2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Master of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.
Website: gvsu.edu/grad/biomed
Grand Valley's Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) in biomedical sciences provides graduate-level coursework and training for career advancement beyond that provided by a bachelor's degree.
General Studies (Non-Thesis)
The general M.H.S. degree is for students who want to further their knowledge in biomedical sciences and prepare for professional schools in healthcare. This program may also address the needs of students pursuing non-research careers.
Research (Thesis)
The research concentration is for students who want additional knowledge and experience before applying to doctoral programs or pursuing careers involving biomedical-related research. This option may also be chosen by students who want additional preparation for professional schools. Performance of original research and completion of a thesis is required.
Combined Degree
The BMS department also offers a combined B.S. and M.H.S. degree that can be completed in five years. The combined degree is limited to the research concentration for the M.H.S.
Admission
- GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from all undergraduate courses
- Three recommendations
- Completion of undergraduate courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and statistics
- Coursework in chemistry is highly recommended
- Application questionnaire
1. Requirements for General Studies Emphasis
Students must complete a minimum of 33 semester hour credits, including the biomedical sciences graduate core.
Core Courses (16 credits)
- BMS 508 - Advanced Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 523 - Epidemiology (3 credits)
- BMS 605 - Core Principles of Gross Anatomy (4 credits) OR BMS 560 - Regional Human Anatomy (4 credits)
- BMS 607 - Infection and Immunity (3 credits)
- STA 610 - Applied Statistics for Health Professions (3 credits) OR STA 622 - Statistical Methods for Biologists (3 credits)
Additional Required Classes (3 credits)
Electives (At least 14 credits)
Courses to fulfill the elective credits are selected with guidance from the graduate program director. Graduate courses both within and outside of biomedical sciences can be selected if deemed appropriate and aligned with the student's career goals.
Integrative Written Exam
Successful completion of an integrative written examination after completion of 18 credits including all core courses. Students who fail any part of the examination may take another examination within 12 months of the original effort.
2. Requirements for Research Emphasis
Students must complete a minimum of 33 semester hour credits, including the biomedical sciences graduate core and formal thesis.
Core Courses (16 credits)
- BMS 508 - Advanced Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 605 - Core Principles of Gross Anatomy (4 credits) OR BMS 560 - Regional Human Anatomy (4 credits)
- BMS 607 - Infection and Immunity (3 credits)
- BMS 523 - Epidemiology (3 credits)
- STA 610 - Applied Statistics for Health Professions (3 credits) OR STA 622 - Statistical Methods for Biologists (3 credits)
Additional Required Classes (10 credits)
- BMS 501 - Graduate Seminar in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit)
- BMS 601 - Experimental Design (3 credits)
- BMS 695 - Master's Thesis Research (3 or 6 credits)
- BMS 696 - Continuation of Master's Project or Thesis Research (1 credit) (if needed after completion of BMS 695)
Electives (At least 7 credits)
Courses to fulfill the elective credits are selected with guidance from the graduate program director. Graduate courses both within and outside of biomedical sciences can be selected if deemed appropriate and aligned with the student's career goals.
3. Electives
Courses to fulfill the elective credits are selected with guidance from the graduate program director. Graduate courses both within and outside of biomedical sciences can be selected if deemed appropriate and aligned with the student's career goals. Common elective with BMS include:
- BMS 509 - Endocrinology (3 credits)
- BMS 512 - Medical Bacteriology (3 credits)
- BMS 526 - Sensory Systems Neuroscience (3 credits)
- BMS 531 - Medical Virology (3 credits)
- BMS 532 - Medical Mycology (3 credits)
- BMS 538 - Advanced Neuroscience (3 credits)
- BMS 550 - Human Histology (4 credits)
- BMS 608 - Pathologic Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 655 - Advanced Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BMS 699 - Independent Study (1 to 3 credits)