Biomedical Sciences & Biotechnology Overview
The Master’s program in Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology (BSBT) provides students with a broad education and training that should prepare them for research or research-related jobs in academia or industry, or for further training in graduate or professional programs.
The BSBT Program was designed and is recognized by the National Professional Science Master’s Association as a Professional Science Master’s Program (PSM), the first such program in the CU system. The program trains students beyond the STEM disciplines of biomedical sciences and biotechnology by requiring training also in arenas that are a) auxiliary to these disciplines, such as scientific writing and project management, and b) informative about biotechnology related components in business and regulatory affairs.
Microbiology & Immunology Track Overview
The Immunology and Microbiology Program Plan will provide students with a focused education in immunology and microbiology as well as laboratory skills. The goal will be to enhance career advancement in education or industry or prepare a student for a career in research, including further training in graduate and professional programs. Importantly, this program will provide extensive hands-on research experience, where students will be trained in research laboratories located within the department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Students will complete 38 units that include core course work, electives and participation in cutting-edge research, as well as write and defend a thesis.
Structural Biology Track Overview
The Structural Biology and Biochemistry track will provide students with graduate level training in structural biology, biophysics and mechanistic biochemistry with an emphasis on laboratory research. Students will acquire a solid foundation and specialized skills in biomedical, biophysical, and structural sciences that will be preparation for further education in graduate and professional programs as well as a career in academic research or industry. The curriculum includes 38 units of core course work, electives and participation in cutting-edge research in the laboratory of an STBB faculty member. Students will demonstrate original investigation showing critical judgment, as well as familiarity with tools and methods of research, through preparation of a dissertation that will be defended prior to obtaining the degree.
Admission Requirements
General Track Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Official General GRE or MCAT (not required)
- Complete transcripts of undergraduate work and any previous graduate work
- A completed application to Graduate Studies
- Three academic letters of recommendation
- Letter of intent describing in which way the program could support the student’s next career steps and which kind of prior training the student acquired in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and genetics
- Application Fee: A nonrefundable application fee. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the University of Colorado.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and/or universities should be sent directly to:
- Electronic Transcripts should be sent to: graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu (preferred)
- If sending a physical transcript, please mail to:
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Graduate School
Mail Stop C296
Fitzsimons Building, W5107
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045
International students must meet ALL of the requirements above and those required by International Admissions.
Microbiology & Immunology Track Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Official General GRE or MCAT (both optional)
- Complete transcripts of undergraduate work and any previous graduate work
- A completed application to Graduate Studies
- Three academic letters of recommendation
- Letter of intent
- Strong background in biological sciences. BA/BA in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology or equivalent specialty
To apply for admission applicants must submit the following:
- Online Graduate School application
- Personal Statement: A one-page personal statement describing the applicant’s career goals and purpose for studying biomedical sciences and biotechnology
- Resume: The applicant’s current resume or curriculum vitae, including professional work/practice since graduating with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
- Personal statement.
- Three recommendation letters from people who know your professional, academic and/or personal achievements or qualities well.
- Application Fee: A nonrefundable application fee of $75.00 (U.S. dollars). Checks or money orders should be made payable to the University of Colorado.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and/or universities should be sent directly to:
- Electronic Transcripts should be sent to: graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu (preferred)
- If sending a physical transcript, please mail to:
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Graduate School
Mail Stop C296
Fitzsimons Building, W5107
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045
International students must meet ALL of the requirements above and those required by International Admissions.
Structural Biology Track Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Official General GRE or MCAT (both optional)
- Complete transcripts of undergraduate work and any previous graduate work
- A completed application to Graduate Studies
- Three academic letters of recommendation
- Letter of intent
- Training in physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry
To apply for admission applicants must submit the following:
- Online Graduate School application
- Personal Statement: A one-page personal statement describing the applicant’s career goals and purpose for studying biomedical sciences and biotechnology
- Resume: The applicant’s current resume or curriculum vitae, including professional work/practice since graduating with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
- Personal statement.
- Three recommendation letters from people who know your professional, academic and/or personal achievements or qualities well.
- Application Fee: A nonrefundable application fee of $75.00 (U.S. dollars). Checks or money orders should be made payable to the University of Colorado.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and/or universities should be sent directly to:
- Electronic Transcripts should be sent to: graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu (preferred)
- If sending a physical transcript, please mail to:
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Graduate School
Mail Stop C296
Fitzsimons Building, W5107
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045
International students must meet ALL of the requirements above and those required by International Admissions.
