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Program Details

Graduate Program: Applied Biosciences (PSM) - Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences

General Information

Request Information
Program/Degree
Applied Biosciences (PSM) - Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences  
Program Description

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.

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

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.

 

 
College

Graduate College/GIDP

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Jennifer Shim
520-626-9111
Graduate Program Coordinator
Jennifer Shim
520-626-9111
Director of Graduate Studies
Nafees Ahmad
520-626-7022
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Hayley Jean Kral
520-621-3484
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

Prerequisites

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

 
Standardized Tests

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

 

 

 
Funding Opportunities

There is no funding support directly available from this program. 

 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall: March 31
  • Spring: August 31

International Applicants:

  • Fall: March 31
  • Spring: August 31
 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

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

 

 
Elective Coursework

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

 
Additional Requirements

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

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/ABSPSMDLS
Last revised 02 Dec 2022
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