A Masters in Biomedical Sciences Program as a Gateway to MD and PhD Programs Ingoglia, NA, and Brezenoff, H.E. UMDNJ - GSBS, Newark, NJ, Abstract Outcome for Masters students matriculating into NJMS A Masters of Biomedical Sciences program is described that allows students to make a more informed choice between clinical, research and educational career paths. Those students entering NJMS do as well or better than their peers in medical school courses and USMLE part I. The 11 students who have entered the PhD program are all performing well. Conclusions Right Eye Introduction: For some students, deciding whether to enter a clinical educational program or to commit to a lengthy Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences is often difficult and made with limited knowledge. Other students may be committed to a career in medicine but have undergraduate academic records that are inadequate for acceptance into professional school. To meet the educational needs of both groups of students, we have designed a masters program in biomedical sciences that has a flexible curriculum but is sufficiently structured to prepare students to make a more informed decision about their career path. This program also has proven useful for students interested in entering the pharmaceutical or biotech industry or a variety of careers ancillary to the biomedical sciences. The program may lead to a thesis-based Master of Science degree or a non-thesis Master of Biomedical Sciences degree (involving additional coursework). The Program has two tracks: one, geared toward those seeking entrance into a medical/dental school, allows students to take a limited number of medical or dental courses along with graduate courses. The other, directed primarily toward those considering careers in research or education, is composed entirely of graduate courses. A combination of the two tracks also is possible for students who are undecided on a career path. Components common to both tracks include a seminar series in biomedical sciences that exposes the students to the research programs of faculty at our campus, and a subsequent 2-credit laboratory course in which they work with one of our faculty in an area of interest. Outcome Seventy-three of the 231 students who enrolled in the program since 1997 have completed the program, 135 are in progress and 23 have left the program for academic or other reasons. Outcome data show that 54 have been admitted to clinical educational programs (medical, osteopathic, dental, veterinary, and physician assistant), 16 have found employment in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech industry, two have become teachers at the secondary school level and 11 have entered a Ph.D. program. Students who have chosen to continue their educational training in both M.D. (34) and Ph.D. (10) programs at the Newark campus of UMDNJ currently are in good academic standing. Target Students Outcome Summary Those students who see themselves working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industriesThose students who see themselves working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industries Those students interested in Science Education.Those students interested in Science Education. Those students who wish to have a chance to improve their academic records so that they may apply to professional schools (medical, osteopathic, dental, veterinary and others).Those students who wish to have a chance to improve their academic records so that they may apply to professional schools (medical, osteopathic, dental, veterinary and others). The Educational Program General Requirements: The Master of Science (MS) track (requires completion of 25 credits of course work and five credits of thesis research) The Master of Science (MS) track (requires completion of 25 credits of course work and five credits of thesis research) The Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) track requires 30 credits of course work - no thesis) The Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) track requires 30 credits of course work - no thesis) Program requirements a laboratory rotation, Seminar series and one of four options: 1. Molecular and Cellular Biology (8 credits, two semesters; PhD), 2. Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences (9 credits, 3 semesters, evenings), 3. Medical Biochemistry (5 credits), 4. Dental Physiology and Dental Biochemistry (9 credits). Sample Elective Courses Bioinformatics Bio-terrorism and Biodefense Current Molecular Techniques Stem Cell Biology & Molecular Medicine Laboratory Animal Science Principles of Pharmacology Molecular Oncology Topics in Neuroscience Enthusiastic, Good Teaching Faculty Enthusiastic, Good Teaching Faculty (1/3 of tuition income goes to faculty discretionary accounts) Reasonable Tuition (approx $14,000/program) Reasonable Tuition (approx $14,000/program) Close mentoring and advising of students Close mentoring and advising of students Convenience of evening classes Convenience of evening classes Key Features