Master's of Biomedical Sciences | Masters of Biomedical Science

Welcome to HPU Biomedical Sciences

Founding Director for MS Biomedical Sciences and Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences

kackerma@highpoint.edu

My love of biomedical science is often philosophical, it is of course the life of the embryonic self and ultimately the fully developed brain that shapes and dictates our interactions with the world; therefore, it defines what it means to be human. With this in mind, the ultimate goal of biomedical science as a discipline is to understand the biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology of the human body; how the complex interactions of genes, proteins, cells and organs can lead to the individuality of human health and wellness or contribute to disorder and disease.

High Point University’s Biomedical Sciences program offers 4 distinguishing training features:

Strategies to be a life-long learner

Often first year graduate students report that the hardest part of their first year was adjusting to a new self-directed learning environment. At High Point University, you will be taught strategies to develop into a life-long learner. There is a rich literature detailing the Science of Learning which draws on many different methods and techniques to understand how learning occurs and can be modified to best fit your style. Information in healthcare is constantly revolving, so to keep up in this fast-paced industry you will need the skill set to constantly be teaching yourself new information.

Competency-based model to learn technical and clinical skills

Many master’s programs are heavily content/coursework focused, but our program will utilize a competency-based model to teach a combination of technical and clinal skills in the classroom that are critical to success in biomedical sciences. 1-3 skills per course will be taught and mastered to competency, so you will exit HPU with a repertoire of clinical and technical skills to add to your CV/resume.

Integrative Curriculum in high-tech environments

Our goal is to guide you to think broadly and make connections between disciplines so that you leave with a rich and diverse knowledge of how the human body works. Collaborative teamwork will be necessary to work case studies involving knowledge learned in multiple courses and to solve research questions during hands-on laboratories. The state-of-the-art facilities at HPU are endless. For example, you will utilize the medical simulation center and the human biomechanics laboratory to test your working physiological knowledge. Tissues/biopsy punches will be collected during cadaveric anatomy to section and analyze in our Pathology lab.

Research-based capstone project at clinical, research, or internship sites

Our program values the process of scientific inquiry and research’s contribution to the advancement of the healthcare sciences. Thus, you will engage in a 10-week capstone project working on an original research question that you have developed with your HPU Community Partner mentor. The research project will be presented at the Biomedical Sciences Research Symposium.

State of the Art Facilities

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lab

Cell Culture Facility

Center for Medical Simulation

Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab

Human Gross Anatomy Lab

Zebrafish Laboratory

Do you want to distinguish yourself before applying to preprofessional programs or graduate school?

Are you looking to upskill/reskill to be more competitive in the healthcare workforce?

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredited Master’s of Biomedical Sciences program, has been designed to benefit students who want to: 1.) demonstrate increased academic maturity, along with, strengthening clinical and/or research skills ahead of pursuing an advanced degree in healthcare (MD, PA, DDM, PT, AT, etc.) and/or 2.) advance in a career as a research scientist via a terminal or gateway degree program designed to foster skill development in areas such as methodology, critical thinking, scientific inquiry, collaborative teamwork, and the interpretation and evaluation of scientific literature.

The program consists of:

Choose from 3-Tracks: Clinical Training, Research Development, or Internship; all culminate in a 10-week capstone project

Clinical Experience	Research Development (Basic Science)	Internship
(3) EMT Training and Certification	(3) Techniques in Biomedical Sciences	(3) Techniques in Biomedical Sciences
(2) EMT Clinicals	(2) Research Design in Biomedical Sciences	(2) Research Design in Biomedical Sciences OR Legal and Ethical Considerations in Healthcare
Clinical Experience Capstone*	Research Development Capstone*	Internship Capstone*
*Capstone is a 10-week research project at a clinical site, a basic science research bench withprincipal investigator, or an internship where students will collect meaningful data to present a poster or oral presentation at an internal symposium.

11 month start-to-completion (mid May-early May)
Cohort size of 10-30 students per academic year
Curricular areas of focus – Cadaver-based anatomy, EMT certification, Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Pharmacology, Literature and Critique, Biostatistics, and an inquiry-based Capstone project
Standardized Exam preparation (MCAT, DAT, GRE)
Dedicated faculty advisers for individualized mentoring
Application preparation via HPU’s awarding winning Career and Professional Development office
Taught by Ph.D.-prepared faculty

Curriculum:

Biomedical science provides a holistic vision of human science, underpinned by relevant basic sciences including anatomy and physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics and molecular biology, and statistics that are taught from an interdisciplinary viewpoint. Through our innovative curriculum, HPU students navigate an increasingly collaborative and integrated science environment to ultimately address the changing needs in scientific discovery, research, and patient-centered care.

The master’s degree in biomedical sciences can be completed in 11 months through three terms (summer, fall, spring terms, with a May graduation). Courses will be offered in a cohort model totaling 39 credits-34 credits in core courses and 5 credits of elective which are determined by tracks.

