Program Details

ACCELERATED PROGRAM FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES AND DES MOINES UNIVERSITY MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES WITH DES MOINES UNIVERSITY

This joint degree major allows students the opportunity to complete three years in the Health Sciences program followed by 2 years in the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) at Des Moines University (DMU).

Biomedical research is an important part of health care today and requires the work of scientists in a wide variety of settings, including academia, government, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology-dependent industry. MSBS graduates may be employed as advanced technicians, laboratory managers, educators and scientists using their skills in such diverse areas as cancer research, clinical diagnosis, infectious disease, monitoring food and water supplies and teaching the next generation of scientists. Many have gone on to enroll in medical school as well.

Purpose:   

DMU’s MSBS program is designed to enable the development in careers in medical and scientific research and academic medicine to benefit the health of people around the world. Biomedical scientists are on the front lines, every day, searching for cures and treatments to some of the world’s most devastating diseases and infections. 

The 22-24 month graduate degree program will deepen your understanding of human diseases and immunology, as well as give you the opportunities to investigate the mechanisms of health and disease. 

Whether you are going to pursue a medical degree or a career in research or academia, DMU’s MSBS gives you the necessary skills and knowledge—as well as leadership expertise—to succeed in your professional aspirations.

Program Goals: 

  1. 1. Carry out and interpret biomedical research that generates new knowledge and advances the field. 

  1. 2. Apply mastery of core concepts in biomedical science to course work and research projects. 

  1. 3. Effectively communicate scientific information in written and oral format. 

  1. 4. Adhere to the appropriate standards of professionalism and ethics related to biomedical research. 

  1. 5. Collaborate effectively with colleagues, advisors, and the larger research community to promote cooperative learning. 


Pre-requisite Requirements (grade of C or higher in each course):  

  • Biology – 8 hours:  

  • BIO 012/012L, Pre-Professional Biology I & Lab – 4 s.h.

  • BIO 013/013L, Pre-Professional Biology II & Lab – 4 s.h.

  • Chemistry – 8 hours: 

  • CHEM 001/003, General Chemistry I – 4 s.h.

  • CHEM 002/004, General Chemistry II – 4 s.h.

  • Organic Chemistry – 4 hours:  

  • CHEM 097/098, Organic Chemistry I – 4 s.h. 

  • Biochemistry – 3 hours:  

  • CHEM 130, Biochemistry I: Fundamentals – 3 s.h.

  • Physics – 8 hours: 

  • PHY 011, General Physics I – 4 s.h.

  • PHY 012, General Physics II – 4 s.h. 

  • English, English Composition, Speech or Literature – 6 hours 

  • FYS: First Year Seminar – 3 s.h.

  • Written Communication AOI – 3 s.h.

Other highly recommended courses include cell biology, microbiology, and immunology. 

Should students not complete their coursework at Des Moines University and decide to return to Drake University, they will no longer be eligible for their Drake tuition guarantee. They will be responsible for the current University tuition rate. 

More information about DMU’s MSBS program can be found here. 
Curriculum


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First Year
FALL
BIO 012Biology (Life Sci AOI)4 CR
CHEM 001/3Chemistry I (Phy Sci AOI)4 CR
ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives3 CR
FYS First Year Seminar3 CR
HSCI 020INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SCIENCES2 CR
INTD 025Blueprint for Success1 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
17
SPRING
BIO 013/LPre-Professional Biology II & Lab4 CR
CHEM 002/4Chemistry II4 CR
ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives3 CR
HSCI 021PROFESSIONALISM IN HEALTH CARE2 CR
MATH 050Calculus I (QUAN AOI)3 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
16
Second Year
FALL
CHEM 097/98Org Chem/Lab I OR PHY 0114 CR
HSCI 141/LHuman Anatomy & Lab4 CR
HSCI 025*Introduction to the US Health Care System3 CR
PSY 001Intro Psychology4 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
15
J-TERM
ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives3 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
3
SPRING
ELEC ---Elective (CHEM 108/110: Org Chem II/Lab) 4 CR
ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives 3 CR
HSCI 060*Stats in Health Sciences3 (CRIT AOI)3 CR
HSCI 106*Culture Care & Hlth Literacy (GLOB/CITZ AOI)3 CR
HSCI 125/LPhysiology/Lab14 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
17
Third Year
FALL
ELEC ---Elective (PHY 011: General Physics I) 4 CR
ELEC ---Elective (CHEM 130/131: Biochem I/Lab) 4 CR
ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives3 CR
HSCI 055*Innovation & Leadership in Health Sciences3 CR
HSCI 095*Medical Terminology1 CR
HSCI 172EVALUATING RESEARCH LIT (INFO AOI)*3 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
18
SPRING
ECON 002Microeconomics23 CR
ELEC ---Elective (PHY 012: General Physics II) 4 CR
ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives6 CR
HSCI 105*Values & Ethics in Health Sciences (VE AOI)3 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
16
Fourth Year
FALL
DMU MSBS ---MASTER OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES COURSES9.5 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
9.5
SPRING
DMU MSBS ---MASTER OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES COURSES9 CR

Semester Total Credit Hours
9
Total Program Hours: 120.5


Program Notes:

Click here to view the remaining MSBS requirements.

Boldeded courses must be taken in the designated semester unless prior approval by the College is provided. 

*Asterisisked HSCI courses have multiple offerings each year; they should be taken within the designated year but can be taken during an alternative semester. 

1 = BIO 129/L – Mammalian Physiology or PHAR 125 can be substituted for requirement (courses offered only in fall semester) 
2 = HSCI 102 – Health Economics can be substituted for requirement (course offered only in fall semester) 
3 = STAT 060 – Statistics for the Life Sciences can be substituted for requirement 


Electives (minimum 45 credits): Elective credits include Drake Curriculum requirements not fulfilled by required coursework (outlined below) as well as non-required coursework that permits exploration of and/or advanced study in areas of professional interest within the student’s primary degree. Students should review the student handbook for the complete elective policy.

Drake Curriculum Areas of Inquiry not fulfilled by required coursework (15 credits): Artistic Literacy, Engaged Citizen, Historical Foundations (2), and Written Communication.

DMU MSBS Course Equates (18 credits): For students who complete the first year of the 3+2 program, DMU MHA coursework will fulfill the following undergraduate requirements, resulting in earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. 

Electives – 8 credits

HSCI 155 & 156 – Guided Research I & II – 4 cr. 

HSCI 196 & 197 – Health Sciences Internship I & II – 6 cr. 

**If not admitted to the MSBS program at DMU, all credit minimums for Electives must be fulfilled. The senior capstone (HSCI 155, 156, 196, & 197) must also be completed at Drake to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. 

Students will be required to send an official transcript to the Drake University Office of the Registrar to apply their transfer coursework to the health sciences major requirements. A minimum of 120 total hours will be required to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Drake University.