With a challenging curriculum and the opportunity to attend classes with osteopathic medical students, the MS in Biomedical Sciences program at PCOM offers prospective medical school students a way to enhance their academic backgrounds and prepare for the rigors of medical school.
“The unique curriculum and opportunity to take classes within the DO program made it an easy decision to matriculate into the biomedical sciences program,” said Teighlor Livingston, a PCOM South Georgia biomedical sciences graduate who subsequently enrolled in the osteopathic medicine program.
Students in the biomedical sciences program complete coursework that helps build the skills necessary for success in medical school. With a solid foundation in biomedical sciences, medical students can focus on better understanding complex medical subjects rather than trying to learn all new concepts.
For Krupesh Patel, the program was a vital part of his preparations to pursue his professional goals.
“I chose the biomedical sciences program to help me better myself as a student prior to starting medical school,” he explained. “Attending medical school while completing the master's program gave me the chance to witness what the life of a medical student is like and gave me the motivation I needed to keep fighting for the goals I set out in college.”
During the first two years of medical school, students are exposed to a high volume of material delivered at a rapid pace. PCOM’s biomedical sciences program helps students prepare for this by offering classes taught in a medical school environment alongside actual medical school students. Students learn from the same faculty that teach in the osteopathic medicine program and experience the same testing methods. This exposure increases the student’s ability to deal with the stress of medical school and gain exposure to the study habits, strategies and time management skills required for success.
Hunter Vasquez obtained his MS in biomedical sciences at PCOM Georgia and believes the program prepared him well for medical school.
“I knew that some of the classes in the biomedical sciences program at PCOM Georgia mimicked those of the osteopathic medicine program, and I felt that they would prepare me well, not only in terms of the material, but in learning how to develop efficient study habits with a high course load,” he said.
Students in the program also have the opportunity to take advantage of academic resources including Kaplan test preparation services. Through an agreement between PCOM and Kaplan Test Preparation, biomedical sciences students can enroll in live, online courses to prepare for the MCAT. These courses include access to practice tests and are available at a reduced cost.
Biomedical sciences students take courses in biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, anatomy and physiology, neuroscience and more. These courses are designed to help students develop an advanced understanding of the structure and function of cells and organ systems. Understanding these concepts can be invaluable for future physicians who will be dealing with diseases and conditions that result from the workings of these mechanisms.
The biomedical sciences program also includes a focus on communicating scientific information in verbal and written form. These skills are essential for future healthcare providers who must have the ability to convey complex information to patients in a way to ensure the best possible health outcomes.
According to Janai Groves, the biomedical sciences program helped lay a solid foundation for medical school.
“The key factor in choosing the biomedical sciences program was that the curriculum revolved around integration into professional school,” she said. “Looking back, attending the same lectures as first-year medical students was an immersive learning experience that has boosted my confidence and assured me of a smoother transition to medical school.”
With a holistic focus on medicine and health, the biomedical sciences program is well-aligned with PCOM’s osteopathic medicine program and provides a solid basis for progression into medical school studies.
The biomedical sciences program is designed for students who would like to enroll in PCOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program and have completed the prerequisite coursework. Students who meet specified criteria and conditions may receive a guaranteed interview for medical school or qualify for conditional acceptance.
Biomedical sciences students may receive a guaranteed interview for the osteopathic medicine program at PCOM if they meet specific criteria and conditions including, but not limited to, passing all biomedical sciences courses at the full-time completion rate with no withdraws or failures; maintaining a biomedical sciences cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; scoring in the 40th percentile or higher of each MCAT section; and being currently enrolled in the biomedical sciences program or having completed the certificate or master's within the last three years.
Visit the DO program admissions information for biomedical sciences candidates for a complete listing of criteria and additional considerations.
Current biomedical sciences students may qualify for conditional acceptance into PCOM’s osteopathic medicine program subject to specific criteria and conditions including GPA requirements, specified MCAT scores, a favorable interview and review by the faculty committee on admissions and other considerations.
Visit the DO program admissions information for biomedical sciences candidates for a complete listing of criteria and additional considerations for first- and second-year biomedical sciences students.
Applicants accepted into the biomedical sciences program typically include:
For specific admissions requirements, visit the how to apply page.
Shamaza Rivers-Johnson hopes to become a family physician and treat underserved patients in her community. She said the biomedical sciences program is helping her meet those goals:
“The biomedical sciences program has given me many opportunities to become a more professional student and it prepared me to be a more competitive applicant for medical school.”
For more information about PCOM’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, visit the application requirements page, review frequently asked questions or request additional information.
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