The University of Toledo

Professional Science Masters Program In Biomarkers and Diagnostics

ADVANTAGES OF COMPLETING A PSM DEGREE
The Professional Science Master is an innovative graduate degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training and excel in science without a Ph.D., while simultaneously developing highly-valued business skills without an MBA. PSMs prepare students for science careers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, where workforce needs are increasing. Programs are characterized by “science-plus,” combining rigorous study in science or mathematics with skills-based coursework in management, policy, or law. Most require a final project or team experience, as well as a “real-world” internship in a business or public sector enterprise.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants to the PSM degree with a concentration in  Biomarkers and Diagnostics must meet the following requirements, in addition to those of the UTHSC Graduate School:

1. Earned bachelor’s degree or earned graduate degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants with a degree in progress will be considered.

2. GPA of 3.0 or above.  GPA of 2.5 or above, may apply for provisional acceptance that would change to Regular (non-probationary) status, if their first term graduate coursework has a GPA of 3.0 or above (4-point scale). 

3. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants.  With the new GRE scoring system, scores above the 50th percentile are recommended.  In the old system, scores of 1100 (combined Verbal and Quantitative scores) and 4.0 (Analytical Writing Test) for Ph.D. applicants and 1050/4.0 for M.S. applicants are recommended.  

4. Official transcripts for undergraduate and any graduate education.

5. Three letters of recommendation from college faculty or research supervisors

6. Completed online application form, at http://apply.utoledo.edu, and accompanying application fee (or waiver) *

7. International students also will need to provide scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), unless they have already received a degree from a U.S. institution.  Scores above the 50th percentile are recommended.

Previous research experience is considered, but not required.  Students can begin at the start of any term, though Fall entry is recommended.  Admissions are made on a rolling basis until the class is filled. There is no fixed deadline. 

* Students who have already applied to the Program can check their application status online at this link http://application.utoledo.edu.  If a student's application is incomplete, this site will indicate which documents are missing.

 
Information for International Students can be found here: http://www.utoledo.edu/graduate/prospectivestudents/admission/guidelines.html

SELECTING AN INTERNSHIP

1) During the first semester, students will be required to meet with Dr. Keith Crist to identify specific areas of interest and make contact with sponsoring companies.  Selection of an internship project should be completed early in the second semester.

 
MENTORS FOR BIDI PSM STUDENTS (please click on this link to view UT faculty members who are associated with the BIDI Program, and are approved Mentors for our students.)

 
REQUIRED FORMS for Graduate Students: (click form name to access)

1)  Plan of Study for the Professional Science Master's Degree form is required to be submitted BEFORE the student completes 12 credit hours (during the Fall 1 term).

COURSE SCHEDULE
Students are likely to have diverse backgrounds, the curriculum is designed to give all students a foundation appropriate to entry into a pharmaceutical research program  

BMSP6330      CPRA in Proteins                                                                  2.5 cr   (Fall)
Principles of protein structure, structure/function relationships in proteins, protein folding, ligand-protein interactions and mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, with special emphasis given to the present-day research.

BMSP6340      CPRA in Genes                                                                     2.5 cr  (Fall)
Introduction to major areas of current research in genetics and molecular biology. Topics include gene structure and regulation, DNA replication, recombination, repair, mutation, and quantitative genetics.

BMSP6360      CPRA in Membranes                                                             3 cr    (Fall)
Explore the vital roles played by plasma and intracellular membranes in cell communication and homeostasis. Emphasis will be placed on membrane lipid/protein interactions in defining cytoarchitecture, protein sorting, excitability and synaptic transmission. Topics will be explored through lectures, student presentation and discussion of primary scientific literature.

INDI6020       On Being a Scientist                                                             1 cr    (Fall)
A series of one-hour lectures dealing with the ethics, regulations, and issues facing a modern, biomedical research scientist.

HURM6730     Performance Management                                                     3 cr   (Fall)
This course is designed to provide practical working knowledge of the processes of setting expectations, monitoring performance, coaching and developing employees, and assessing and rewarding good performance in rapidly changing organizations.

BIPG5100      Fundamentals of Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics       3 cr   (Fall)
Introduces the student to the powerful tools developed to access and analyze biological sequence and structural information. The topics include sequence databases, sequence comparisons, database searches, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure, proteomics, RNA structure prediction, gene prediction and identification, genetic analysis of disease, and microarray studies of gene expression.

BMSP6350     CPRA in Cell Biology and Signaling                                         3 cr  (Spring)
Content of this course will encompass didactic lectures on current knowledge and methodological approaches in the area of fundamental cellular processes and cell communication.

HURM6720    Advanced Negotiation and Conflict Resolution                         3  cr  (Spring)
Equips students to make more effective decisions in employee relations.  Course emphasis is on active analysis of employee-employer relationships in terms of procedures, costs, and ramifications to both organizations and people.

MGMT6150    Leading and Developing Yourself                                           3  cr   (Spring)
Explores how one's own leadership competencies can be developed and applied most effectively in a variety of situations.

BIPG6150      Introduction to Bioinformatic Computation                             3   cr   (Spring)
Content will provide basic programming skills to biological and medical students who may lack a background in computer sciences. Programming will be specifically taught using important biological examples, focusing in particular on the PERL language. Students will be made familiar with UNIX environments, including Linux and OSX.

BRIM6200     Biomarker Discovery, Validation and Implementation              3  cr  (Spring)
A survey course to explore the clinical need and methodological approaches to biomarker development and validation. Unit 2 will consider biomarker use for diagnostics and treatment in individualized medicine.

BIDIXXXX     Biostatistical Methods for Biomarkers                                     3 cr  (Summer; DL/ONLINE)
Introduce students to biostatistical concepts and methods for analyzing biomarker data. The course focuses on statistical methods for biomarkers to address various issues arising from studies assessing biomarkers in biomedical research and including associations with certain diseases or health conditions.

BIDIXXXX     Readings in Biomarkers                                                        3  cr  (Summer; DL/ONLINE)
In-depth analysis of original scientific papers/seminars in the fields of biomarkers, bioinformatics,proteomics and genomics for the development of critical analysis and scientific communication skills.

BIDI5100      Internship                                                                           6  cr  (Summer)
Supervised full time work experience in Biomarker discovery and validation in a pharmaceutical oriented company. Builds upon didactic course work.

Education Director
Biomarkers & Diagnostics Program
Keith A Crist, Ph.D.
Email:  Keith.Crist@utoledo.edu
Phone:  419-383-3992