Rutgers Biomedical Sciences Newark: A Comprehensive Guide to Course Descriptions and Programs

Rutgers Biomedical Sciences in Newark offers a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for advanced studies and careers in medicine, dentistry, biomedical research, and related fields. The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) at Rutgers University provides a Master of Science (MS) program in Biomedical Sciences with courses pulled directly from medical school curricula and taught by esteemed faculty. This article provides a detailed overview of the courses, tracks, and opportunities available within the Rutgers Biomedical Sciences program in Newark.

Master's Program Overview

The Biomedical Sciences - MS curriculum at Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies is rigorous. The Master's program requires the completion of 30 credits with a grade point average of 3.0 (B-average) or better for graduation. A student may be eligible to complete up to a maximum of 36 credits when necessary to complete the Master's degree requirements. To register for courses exceeding a total of 30 credits requires permission from the Program Directors.

Graduate students can choose from three tracks: Medical Scholars, Dental Scholars, and Biomedical Research Scholars. Each track offers personalized advisement to enhance academic records and prepare for post-graduation careers. Students can graduate with either a thesis-based Master of Science (MS) or a non-thesis Master of Biomedical Science (MBS) degree and have the flexibility to switch between the two. Graduates pursue further education in Medical School, Dental School, or Ph.D. programs.

Rutgers faculty have appointments in SGS and primary appointments in New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) or Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM). Master's courses are developed and taught by faculty who also teach in NJMS and RSDM. Feedback from alums indicates that these courses prepare students for the rigor of professional school and Ph.D. programs. Students also have the opportunity to engage in a 2-credit research rotation or a 5-credit Master's thesis with faculty in NJMS or RSDM.

Location Advantages

The program's location on the campus of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) offers students unparalleled opportunities to connect with esteemed NJMS faculty and gain valuable insights from their expertise. Students can also actively participate in meaningful volunteer activities at NJMS and University Hospital in Newark, NJ, enriching their education and community involvement.

Tracks and Specializations

Medical Scholars Track

Pre-medical students in the Medical Scholars Track receive personalized academic advisement from Dr. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to engage in tailored admission consultations provided by the NJMS Admissions office, designed to align with their individual credentials. Starting in Spring 2025, The Princeton Review will offer an MCAT Preparation Course specifically designed to fit the academic schedules of our Master's students.

Students in the Medical Scholars Track can also gain valuable clinical experience at the Student Family Health Care Center (SFHCC) as a non-credit elective. Students within this track may register for medical school courses with M1 medical students at NJMS with special permission from Dr.

Dental Scholars Track

Pre-dental students in the Dental Scholars Track receive advisement from Dr. Vincent K. Tsiagbe, Dr. Carla Cugini, or Dr. Daniel Kadouri. Students can register for dental school courses taught in Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM). Oral Microbiology (3 credits) and Oral Immunology (3 credits) are dental school courses open to all students. Dental Histology (5 credits), Dental Neuroscience (4 credits), Dental Physiology (5 credits), and Dental Biochemistry (4 credits) are open to Master's students with special permission from Dr. Tsiagbe.

All students receive one-on-one academic advisement every semester and can receive Admission consultations tailored to their credentials from the RSDM Admissions office.

Biomedical Research Scholars Track

This track allows students to immerse themselves in hands-on biomedical research, preparing them for careers in the biopharma industry or further training through Ph.D. programs. Many graduates from the Master’s program have gained admission into the Multidisciplinary Ph.D. program. Students also engage in networking and career development activities with biopharma industry professionals, structured by the track director, Dr. Doreen Badheka.

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Core Requirements and Electives

The 30-credit Master’s program includes:

Seminar in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit) or Oral Biology Research Seminar (1 credit)
Research in Biomedical Sciences (2 credits): Also called Masters Research Rotations. Students with previous research experience can request an exemption, fulfilling the 2 credits with another course or a literature review for remote students.
Elective Courses (21 credits): This flexibility enables students to pursue courses that complement their strengths and fulfill their career goals.

