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*Deadline to be considered for admission into the Fall 2025 term is August 1st

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Basic Medical Sciences program is a Plan B master's program that offers a rigorous, specialized curriculum designed for individuals seeking to enhance their academic preparation for a medical, dental, or pharmacologic professional degree programs

The BMS Program is a didactic, human biology-oriented, and interdisciplinary (or broadly-based) curriculum involving courses from several Basic Science Departments and Programs. The curriculum requires basic medical science CORE courses from at least four different disciplines, as well as advanced biomedical science electives. Completion of the degree requires a literature review project and essay evaluating a current problem in biomedical science.

The BMS program requires individuals to have a bachelor's degree in academic disciplines including, but not limited to, a degree biological, chemical, biomedical or pharmaceutical backgrounds. 

Prospective Students

Welcome to the MS in Basic Medical Sciences Program at Wayne State University School of Medicine. This master's program offers a unique opportunity for aspiring physicians and dentists to strengthen their medical or dental school candidacy through rigorous academic preparation.

In this two year program students benefit from expert instruction in a curriculum based on foundational science coursework that helps prepare them for completing professional school tests such as the MCAT and DAT. The program also provides a guaranteed interview to eligible students under our linkage with Wayne State University School of Medicine's medical program.

Explore the sections below to learn more about our eligibility requirements, curriculum and application process.

• Eligibility Requirements
• Curriculum and Degree Requirements
• Application Process and Timeline
• Admission Scholarship 
• Program Linkage Agreement
• Program Administration and Staff

Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution 
• Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Completed medical school prerequisites
  • At least two semesters of biology
  • 4 semesters of chemistry (general chemistry I & II and organic chemistry I & II)
• Statement of Purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
  • Preferably from academic sources
    • Letters can be written for medical school
• A standardized test (recommended)
  • An MCAT, DAT or GRE is recommended for students with a low science GPA or a cumulative GPA below 3.0.
    • It is a requirement for students who want to be eligible for the admission scholarship 

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The 34-credit master's program includes core courses designed to reflect the rigor and structure of medical school. 

The Master of Science in Basic Medical Sciences is offered only as a Plan B master's program requiring completion of thirty-four credits including a three-credit essay. All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic regulations of the WSU Graduate School and the School of Medicine governing graduate scholarship and degrees.
 

Required Core

One CORE course from a minimum of four different disciplines (e.g. BMB, I/M, MGG, etc) must be chosen from the following. Some of these BMS CORE courses are related, but not identical, to medical school basic science courses.

• BMB 7010 General Biochemistry Lecture (4 credits)
• CB 7210 Fundamentals of Cancer Biology* (4 credits)
• I/M 7010 Fundamentals of Immunology (2 credits)
• I/M 7020 Fundamentals of Microbiology (2 credits)
• I/M 7030 Fundamentals of Virology  (2 credits)
• MGG 7010 Molecular Biology and Genetics* (4 credits)
• BIO 6000 Molecular Cell Biology I * (3 credits)
• PHC 7010 Introduction to Pharmacology (4 credits)
• PHC 7410/BIO 7011 Principles of Toxicology (3 credits)
• PSL 7010 Basic Graduate Physiology Lecture I (4 credits)
• PSL 7030 Basic Graduate Physiology Lecture II (4 credits)
• PYC 7010 Neuropharmacology  (3 credits)

* may require instructor/coordinator approval

To graduate, students must complete 34 credits and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Application Process and Timeline

Important Dates

        FALL TERM

• Application opens: July 1, 2024 

• Application deadline: August 1,  2025

• Program start: August 25, 2025

        WINTER TERM

• Application opens: February 3, 2025

• Application deadline: December 1, 2025

• Program start: January 12, 2026

How to Apply 

1. Submit your application through the Wayne State University Graduate Admissions portal: Graduate Admissions Application
2. Ensure all required documents are submitted by the application deadline:
   • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
   • Statement of Purpose 
   • Two letters of recommendation
   • Standardized Test such as MCAT, DAT, or GRE (optional) Proof of residency 
      

Application Review Process

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
• All completed applications receive full consideration
• Admitted students must confirm their intention to enroll by the specified deadline in their acceptance letter

 Admission Scholarship 

At Wayne State University School of Medicine, we are committed to supporting our students' educational journey to becoming a physician. Thus we are offering a $1,000 tuition assistant scholarship for 5 eligible students who are admitted to the MS in Basic Medical Sciences Program.

Who’s Eligible?
This scholarship is available to all students who are admitted to the MS in Basic Medical Sciences program and meet the following criteria:

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.4 GPA
• Completion of a standardized test (MCAT, DAT or GRE)
• Formal acceptance of admission offer made by August, 15^th 2025.

* Award decisions are made by a committee based on a student's overall application

Program Administration and Staff

George Brush, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology 
Director MS in Basic Medical Sciences Program  
brushg@wayne.edu 

Julianna Barjaoui
Program Management Specialist
Office of Biomedical Graduate Programs 
1128 Scott Hall
eu5051@wayne.edu

Program inquiries can be directed to Ms. Julianna Barjaoui  (eu5051@wayne.edu or 313-577-8952)