Dec 12, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2021-2022 
    
USC Catalogue 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Biomedical Sciences (MS)


The Master of Science degree program in Biomedical Sciences is a terminal degree for students admitted into the PIBBS PhD program who cannot complete the PhD program for personal or medical reasons. The department does not accept applicants for this MS degree. Enrollment of graduate students as master’s degree candidates is not encouraged and is reserved for special circumstances that must be approved by the PIBBS director, relevant KSOM PhD program director and the associate dean of Graduate Affairs. Under such circumstances, a student admitted to the PIBBS program may submit a formal request to complete a terminal MS degree. If approved to pursue the MS as a terminal degree, the student must submit a research capstone paper within two months of approval or at the end of the current semester enrolled, whichever comes first.

The master’s curriculum includes all course work required of PhD students for a minimum of 35 units with an accumulated GPA of at least 3.0, comprehensive examination and submission of the written portion of the qualifying exam. Submission of a research capstone paper and an associated oral presentation will serve as the comprehensive examination for the master’s degree.