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The Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences (DLS) track of the Applied Biosciences GIDP is designed to prepare students for professional careers in the medical and biotechnology diagnostic industries surrounding in vitro devices (IVDs), a term used to describe medical devices and diagnostic laboratory test methods regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Graduates may seek employment in a wide variety of medical and scientific settings, including the diagnostics and pharmaceutical industries, the biotechnology industry, clinical and translational research units, and government agencies. Emphasis topics may include development of laboratory management skills, acumen in the legal and business environment of the diagnostic and biotech industries, compliance to federal regulations for healthcare or the diagnostic industry, or knowledge of the in vitro device processes and regulations. The track requires that students successfully complete an internship in a medical laboratory, a diagnostic or translational research group, a university compliance office for industry- or agency-funded research, or one of the associated bioscience companies.
Students will work closely with faculty members of the ABS program. These faculty members direct translational research programs, and collaborate with partners in the diagnostic and biotech industries. Their research involves the development of novel testing methods for disease detection, as well as basic science research programs that investigate mechanisms of disease, characterization of diseases such as cancer and infections, or development of disease interventions such as vaccines and antitoxins.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs
The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.
Graduate College/GIDP
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Students who wish to apply to the PSM degree in Applied Biosciences must have the minimum qualifications:
A Bachelors (or equivalent) degree with a major in an area of biosciences from an accredited institution.
A minimum 3.0 GPA
A desire to pursue a professional career in the applied biosciences.
Admissions Process
Students should apply directly to the specific track in the program they wish to pursue. The application should be submitted online (only) via the Graduate College website (http://grad.arizona.edu). Be prepared to submit the following materials:
Scans of all transcripts (official versions will be requested if you are selected for admission)
GRE scores (recommended but not required; general test only)
Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language.
Acceptable English Proficiency Credentials can be found at:
https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency
GPAs for all undergraduate work
A one to two page statement of interests, which outlines your background (including any professional experience) and your professional goals.
You should separately arrange with two references (typically former or current professors or work supervisors) who can comment on your skills, training and potential for the PSM in Applied Biosciences. You will need to include their names and email addresses in your online application
Required test(s):
Required GRE Subject tests: general test only
Minimum GRE Verbal: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minimum GRE Quantitative: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minumum GRE Written: 0-6, in half point increments
Minimum MAT:
Minimum TOEFL: 79 internet based (IBT) 550 paper based (PB) required for international students or
Minimum IELTS: 7 (no subject area below a 6) for international students
Minimum Pearson PTE Academic: 60
Minimum Minimum CEPT: 110 on Full Academic test for international students
For more information on the English Proficiency requirement, please click here
There is no funding support directly available from this program.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
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The ABS PSM program is designed specifically to prepare students to competitively enter the scientific workforce. During the two-year course of study, students will gain a strong understanding of the applications of the biological sciences to real world problems, including those faced by public institutions and private industry. A minimum of 36 unit hours is needed for this degree; 6-9 of these units are for the research internship and report. Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete the degree. Students may apply for, and be admitted to, any of the 4 tracks (“sub-plans”). The courses are grouped into modules.
Curriculum
All Tracks have the following general structure:
Science Module...................................................15 Units
Professional Preparation Module............................12 Units
Internship Module (including the Final Report)..........9 Units
Total.................................................................36 Units
Core Course Requirements
Science Module: 15 Units Required (9 Core + 6 Electives)
Core Science Classes: Choose 9 Units
ACBS 543 Research Animal Methods, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOC 568 Nucleic Acids, Metabolism and Signaling, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 576A Biostatistics for Public Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 515 Mechanisms of Human Diseases, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 552 Cancer Biology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 595A Oncogenes and Signal Transduction, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 596H Cancer Biology Seminar Series, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 597A Experimental Design, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 501 Human Gross Anatomy, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 502 Principles in Neuroanatomy, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 504 Cell Biology of Disease, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 510 Human Histology: An to Pathology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 525A Functional Human Histology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 572A Cell Systems, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIC 552 Antibiotics: A biological perspective, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
NRSC 572 Neurodevelopment in Action: How the brain is built, ages, and responds to disease, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
NRSC 588 Principles of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHCL 512 Intro to Pharmacology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHCL 601A Pharmacology, General Principles, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 528R Microbial Genetics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PSIO 511 Physiology for Biomedical Engineering, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Core Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (2 units minimum)
BE 501 Research Methods in Biosystems Engineering, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 595D Scientific Writing, Presentations and Bioethics, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 508 Scientific Writing for Environmental, Agricultural and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
OPTI 597B Technical writing and communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Core Coursework for the Internship Module (9 units minimum)
ABS 593A Internship, 8 units, minimum required grade S or P
ABS 909 Master’s Report,1 unit, minimum required grade S or P
Minimum GPA in core coursework: 3.0
Science Electives: Choose 6 Units
Electives can include any course from the Core Science Module as well. Courses not listed here may also be chosen but require an agreement with the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Committee. You may take courses from the UND graduate program for transfer, but note that additional costs may apply.
