Biomedical Science

Program of Study

"The quality of Hood's M.S. in Biomedical Science program is exceptional, and it serves students, the community, and area employers very well. The caliber is reflected in the high number of theses that later become articles in first-rate scientific journals. Because of the resources Hood can draw on from the research labs in this area, Hood's M.S. program is absolutely comparable to similar programs in large research universities."

Dr. Raymond Gilden
Senior Vice President, Biotechnology DynCorp
(Retired)

Developed for working professionals with an undergraduate background in biology or related disciplines, our 33-credit program offers both a thesis and a non-thesis track. Students anticipating graduate study beyond the master's degree or careers in research should choose the thesis track, which includes the defense of a 6-credit, research-based thesis. The non-thesis track includes a comprehensive exam and oral defense of a mock grant proposal.

Initiated in 1975, the M.S. in Biomedical Science program has skillfully combined Hood's resources with the expertise of scientists working in the laboratories of the National Cancer Institute's Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, the U.S. Army Research Institute on Infectious Disease, and other nearby biomedical and biotechnology facilities.
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Requirements & Concentrations

The degree requirements provide options both for students who anticipate careers in research and for those who plan to work in a non-research environment. Students are encouraged to select elective courses within a concentration. Two of the concentrations, in Biotechnology / Molecular Biology or Microbiology/Virology/Immunology, have both thesis or non-thesis options. The Regulatory Compliance concentration is also a certificate program. Self-designed concentrations are also available.
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Admission Criteria

Criteria for admission into the program include appropriate undergraduate preparation in the biological sciences, area of research interest, and experience.
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Success of Graduates

The quality of Hood's M.S. in Biomedical Science program is reflected in the accomplishments of graduates who have a strong record of publication and a high rate of acceptance to doctoral programs.
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Biomedical Faculty

The faculty has authored more than 200 publications in scientific journals, several dozen of which also have carried the names of Hood graduate students. Two faculty members teach exclusively in the Biomedical Science graduate program; four others teach both graduate and undergraduate students at Hood. A number of adjunct faculty engaged in full-time research teach specialized courses in the Biomedical Science program.
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