Curriculum
The Professional Science Master’s Program in Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology requires a total of 38 credits that full-time students can earn in two years. However, students can also enroll part time. An enrollment for a minimum of 5 credits is required for financial aid eligibility.
In addition to the science courses, in the General BSBT Program, students are required to enroll in professional development courses (Plus Courses) such as biomedical entrepreneurship, project management and regulatory affairs. These Plus Courses provide additional training that is very much valued by employers inside and outside academia.
The mandatory internship requires students to apply their base science and professional training in a hands-on, real-world setting. In consultation with the Program Director, students choose an internship that suits their future career aspirations. For example, students who are interested in a career in research can pursue an internship in an academic lab or a company. Students can also carry out an internship in a biotech business setting, regulatory affairs or technology transfer. Employers inside and outside academia often view the internship as an extended interview, and after graduation, quite a number of our graduates stayed at their internship site for employment. Some students have also used our program successfully as a stepping stone towards medical or DO school or a PhD program.
38 credits are required for graduation in the BSBT-PSM Program, and graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (“B”). Courses with the grade of "C" are not accepted for graduation.
General Track
First Year
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
BSBT 6065 | Case Studies in Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
BSBT 6072 | Foundations in Biochemistry | 1.5 |
BSBT 6073 | Foundations in Molecular Biology | 1.5 |
BSBT 6074 | Foundations in Cell Biology | 1.5 |
BSBT 6075 | Foundations in Genetics | 1.5 |
Hours | 7 | |
Spring | ||
BSBT 6067 | Statistics for Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
Choose 1 course from the following: | ||
Introduction to R Programming | ||
Data Science with R | ||
Reg Env of Life Science Innovation - Drug Discovery | ||
BIOL 5024 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3 |
BIOL 5125 | Molecular Biology Lab | 3 |
Hours | 8 | |
Total Hours | 15 |
Second Year
Year 2 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
ENGL 5175 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 |
PHSC 7330 | Development of Drugs and Biologics | 3 |
BSBT 6803 | Reg Env of Live Science Innovation - Medical Devices | 1.5 |
Hours | 7.5 | |
Spring | ||
BSBT 6061 | Project Management | 2 |
BSBT 6801 | Biomedical Entrepreneurship | 3 |
BSBT 6939 | Internship - Technology and Innovation Section 001 | 3-6 |
Hours | 8-11 | |
Total Hours | 15.5-18.5 |
Microbiology & Immunology Track
First Year
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
BSBT 6065 | Case Studies in Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
BSBT 6072 | Foundations in Biochemistry | 1.5 |
BSBT 6073 | Foundations in Molecular Biology | 1.5 |
BSBT 6074 | Foundations in Cell Biology | 1.5 |
BSBT 6075 | Foundations in Genetics | 1.5 |
BMSC 7810 | Core Topics in Biomedical Science Section 002 | 2 |
Hours | 9 | |
Spring | ||
BSBT 6070 | Mini-Research Rotations | 3 |
BSBT 6064 | Scientific Writing | 1 |
Choose either: | ||
Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Disease | ||
MICB 7701 | Molecular Virology and Pathogenesis | 3 |
OR | ||
Immunology | ||
BMSC 7810 | Core Topics in Biomedical Science Section 006 (Inflammation) | 2 |
Hours | 9 | |
Summer | ||
BSBT 6069 | Laboratory Research in Immunology and Microbiology | 1-6 |
Hours | 1-6 | |
Total Hours | 19-24 |
Second Year
Year 2 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
BSBT 6061 | Project Management | 2 |
BSBT 6069 | Laboratory Research in Immunology and Microbiology | 1-6 |
Hours | 3-8 | |
Spring | ||
BSBT 6071 | Introduction to R Programming | 1 |
BSBT 6067 | Statistics for Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
BSBT 6069 | Laboratory Research in Immunology and Microbiology | 1-6 |
Hours | 4-9 | |
Total Hours | 7-17 |
Structural Biology Track
First Year
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
BSBT 6065 | Case Studies in Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
BSBT 6072 | Foundations in Biochemistry | 1.5 |
BSBT 6073 | Foundations in Molecular Biology | 1.5 |
BSBT 6074 | Foundations in Cell Biology | 1.5 |
BSBT 6075 | Foundations in Genetics | 1.5 |
BSBT 6076 | Research Explorations | 1 |
STBB 7660 | Structure Seminar | 1 |
BMSC 7810 | Core Topics in Biomedical Science Section 001; Core Topics A | 2 |
Hours | 11 | |
Spring | ||
STBB 7608 or STBB 7609 | Molecular Interactions or Biophysics & Spectroscopy | 3 |
BSBT 6068 | Laboratory Research in Structural Biology | 1-6 |
STBB 7631 | Molecular Structure A | 1.5 |
BSBT 6076 | Research Explorations | 1 |
Hours | 6.5-11.5 | |
Total Hours | 17.5-22.5 |
Second Year
Year 2 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
STBB 7631 | Molecular Structure A Section 004 | 1.5 |
STBB 7660 | Structure Seminar | 1 |
BSBT 6068 | Laboratory Research in Structural Biology | 1-6 |
Hours | 3.5-8.5 | |
Spring | ||
BSBT 6068 | Laboratory Research in Structural Biology | 1-6 |
STBB 7660 | Structure Seminar | 1 |
Hours | 2-7 | |
Total Hours | 5.5-15.5 |
Learning Objectives
Learning and Training Goals
Upon successful completion of their studies, students enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology Master’s Program will be able to:
- Apply principles of experimental design and problem solving in the biomedical sciences
- Apply statistical tools for data composition, mining and analysis
- Employ state-of-the-art techniques in biomedical sciences
- Design strategies for rational drug design
- Conduct research in an ethical manner
- Engage in critical analysis of the scientific literature
- Apply the principles of project management
- Understand and operate in the regulatory environment of life science innovation
