The requirements for admission to the MA Program in Medical Sciences are the same as those for admission to the other MA programs of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. All applicants for admission are required to: (1) submit the results of the Medical College Admissions Test or the Graduate Record Examination General Test (in some cases the Advanced Test in either chemistry or Biology may be required); and (2) have met the requirements for the baccalaureate degree, including the following courses: general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physics. Courses in English composition or literature (1 year) and humanities (1 year), although not required for admission to the MA program, are recommended for individuals pursuing an MD degree.

Candidates are required to complete the equivalent of a minimum of eight semester courses (32 credits) at the graduate level. Students wishing to complete all the requirements of the program in 12 months must register full-time (12-16 credits) in the fall and spring semesters and for at least two credits in both summer semesters, or pay the continuing student fee for each of the two summer semesters.

The program features a structured set of course requirements and several groups of courses from which electives may be chosen. The core courses required of all students in the program are medical biochemistry, medical physiology, and biostatistics.

Students who have completed one or more of the required courses may substitute one or more electives. The equivalent of at least two courses (8 credits) of electives must be taken and a candidate for the MA in medical sciences may register for not more than a total of two semester courses (8 credits) in directed study/research.

The thesis that is required must be based on research carried out by the candidate under direct supervision of a member of the faculty selected by the candidate. The research project must be well conceived and well focused, and the written thesis should be of modest scope. The research project may involve library research only, or a combination of library and laboratory research. The completed thesis must be approved by the major advisor and a second reader who is a faculty member.

The following core courses are required of all students in the MA in Medical Sciences Program:

GMS BI 751 Biochemistry 6 cr, 1st sem.
GMS PH 740 Physiology 6 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS MS 700 Elementary Biostatistics 2 cr, either sem. or
GMS BT 570 Biostatistics with Computer 4 cr, 1st sem.

Elective Courses

This program does not offer its own courses but does accept as electives any graduate courses of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences or of other Schools and Colleges of Boston University which are taken with the consent of the course instructor and after consultation with the student's major advisor. A sampling of division courses include:

Courses marked (*) are a sample of courses in clinical research concentration also available as electives.

GMS AN 500, 705, 706 Microscopic Anatomy
GMS BN 775 Human Neuropsychology I
GMS BN 778 Basic Neurosciences Survey
GMS BN 779 Beginning Basic Neurosciences
GMS BT 552 Computers in Medicine
GMS MI 511 Medical Microbiology
GMS MI 518 Virology
GMS MS 753 Cell Biology
GMS MS 781 Human Genetics
GMS MS 782 Biology of Visual Systems
GMS PA 500 Introduction to Pathology
GMS PA 510 Medical Immunology
GMS PH 748 Endocrinology
GMS PM 730 Introduction to Medical Pharmacology
GMS PM 810 Current Topics in Pharmacology
GMS BT 540 Regulatory and Compliance Issues*
SPH EB 722 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials*