The first semester will ensure mastery of fundamental core concepts in contemporary cellular and molecular biomedical sciences, application of statistical principles to experimental design and data analysis, responsible conduct of research, and critical analysis and presentation of primary research literature in the biomedical sciences. Course work in the subsequent semesters will be devoted to advanced elective study in the student's chosen area of interest as well as continued work on a research project, which will form the basis for a Master's thesis or capstone project.

• Core Curriculum – Students must complete the four fundamental Core courses (8 credits total):

  • BSR1030 Core I: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (2 credits)

  • BSR1031 Core II: Pharmacology & Drug Discovery (2 credits)

  • BSR1032 Biomedical Sciences Core III: Cell & Developmental Biology (2 credits)

  • BSR1033 Core IV: Neuroscience (2 credits)

• MPH0300 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credits)

• BSR1021 Responsible Conduct of Research (0.5 credits)

• BSR1022 Rigor and Reproducibility (0.5 credits)

• Independent Research (10-12 credits) [Track 1]

• Independent Research (8-10 credits) [Tracks 2-4]

• MTA Journal Clubs and Seminars (2 credits)

• Concentration/Track-specific electives (6-8 credits, based on track)

• BSR8900 Thesis MS Biomedical Science (4 credits) [Track 1]

• BSR8901 Capstone Project (4-6 credits) [Tracks 2-4]

All students will need to meet the following degree requirements in order to successfully earn the MSBS degree:

• Complete a minimum of 36 graduate credits

• Complete the Core Curriculum with an average grade of B (3.0) or higher

• Must achieve an average GPA of at least a 3.0.

• Complete a written thesis (Track 1) or a capstone project (Tracks 2, 3, and 4)

• Successfully defend the thesis or capstone

• Deposit the accepted and approved thesis or capstone

• Complete and submit the

• Complete and submit the

• - Submitted during your last term before graduation

A. Responsibilities of a departing research mentor and newly assigned research mentor at Mount Sinai When a research mentor relocates to another institution, the mentee will need to realign their mentoring team. In all cases, the student must have a primary mentor who is a mentoring faculty of the GSBS. All formal mentors will be voting members of advisory committees. If a student’s new mentor was formerly a member of the student’s thesis advisory committee, that advisory role will need to be assumed by appointment of a new member who is a mentoring faculty of the GSBS.

The relocation of a research mentor presents two options for a new mentoring arrangement:

i) An MSBS student may opt to change their laboratory and begin their MSBS research thesis with a new research mentor and project. This will require the same mentor selection procedures that would be applicable to a new student. If the research mentor departs during the student’s first year, and the new mentor is willing to take the student as a mentee immediately, then this can occur with the new mentor assuming the training responsibilities for the student. The student and new Mentor must submit a new research agreement form electronically to the Manager of MSBS to document any changes in the mentoring team.

ii) If the student is at least halfway through their training (1 year or longer in the program), and wishes to continue their research project in another laboratory with a new research mentor at ISMMS, the previous research mentor and student must identify the new mentor and agree to a collaboration to continue the work that was initiated in the original laboratory without further laboratory rotation. This may also require realignment of the thesis advisory committee. The new mentor assumes the role of primary mentor, and the departing mentor may (or may not) agree to remain as a secondary mentor so long as they hold an adjunct faculty position at ISMMS. This plan must be documented in writing as a transition plan submitted electronically to the Manager of MSBS, and agreed to by the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences. Academic requirements and student support services following this mentoring change will not be altered. The student must submit a new research agreement form electronically to the Manager of MSBS programs to document any changes in the mentoring team.

B. Responsibilities of the mentee Any changes to the mentoring team due to relocation of the original research mentor do not change the responsibilities of the mentee. Academic requirements and thesis advisory committee meeting requirements do not change. Policies regarding publication and use of data, protocols, or code generated during the MSBS remain those of ISMMS, and the mentee’s affiliation as a student of the GSBS on publications and communications do not change. Finally, changes to the mentoring team do not change the maximum time for completion of a degree.

C. Responsibilities of the thesis advisory committee regarding the research mentor(s) and mentee (including the thesis defense exam) If mentoring changes do not affect the thesis advisory committee, these entities continue to guide and assess the academic progress of the student. The absence of such changes will be documented on the transition plan.

