Biomedical Sciences (BMS) MS Program: Gateways to Medicine and Research

Everyone is Welcome!

The Biomedical Sciences Master’s in Science (BMS MS): Gateways to Medicine and Research is designed for students interested in professional health careers or biomedical research who desire additional training, experiences, and advising to strengthen their academic and professional credentials for admission to health professional or graduate schools, or for entry in the biomedical workforce. The mission of the Gateways MS Program is to recruit and train diverse students that upon graduation will enrich the region with their newly gained expertise. We expect that most graduates will continue their training in regional MD or PhD programs or transition to related careers, including lab specialists, teaching, biotech industry, or other professions.

This umbrella program has two tracks based on desired outcomes.

• The Research Track is a 2-year Plan A MS with thesis that provides individualized training and research experiences in diverse disciplines of biomedical sciences.
   
• The Medical Track, 1-year (Summer + 2 semesters) Plan B MS with capstone provides tailored biomedical content and experiences for students interested in health professions.

The Gateways MS Program will be a natural fit for regional students who wish to further their education in a small city with all the services and amenities yet close to nature and home. We recruit students from diverse Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, including pre-med, cell biology, human biology, biochemistry, or equivalent majors. Students with other academic backgrounds are also encouraged to apply with a description of how their unique experiences will enrich the program.

The Gateways MS Program will be a natural fit for regional students who wish to further their education in a small city with all the services and amenities yet close to nature and home. We recruit students from diverse STEM disciplines, including pre-med, cell biology, human biology, biochemistry, or equivalent majors. Students with other academic backgrounds are also encouraged to apply with a description of how their unique experiences will enrich the program. 

1. Master's Degree: This is an academic enhancer program that results in obtaining a degree. When you graduate, you can attach the “MS” title to your name. This is not the case with a post-baccalaureate certificate program. 
2. Research Experiences: For students interested in biomedical research, the Research Track offers few required courses along with personalized content and experiences over a two-year period guided by experienced mentors. Our campus has a specific strength in Neuroscience, but we have experts in other disciplines, including Genetics and Genomics, Immunology, Reproductive Physiology, Cancer Biology, Toxicology, Parasitology, Anthropology, Lyme disease, and others.
3. Paid summer stipend: Students on the Research track need to commit to an immersive, paid summer research experience that will allow them to advance their research project to stay on track towards project completion and graduation.
4. Clinical Experiences: For students interested in health careers, the Medical Track offers clinical experiences, including shadowing at Aspirus Hospital, visiting the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, obtaining the Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate, and attending clinical skills sessions (suturing, ultrasound, imaging, etc.) with one of our MD faculty.
5. MCAT / Kaplan: The program provides students with Kaplan subscriptions along with a tailored plan to develop accountability as students prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Dental Admission Test (DAT). 
6. Skill Development: Students who need additional training to demonstrate readiness for the next career step, including non-traditional students and those who have experienced significant hardships typically complete college with significant gaps in critical skills. We have developed extensive sessions to foster these skills.
7. Teaching philosophy: The Gateways MS Program is taught only in person on the Duluth campus of the UMN Medical School, a single building that makes faculty highly accessible. This highly interactive environment supports our “high-content, high- contact” model. 
8. Mentoring: Each student needs to identify a faculty mentor during the first weeks of the program. Students and mentors sign a compact that guides the development of a productive mentor/mentee relationship.
9. Wraparound Support: The program offers multiple layers of student support, including writing support, application to medical school, health services, disability and accommodations, conflict resolution, etc.
10. Tutoring: Second year medical students support Gateways Scholars as tutors and help with MCAT prep. 
11. Campus Life: The Medical School is located within the UMD campus, a medium-sized campus overlooking Lake Superior surrounded by urban forests, ponds, creeks, and trails. We also organize activities and day trips to provide team-building opportunities.
12. Leadership Opportunities: Students have opportunities to demonstrate leadership by serving on the Student Council and the Gateways Curriculum and Admissions committees. Student opinions are respected and play a critical role in ensuring the highest quality of the program.
13. Scholarships/Philanthropy: The program was launched with the support of a large grant. That grant is no longer active, yet we are actively working to identify other funding sources to partially support our students. The program is happy to identify individual scholarship opportunities and support the students who apply to them.
    
