A two-semester graduate program designed to enrich and improve credentials of graduates to apply for admission to medical, dental or other healthcare-related profession programs.
Program Overview
This is a two-semester non-thesis program leading to a Master of Biomedical Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree.
The program is primarily designed to enrich and improve academic credentials of graduates. Our distinctive program emphasizes student development in four areas (coursework, experiential learning, presentation skills, and personal growth), and allows students to broaden and strengthen their academic foundation for further intellectual development, such as gaining entrance into medical-, dental- or health profession-related schools.Read More
The core curriculum emphasizes clinical applications of biochemistry and molecular knowledge. Required courses include Human Medical Cellular Biochemistry and Human Medical Metabolic Biochemistry which are equivalent to Tulane’s first-year medical biochemistry course, Medical Biochemistry Grand Rounds Externship Seminar which provides students with a unique opportunity to experience Medicine Grand Rounds from the biochemical, molecular and clinical perspectives, and the Department Seminar series exposing students to novel research in the field of biochemistry.
All students benefit from several other biochemistry- or molecular biology-related courses. Program electives range from more medically-related courses such as Chromosomal Instability and Cancer, Molecular Basis of Pediatric Disease, and Signal Transduction and Hormone Action to more research-related courses such as Biochemistry Research, Graduate-level Biochemistry, and Biomedical Statistics and Data Analysis. Additionally, the program has reciprocal relationships with certain courses in the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the Department of Physiology, and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. All Biochemistry MS students are encouraged to maximize their academic credentials through multiple medical-equivalent coursework within the Biochemistry program, as well as approved cross-listed electives from other MS programs (in physiology, microbiology and immunology and/or pathology).
All courses are taught within the Tulane School of Medicine by full time faculty.
For questions regarding the program, please contact Dr. David S. Franklin (program director, franklin@tulane.edu), Dr. William Wimley (program co-director, wwimley@tulane.edu) or Kelly Ragland Boyd (senior program coordinator, kraglan@tulane.edu).
Click on a title below for details.
Applicants for admission to the Master of Science degree program should have a baccalaureate degree. In general, applicants should have a minimum GPA (3.0), and either MCAT (500) or DAT (19). However, applicants with credentials slightly lower are also encouraged to apply.
We also look for students with a strong background in chemistry and biology: Students who have taken such courses as Organic Chemistry, Molecular or Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, etc. Excellent letters of recommendation are also important. Lab research experience, though not required, is valuable for our consideration of application.
For the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1-Year MS program, admissions are on a rolling basis. FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION applications are reviewed as they are received. Students are admitted until the class is full, generally by mid-July. FOR SPRING 2025 ADMISSION, the Application cycle opens on September 1st and ends on December 10th. Early submission of applications is highly encouraged and increases the odds of acceptance.
To apply to the program, an online application must be filled out.
NOTE: Several PhD and MS programs at Tulane use this application service. Be careful to indicate that you are applying for a 1-year MASTERS degree with BIOCHEMISTRY.
In addition to the online application, you must also submit ALL of the following items:
1) Personal statement.
2) MCAT scores or DAT scores. When reporting MCAT scores, students must include their 16 digit VERIFICATION CODE from the AAMC website. DAT scores can be emailed to Kelly Ragland Boyd kraglan@tulane.edu to be uploaded to your application. International students must also have official TOEFL scores sent, and all application materials must be in English. GRE scores are NOT accepted for the 1-year Masters program.
3) Official transcripts of ALL undergraduate and graduate study are required. The applicant is to gather all transcripts in sealed envelopes from the registrar of the issuing institution (or have them electronically send them) and send those unopened transcripts to the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences along with all other application materials including test scores to the following address:
Tulane University School of Medicine
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
1430 Tulane Avenue, Mailcode #8656
New Orleans, LA 70112
4) Three letters of recommendation from professors, preferably from your science classes. In lieu of letters of recommendation that have been prepared specifically for this application, recommendations on file from undergraduate career development offices may be submitted. The application website linked above should explain this procedure.