If changes are made to the thesis advisory committee, these must also be documented and approved by the Director of MSBS.

The post-transition thesis advisory committee will oversee the thesis defense exam of the mentee. This exam will be conducted under the same criteria, and to the same standards, as if no changes had occurred. In situations where changes to the mentoring arrangements significantly impact the academic progress of a student, any alterations to the student’s original, approved project and/or mentor/mentee partnership may affect the student’s graduation timeline. The student should work closely with program leadership to revise the time-to-degree expectations, ensuring they do not exceed the maximum completion time for an MSBS degree, which is three years.

A. Responsibilities of former and new research mentors A mentorship change may be necessary based on irreconcilable differences or incompatibility between the research mentor(s) and mentee – whether based on scientific, academic, or personal issues – such that the mentoring partnership is no longer productive. In such cases, there are two possible outcomes that affect the role(s) of former and new mentors:

i) The mentee ceases to work on the former project. If no data, protocols, or code from the former research mentor’s laboratory is to be published, included in a thesis, or publicly reported in any way, the former mentor no longer has responsibility for the mentee’s publication or reporting activities. If data, protocols, or code generated by the mentee in former mentor’s laboratory is to be published, the former mentor must document in writing (as part of the transition plan) that the former mentee will gain (co)authorship in accordance with ISMMS’s policy on authorship. If data, protocols, or code generated by the mentee in the former mentor’s laboratory is to be included in their MSBS thesis, the former mentor and mentee must document in writing such inclusion as part of the transition plan, and such an agreement must be approved by the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences, and recorded electronically in the student’s file. If the former mentor does not agree that the former mentee’s work is worthy of publication, including in the former mentee’s thesis, the dispute must be referred to, and handled by, the departmental Chair, similar to other authorship disputes.

ii) The mentee continues their research project in the laboratory of a new mentor. The former research mentor must approve in writing (and record electronically in the student’s file) the mentee’s continuation of a project originated in their laboratory. The new mentor assumes all the training responsibilities of any MSBS mentor in research, academic progress, career development, etc. Continuation of the mentee’s research project must be accompanied by details of financial costs for experiments and publications, as well as plans for authorship, data sharing, and data usage, as would be part of any formal research collaboration. Such details must be included in the transition plan, approved by the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences, and recorded electronically in the student’s file. In addition, if any data, protocols, or code derived by the mentee in the former mentor’s laboratory is to be included in the MSBS thesis, written permission for such inclusion must be provided from the former mentor prior to submission of the thesis. Such permission should be sought by the chair of the thesis advisory committee, and forwarded to the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences. If the former mentor does not agree that the mentee’s work is worthy of publication or inclusion in the former mentee’s thesis, the dispute must be referred to, and handled by, the departmental Chair, similar to other authorship disputes.

iii) The student opts to change their laboratory and start a new MSBS research project with a new research mentor. This scenario will require the same research mentor selection procedures that would be applicable to a new student. The student must submit a new research agreement form electronically to the Manager of MSBS programs to document any changes in the mentoring team.

B. Responsibilities of the mentee If changes to the mentoring team are a result of unresolved disputes, the mentee will be responsible to continue their studies as outlined in the agreed mentoring plan. The overall academic responsibilities will remain those imposed by the GSBS. Depending on the post-dispute agreement, in cases where the student is continuing the same research project in a different laboratory, the mentee, through the new mentor, may be required to communicate research results to the former research mentor. In all situations, mentees must abide by publication and data use rules under which their research was performed; this may affect plans for publication, thesis writing, and data reporting into public databases and at scientific meetings. If the former mentor agrees to publication or presentation of data, protocols, or code derived by the mentee while they were in the former mentor’s laboratory, permission from the former mentor must be obtained in writing and forwarded to the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences and the Manager of MSBS Programs, who will record such permission electronically in the student’s file.

C. Responsibilities of the thesis advisory committee interactions with research mentor(s) and mentee (including the thesis defense exam) If changes to the mentoring team are a result of unresolved disputes, the new thesis advisory committees continues to assume the same roles as otherwise set forth in this Handbook in ensuring the completion of the academic requirements of the MSBS as outlined above for changes induced by mentor relocation.