     

Graduation requirement will be completion of 30 credits in one or two years, depending on the Track. Credits are earned in graduate courses using a mix of delivery styles, including reading primary literature, writing reports, discussion-based classes, problem-based learning (PBL), and student presentations. The active learning, innovative curriculum is tailored around multiple disciplines covering the science of human health and disease. The curriculum was developed and is delivered by experienced faculty who are course directors and/or teachers in the foundational medical curriculum. 

MCAT preparation is integrated into the curriculum: we start in the summer with dedicated MCAT preparation in the Critical Thinking and Clinical Skills course. This course is highly structured to ensure students follow the Kaplan study plan, demonstrate accountability, and develop learning and test-taking skills. Students attend live sessions and complete modules in person to develop team study skills.

• Students on the Research Track have few core courses, including research readiness, a practical Techniques course, and statistics. They also have access to multiple electives in their area of interest, including classes from the Twin Cities campus. Students gain bench skills with experienced mentors in exciting research areas, including neuroscience, genetics/ genomics, immunology, cancer biology, physiology, toxicology, infectious disease, and parasitology. Students will complete and defend a research thesis that will demonstrate competence and independence.
   
• Students on the Medical Track follow a highly structured curriculum to assist with the need to complete the program in 1 year and take the (MCAT). Students will experience a mix of classroom content, clinical and community experiences, and dedicated MCAT study time. Medical Scholars will have opportunities to shadow at Aspirus Hospital and the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, obtain the BLS certificate, train in basic clinical skills, and participate in community projects as part of their Capstone Project. The curriculum has extensive content on health disparities threaded throughout. Students will demonstrate preparedness for medical school by maintaining a strong GPA and performing well in the MCAT. 

Overall, this program should appeal to students interested in: (1) health professions (new applicants and near misses), (2) exploration of academic careers in biomedical research, (3) biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, (4) teaching health sciences, or (5) broader applications of biomedical knowledge in business/entrepreneurship, regulatory affairs, writing, or policy. 

Upon graduation, Gateways Scholars will demonstrate: 

Common outcomes for all students

• Exhibit the skills of a lifelong learner: nurture a growth mindset, creativity, problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, communication, collaboration, adaptability, curiosity, self-reflection, set goals, take ownership of their future, nurture their passions
• Develop skills in teamwork, community-building, time management and personal wellbeing while operating in a high-performance environment
• Demonstrate competency to read, understand, and critically analyze the relevant concepts presented in the primary literature
• Exhibit the ability to present information clearly, logically, and critically, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrate professionalism in the interaction with instructors and peers in the academic setting

Research Track

• Exhibit independent and critical thinking, effective experimental planning and interpretation, and productive bench skills
• Demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental concepts and techniques in biomedical research
• Exhibit the ability to critically analyze concepts presented in primary literature 
• Understand and apply the ethical standards in science
• Demonstrate professionalism in the laboratory and the ability to work in a collaborative environment

Medical track

• Demonstrate knowledge in biomedical and social science content relevant to medical school
• Demonstrate proficiency in health care disparities, specifically related to Indigenous communities
• Exhibit critical thinking and analysis of concepts presented in primary literature
• Demonstrate professionalism in the interaction with providers and patients in clinical settings

SCRIPPS News
(9/21/23) University paves the way to get more Native Americans into health care.

Native News Online
(3/1/23) New UMN Medical School Program a ‘Stepping Stone’ for Native American Students | Health.

Duluth News Tribune
(2/13/23) Duluth's U of M Medical School receives $750,000 for Native American recruitment, new master's program.

Medical School 
(4/24/25) Leading with Purpose: Gateways Scholar Honored for Advocacy Work
(2/13/23)  U of M Medical School, Duluth Campus receives $750,000 award to support creation of new master’s program, training of Native students