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Master of Science (M.S.) in Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Master of Science (M.S.) in Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Sheba MohanKumar

There are so many things to learn and discover that might impact human and animal health one day.

Sheba Mohankumar, BVSc, MS, PhD

Professor

Overview

Advance your career in health sciences by earning a Master of Science in Comparative Biomedical Sciences online from the University of Georgia. If you are interested in becoming a veterinarian, medical doctor, dentist, or scientist, this non-thesis program can help you choose the right career path and strengthen your candidacy for medical, dental, or veterinary school. 

Offered through the renowned University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, this 100% online program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical research and prepares you for professional school (DV.M., M.D., DDS.) or for careers that involve science but are not based in bench or field research. 

What Is An Online Master’s in Comparative Biomedical Sciences?

This online biomedical sciences master’s program covers the basic scientific principles related to medical, veterinary, and biomedical sciences, including anatomy, histology, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, neuroscience, and clinical concepts.  As a pre-professional preparatory program, it provides the knowledge and support that you need to advance your career or apply to professional school. 

How Does An Online Master’s in Comparative Biomedical Sciences Prepare You for Professional School?

The curriculum of the online Comparative Biomedical Science master’s program is interdisciplinary and is designed to provide a broad foundation for students who intend to pursue professional careers in veterinary or human medicine, biomedical engineering, biomedical research, biomedical/diagnostic technology, dentistry, and numerous other fields. Studies indicate that students who graduate from such programs are better prepared for the professional curriculum.  

How Long Does It Take To Earn An Online Biomedical Sciences Degree? 

The Master’s in Comparative Biomedical Sciences program can be completed in as little as one year, or in 2+ years based on your desired pace. 

Why Choose UGA Online’s Master’s In Comparative Biomedical Sciences Program? 

The online Comparative Biomedical Sciences master’s program provides a flexible and convenient way to earn a degree while still meeting the demands of your busy schedule.  

By earning a master’s degree you can change your career, pursue advancement in your current role, or continue on to professional school.  Online students are granted the same access to online resources, library services, and technical support as all enrolled University of Georgia students to help ensure that you are equipped for success in every way.    

As an online graduate of the University of Georgia, you become part of an extensive alumni network and a longstanding tradition of striving for excellence in every pursuit.  For over two hundred years, we have been on a mission of leadership and service, and today, we are ranked #16 among the nation’s top public institutions by U.S. News & World Report, with numerous online master’s programs ranked in the top 10 among programs nationwide. 

Testimonials

John Ostrowski is currently in the UGA-Augusta partnership MD program.
Kaelyn Williams is currently in the DMD program at Tufts University.

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The College of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA).

Admissions

Eligible applicants will have earned a bachelor’s or other professional degrees in a non-health-related field with some biology background. The admissions requirements include: 

Application Checklist

  1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic/$100 International.
  2. Select Campus – Online 
  3. Select Intended Program – MS, Comparative Biomedical Sciences (College of Veterinary Medicine) Non-Thesis [MS_CBSC_NT_O]
  4. Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of intent should clarify the candidate’s relevant background, interests, and goals in relation to the program. 
  5. Résumé or curriculum vita – Submit online to the Graduate School.
  6. Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission
  7. Letters of recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program. Preferably at least two of them are from faculty who have instructed the applicant in a previous program of study. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applications

  • The Academic Department reviews completed applications on a rolling basis until the Fall application deadline date of July 1. 

International Applications

  • The Academic Department reviews completed applications on a rolling basis until the Fall application deadline date of April 15.
  • International Applicants – must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Course registration deadlines vary per semester. The UGA Office of the Registrar website provides up-to-date information on course registration dates. 

Cost

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates and student fees can change each year. 

Based on 2022 credit hour cost, a person completing this program at the recommended pace would have paid $18,870 in tuition.  

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s current tuition. 

This program is an E-Rate program, so choose “yes” for the E-Rate line item within the calculator.

Online students pay the following fees: Connect UGA, Green, and Technology. The total for those fees in the fall semester of 2022 was $147 for students enrolled in exclusively online courses. 

Potential additional costs include textbooks, exam proctoring fees, and technology upgrades. 

The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

Technology Requirements

  • Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
  • High-speed internet access.

