Learning Outcomes

The goals of the MS program in translational biomedicine are to:

• promote interaction and collaboration among researchers across the translational research spectrum;
• enrich understanding of T1 research (laboratory), T2 research (application to evidence-based practice), T3 research (implementation and dissemination), and T4 research (population studies and policy development) for basic and clinical scientists to expand the relevance of their work in these areas; and
• develop skills in ethical decision-making, scientific leadership, team building, networking, and research program management.

The Master of Science program in translational biomedicine (TBM) requires a minimum of 34 s.h. of graduate credit plus a final project. Students must maintain a cumulative graduate grade-point average of at least 3.00 in all UI coursework. The plan of study for students in the two-year program is tailored to their scientific goals and interests.

The program is designed to teach members of scientific teams how to move biomedical discoveries into clinical applications and beyond. It is tailored for individuals who have completed doctoral-level training in one area of biomedicine and wish to apply their expertise to the translational research spectrum. The program admits individuals who hold medical or graduate degrees (e.g., MD, DO, DDS, DNP, PhD, PharmD, DVM, or the equivalent) and are employed by the University of Iowa at the faculty ranks of associate professor, assistant professor, instructor/associate, fellow physician, or postdoctoral scholar/fellow.

The MS with a major in translational biomedicine requires the following coursework.

Core Courses

Electives

Students must earn a minimum of 6 s.h. in graduate-level elective coursework pertinent to their educational goals. Electives may be selected from the lists below, or students may obtain approval for other courses with program administration approval.

Biostatistics

Device Development

Drug Discovery

Epidemiology

Genetics

Informatics

Innovation

Neuroscience

Final Project

In addition to completion of the 34 s.h. in required coursework, scholars must submit a final project. The project may be in one of the following formats.

• A complete grant application for a K01, K08, K23, R01, R03, R21, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs career development award, or the equivalent. The R03 completed as part of the required grant writing course may not be submitted as the final project.
• An original research manuscript that is of acceptable quality for a peer-reviewed biomedical journal (the paper can be ready for submission, under review, or already published). The manuscript must contain the following components: a structured abstract; an introductory section that adequately frames the research question addressed; and a methodology section that sufficiently describes the following elements (study design, study sample, data collection strategies and sources, data elements, and data analysis), results of the study, and a discussion including a description of the relationship of the current findings to prior relevant research and/or policy implications of the findings and methodological limitations.

The Translational Biomedicine Program welcomes applicants who have diverse educational and scientific backgrounds and varied research interests. Applicants must have a strong interest and background in a health science profession and knowledge of basic sciences and medicine.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

Translational biomedicine applicants must:

• have a doctoral-level degree in a biomedical discipline (e.g., MD, DO, DDS, DNP, PhD, PharmD, DVM, or the equivalent);
• be employed by the University of Iowa as an associate professor, assistant professor, instructor/associate, a fellow physician, or a postdoctoral scholar/fellow;
• be engaged in scientific research with a University of Iowa mentor who has funding from a peer-reviewed source (e.g. National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and so forth);
• hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited American college or university or an equivalent degree from an international institution, as determined by the University of Iowa Office of Admissions; and
• have a grade-point average of at least 3.00 or the international equivalent, as determined by the University of Iowa Office of Admissions.

Applicants whose first language is not English must score at least 100 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of at least 7.0 with no subscore lower than 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a score of at least 105 on the Duolingo English Test (DET).

Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interest and career goals, and three letters of recommendation. One letter must be from the applicant’s UI research mentor; the program recommends that the second be a letter of support from the applicant’s department chair.

Students and their mentors must guarantee sufficient time for coursework and research. The program does not require a specific percent effort, but successful candidates would likely devote 50–75% of their time to a combination of coursework and research.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Translational Biomedicine, MS

a

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

b

Complete one of the following formats: a complete grant application (K01, K08, K23, R01, R03, R21, or VA career award) or an original research manuscript (>2500 words) of published or in-publishable quality for a peer-reviewed journal. Additional requirements apply.

c

Elective coursework pertinent to educational goals and background may be selected from specific lists in Biostatistics, Device Development, Drug Discovery, Epidemiology, Genetics, Informatics, Innovation, and Neuroscience. Program administration approval required for other courses.