5) Resume/CV (optional).
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the fall and spring semesters. Qualified students will be considered for Fall 2023 until the class is filled. All materials must be received for your application to be considered.
92% of our program graduates have been accepted into desired professional healthcare educational programs (89%, medical or dental), or have gone on to occupations in the healthcare and life science fields (3%) (statistics include up to the graduating class of 2023). Graduates have been accepted at the following professional healthcare educational institutions:
Tulane University School of Medicine
Tulane School of Medicine Physicians Scientist Program
Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans
The MD/PhD Program at LSU Health Sciences Center
Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
Louisiana State University Health Sciences School of Nursing
Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Louisiana
University of Queensland / Ochsner Clinic School
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
University of Utah School of Dentistry
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
The UCLA School of Dentistry
The UCSF School of Dentistry
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine
The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (University of the Pacific)
Western University College of Dental Medicine
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University
University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill
Medical College of Georgia
Mercer University School of Medicine
Morehouse School of Medicine
Texas A&M Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School
University of Texas, John P. & Katherine G. McGovern Medical School
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (both Pennsylvania and Georgia)
The Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
New York Medical College
Albany Medical College
University of New England
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Ponce Health Sciences University in St. Louis
Miller School of Medicine/University of Miami
University of South Florida Morsani School of Medicine (Select Program)
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kansas City University of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro University Nevada School of Osteopathic Medicine
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Meharry Medical College
University of Arkansas for Medical Science, College of Medicine
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Southern Alabama College of Medicine
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
William Carey University of Osteopathic Medicine
Students must take 30 credit hours of course work during the fall and spring semesters to complete the requirements for the degree. Additionally, students are required to take the NBME Shelf Exam in Biochemistry as a culminating experience. Although not thesis based, this degree does involve several written assignments and oral presentations as part of the required course work. No research is required. Therefore, this is considered a "non-thesis" degree.
The Masters of Biomedical Science degree program curriculum is designed for completion within two semesters. Classes begin in August or January. No courses are taken during the summer sessions.
Program Curriculum (30 credit hours)
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours from the courses listed below.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar (GBCH-6020-01 fall & spring semesters, M 12:00-1:00, 1 credit hour/semester, course director: Hee-Won Park) Students are required to attend and participate in the seminars given by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Medical Biochemistry Grand Rounds Externship (GBCH-7540-01, fall semester, M-Th various, F 1:00-2:00 discussion session; GBCH-7550-01 spring, M-Th various, F 1:00-2:00 discussion session, 3 credit hour/semester, course director, Hua Lu & course co-director, Jeffrey Han) Students are required to actively attend each of the Grand Rounds offered by the Department of Medicine and an elective seminar offered by the various departments in the School of Medicine, and to give a one-page report post Grand Round. This report will summarize clinical and research topics, background knowledge, major experimental/diagnostic/therapeutic approaches discussed, key results, conclusions and significance of the studies presented in each Grand Round, as well as some critiques on the Grand Round. A one-hour discussion section on Friday will follow the seminars. Grades are based on participation and reports.
Human Medical Cellular Biochemistry (GBCH-7500-01, fall semester, lecture/discussion session, 5 credit hours, course director: David Franklin) The objectives and content of the Human Medical Cellular Biochemistry course are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of cellular structure and function, and the manner by which cellular processes are normally integrated and regulated. This course stresses both the normal cellular function, and why disease states occur if normal cellular processes are disrupted. This is a medical school course equivalent.
Metabolic Biochemistry of Human Disease (GBCH-7520-01, spring semester, lecture/discussion sessions, 5 credit hours, course director: David Franklin) The objectives and content of the Metabolic Biochemistry of Human Disease course are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic pathways involving the four major metabolic compounds: carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides; and the manner by which metabolism is normally integrated and regulated. This course stresses both the normal metabolic function, and why disease states occur if normal metabolic processes are disrupted. This is a medical school course equivalent.