The Master’s Thesis Review Committee is composed of at least 3 members. The student’s thesis advisor will chair the committee. Other members of the Committee should include faculty knowledgeable in the field of the thesis research. One member should have an appointment outside the thesis advisor’s Department and the other member may be from the thesis advisor’s Department. These three members, as well as any additional members the student and his/her/their thesis advisor may want to add, will be appointed by the Program Director. At its discretion alone, the Graduate School may choose to have a representative present for the defense. This representative would be in addition to the three appointed committee members, but would not vote on the outcome of the defense.

• The Master’s Thesis should be submitted to each member of the Committee at least ten days before the scheduled oral presentation.

• The Committee should evaluate the student’s ability to:

  • evaluate and synthesize relevant literature defend the methods used

  • articulate and elaborate on the experiments described

  • discuss the significance of the work and potential future research directions

Revisions recommended by the Committee must be completed in a timely fashion. The student’s thesis advisor should approve the revised thesis before it is deposited. The student should make note of the deadlines for final deposit of the thesis and dates that the MS degree will be awarded. The thesis must be deposited by the end of the semester in which the thesis defense takes place. The student will maintain student status until the thesis is deposited.

The thesis may be deposited at any time during the year, but the following deposit deadlines determine the date of the degree.

The degree is awarded on September 30, January 31, or the date of ISMMS’s annual Commencement in June. Students depositing by the January or June deadline will receive their diploma at Commencement

Notification of Registrar – By March 1, students must notify the Registrar of their intent to deposit their thesis on or before the June deposit deadlines in order to be included in the Commencement exercises of that year. Commencement information will be sent during the spring semester to the student’s last email address recorded with the Graduate School Office.

Special consideration – Those students who have a thesis defense scheduled after June 15th MAY, at the discretion of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, be eligible to participate in the spring Commencement ceremony even though they have not met the June 15th thesis deposit deadline. In cases where a student is allowed to participate, he/she/they will not receive a diploma at graduation. After a successful defense, a diploma will be awarded on the next date that degrees are conferred (September 30th). Only students in good academic standing will be offered this courtesy. In this case, good academic standing means that all coursework has been completed with passing grades and the student’s mentor/committee fully expect the student will successfully defend his/her/their thesis prior to June 15th. If either of these criteria is not met, the student will not be allowed to participate in the spring graduation ceremony. Additionally, any student whose defense was not acceptable to their committee will not be allowed to participate in Commencement until after successfully defending and depositing.

Publications

Publications stemming from an MSBS student's thesis research should include the following acknowledgement:

"This work represents the Master’s thesis of (students name) as partial requirement for the fulfillment of the MS degree in Biomedical Sciences offered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Mount Sinai."

• Research Agreement Form – Submitted when a student is matched with a lab

• Research Evaluation Form – First-year students submit before research presentation in Spring Term. Second-year students submit during their last term

• – Submitted when student and committee set the defense date

• – Submitted after successfully defending your thesis

There are several formal advising processes for MSBS students. These are:

Career/Academic Advisors

Upon matriculation, each student is assigned a career/academic advisor. Based upon their future goals, the advisor will be either the Director or Associate Director of the MSBS program. The role of this academic program advisor is to help students navigate the process of selecting a laboratory and advice on academic and career goals. This career/academic advisor will meet at least once a term to evaluate progress towards career goals.

Research Mentor-Thesis/Capstone Advisor

Students will select their research advisor and submit the Research Agreement for their thesis or capstone by November 15 of the first semester. Once a lab or research project is selected, the research mentor will become the thesis/capstone advisor. The student should discuss the expectations and goals for the research project with their advisor. The online Research Agreement form will be submitted by the student and signed by both the student and the faculty member. If the student or the advisor realizes that it is no longer a good match, a switch to another laboratory/research project should be discussed with the Program Director. See next section for more information and process.

Thesis Committee

The Thesis Committee will be an important part of a student’s advisory team. The student is required to have at least two meetings with their advisory committee prior to defending the thesis. It is to the student’s advantage to populate this committee with members who can help guide the research project technically and/or intellectually. More information in the section, .

