The MS in Biomedical and Health Sciences is used by many students to bridge their path between undergraduate and professional health programs. The program was developed through a partnership between the UAB School of Health Professions’ Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences and the UAB Heersink School of Medicine’s Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology. It is specifically designed to provide experiences and curriculum that will help these students prepare for the next step in their education. The program model can also be beneficial to students who are returning to college after working in the healthcare or other industry.

Key Points and Benefits to Program Model

• The curriculum is modeled after the first two years of the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UASOM) course curriculum — a model that maximizes a student’s understanding and retention of medical course knowledge.
• Course directors and faculty are from both the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and School of Health Professions.
• The base curriculum starts with two fundamental science courses, then integrated systems (organ) courses, and finally a capstone Clinical Application and Simulation course. These courses are 4-6 weeks each.
• Elective courses can be tailored to a student’s interest and preparation for a specific professional school. Elective courses are developed with student feedback and represent student ownership of the program.
• Students are exposed to many non-traditional learning strategies, including team-based learning, workshops, flipped classrooms, and laboratory activities.
• The three-part seminar series is designed to help students with application processes, professional development, learning strategies, and critical thinking/problem solving skills.
• The summer semester is used to prepare students to take standardized tests required for professional schools using test-preparation courses.
• Courses are for each year’s cohort of students; so, students develop a sense of community that enhances learning and teamwork, and develops lifelong connections.
• There is a very strong emphasis on advising and counseling students throughout the year.
• Program faculty and staff work with students interested in gaining additional medical exposure, volunteer service, and/or research experience.