Biochemistry Workshop (BMSP-7100-01, fall semester, BMSP-7110-01; spring semester, 1 credit hour/semester, course director: Zachary Pursell) Students work in teams to present a seminar to the class on a selected research paper approved by the course instructor. Student teams will explain the topic background and specific hypothesis being tested, describe in detail the experimental design and results, and discuss the conclusions reached and whether or not they were justified. The student audience is expected to participate in class discussion following the presentation. In addition, each student is required to write a one-page summary explaining the hypothesis, content and significance of the findings for each presented paper.
Principles of Genetics (GBCH-7170-01, spring semester, 4 credit hours/semester, course director: Zachary Pursell) This four credit-course on the Principle of Genetics textbook by Griffiths et al that proceed from the basic experiments that established the principles of genetic behavior and gene regulation to the molecular genetics of higher organisms. The course is intended to fill a gap of knowledge in our curriculum for molecular genetics that nicely show the foundations of current studies using the broad range of organisms that are still being used as model organisms. An increasing number of students lack this information which we consider vital for their current work and their future studies. We use the textbook by Griffiths et al that is a favorite since it moves from genetics to a greater focus on molecular genetics.
Chromosomal Instability and Cancer (GBCH-7180-01, spring semester, 4 credit hours, course director: Arthur Lustig) This is an analytical reading course in which students must present and critique data from papers that cover specified topics in molecular genetics. The student is exposed both to the topic of interest (genomic instability) and the basic cellular processes in biochemical genetic terms. Each pair of lectures will review a concept and then analyze how defects in the process lead to the disease state. Three "supertopics" will be covered: 1) Chromosomal Elements; 2) DNA Damage; 3) Cell Cycle. This course also provides students many of the concepts of molecular genetics. Exams consist of a critique of a specific paper.
Introduction to Bioinformatics (GBCH-7230-01, fall semester, 3 credit hours, course director: Tianhua "Tim" Niu) This three credit course on Introduction to Bioinformatics provides students with essential concepts, tools, and databases on integrating computer science with biology and medicine to access, format, manage, visualize, and analyze biological data, especially for genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and epigenomics. A major focus is to help students gain detailed knowledge and hands-on computer skills on next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analyses, particularly DNASeq, RNASeq, smallRNASeq, and epigenomics analyses. This course addresses the high demand of bioinformatics training for students who can apply critical software tools, data repositories, and analytical methods in their current student and future research.
Signal Transduction and Hormone Action (GBCH-7570-01, spring semester, 2 credit hours, course director: Kailash Pandey) Current molecular mechanisms for cellular signal transduction pathways and hormone action including membrane receptors and downstream pathways, second messenger systems, receptor-ion channels, kinase/phosphatases, extracellular matrix signaling, signaling and cell death, Wnt signaling pathways and nuclear receptor signaling.
Research Methods in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBCH-7580, Days/Times to be determined, 2 credit hours/semester, course director: Hee-Won Park) Each student will work in a laboratory to learn how different methods are used to carry out research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At the end of the semester, the student is required to write a 2 to 3-page report describing the principle of the methods and the results of the work. The grade will be based on the feedback of the laboratory PI and the report.
Cases in Research Ethics (GBCH-7590-01, spring semester, 2 credit hours, course director: Arthur Lustig) This course is to emphasize the important of research ethics through the use of examples from real life. They will be a brief explanation of the case by the instructor, students will break up into groups, and decide on the appropriate response in their opinion and discuss that opinion.
Graduate Medical Microbiology (MIIM-7500-01, fall semester, 4 credit hours, course director: Lucia Freytag) This course is designed to introduce graduate students to bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens that are the etiological agents of the most significant infectious diseases worldwide. The course will focus on the basic mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis with emphasis on the host-microbe interactions and the most recent advances on therapeutic and prophylactic treatments to combat these diseases. Important historical discoveries along with current scientific strategies to study the molecular basis of virulence will be discussed, and recent high impact publications will be assigned for reading and discussion. This is a medical school course equivalent.