Thesis Formatting

Because the thesis will be deposited and copyrighted through UMI Dissertation Publishing, please refer to detailed formatting instructions in “” which is part of the Master’s Thesis Deposit packet, available from the Registrar’s Office Forms Page.

Guidelines for Preparation of the Master's Thesis in Biomedical Sciences

The Master’s Thesis should be based on the student's own work and should provide a critical review of the relevant literature and describe the student’s research project in detail. The description of the research should be organized in sections similar to those in a journal article. The thesis should be in the best traditions of scholarship, e.g., identify sources and balance presentation by including conflicting data and counterarguments.

MSBS students maintain satisfactory progress by:

• Matriculating on a full-time basis

• Maintaining a minimum semester GPA of 3.0.

• Graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all of the Core Curricula

• Demonstrating the ability to grow in research skills and movement towards project goals following the selection of a thesis/capstone advisor

• Developing a research project, under the supervision of one or more faculty members, that results in a thesis or capstone demonstrating mastery of the subject area, which is presented, defended, and submitted.

• Meet all milestone deadlines as defined above

This section covers the following program requirements:

This chapter covers the MS in Biomedical Sciences Program. Students can find the following information in this section.

• Program Information

• Program Requirements

Course requirements below. Sample semester course plans available on the MSBS Blackboard site.

• BSR1030 Core I: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (2 credits)

• BSR1031 Core II: Pharmacology & Drug Discovery (2 credits)

• BSR1032 Biomedical Sciences Core III: Cell & Developmental Biology (2 credits)

• BSR1033 Core IV: Neuroscience (2 credits)

• MPH0300 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credits)

• BSR1021 Responsible Conduct of Research (0.5 credits)

• BSR1022 Rigor and Reproducibility (0.5 credits)

• Independent Research (10-12 credits) [Track 1]

• Independent Research (8-10 credits) [Tracks 2-4]

• MTA Journal Clubs and Seminars (2 credits)

• Concentration/Track-specific electives (6-8 credits, based on track)

• BSR8900 Thesis MS Biomedical Science (4 credits) [Track 1]

• BSR8901 Capstone Project (4 credits) [Tracks 2-4]

BSR8011/12/13 Independent Research: MS Biomedical Science: All students will register for Independent Biomedical Sciences Master’s Research beginning in their second semester. Track 1 students will complete three semesters of independent research for a total of 10-12 research credits. Students in Tracks 2-4 will register for two semesters of independent research, totaling 8-10 credits. Variability in the research credits affords students flexibility with elective credits.

BSR80900 Thesis MS Biomedical Science Students in Track 1 will write a master’s thesis, based on original laboratory research, demonstrating the ability to design, execute, and communicate scientific experiments.

BSR80901 Capstone Project Students in Tracks 2-4 will complete a capstone project (i.e., a literature-based research report) and a final comprehensive examination.

A. Disputes between research mentor(s) and mentee Disputes between the research mentor(s) and mentee range in origin and severity, and can be reported by either or both parties. Open communication between the mentor(s) and mentee is the key to avoiding disputes and, when they occur, resolving them. In cases where resolution cannot be reached in communications between the parties, there are procedures and resources that aim to resolve disputes. In the event that the mentor(s) and mentee cannot resolve their disputes through such procedures and resources, either the mentor(s) or mentee may opt to change the nature of the mentoring team.

i) Scientific disputes. When the research mentor(s) and mentee cannot themselves resolve a scientific dispute, they should promptly present the relevant issues to the MSBS director and, if necessary, the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences. The MSBS Director will facilitate a discussion of this dispute with the student’s thesis advisory committee. After hearing from the research mentor(s) and mentee, the MSBS Director and the thesis advisory committee must decide on the scientific issue, though if consensus cannot be reached, the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences has the ultimate responsibility for resolving the dispute. If the scientific dispute concerns data ownership, the thesis advisory committee should refer to The Ownership of Research Data policy. Please note that in case of suspected research misconduct by either the student or mentor (with the proviso that disagreements of opinions are not research misconduct) the issue should be immediately reported to the Office of Research Integrity at reginald.miller@mssm.edu. Anonymous Reporting is also available at the Hotline: 1-800-853 9212.

