Biomedical Sciences - MS

Program Contact:
Chris Davies, PhD, DVM
Associate Dean for Research; College of Veterinary Medicine
Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director; Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences
chris.davies@usu.edu; 435-797-1900

Rebekah Pratt
Graduate Program Coordinator; Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences
rebekah.pratt@usu.edu; 435-797-1762

Program Description

The Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences offers a graduate program that confers the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. Students will primarily engage in research focused on understanding animal diseases and the improvement of animal and human health.

Guided by mentors, students in the program work on basic, translational, and clinical research projects that include laboratory, clinical and field studies, and learn skills in preparation for careers as biomedical scientists. Graduates in Biomedical Sciences have a wide variety of employment options in industry, government, and academia.

NOTE: Students who are seeking a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) should see the program program catalog page for more information.

Prerequisites Required for Admission

Prior to applying for an MS in the Biomedical Sciences Program, a student must identify a graduate faculty member within the Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences willing to serve as their major professor. However, identifying a mentor does not guarantee acceptance into the Biomedical Sciences Program.

Prospective graduate students should send faculty members they are interested in working with an email including:

• A cover letter detailing your research interests and why your career goals align with their work.

• A current CV/Resume

• Unofficial university transcripts (Official transcripts from all credit-granting institutions indicating a bachelor’s, master’s or health professional doctorate degree that is or will be completed before matriculating from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university will be required at a later time.)

Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences Admissions Policies

Prerequisite Courses Required or their equivalents (No grades of C- or lower)

1. Earn a minimum grade of C in the following:

   • course

   • course

   • course

   • course

   • course

   • course

   • course

   • course

2. Overall GPA 3.0

   • Calculated with primary consideration on the last 60 semester credits of the most recent degree program.

3. Three letters of recommendation

4. Statement of personal and career goals

5. International students – proof of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)

   • Admissions Policies | Grad School | USU See School of Graduate Studies website for required scores and requirements based on country.

6. Students must also meet all School of Graduate Studies requirements for admission. View the School of Graduate Studies Catalog and the School of Graduate Studies webpage to learn more about their requirements and how to apply.

Applications are taken on a rolling basis. However, to be considered for a departmental teaching assistantship, your completed application must be received by the School of Graduate Studies by March 1 for the following fall semester.

Please note: Graduate student stipends are dependent on the continued availability of funding.