Medical Immunology (MIIM-7600-01, fall semester, 3 credits) This course is designed to provide a basis of terminology relevant to the basic concepts of immunology. It commences with the important components (cell, tissues; antibodies; immunoglobulins) involved in host defense against infectious agents. Introductory lectures serve to describe and differentiate between natural defense (innate) mechanisms and adaptive immunity mediated by functional B and T lymphocytes and their products. Subsequently, cellular interactions, especially the differentiation of helper T cells subsets and the production of relevant cytokines, will be described. This will include the mechanisms of T cell activation and regulation. Finally, clinical immunology will be discussed: autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases; hypersensitivity reactions, including atopic disorders and asthma; mechanisms of transplant rejection; and immunodeficiency disorders. This is a medical school course equivalent.
Cancer Biology and Pathology (PATH-7600-01, fall semester, 3 credits, course director: Haitao Zhang) This course will provide an overview of various cellular and molecular changes that normal cells undergo during malignant transformation into cancer cells, the hallmarks of cancer, as well as the factors contributing to cancer progression. Topics such as cancer diagnosis, prevention, and therapy will also be discussed. This course will be helpful for students interested in a career in cancer research or oncology practice.
Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology (PATH-6401-01, spring semester, 4 credits, course director: Sean Lee) Clinical and basic research employ a number of molecular, cellular and histologic techniques that are central to diagnosis, discovery and development of new targeted therapies. Over the past two decades, these techniques have vastly improved and new technologies have emerged due to rapid advances in knowledge and development of cutting edge technologies. These new and improved technologies have altered how clinical and basic research are performed and implemented in research settings. This class will emphasize the basic molecular principles involving DNA, RNA and proteins, and the latest molecular and cellular biology techniques to detect alterations in cellular genome, mRNA and miRNA transcripts and proteins in disease. Furthermore, latest advances in genome editing, “Omics”, big data mining and bioinformatics tools will be discussed.
Medical Physiology (GPSO-6010-01, fall semester, 6 credits) A major physiology course taught by various faculty in the Physiology Department. This course covers most important concepts in medical physiology, along with updated information and in-depth discussion in all fields of interest related to physiological function.
(Cardio) Vascular Physiology (GPSO-7600-01, spring semester, 3 credits) This advanced course covers in-depth topics in cardiovascular physiology and its association with other systems to regulate body function. The objective of the course is to provide the students with comprehensive knowledge of cardiac and vascular function and its regulation by neural, hormonal and other systems.
Translational Physiology II (GPSO 7350-01, spring semester, 2 credits) Physiology course that aims to apply recent advances in molecular and integrative physiology to clinical cases.
Renal Physiology (GPSO-7320-01, spring semester, 3 credits) This course provides updated information regarding renal function and renal/hormonal control of blood pressure. The roles of kidney function in hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other human diseases are also covered.
Molecular Basis of Pediatric Disease (NOT CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED) The objectives and content of the course provide the student with an understanding of the pathophysiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of pediatric diseases. This course will link clinical aspects of pediatric diseases to basic science mechanisms and instruct the student on how to apply basic science information in the clinic.
Biochemistry Research (Independent Study, fall & spring, 2 credit hours (approx 6+ hrs/week lab time), course co-directors: Hua Lu and Arthur Lustig ) Each student will work in a laboratory to learn how different methods are used to carry out research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At the end of the semester, the student is required to write a 2-3-page paper describing the principle of the methods and the results of the work. The grade will be based on the feedback of the laboratory PI and report.
Full-time tuition for the academic year of 2024-2025 is $29,395 to be paid on a two-semester basis ($14,697 per semester). This is a discounted rate from Tulane's regular tuition of $23,163 per semester. No tuition waivers or stipends are available for this program. Information on the possibility of financial aid loans can be found at the Tulane University Office of Financial Aid website at http://www.finaidhsc.tulane.edu/. Students will also be charged the following estimated fees on a per semester basis: Academic Support Services ($400 max.), Student Activities ($120), Reily Recreation Center ($237), and Student Health Services ($396).