Students can take courses such as Cell Death, Cell Pathology, Gene Expression, Clinical Implications of Human Poisoning, Basic Histology, Cancer Stem Cells, Principles of Clinical & Translational Research in Oncology, Regional Gross Anatomy, Medical Nutrition and Disease, Methods in Microscopic Imaging, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Marketing, The Business of Science: Drug Discovery from Molecule to Medicines, Chemical Properties & Structures of Dental Materials, Bacteriology and Oral Infectious Diseases, Introduction to Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics, and courses taught in Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) or Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM). If the student gains admission into a professional school, students have the option to transfer back 6 credits from the first year of their professional school which will contribute towards the 21 credits of electives. Students must seek advisement if they plan to pursue this option.

Academic Concentrations

Four optional Academic Concentrations are available within the Master’s program:

Neuroscience
Oral Biology
Pharmacological Sciences
Stem Cell Biology

All students must complete the required course(s) and elective courses for a minimum of 8 credits. The courses taken under these concentrations contribute to 21 credits of electives.

Course Schedule and Structure

The Master’s program has two semesters:

Fall Semester: Begins in August and ends in December.
Spring Semester: Starts in January and ends in September.

In each semester, some courses last for 3.5 to 4 months, and other courses last for 1 to 2 months. This block schedule enables students to create a staggered schedule, which helps them study better and have a strong GPA. During the spring semester, the months of May, June, July, and August are typically light, and students use this time to engage in Master’s thesis research or prepare for MCAT/DAT. During both semesters, most courses are offered in the evenings and have a remote option.

Program Duration and Flexibility

Students enrolled in this Master's program work on a path tailored to their personal and professional goals. The program duration varies depending on the students' needs. A typical pre-health student who comes to the program to strengthen both GPA and MCAT/DAT completes the program in 1.5 years. A pre-health student who comes into the program with a strong MCAT or DAT can complete the program in 1 year. A student interested in strengthening their biomedical research or applying to Ph.D. programs is recommended to pursue the 5-credit Master's thesis and may complete the program in 4 semesters (24 months).

Students are billed by credits and not by semester, so they are only responsible for the number of credits they register for. Students can register for as little as one course per semester and often alternate between part-time and full-time student status.

Tuition and Financial Aid

During the 2023-24 academic year, tuition for full and part-time NJ Resident students was $1005.00 per credit, and tuition for full and part-time Non-NJ Resident students was $1,299.00 per credit. Detailed Tuition and Fees information is available on the Rutgers website.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available, and Rutgers is listed as the School of Graduate Studies - RBHS Newark. Students can also reach out to faculty for TA positions and find employment or volunteering opportunities in the University Hospital on campus. Students often volunteer as case managers in the Student Family Health Care Center (SFHCC), as peer tutors, and as mentors in Project Beam. Many more volunteering opportunities are available through the pre-medical and pre-dental societies.

Graduate students have many opportunities to lead student initiatives through the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and many other student organizations.

Admission Information

Applications are currently open, and admission is offered on a rolling basis. The program is also open to international students. International students are requested to read all the information related to requirements for international students and apply early to give enough time for F1-visa related processes. The Rutgers Global office provides support to our students for Optional Practical Training (OPT) application and STEM OPT extension.

