Master of Biomedical Science

Pursuing a Master of Biomedical Science is a strategic “power move” for students looking to bridge the gap between their undergraduate degree and a competitive medical or professional healthcare program.

By mirroring the rigors of the first year of medical school, this intensive program allows you to prove your academic stamina, perform an “academic reset” on your GPA, and master the complex sciences.

Whether you use it to secure a seat in medical school or to launch a high-paying career in biotech and pharmaceutical research, this degree transforms you from a standard applicant into a seasoned, near-peer professional ready to lead in modern healthcare.

Understanding that most students are balancing life, work, or clinical shadowing, the Master of Science in Biomedical Science is built for maximum accessibility without sacrificing academic rigor. This 12-month program features a dynamic, online-flexible curriculum that allows you to engage with high-level coursework like advanced anatomy and biochemistry, from wherever you are.

Whether you’re a local student in Appalachia or applying from across the country, the format is designed to fit into your schedule while still providing personalized mentorship and a direct connection to the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM). This mix of online convenience and mission-driven support ensures you can build a competitive medical school application on your own terms, providing a clear and accessible path to your future in healthcare.

Choosing the Master of Science in Biomedical Science at UPIKE means joining a mission to solve the healthcare shortage in Appalachia and beyond. This program is specifically designed to identify and train future doctors who want to “stay in the mountains” and serve the communities that raised them.

By grounding your academic journey in the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) a national leader in rural and primary care you aren’t just studying science; you’re gaining a deep understanding of health equity and the unique challenges facing underserved areas.

This degree empowers you to return to your hometown as a highly-skilled leader, ready to transform rural healthcare from the inside out and ensure that high-quality care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their zip code.

This course is designed to enable students to design and evaluate biomedical research utilizing appropriate methodology and statistical analysis. Students will define key components of experimental design, select and justify the use of statistical tests for different data types, and create structured research proposals. A critical component is the ability to critically review peer-reviewed literature and assess experimental validity. This involves summarizing articles, evaluating them for bias and limitations, and comparing the methodological rigor across multiple studies. The course also focuses on teaching students to apply ethical and regulatory principles to research proposals and conduct, identifying key ethical principles and regulations (like IRB review or HIPAA), analyzing case studies for compliance, and developing mock IRB applications. This course directly supports program outcomes in applying scientific reasoning and research methodologies, communicating biomedical information, and interpreting ethical principles and federal regulations.

This course focuses on training students to interpret patterns of inheritance and analyze genetic variation relevant to human disease. This involves distinguishing inheritance patterns using pedigree analysis, predicting outcomes of genetic crosses, and analyzing SNPs and chromosomal abnormalities in relation to specific disorders. Students will evaluate different genetic screening methods and critically assess the ethical implications associated with genetic testing. This includes comparing techniques, assessing clinical utility and limitations of various tests, and articulating potential ethical dilemmas such as informed consent or genetic discrimination. The course emphasizes the ability to apply genetic principles to case-based scenarios within the scope of precision medicine, interpreting data on gene-drug interactions, correlating genotype with phenotype in complex disorders, and constructing clinical case summaries integrating genetic information for decision-making. This course aligns with program outcomes in understanding core concepts, evaluating and solving problems, and interpreting ethical principles and regulations.

This course presents and discusses the biological, psychological, social, cultural and environmental elements of human behavior across the life span. Students learn and apply theories from various disciplines that explain human behavior and the interactions between individuals, groups, communities, and societies. Special attention given to the implications of diversity in relation to human development and behavior.

This course provides students with knowledge and skills to engage in policy practice, giving attention to policy analysis, writing/revising policy, and advocacy. Students will analyze historical and contemporary social problems, programs, and policies within a social justice framework. The course will also explore various approaches and strategies for effective advocacy. Special emphasis will be placed upon the impact of policy and programs for vulnerable and oppressed populations. Ethical considerations in policy practice are also examined.

This advanced graduate course will focus on the development of knowledge, values and skills needed to effect policy change for mental health and addiction service delivery systems at an organizational, community, and legislative levels. The processes and politics of making policies related to mental health and addiction will be examined from historical and contemporary perspectives. Emphasis is placed on “policy practice” and the course will examine the knowledge and political skills needed to effectively analyze policy, be an effective advocate, and impact public policy and social change. Special consideration is also given to how the mental health system has historically and contemporarily related to populations at-risk and the impact it has had on service provision and policy development.

This advanced clinical concentration course will examine the etiology and epidemiology of chemical and behavioral addictive disorders. Addiction is explored from multiple theoretical perspectives (biological, sociological and psychological) and the relationships between and among addictive behaviors and socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical and mental ability, spirituality, religion, and intersectionality are investigated. The course will also evaluate the holistic impact of addiction on clients, families, social support networks, workplaces, and communities. Emphasis is placed on the development of the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of addictive disorders using evidence-based approaches.

Leadership is the process of influencing other people to achieve organizational goals. This leadership course traces the evolution of leadership thought and theory. Students will develop their skills of critical analysis and work to translate theory into practical application. Primary focus is given to expanding the scope and depth of the student’s leadership knowledge, self-knowledge, and personal model of leadership via the use of lecture, research, case study, experiential exercises, and leadership skills practice.

This course explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming strategic communication practices, equipping students with the skills to leverage AI tools for data analysis, content creation, audience targeting, and campaign optimization. Students will examine how AI technologies can enhance communication strategies and improve decision-making processes. Students will learn to incorporate AI into their communication workflows, developing innovative solutions for engaging audiences and measuring the effectiveness of communication efforts in a digital landscape. The course will also address ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in communication.

This course examines organizational crisis communication with an emphasis on crisis prevention and planning ethical and effective crisis response. Topics include theories and research related to organizational communication before, during, and after crises. Emphasis will be placed on the use of media and an audience-centered approach.