The Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Sciences program, offered at PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia provides an opportunity for students with baccalaureate degrees to begin their graduate study in the biomedical sciences as preparation for science careers or as additional preparation for professional study:
The MS in Biomedical Sciences program represents a broad content base in the basic biomedical sciences with a strong emphasis on human medicine and clinical applications of the material. Foundation courses provide a unique interdisciplinary background in biomedical sciences that may be applied in business, management or teaching careers, or as preparation for professional school. A certificate of graduate study is awarded for successful completion of all foundation (first year) courses and laboratory objectives. The degree tracks build upon the foundation courses and can be completed in one of several concentrations.
APPLY ONLINEThe Biomedical Sciences program operates on a rolling admissions basis. The application will open in September 2019 with a deadline of August 1, 2020 for classes beginning mid-August 2020.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) participates in GradCAS, the centralized application service for graduate study.
Prospective graduate students may submit their application through a secure web server, GradCAS, which is similar to a "common app". In order to connect your general GradCAS application to PCOM, visit the ADD PROGRAM tab, search for Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and select your program of interest from the list. Also, be sure you complete the fourth quadrant of PCOM custom questions and click SUBMIT when completed. Be advised that your full GradCAS application must be e-submitted, completed and verified to be considered for admission to PCOM.
There is a $64 fee to apply.
GradCAS instructions can be found on the GradCAS Applicant Help Center and the GradCAS Quick Start Guide. Additionally, you may contact GradCAS Customer Service.
Note that official college transcripts from all colleges/universities schools attended must be sent directly to:
GradCAS Transcript Processing Center
PO Box 9217
Watertown, MA 02471
Once your application has been downloaded from GradCAS, you will be contacted via email with a confirmation within 7 business days of its receipt including reminders of the appropriate steps to complete the application process.
As an applicant to PCOM's Biomedical Sciences program, you are responsible for ensuring that all admissions materials are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
Interviews are not conducted for admission into the Biomedical Sciences program.
The Faculty Committee on Admissions conducts a holistic review of all completed and verified applications. There are no minimum grade point averages or standardized test scores during the application review process. Following the completion of the review process, each applicant is notified of an Admissions decision by the Faculty Committee in writing, including any conditions that must be satisfied prior to or following enrollment. The committee can accept candidates up until the first day of class in mid-August. Applicants not selected for the program will be sent a final decision via email after the first day of class in mid-August.
Completed and verified GradCAS applications and supporting documents will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Faculty Committee on Admissions beginning in September 2019. Applicants will be assessed on the following factors:
All applicants must complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university either online or on a college campus.
| Courses Required | Credit Hours | Notes |
| General Biology I & II | 8 | Lab required |
| General Chemistry I & II | 8 | Lab required |
| Organic Chemistry I | 4 | Lab required |
| Other Chemistry coursework | 4 | Examples: Organic Chemistry II, Biochemistry |
| Physics | 8 | Lab required |
Submit official reports of standardized test scores: GRE, PCAT, DAT, OAT, or MCAT. This requirement will be automatically waived for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on their bachelor's degree granting transcript.
If you plan to submit an MCAT score you will need to forward to PCOM a screenshot of a full copy of your MCAT score report as a PDF attachment of your AAMC ID number as well as the verification code which can be obtained from AAMC. Self-reported scores are not considered official and will not complete an application. All tests must be taken within three years of the desired date of matriculation. For 2020 enrollment, exams taken before August 2017 will not be accepted to complete an applicant record. Please allow at least 15 business days to retrieve the scores.
GRE Institutional Codes
One letter of recommendation from the pre-professional advisor/committee or a science faculty member of the applicant's undergraduate or post-baccalaureate institution is required. Letters must be on letterhead and preferably signed. Please note that faculty letters must be from a science professor who issued a grade for a course that is noted on the applicant's institutional transcript.
Letters of recommendation can be sent through the evaluator portal on GradCAS or directly to PCOM Admissions in PDF format at recommend@pcom.edu. Recommenders can view our For Recommenders page for guidance.
Applicants must write a general autobiographical statement explaining your interest in this academic program as it relates to your career goals (in 500 words or less). Your completed statement is submitted through GradCAS.
In an effort to foster the safety and well-being of the entire campus community, as well as to ensure that students accepted to PCOM will be permitted to perform clerkships/internships required to successfully complete their degree requirements, PCOM requires all first year students to complete a criminal background check prior to matriculation. All students must have their criminal background checks processed through a PCOM vendor of choice. The Office of Admissions will send notification of the process after confirmation of enrollment and must have this information on file prior to orientation; students will not be allowed to start classes without this information.
Prior to enrollment in the Biomedical Sciences program, all candidates are required to complete PCOM's Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation (PDF).
Students may declare a Biomedical Sciences degree concentration at any time after matriculation. Please note that a 3.00 GPA in foundation year courses and a personal interview is required in order for approval of a second-year Master's degree concentration.
Biomedical Sciences students at all PCOM locations have the opportunity to apply for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at each location.
View details, admissions criteria and application advice on the DO/Biomedical Sciences Linkage Agreement.
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