The Master of Science (MS) in Translational Science and Medicine (TSM) is a program designed to prepare students for careers as medical scientists with a heavy focus on bench work and engagement with industry and academic leaders. The MS TSM program is research intensive and develops students’ critical thinking, leadership, and entrepreneurial skill sets that position graduates to enter and become innovative leaders in the biomedical or pharmaceutical industries, or pursue a PhD in Translational Science and Medicine, Advanced Drug Delivery, or related fields. The program can also be utilized as a gap experience to better prepare students who wish to pursue medical school. The MS TSM program adheres to the National Science Foundation’s call for convergence across disciplines to solve problems and do so in ways that bridge the theory/practice gap as quickly as possible using a translational science framework.
Admissions Requirements
Students admitted to the program are expected to have a substantial knowledge of chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics, and to have completed basic courses in the applied sciences with high standards of scholarship. In general, a curriculum equivalent to that required of undergraduate majors in biology, chemistry. biomedical engineering. pharmacology, bioscience, or related field is expected. Students admitted without this background may be required to make up course deficiencies without receiving graduate credit.
Admissions Requirements:
- Statement of purpose.
- Academic transcripts from all U.S. and international institutions attended where 15 or more credit hours were earned.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Writing Sample.
The GRE or MCAT is not required for admission.
International applicants will need to meet other requirements established by the Graduate School.
Curricular Requirements
This program has a thesis and a non-thesis option. Candidates under the thesis option will complete 9 credit hours of core coursework, 9 hours of program elective coursework, 6 credit hours of additional elective coursework, and 6 credit hours of thesis research. Candidates under the non-thesis option will complete 9 semester hours of core coursework, 12 credit hours of program elective coursework, 6 credit hours of additional elective coursework, and 3 hours of a “capstone” research experience.
| Translational Science and Medicine, MS | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 | |
| TSM 501 | Biomedicine & Translationl Sci | 6 |
| POPH 522 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| Electives | 15 - 18 | |
| TSM 660 | Drug Delivery | 4 |
| TSM 661 | Imaginary Logic to DD | 1 |
| TSM 662 | Formulations Science Lab | 3 |
| TSM 663 | Formulations Testing Lab | 3 |
| TSM 664 | Drug Deliv Bio Lab I | 3 |
| TSM 665 | Drug Deliv Bio Lab II | 3 |
| MGT 386 | Foundations of Entrepreneurshp | 3 |
| MGT 512 | Management Presentations | 3 |
| MGT 517 | Leadership & Ethics | 3 |
| MGT 537 | Strategic HR Management | 3 |
| MGT 582 | New Venture Development | 3 |
| BSC 530 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 |
| BSC 535 | Immunology | 4 |
| BSC 558 | Drug Discovery Laboratory | 3 |
| CHE 518 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| Thesis Option | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 | |
| Program Electives | 9 | |
Translational Science (6 credit hours from the list of TSM courses above) | ||
Management (3 credit hours from the list of MGT above) | ||
| Free Electives (any additional courses from the list above) | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Non-Thesis Option | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 | |
| Program Electives | 12 | |
Translational Science and Medicine (9 credit hours from the TSM courses listed above) | ||
Management (3 credit hours from the MGT courses listed above) | ||
| Free Electives (any additional courses from the list above) | 6 | |
| Capstone Experience | 3 | |
| Capstone Project Practicum | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Transfer Credit
Students may transfer in a maximum of 12 credit hours. Students are recommended to submit graduate coursework for transfer credit evaluation before the end of their first semester in the program.
Graduate School transfer policies.
Comprehensive Exam / Capstone
There is no comprehensive exam. Students will complete a thesis (Plan I) or non-thesis (Plan II)
Plan I - Thesis Process Requirements
The thesis degree completion option requires at least 6 credit hours of TSM 599. The purpose of the thesis is to develop, plan, and execute an original project that contributes new knowledge within Translational Science and medicine. The thesis involves preparation of a research paper that is of publishable quality and a formal presentation and public defense of the work.
A thesis committee must consist of at least three Graduate Faculty appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. The Committee Chair must be a full or associate member of the Graduate Faculty. One member must be from outside the student's major department. The majority of the thesis committee must be full-time regular University of Alabama faculty. If the outside member is not a full or associate member of the UA Graduate Faculty (e.g., a highly qualified person from another university, a business, or industry), the Graduate Dean needs to appoint that member by approving Affiliate Graduate Faculty status for the specific purpose of serving on the student's thesis committee.
