FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We've started a new bachelor's degree program. The program prepares students for employment in the biomedical industry or advanced degrees in science, business or law. Learn More
No. Any prerequisites needed are built into the master's program curriculum.
Applicants are not required to have a science background to be eligible to apply for the master's program. We are looking for applicants with an entrepreneurial mindset and an interest in science or human healthcare.
No. Any prerequisites needed are built into the doctoral program curriculum.
Our admissions committee reviews each candidate's entire application and weighs each piece equally, which we call a holistic review. We don't eliminate applicants based solely on test scores and GPA. Students with lower GPAs can bolster their application by using their personal statement to explain why they earned the grades they did, including a resume that describes their research experience and having stellar recommendation letters.
Yes. As long as applicants are able to submit a final transcript, including their posted degree before the start of the fall semester (mid-August), they are eligible to apply for the upcoming semester.
The test score profile for previously accepted master’s students is a good place to determine your competitiveness. You may compare your GPA and English proficiency scores with those posted in the test score profile to obtain an idea of how you compare to students previous admitted to the program. Refer to our Do I Qualify section for more information.
The test score profile for previously accepted doctoral students is a good place to determine your competitiveness. Compare your GPA and English proficiency scores with those posted in the test score profile to obtain an idea of how you compare to students previous admitted to the program. Review our Do I Qualify section for more information.
The personal statement is your opportunity to communicate who you are, your goals and your potential for being a good match for the Translational Biomedical Sciences program.
Overall, your personal statement should address the following questions:
- What are your research and career goals, and how will completing this program help you meet those goals?
- Do you have research experience? If so, please briefly describe relevant skills and/or experience(s).
- What area of research are you interested in pursuing? Are there any IBMS faculty members who you would be interested in working with during your time in the program?
- Are there any potential “red flags” in your application that you would like to further address?
The personal statement is your opportunity to communicate who you are, your goals and your potential for being a good match for the Biomedical Enterprise program. Your personal statement should address the following questions:
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- What are your academic and career goals?
- How will completing this program help you meet your academic/career goals?
- What is your understanding of the intersections among business, law and biomedical science?
- Do you have wet-lab research experience? If so, please describe the techniques that you are familiar with.
- Are there potential red flags in your application you would like to further address?
IBMS does not currently offer English proficiency waivers. Applicants are expected to fulfill the English proficiency requirements as described by Graduate Admissions.
No. Applicants are not required to find a faculty match/lab placement before applying to the program. After the applicant's educational credentials are vetted by the admissions committee and they are admitted, the student is either matched with 2-3 faculty members for 4-week rotations (doctoral students) or placed into a lab (master's students) at the start of their program. There is a section in the application that will ask you to indicate your interest in 3 IBMS faculty members, and we will use this information as a guide to assign rotations/lab placements.
Since applications for both the master's and doctoral program are reviewed in batches, applicants can expect to receive an admission decision or request for an interview within 6-8 weeks after each application deadline.
All applicants who submit a completed application for admission into an IBMS graduate program will automatically be considered for a graduate assistantship appointment during the admissions process. Applicants are not expected to complete a separate application for consideration.
IBMS offers a limit number of merit-based application fee waivers each entry term. Eligible applicants will hold at least a 3.8 GPA and/or relevant wet-lab experience. To request a waiver, send your transcript(s) and resume/CV to [email protected].
The Graduate School at Georgia State University also provides application fee waivers for applicants who have participated in a range of programs designed to diversify graduate programs. To receive the application waiver, you will need to verify your eligibility in the application portal.
PROGRAMS:
- Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) U-STAR Program
- Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
- Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
- McNair Scholars
- Bridges to the Doctorate
- Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) attendance
- Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program
- Research Initiative for Scientific Advancement (RISE)
- Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
- PhD Project: Business Doctoral Programs for Minorities
- Annual Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference Attendance
- Completion of GSU's Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni's 25 to Thrive Program
- Honorably Discharged U.S. Veterans, Active Duty Military, Guard or Reserves
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide application fee waivers for financial hardship.
Visit the Human Resources website to search for job openings at Georgia State, including the Institute for Biomedical Sciences.
Visit the Human Resources website to search for job openings at Georgia State, including the Institute for Biomedical Sciences.
