Master of Science in Health Sciences

The intent of the one-year MS in Health Sciences program is to enhance  students’ educational foundation that can be applied to any of several career paths in the health care field.  The program further solidifies a student's educational foundation and prepares students for matriculation into health care-related professional schools. 

For those students applying or reapplying to health professional school, the MS in Health Sciences can be completed during the application 'glide' or "gap" year.

To be eligible to enter directly into the one year MS in Health Sciences program students should have a substantial foundation in the basic sciences including 1 year of introductory biology, 1 year of introductory physics, 1 year of general chemistry, 1 year of organic chemistry, 1 semester of statistics. 

Coordinator:

Diane Dorgan, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Manager
Email: dorgan@montana.edu or gradschool@montana.edu 
Homepage for MSC Health Sciences

How to Apply

  1. An online application for the MS in Health Sciences. 
  2. Applications are accepted Oct 1- March 31.  Applications are reviewed throughout the cycle by the admissions committee and decisions are made and communicated to the applicant as quickly as possible.
  3. Pre-requisites include a year each of general chemistry, organic/biochemistry, biology, and physics.  A year of math to include one semester of statistics is also required.

Program Specifics

  • Available to students is a clinical observation course (HMED 540 Clinical Practicum) and a health-care focused, graduate-level journal club (HMED 594 Seminar).
  • Students will choose an emphasis among Molecular Medical, Community Health, International, or Health and Medicine.
  • Students will complete a scholarly project and present in a public forum and provide a written report (HMED 575 Professional Paper and Project).
  • Students are encouraged to participate in a semester-long application preparation process (Prep2Apply) for health professional school, if appropriate.
  • Students who successfully complete program will receive their degree during the spring graduation ceremony.

Molecular Medicine

BCH 441Biochemistry of Macromolecules3
BCH 442Metabolic Regulation3
BCH 444RBiochemistry & Molecular Biology Methods3
BCH 524Mass Spectrometry3
BCH 543Proteins3
BIOB 410Immunology3
BIOB 425Adv Cell & Molecular Biology3
or BIOB 525 Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology
BIOB 524Ethical Practice of Science3
BIOH 405Hematology3
BIOH 422Genes and Cancer3
BIOH 511Advanced Human Anatomy4
BIOH 445Introduction to Pharmacology3
BIOH 465RGene Expression Lab: From Genes to Proteins to Cells3
or BIOH 565 Gene Expression Lab: From Genes to Proteins to Cells
NEUR 425Sensory Neurophysiology3
NEUR 435Cognitive Neuroscience3
NEUR 455Molecular Medicine3
BIOM 400Medical Microbiology3
BIOM 425Toxicology: Science of Poisons3
or MB 527 Toxicology
BIOM 431Medical Bacteriology3
BIOM 441Eukaryotic Pathogens4
BIOO 412Animal Physiology3
EMEC 424Cellular Mechanotransduction3
HSTR 417Early Modern Science3
HSTR 419Modern Science3
IMID 501Exper Immunology/Pathology3
IMID 505Gene Regulation in Human Development, Disease, and Immunity3
MB 505Host-Associated Microbiomes4
MB 520Microbial Physiology3
MB 525Advanced Immunology3
MB 528Advanced Microbial Genetics3
MB 530Virology3
BIOH 509Advanced Human Torso Anatomy4
HMED 575Professional Paper and Project1-6
HMED 540Clinical Practicum1
HMED 594Seminar1

Community Health

Core Focus: Provides a foundation for understanding community health with a focus on advancing public health and promoting the well-being of communities related to  health care administration, education, non-profit, government or other community health organizations and settings.

Required courses

HMED 540Clinical Practicum1
HMED 575Professional Paper and Project1-6

Electives 

AC 502Psychopharmacology and Addictions3
AC 504Alcohol and Drug Studies3
CHTH 405Caregiving & Aging Families3
CHTH 430Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging3
CHTH 435Human Response To Stress3
CHTH 502Theories and Models in Health3
HADM 445Managing Healthcare Organizations3
HTH 455The Ethic of Care3
HMED 594Seminar1

Health and Medicine track

Core Focus: Emphasizes anatomy, nutrition, and psychology to provide students a better understanding in preventive medicine for their professional journey in either professional health schools, advanced graduate study, or employment.

Required courses

HMED 540Clinical Practicum1
HMED 575Professional Paper and Project1-6

 One course from one of the discipline areas – 3cr-4cr

Anatomy/Cell Biology

BIOH 509Advanced Human Torso Anatomy4
BIOH 511Advanced Human Anatomy4
BIOH 454Microanatomy (Histology)3
BIOB 525Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology3

 Nutrition/Metabolism

NUTR 421Macronutrient Metabolism3
NUTR 422Micronutrient Metabolism3
NUTR 526Nutrition for Fitness/Perform3

Psychology/Wellbeing  

CHTH 435Human Response To Stress3
PSYX 477Science of Psych Well-Being3

 Electives Choose 19-23 credits

HMED 594Seminar1
BIOB 420Evolution3
BIOB 525Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology0,3
BIOH 509Advanced Human Torso Anatomy0,4
BIOH 511Advanced Human Anatomy0-4
BIOH 454Microanatomy (Histology)3
BIOO 412Animal Physiology3
CHTH 430Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging3
CHTH 435Human Response To Stress3
CHTH 440Principles of Epidemiology3
KIN 506Exercise and Chronic Disease3
KIN 515Exercise Performance and Nutrition3
KIN 545Graduate Exercise Physiology3
NEUR 440Neuroscience of Mental Illness3
NRSG 602Adv Physio/Pathophysiology4
NRSG 603Advanced Pharmacology I2
NRSG 610Health Care Informatics3
NUTR 411Nutrition for Sports/Exercise3
NUTR 421Macronutrient Metabolism3
NUTR 422Micronutrient Metabolism3
NUTR 511Exercise Metabolism and Health3
NUTR 526Nutrition for Fitness/Perform3
PSYX 463Social Cognition3
PSYX 477Science of Psych Well-Being3
PSYX 541Cognitive Processes3
PSYX 544Social Psychology3
PSYX 546Social Cognition3

Students interested in pursuing a career in post-secondary education may apply 12 credits the College Teaching Certificate toward their program.

Substitutions with consultation and approval of program chair