The candidate must give members of the examining committee a minimum of two weeks to read the thesis before the date of the final oral examination. All members must agree that the student is ready for the final oral thesis defense. A final oral thesis defense is required of all students completing a thesis. The final oral thesis defense is the culminating experience in the master’s program. As such, all members of the thesis committee are required to attend and participate in real time. Virtual attendance via interactive video or teleconference is permitted for off-campus external committee members. Students enrolled in the main campus program are expected to participate in graduate oral examinations in person and on campus. In the event that requiring the student to be in person and on campus for the presentation would cause hardship to the student, the committee chair and the graduate program director may approve virtual participation. The student should clearly outline the extenuating circumstances leading to this need. The student and all committee members must adhere to the Graduate School’s requirements for virtual participation. The thesis defense is conducted publicly and is open to all.
For formatting guidance, follow the UA Graduate School electronic thesis instructions. A "journal-format thesis" is acceptable. Such a thesis follows the format of a particular journal in which the student and advisor want the thesis to be published. To prepare a journal-format thesis, the student uses the journal's "information for authors" or similarly titled guidelines in conjunction with the Graduate School's Student Guide to Preparing Electronic Theses and Dissertations. All theses are submitted electronically rather than on paper. See the Graduate School's homepage for a link to information on Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) for details. Theses must comply with the regulations set out in A Student Guide to Preparing Electronic Theses and Dissertations, available on the Graduate School's website.
Plan II - Non-Thesis Process Requirements
The non-thesis degree completion option requires at least 3 credit hours of TSM 598 in which students will complete a capstone project. The purpose of the capstone project is to conduct original research in Translational Science and Medicine. The capstone project involves preparation of a capstone paper and a formal presentation and defense of the project.
All program faculty will form the examining committee. The student must give the committee a minimum of two weeks to read the capstone paper before the date of the final oral examination. All members must agree that the student is ready for the final capstone presentation. A final oral capstone presentation is required of all students completing a thesis. The final oral capstone presentation is the culminating experience in the master’s program. As such, all members of the examining committee are required to attend and participate in real time. Virtual attendance via interactive video or teleconference is permitted for off-campus external committee members. In the event that requiring the student to be in person and on campus for the presentation would cause hardship to the student, the graduate program director may approve virtual participation. The student should clearly outline the extenuating circumstances leading to this need.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
The program adheres to the Graduate School's policy.
Graduate School degree requirement policies.
Student Progress Requirement
Students must maintain good academic standing to matriculate through the program. Good academic standing requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all graduate coursework. If a student’s GPA drops below 3.0 at any point in the program, then they will receive an Academic Warning.
Students who receive an Academic Warning may lose fellowships, assistantships, or other funding support. Students will have one semester to remove their Academic Warning, or they may be dismissed from the program due to insufficient progress towards completing their degree. When warranted by course scheduling restrictions, such as when a course that needs to be repeated is only offered once a year, students can be given a longer time frame to remove their Academic Warning. Students that are dismissed from the program will not be eligible for readmission to the program. In addition to the relevant academic thresholds, a student's standing with the program is also contingent on compliance with the Code of Student Conduct and adherence to the Capstone Creed.
Academic Misconduct Information
All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, misrepresentation and abetting any of the above. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event that academic misconduct occurs.
Graduate School academic misconduct information.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Students should notify the program director to discuss withdrawals and leave of absences. Please refer to the UA Graduate Catalog for further instructions on how to submit for withdrawal and leave of absences.
Graduate School withdrawals and leave of absence information.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School academic grievances information.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School grades and academic standing requirements.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
Application for Graduation Information
Graduate Assistantships: A limited number of assistantships may be available each academic year. All students admitted to the program are considered for assistantships and are matched to open positions based on the student’s academic history, research skills, and other relevant experience and expertise demonstrated in the application materials to the program. To retain an assistantship, a student must be in good academic standing in the program, demonstrate satisfactory progress in the academic program and satisfactory work as a research assistant. Unsatisfactory academic progress may be defined as the failure to maintain a 3.0 overall GPA in the program, an unsatisfactory thesis or practicum project defense, or any other failure of a required component of the program of study. The student must complete all mandatory annual training and abide by all rules and policies held by The University of Alabama, The College of Community Health Sciences, UA Environmental Health and Safety, and the Department of Translational Science and Medicine. Students with assistantships will receive a performance evaluation of their research assistant work each semester. Additional information about minimum graduate school qualifications for graduate assistantships can be found on the Graduate School Academic Policies page https://catalog.ua.edu/graduate/about/academic-policies/registration-assistantships/.
Fellowships: Eligible students who excel in the program may be nominated by the Department for UA fellowships. The University of Alabama’s Graduate School offers several competitive fellowships that cover tuition, health insurance, and stipends. A list of available fellowships can be found on the Graduate School website. The program admissions committee selects exceptional applicants to the program that may be competitive for Graduate Council Fellowships.