Course Descriptions

Core Courses

A One-Year Survey of Modern Biochemistry: This course covers the structure and functions of biochemical materials, including proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. It also explores metabolism, information processing, and control of gene expression. A computer laboratory in structural biology is included. Prerequisite: One year of organic chemistry.
Introductory Biochemistry: Emphasizes major classes of biomolecules, intermediary metabolism, and gene expression. Selected laboratory projects in bacterial physiology and molecular biology are included. Instruction in organic chemistry is also available where needed. Open only to students in the biomedical careers program. Prerequisites: Two years of college; two semesters of college chemistry; and two semesters in one of the following areas: college biology, organic chemistry, or physics. Enrollment by permission only.
Lectures and Laboratory in Microbiology: Including basic morphology, physiology, and genetics of bacteria and viruses, with an introduction to human pathogens. Experience in a clinical department and participation in biomedical research and seminars. Open only to students in the biomedical careers program. Prerequisites: One year of college, including one semester of college biology or chemistry, and one semester of college math. Enrollment by permission only. Offered only during the summer semester.
Experimental Genetics: Lectures and student seminars in experimental genetics; MCAT preparation; required participation in research/clinical seminars; independent research projects with biomedical scientists culminating in formal student presentations at a public symposium. Open only to students in the biomedical careers program. Prerequisites: Three years of college; two semesters of college chemistry; two semesters of college biology; one semester of college calculus; and four semesters of advanced courses in science, math, statistics, or computer science. Enrollment by permission only. Offered only during summer semester.

Elective Courses

Cell Death
Cell Pathology
Gene Expression
Clinical Implications of Human Poisoning
Basic Histology
Cancer Stem Cells
Principles of Clinical & Translational Research in Oncology
Regional Gross Anatomy
Medical Nutrition and Disease
Methods in Microscopic Imaging
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Marketing
The Business of Science: Drug Discovery from Molecule to Medicines
Chemical Properties & Structures of Dental Materials
Bacteriology and Oral Infectious Diseases
Introduction to Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics

Dental School Courses (RSDM)

Oral Microbiology (3 credits): Open to all students.
Oral Immunology (3 credits): Open to all students.
Dental Histology (5 credits): Open to Master's students with special permission from Dr. Tsiagbe.
Dental Neuroscience (4 credits): Open to Master's students with special permission from Dr. Tsiagbe.
Dental Physiology (5 credits): Open to Master's students with special permission from Dr. Tsiagbe.
Dental Biochemistry (4 credits): Open to Master's students with special permission from Dr. Tsiagbe.

Additional Courses

How Research Projects Are Developed: This course focuses on the development of research projects and the skills needed to undertake them. Lectures, discussions, and small-group activities are included.
Physical and Chemical Bases of the Greenhouse Effect: This course covers the physical and chemical bases of the "greenhouse effect" and its global impact, including biological, climatic, economic, and political aspects. It also discusses reducing the emission of "greenhouse" gases and alternative energy sources. For nonscience majors; not for major credit in science and engineering.
Basic Steps of the Research Process: This course covers the basic steps of the research process, from the conceptualization of a research question through hypothesis testing. It also focuses on skills necessary for data analysis and methodological issues that guide how researchers design projects, collect data, and interpret results.
Direction of a Member of the BioMaPS Institute Faculty: Prerequisites: Declared major in biomathematics, chemistry, computer science, engineering (any of the nine engineering majors), mathematics, physics, statistics, or a minor in one of these fields with a major in biochemistry, biological sciences, biotechnology, cell biology and neuroscience, genetics, microbiology, or molecular biology and biochemistry. Permission of the BioMaPS Institute undergraduate director; cumulative grade-point average of 2.8 or better.

Resources and Opportunities

Rutgers Biomedical Sciences in Newark provides numerous resources and opportunities for its students:

Personalized Academic Advisement: Tailored to each student's track and career goals.
Admission Consultations: Tailored consultations from NJMS and RSDM Admissions offices.
MCAT Preparation Course: Offered by The Princeton Review, starting in Spring 2025.
Clinical Experience: Opportunities at the Student Family Health Care Center (SFHCC).
Research Opportunities: 2-credit research rotation or a 5-credit Master's thesis with faculty in NJMS or RSDM.
Volunteer Opportunities: At NJMS and University Hospital in Newark, NJ.
Networking and Career Development: Activities with biopharma industry professionals.
Financial Aid: FAFSA available, TA positions, and employment opportunities in the University Hospital.
Student Organizations: Opportunities to lead student initiatives through the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and other organizations.

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