- Analyze the process of biomedical entrepreneurship in academic, government, and corporate settings
- Write a well-supported, well-reasoned scientific or technical paper
Courses
Introduces aspects of biotechnology within a historical context, including medical, forensic, agricultural and microbial biotechnology. Addresses principles behind state-of-the-field techniques in recombinant DNA technology, bioinformatics, proteomics and genomics. Biotechnology regulations and ethics will also be discussed. Restriction: Restricted to degree granting graduate programs on the downtown campus as well as the School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical campus. Cross-listed with BIOL 4024. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to degree granting graduate programs on the downtown campus as well as the School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical campus.
Provides hands-on experiences in molecular biology and an appreciation for using the tools of molecular biology to study biological systems. Emphasis is placed on DNA cloning, PCR, mRNA and protein detection in the context of gene editing. Experimental design and the theories underlying the techniques are also discussed. Restriction: Restricted to degree granting graduate programs on the downtown campus as well as the School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical campus. Cross-listed with BIOL 4125. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to degree granting graduate programs on the downtown campus as well as the School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical campus.
Typically Offered: Spring.
Provides training in initiating, executing & closing a project, including the management of scope, time, cost, human resources, communication, risk and more. Highly interactive intensive course prepares students for Certified Project Management exam (internationally recognized certification). Taught by Project Management Professional.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Taught by a biomedical researcher and a professional writing instructor, this 15-hour (3-week) course focuses on developing a framework for successful scientific writing practices, including how to effectively structure arguments, how to write grant proposals and more.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Anyone conducting research using federal funding must study RCR. You’ll learn expectations and regulations that permeate science. You’ll understand consequences of violations to individuals and society. We’ll explore misconduct through interactive video, written and video case studies, and other engaging activities.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Learn how and when to apply statistical procedures to answer scientific questions relevant to biomedicine, and how to critically assess statistical data for validity.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
The Course BSBT 6068, Laboratory Research, with allow graduate students to engage in laboratory research training in the biomedical sciences with focus on structural biology.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 15.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
The Course BSBT 6069, Laboratory Research, with allow graduate students to engage in laboratory research training in the biomedical sciences with focus on immunology and microbiology.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
The Course BSBT 6070, Mini-Research Rotations, with allow graduate students to learn in three different laboratories about research in immunology and microbiology.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
Introduction to the statistical programming language R geared primarily to biomedical science students with little to no previous programming experience. Basic features of R as a programming language and as scientific computing platform. Basics of data cleaning, visualization, and analysis.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
This short course provides a condensed and fast-paced overview of the fundamentals in biochemistry including research strategies and techniques. The course aims to enhance the students’ ability to engage in critical scientific reasoning and problem-solving and to prepare students for the scientific analyses and discussions.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
This short course provides a condensed and fast-paced overview of the fundamentals in molecular biology including research strategies and techniques. The course aims to enhance the students’ ability to engage in critical scientific reasoning and problem-solving and to prepare students for the scientific analyses and discussions.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
This short course provides a condensed and fast-paced overview of the fundamentals in cell biology including research strategies and techniques. The course aims to enhance the students’ ability to engage in critical scientific reasoning and problem-solving and to prepare students for the scientific analyses and discussions.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
This short course provides a condensed and fast-paced overview of the fundamentals in genetics including research strategies and techniques. The course aims to enhance the students’ ability to engage in critical scientific reasoning and problem-solving and to prepare students for the scientific analyses and discussions.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
This course allows for exploration of SBB research labs in a “mini-rotation” format, through meeting faculty, reading literature and participating in lab group meetings and research in order to choose a research lab and prepare a short research proposal.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
The course addresses the essential elements of bioscience and health innovation and entrepreneurship. Prerequisites: An undergraduate degree in science, technology, business, engineering or math. Cross-listed with ENTP 6801
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Spring.
This course is designed to familiarize biomedical scientists and those interested in the business of science with the fundamentals of U.S. and international regulatory affairs regarding drug development. Focus is the development of products, such as drugs, devices, diagnostic tests, and health information software, to receive U.S. and international regulatory clearance or approval for commercialization.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Summer.
The internship provides hands-on learning opportunities for graduate students in institutions related to technology/biotechnology, computer science, engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship. Requisite: (Formerly IDPT 6939) Enrollment with permission only, contact inge.wefes@ucdenver.edu. Instructor Consent required.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Provides rhetorical analyses of scientific discourse and student practice in writing research reports and proposals. Restriction: Restricted to students at the graduate level (including non-degree and Anschutz Medical Campus programs). Cross-listed with ENGL 4175. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to students at the graduate level (including non-degree and Anschutz Medical Campus programs).
Sections focus on different core topics in biomedical science, and will address subject areas such as protein structure and function, neurobiology, embryology, stem cell research, and cancer biology. Students can enroll in multiple Core Topic Courses topics in one semester. Previously offered as IDPT 7810.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 20.
AMC-PHD PhD Students only
Typically Offered: Fall.
This course covers the basic principles of the immune system. Included are discussions on (I) the innate and adaptive immune responses, (II) the molecular and cellular basis of immune specificity and (III) aspects of clinical immunology.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Spring.
Topics in this course include viral structure and genome organization, replication and expression of viral genomes, mechanism of action of tumor viruses, molecular aspects of virus-host cell interactions, animal models of infectious diseases and pathogenesis of human viruses. Prereq: MICB 7706, MICB 7705 are desirable but not required. Restriction: Permission of Instructor.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Spring.
The course focuses on molecular processes that bacteria utilize to cause disease in humans. The course content will use specific examples from pathogenic bacteria to illustrate common virulence mechanisms utilized to initiate, maintain and survive interactions with host cells. Prereq: Recommended Fundamentals of Microbiology Restrictions: Permission of the instructor.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Spring.
A survey course designed to introduce students to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics principals used in drug research and development by faculty of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Phoenix Winnonlin Computer software, is used to complete homework. Offered in Fall only in even-numbered years. Crosslisted with TXCL 7330.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Fall.
Provides chemical/physical basis for protein structure, folding, function & stability; presents methods/principles of protein/peptide purification & enzyme catalysis including electron transfer & mutagenesis. The role of molecular dynamics & use of molecular simulations in the investigations of protein-ligand/protein-protein interactions. Cross-listed with PHSC 7608.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Spring.
This course aims to provide the students with a deep understanding of the application of different biophysical techniques to study interactions of biomolecules with each other or with small molecules. The course will supply the students with the needed tools to be able to design their own biophysical experiments to tackle a particular question.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Spring.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the underlying principles of an NMR experiment, so that student can turn NMR theory into NMR practice for their research.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Fall.
Seminar series provides a forum for the presentation of scientific experiments and information in structural biology by faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
A-GRAD Restricted to graduate students only.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
Contact Us
Patricia Goggans
Program Administrator
Patricia.Goggans@cuanschutz.edu
303-724-5878
General Track:
Tamara Terzian, PhD
Program Director
Tamara.Terzian@cuanschutz.edu
Microbiology & Immunology Track:
Kelly Doran, PhD
Program Director
Kelly.Doran@cuanschutz.edu
303-724-3539
Structural Biology Track:
Mair Churchill, PhD
Program Director
Mair.Churchill@cuanschutz.edu
303-724-3670