BIOS 576A Biostatistics for Public Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 550 Drug Disposition and Metabolism, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 596H Cancer Biology GIDP Seminar Series, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 630A Cellular Communication and Signal Transduction, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 695C Readings in Cancer Immunology, 1-2 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 565A Fundamentals of Light Microscopy and Electronic Imaging, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 577 Principles of Cell Biology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 579 Art of Scientific Discovery, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 595A Departmental Journal Club,1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 595H Problems in the Biology of Complex Diseases, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 596A Seminar in Cardiovascular Development,1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 696B Graduate Student Seminar, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
ECOL 557 Medical-Veterinary Entomology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EPID 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EPID 573B Epidemiologic Methods, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EPID 660 Infectious Disease Epidemiology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 501 Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 605 Medical Immunology and Infectious Disease, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 519 General Immunological Concepts, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIC 503R Biology of Animal Parasites,3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 516A Bioinformatics and Genomic Analysis 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 572A Cell Systems, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 573 Recombinant DNA Methods and Applications, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHCL 512 Introduction to Pharmacology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHCL 553 Neuropharmacology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHCL 586 B Introduction to Medical Pharmacology Research, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 528L Microbial Genetics Laboratory, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLS 539 Methods in Cell Biology and Genomics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SLHS 649 Survival Skills and Ethics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
UND: MLS502 Erythrocytes in Health and Disease, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
UND: MLS503 Leukocytes in Health and Disease, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
UND: MLS513 Advanced Clinical Immunology for Laboratory Professionals, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
UND: MLS518 Molecular Diagnostics, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
UND: MLS522 Clinical Bacteriology, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
UND: MLS523 Clinical Virology, Mycology and Parasitology, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
Requirements for Elective Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module:
Choose 9 to 10 units
ACBS 568A Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 568B Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles II, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 571 Risk Assessment, Management and Communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ABE 552 Globalization, Sustainability Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACCT 521 Business Law for Accountants, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 509 Team Organizational Leadership, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 510 Entrepreneurial Leadership in Agriculture and the Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 511 Principles and Application of Organizational Development, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 522 Communicating Knowledge in Agriculture and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
AREC 550 Financial Management for Agribusiness, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 675 Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BNAD 597B Advanced Consulting Projects, 3-4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 597C Grant Writing for Graduate Students, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CTS 595C Responsible Conduct of Research, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
ECON 578 Energy, the Environment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EHS 575 Environmental and Occupational Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 512A Management of Technology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 514 Law for Engineers/Scientists, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 506 Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 515 Strategic Planning, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 548 Healthcare Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 557 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 581A Assessing Early Stage Medical Technologies for Commercialization, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
GRAD 595D Regulatory Issues in Laboratory Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 521 Scientific Grantsmanship, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 695D Regulatory Science, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 576A Drug, Discovery, Development and Marketing Obligations, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 578A Legal and Regulatory Aspects for Health Care Delivery, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 589A Regulatory Science Case Study Project, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 695E Science, Society, and Ethics,1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 535 International Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 538 Health Organization and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 563 Doing Business In/With Africa, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 506 Healthcare Information Systems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 578 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MKTG 510 Marketing-Based Management, 2 units, A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PCOL 5 84 Fundamentals in Industrial and Environmental Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 506 Economic Foundations for Health Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 562 Health Services Administration, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 569 Fundamentals of Health Budgeting and Financial Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 574 Public Health Policy and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHSC 513 Health Technology Assessment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 515 Technical Sales and Marketing, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 567 Financial Modeling for Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SLHS 649 Survival Skills and Ethics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Minimum GPA in Professional elective coursework: 3.0
Students need to do an oral presentation and submit a written report of the internship
See our Student Handbook for detailed information: https://abs.arizona.edu/current-students/student-handbook
Minimum GPA in internship and Master’s Report 3.0
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.