ii) Non-scientific disputes. It is critical that all research is carried out in a safe and professional environment. Any form of mistreatment, bullying, harassment, is not tolerated, may violate NIH Anti Harassment Policy and Guidance, and should be reported to one or more of the contacts listed below. The mentor is responsible to provide a professional laboratory environment, and should be the student’s first contact if they believe they are experiencing inappropriate or unprofessional behavior in the laboratory. If a mentee believes that they are experiencing such behavior by their mentors, they may initially contact an the MSBS Director, a faculty advisor, or the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences. Depending on the nature of the dispute, the MSBS Director, faculty advisor and/or Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences may directly recommend a course of action, refer the matter to a responsible office, and/or refer the mentee for further advice. Mentees may also seek confidential advice from the Ombuds Office (). There are additional resources available for mentees to report inappropriate behavior that are discussed in Responsible Conduct of Research (BSR1021). These resources include:

• Title IX Coordinator Rebecca Anderson (212-540-8669 or )

• Human Resources (212-241-4097)

B. Disputes between the thesis advisory committee and a research mentor(s) or mentee All disputes between the thesis advisory committee and the research mentor(s) and/or mentee should be presented to the MSBS director and, if necessary, the Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences. The Senior Associate Dean for Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences has the ultimate responsibility for resolving any such disputes (whether scientific or non-scientific) and can institute changes to the thesis advisory committee membership to do so.

For students who entered the 45-credit MSBS program prior to 2025, please refer to your checklists on the Blackboard site.

Program Description The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in biomedical sciences, preparing them for various careers in health professions. This includes pathways to doctoral programs in research or clinical medicine, as well as opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

This full-time program requires the completion of 36 credits and offers flexibility through four distinct tracks, which can be completed in two to four semesters, allowing students to tailor their education to their personal needs and professional goals.

• Track 1: Pre-doctoral (Pre-PhD or Pre-MD-PhD) (4 semesters) prepares students for competitive PhD or MD-PhD programs. It includes a master’s thesis based on original laboratory research. Students will build foundational knowledge in biomedical sciences while conducting hands-on research in the laboratories of their selected Principal Investigators.

• Track 2: Pre-medical (Pre-MD) (3 semesters) is designed for students preparing for MD programs, this track combines a structured block schedule with a capstone project (a literature-based research report) in lieu of a thesis. Students will benefit from resources to prepare for the MCAT and gain non-curricular experiences at Mount Sinai Hospital, such as clinical shadowing,a nd pre-med advising.

• Track 3: Industry/Clinical/Professional Development (3–4 semesters) is a flexible track that caters to professionals in clinical, educational, or private sectors seeking career advancement which can be completed in three or four semesters. Students complete a capstone project with a comprehensive examination.

• Track 4: Accelerated Industry/Clinical/Professional Development (2 semesters + summer) is a fast-paced, two-semester track that mirrors Track 3 but in a condensed format. It is designed for professionals seeking skill enhancement within a shorter timeframe, suitable for industry schedules or those transitioning between roles. Students complete coursework in two semesters (fall & spring) and then complete a capstone project with a comprehensive examination in the summer.

Concentrations: Students also have the option to select a concentration by completing a minimum of six credits in concentration-related elective courses and a thesis or capstone project in concentration-related fields. Concrentraions are optional and include: Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Medicine (AIET); Cancer Biology (CAB); Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT); Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cells (DRS); Genetics and Genomics (GGS); Immunology (IMM); Microbiology (MIC); Neuroscience (NEU); Health Sciences in Engineering (HSE)

Overall Learning Goals of the MSBS Program

• Develop a Strong Foundation in Biomedical Sciences: Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental concepts, methodologies, and techniques in biomedical sciences. • Enhance Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: Foster the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, design research studies, analyze data, and draw informed conclusions. • Promote Hands-on Research Experience: Provide opportunities for students to engage in laboratory research or capstone projects to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, real-world problems. • Prepare for Diverse Career Paths: Offer tailored training and exposure to different career options, including academic research, clinical practice, industry roles, and professional development. • Foster Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage students to collaborate across different fields of biomedical science, leveraging multidisciplinary training areas available through ISMMS.

Program Website: Program Email: