Biological & Biomedical Sciences Accelerated Masters
Earn your bachelor’s and master’s in five years, and save time and tuition.
The Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Accelerated Masters option allows qualified UM-Dearborn undergraduates to complete their bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Biological & Biomedical Sciences with approximately one additional year of graduate study.
Students may double-count up to 12 credits of approved graduate-level (500-level) coursework toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Double-counted courses appear on both transcripts and are graded according to graduate standards.
This accelerated pathway prepares students for careers or advanced study in:
- Biomedical and health sciences
- Research and laboratory science
- Biotechnology and industry
- Professional programs (medical, dental, pharmacy, and related fields)
Admission Requirements
- Current UM-Dearborn undergraduate student
- Completion of at least 60 undergraduate credits
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
- Not enrolled in multiple undergraduate programs or dual-degree pathways
- Admission approval by the Department of Natural Sciences Graduate Committee
Applicants must submit:
- Official transcripts
- One letter of recommendation from a UM-Dearborn faculty member or instructor
Applying to the Accelerated Masters program is a two-stage process coordinated with both your undergraduate and graduate advising teams. For detailed instructions and application links, please visit the central Accelerated Masters programs webpage.
Curriculum Options
Students in the Accelerated Masters program may choose from approved graduate-level courses, many of which have 400-level undergraduate equivalents, allowing the graduate version to count toward undergraduate major or elective requirements while also applying to the master’s degree.
Students may double-count up to 12 credits of approved graduate coursework equivalent to undergraduate requirements.
Eligible courses include (graduate/undergraduate equivalent):
- BCHM 580 / BCHM 480
- BIOL 502 / BIOL 402
- BIOL 504 / BIOL/BBS 404
- BIOL 512 / BIOL 412
- BIOL 552 / BIOL 452
- BIOL 555 / BIOL/MICR 455
- BIOL 560 / BIOL 460
- BIOL 574 / BIOL 474
- BIOL 576 / BIOL 476
- MICR 505 / MICR/BIOL 405
- PHYS 522 / PHYS 422
- STAT 531 / STAT 431
Note: Students receive 3 graduate credits (instead of 4 undergraduate credits) when enrolled in a 500-level equivalent course. Courses previously completed at the 400-level may not be double-counted.
Program Policies & Planning
- Students must earn a grade of B or better in each 500-level course used for double counting.
- A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 is required for good academic standing and graduation.
- Courses with a grade lower than C cannot be applied toward the master’s degree.
- All students must complete 30 graduate credits at the 500 level or higher.
- Double-counted courses are graded according to the graduate grading scale and appear on both transcripts.
Students who complete the maximum number of double-counted credits during their undergraduate program can typically finish the remaining requirements in approximately one additional year.
The M.S. in Biological & Biomedical Sciences requires 30 graduate credits and offers two pathways.
Plan A: Research/Thesis:
- 30 total credits
- 12 research credits
- 6 credits BIOL 599 (Graduate Independent Research)
- 6 credits BIOL 699 (Master’s Thesis)
- 18 credits of coursework (core + elective)
- Written thesis and oral defense required
Plan B: Coursework Only:
- 30 total credits
- 15 credits of core coursework
- 15 credits of electives
- No thesis or oral defense