of which requires permission, can substitute for one or more of the courses in this category. Please contact your track director for advisement on dental or medical school courses. Medical scholars track | Dental Scholars track | Biomedical Research Scholars track
Elective Courses as required to attain sufficient credits to graduate. For a complete list of available elective courses for the Rutgers SGS, Rutgers Health Newark campus, students can email Dr. Doreen Badheka at doreen.badheka@rutgers.edu.
Application requirements
All applications for admission to the Masters program are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed holistically based on the GPA, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. MCAT/DAT/GRE test scores are optional.
Application deadline
Fall semester
Domestic students: July 01 of that year | International students: June 15 of that year
Spring semester
December 1st of the preceding year | International students: November 01 of the preceding year
Research
Our faculty have appointments in SGS and primary appointments in NJMS or RSDM. Our students have the opportunity to engage in a 2-credit research rotation and/or a 5-credit Master's thesis with these faculty. The 5-credit Master's thesis contributes to the 21 credits of elective coursework.