You may find more detailed
information about the MBS program and may apply on-line
using the links at the left
Summary of MBS Program
The biomedical scientist is both research scientist and medical educator with career possibilities
in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and government or
industrial biomedical laboratories.
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The
Biomedical Science Program at the University of South
Carolina School of Medicine offers a course of study and
significant research opportunities leading to the Doctor
of Philosophy and the Master of Biomedical Science.
Graduate faculty are involved in a broad range of research
activities that encompass biological and physiochemical
disciplines in a medical setting. |
Palmetto trees and stately white columns
adorn the front of the Medical Science Building on the
School of Medicine VA campus
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The two year interdisciplinary Master of
Biomedical Sciences (MBS) programs offered by the School of
Medicine provide:
- A first year of classroom instruction
in advanced biomedical sciences
There are two tracks
- A second year of practical experience
or self-directed learning consisting of one of the following tracks:
- Biomedical research in
which the student works in a laboratory of a faculty mentor on a
project that leads to the writing of an MBS thesis. This track
is for students who would like to enter graduate school and
pursue a doctoral in a biomedical science subject. Research specializations in neuroscience,
molecular oncology, vision science, developmental biology and
anatomy, cardiovascular disease, reproductive biology,
microbiology and immunology are available.
- Library research in which
the student, under the direction of a faculty mentor, researches
a project by reading papers and writes an NIH style grant
proposal. This track is for those who wish to pursue advanced
courses as a step to professional school (medical, dental or
veterinary school).
- Advances biotechnology methods
in which the student obtains hands-on experience of molecular
and cellular techniques used in the research laboratory in
academic institutions or industry. This track is for those who
do wish to work in an industrial or academic laboratory but do
not wish to pursue their own research project.
A listing of Biomedical Science
faculty and their research interests may be found on this web site
(use the link at the left) and in the program announcement in
Peterson's Guide to Graduate Programs.
No stipends are available for
students in the MBS program
Because no financial support is
available for MBS students, we do not normally admit students
from overseas to this program
For more
information, please call the School of Medicine Graduate office at
803-733-3100 or e-mail Biomed@med.sc.edu.
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Coursework
Coursework provides a broad emphasis
in the basic medical sciences.
- Core courses provide a fundamental
biomedical knowledge base and focus on molecular and cellular
biology and biochemistry. They emphasize critical scientific thinking in a small
group setting.
- Interdisciplinary laboratory
courses introduce such topics as:
- biomedical ethics
- use of animals on medical
research.
- use of hazardous reagents such as
radioactivity, recombinant DNA etc.
- the function of the institutional
review board that reviews patients in research.
- Seminars provide a common forum for faculty and students to stay
abreast of research. developments across the nation and around
the world.
YEAR ONE
In year one, there are two tracks:
- A minimum of 32 graduate credits with
thesis are needed to satisfy MBS degree requirements
- As many as 12 graduate credits may
be taken in USC schools and colleges other than the School of Medicine;
this option provides great flexibility to tailor programs to
each student and to draw on the wider resources of a
comprehensive university
- At least 50% of graduate credits
exclusive of thesis must be 700 level
- Up to 6 credits may be taken as
thesis preparation
- Up to 6 credits may be taken as research
or independent study
The Graduate
Bulletin with a description of these and other graduate courses is
listed at this website: http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/grad/index.html
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YEAR TWO
RESEARCH TRAINING TRACK
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The
Newton Graduate Research Symposium
is held each year with formal slide presentations by
students of ongoing research; audience includes program
faculty, staff, and students; a faculty committee selects
winners and provides written evaluations with constructive
criticism |
During the first year of the program,
the student will choose a research mentor and may work in the
mentor's laboratory. Once the required courses have been
completed (which occurs by the end of the first year), the
student works full time on research and completes an MBS thesis
by the end of the second year. It is hoped that the student will
present work at local or national meetings and the Biomedical
Sciences Graduate program will provide travel support where
possible
- Medical
Research: follow this link to find out more information
about the research
activities of the faculty at the USC School of Medicine.
LIBRARY RESEARCH TRACK
The USCSM Medical Library serves
as the School of Medicine's information gateway to over
2,000 electronic journals, more than 100 electronic
textbooks, over 50 databases (including MEDLINE, CANCERLIT,
MD Consult, StatRef, Web of Science), and the Library's
online catalog.
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Through regional and national networks, library users enjoy
access to major national and international collections of
books and journals. USCSM students and faculty also have
access to the Thomas Cooper Library on the main USC campus.
Its holdings include more than 14,000 journals and a
collection of over 3 million volumes.
The entire Library is accessible to students and faculty 24
hours per day year round since any registered student or
faculty member may request 24 hour access and their ID card
will permit them to enter and leave the Library after hours. |
An MBS student in the library
research track will select a mentor in the first year and will
agree a literature research project. The student will research
that project and meet periodically with his or her mentor to
assess progress. Having studied the literature on a particular
subject in depth, the student will write an NIH-style grant
proposal that will be presented to a committee of the faculty
for assessment.
ADVANCED BIOTECHNOLOGY METHODS TRACK
In this track, an MBS student will learn
about modern techniques used in medical research. Two semester-long
courses will be taken in which the student will obtain experience in:
- Imaging (electron microscopy, confocal
fluorescence microscopy) (Fall semester)
- Genomics and Proteomics (Spring
semester)
Performance in each module of the course
will be determined by a laboratory report. There will be twelve of these
during the two semesters.
For more information on these courses,
please go here
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Dissertation
A thesis
will be required for the Master of Biomedical Science degree
except the Advanced Biotechnology Methods track. Each candidate must
next defend his/her thesis before an examining committee.
Outcomes
for Graduates
Although
only a few years old, the Master of Biomedical Science Program
has succeeded in placing graduates in preferred employment or
educational programs.
Most of the students who continued
their education did so at Medical School
You may find more detailed
information about the MBS program
here and may apply on-line
using the link at the left
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of page
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