Curriculum

Students must complete at least 30 credit hours selected from the courses below.  Preparatory health sciences master’s degrees are usually taken in a “gap year” between undergraduate study and professional school, and we anticipate most students will pursue the program full-time.  Most students will complete 30 credit hours in three semesters (typically 12 hours each in the fall and spring and 6 hours in the summer). Thus, the initial program design anticipates cohorts of students beginning in the Fall and completing the program by the end of the following summer. 

However, other students may wish to complete this program part-time while fully employed.  This program is flexible, allowing students to complete the program in as little as three semesters or as many as five or six semesters. Sample programs of study are provided below. 

Below are the 3 required courses and the numerous electives to choose from. You can work with your advisor to customize the program that best suits your needs.

Required:

CourseTitleHours
BMSC 6020E ORComparative Pre-veterinary Anatomy3
BMSC 6030EBasic Human Anatomy for the Health Sciences
BMSC 6040EPre-Veterinary/Pre-Medical Histology3
VPHY 6200EPhysiologic Basis of Diseases3

*Only one of the Anatomy courses is required*

Electives:

CourseTitleHours
BMSC 6010EFundamental Cell Biology3
BMSC 6050ENeuroscience for the Health Profession3
BMSC 6060EFundamental Principles of diagnostic tech for the Hlth Prof3
BMSC 6998EPrinciples of Endocrine Physiology and Pharmacology3
BMSC 7010EFundamental Immunology for the Health Professions3
BMSC 7020EFundamental Pharmacology for the Health Professions3
LAMS 6000EClinically Based Concepts I3
LAMS 6010EClinically Based Concepts Il3
LAMS 6020EClinically Based Concepts Ill3
VPAT 6150EBasics of Pathology3
BMSC 7040EProblems in Biosciences3
BMSC 7060EOnline Research Communications3

Sample Five-Semester Program

Year One

FallSpringSummer
BMSC 6010E – Fundamental Cell BiologyBMSC 6040E* – Pre-veterinary/Pre-medical HistologyVPHY 6200E* – Physiologic Basis of Diseases
BMSC 6030E* – Basic Human Anatomy for the Health Sciences OR BMSC 6020E BMSC 6050E – Neuroscience for the Health ProfessionsBMSC 7060E – Online Research Communication

*Required Course

Year Two

FallSpring
LAMS 6000E – Clinically Based Concepts ILAMS 6010E Clinically Based Concepts II
BMSC 7020E – Fundamental Pharmacology for Health ProfessionsVPAT 6150E – Basics of Pathology

Sample Three-Semester Program

FallSpringSummer
BMSC 6010E – Fundamental Cell BiologyBMSC 6998E – Principles of Endocrine Physiology and PharmacologyVPHY 6200E* – Physiologic Basis of Diseases 
BMSC 6020E* – Pre-veterinary anatomy OR BMSC 6030E* – Basic Human Anatomy for the Health SciencesBMSC 7060E Online Research CommunicationsBMSC 7040E Problems in Biosciences
BMSC 6060E Fundamental Principles of Diagnostic Tech for the Health ProfessionsBMSC 6050E Neuroscience for the Health ProfessionsBMSC 7020E Fundamental Pharmacology for the Health Professions
BMSC 6040E* – Pre-veterinary/Pre-Medical Histology

*Required Course

Faculty

News & Events

Nanoparticles & Nuptials: Married Biomedical Science Professors Break Ground

March 8, 2024

Puliyur and Sheba MohanKumar represent more than just a story of international love – they’re also two of the most successful faculty at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine and beloved professors in the online Master of Science (M.S.) in Comparative Biomedical Sciences program.

Online Comparative Biomedical Sciences Student Nominated as NCAA Woman of the Year

September 6, 2023

Updated November 20, 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year Award nominee Callie Dickinson was recently named one of the national Top 30 honorees for the award. The pool of candidates originated with 619 nominees. This year’s honorees represent 15 sports. From the Top 30, the selection…

UGA Helps Combat National Veterinarian Shortage

April 6, 2023

The medical professional shortage has been covered in the news, but veterinarians are not often mentioned in that coverage.  However, there is a veterinarian shortage now, too. Dr. Michelle Henry Barton shared with Atlanta News First that there are many reasons for the shortage. She said many families…

See more news articles related to this program

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