Core Courses-34 credits

Summer Term	Fall Term	Spring Term
(5) Foundations in Integrated Medical Physiology + History and Physical Exam laboratory	(5) Applied Gross Anatomy+ cadaveric laboratory	(3) Analysis and Critic of Literature in the Biomedical Sciences
(5) Medicinal Biochemistry + laboratory	(4) Medicinal Pharmacology + journal club	(3) Capstone in Research Development, Clinical Training, or Internship
(3) Statistics for Evidence Based Practice in the Health Sciences	(5) Pathology + Histology laboratory	(0) Standardized Exam Preparation II
	(1) Healthcare Practice and Professional Development
	(0) Standardized Exam Preparation I
13 credits	15 credits	6 credits

*Courses and credit number are subject to change.

Program Objectives Tuition & Fees Course Descriptions

Related Programs

HPU will give preference to applicants who demonstrate the potential to be successful in a graduate level curriculum; thus, a consistent or an up-trending undergraduate academic track record will allow you to successfully transition into master’s level expectations. In addition to academic success, students must demonstrate high level interest in experiential learning, leadership, and service. Finally, HPU Biomedical Sciences will work to enhance a mission to diversify the STEM workforce; thus, enrollment of students from various backgrounds is essential.

Full application submission is required for admittance and interviews may be required.

The BMS application materials can be submitted year-round rolling from June 1 to April 1, but will be reviewed during the dates listed below:

Early Commitment deadline has passed-Sept. 1, 2002.

Early Action Deadline-due on Dec. 1, 2022.

Late Decisions Deadlines-Feb. 1, March 1, and April 1.

Prerequisites:

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
Recommended GPA of 3.4; minimum GPA of a 3.0/4.0
All prerequisite courses must be completed within 7 years preceding application and admissions to Biomedical Sciences

*Course Designator/Title	Credits	Level	Examples
Biology	8	Introductory with lab	Cell and Molecular, Genetics, Zoology, Evolution, Ecology Cell/Molecular or Genetics-Highly Recommended
Anatomy, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Exercise Science, Neuroscience, or Physiology.	15-16	At least 3 upper level courses with lab (3xxx or 4xxx) are required.	Biochemistry, Cellular biology, Molecular biology, Kinesiology, Biomedical Science (immunology, cancer biology, virology, parasitology, neuroscience)
Anatomy and Physiology	Highly Recommended	2XXX+ with lab
General Chemistry	8	1xxx with lab
Organic Chemistry	8	At least 2xxx with lab
Humanities	8	Evidence of liberal arts exploration	Ethics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, History, Art, or Political Science
Communication	4	Evidence of proficient oral or written communication	Composition, Speech, Literature, English, Humanities courses that are writing intensive
Math	4	At least Pre-calculus	Statistics/Biostatistics, Pre-calculus, Calculus Biostatistics/Statistics-Highly Recommended

Application Information:

Materials for application to the Biomedical Sciences program include:

CV or resume
3 letters of academic or professional recommendations (at least 2 letters should be academic references)
Official transcripts for all colleges attended outside of High Point University
2 essay prompts; each to be answered in 250-500 words
Online application

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Contact Information

One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268

Apply

(336) 841-9198

gradadmit@highpoint.edu

Daily from 8:00am — 5:00pm.

Rachel Topper

Graduate Recruiter

rtopper1@highpoint.edu

(336) 841-9145

06.07.22 linda sekhon faculty high point university

Linda Sekhon DHSc, MMS, PA-C

Founding Chair of the Department of Medical Sciences and Professor of Medical Sciences and Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

lsekhon@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9440

Kristin Ackerman PhD

Founding Director for MS Biomedical Sciences and Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences

kackerma@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9509

Meghan Blackledge

Associate Professor of Chemistry; Director of Natural Sciences Fellows

mblackle@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9317

Kelly Curtis

Associate Professor of Psychology

kcurtis0@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9569

Billy Vaile, NREMT-P, CHSE

Simulation Center Manager

wvaile@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9685

Karen Timbrook-Dillow, DMSc, MMS, PA-C

Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

ktimbroo@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9564

Nolan Crain, MPAS, PA-C

Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

ncrain@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9432

Angel Hicks

Dept Administrative Assistant

ahicks@highpoint.edu

336-841-2686

Brittany Macon-Davis, DMSc, MHS, PA-C

Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

bmacon@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9108

08 17 22 high point university faculty haley horbaly

Haley Horbaly PhD

Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

hhorbaly@highpoint.edu

336-841-2857

Michelle P. Johnson, MHS, PA (ASCP)

Clinical Adjunct Instructor in Pathology and Histology, Biomedical Sciences

mjohns24@highpoint.edu

336-841-9000

Inaugural Cohort-Class of 2023

BMS Group Picture 2022

left to right: Faith Wheeler, Gabby Ryan, Blair Cloutier, Jessie Nouman, Shelby McCook, and Dr. Ackerman

View Student Profiles