There are currently no open faculty positions. Application instructions will be provided as positions become available.
The Institute for Biomedical Sciences is a world-class research and education institute dedicated to advancing fundamental research that improves human health and training future generations of leading biomedical scientists and professionals.
If you have human resources questions, email [email protected].
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Biomedical Science and Enterprise program prepares graduates for a range of exciting careers in the biomedical industry or advanced degrees in science, business or law. The degree program offers an innovative approach to education that combines studies in biomedical science, business, entrepreneurship and law and teaches students the scientific, legal and commercial aspects of scientific discovery.
- IBMS - Institute for Biomedical Sciences.
- BMSC - the course abbreviation for all IBMS courses.
- BIS - Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
- IDS - Interdisciplinary Studies.
- BSEN - Biomedical Science and Enterprise.
If you need assistance with computer or other technology issues, email [email protected].
There is no minimum GPA requirement for current Georgia State students to participate in this undergraduate degree program. Prospective students interested in applying to the university should visit https://admissions.gsu.edu/bachelors-degree/.
To schedule media interviews with our experts, contact LaTina Emerson, associate director of communications, at [email protected] or 404-413-1353.
In addition to the traditional core curriculum, students are required to complete courses in the following disciplines: science, biomedical science, business, entrepreneurship, law, policy and ethics.
Yes, most prerequisites required for medical, dental, veterinary or other professional schools will fit seamlessly into the undergraduate degree. Students who graduate with this undergraduate degree will possess diverse skills sought by professional schools and leading industry employers due to the variety of coursework required. Intentions are for graduates to make lasting differences that advance human health and improve the quality of human life. Students are encouraged to stay informed about any required prerequisites and begin taking them as early as possible because the further along a student is in their degree, the more difficult it becomes to allow all professional school requirements to count.
Science: research, development, administration, clinical biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, teaching high school or college, medical professional (doctor, physician assistant, nurse, etc.)
Business: science communication, journalism, publishing, scientific sales and marketing
Law/Policy: patent attorney, regulatory affairs, technology transfer
Applicants should submit an online graduate application (gradapply.gsu.edu/apply) to their program of choice, which will require the upload of your academic transcripts, resume/CV, personal statement, English proficiency scores (if applicable) and letters of recommendations. Review our How To Apply page for more information.
Undergraduate Cost Calculator: https://admissions.gsu.edu/cost-calculator/
Student Financial Services: https://sfs.gsu.edu/
Yes. As long as applicants are able to submit a final transcript, including their conferred degree before the start of the fall semester (mid-August), they are eligible to apply.
Because the Institute for Biomedical Sciences reviews applications holistically, we do not have a minimum required GPA. The median score for previously accepted students is 3.49, but this statistic changes each year. Refer to our Do I Qualify? section for more information.
- Academic transcripts from each college and/or university attended
- Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for admissions decisions.
- Goal Statement
- Provide an autobiographical statement that summarizes your relevant skills and experiences, describes your research and career objectives, addresses the fit between your goals and the graduate training offered by the Institute for Biomedical Sciences and any potential "red flags" in your application.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial score reports are acceptable for an admissions decision while official scores are sent to the institution.
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Professional and academic recommendations are strongly suggested.
For International Applicants
- TOEFL or IELTS scores
- Unofficial score reports are acceptable for an admissions decision while official scores are being sent to the institution.
- International applicants who have received a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution and/or those from countries where English is the official language of instruction.
Currently, there are no scholarships available for undergraduate students in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences.
Honors students have the opportunity to complete a university assistantship through the Honors College.
https://honors.gsu.edu/assistantships/
90+ credit hours: Paige Breuers | [email protected] | 404-413-3629
0-89 credit hours: University Advisement Center | https://advisement.gsu.edu/ | 404-413-2630 | (Advisor names to be announced as advising populations are currently changing.)
Yes. You must submit a copy of your transcripts from each institution attended regardless of the number of classes you took or whether or not you received a degree at that institution in order to be considered for admission. Once admitted, you will be required to submit one official transcript from each institution attended by the first day of classes for the term of admission.
The primary factor that differentiates the Biomedical Science and Enterprise program from other related degree programs, like biology or public health, is our interdisciplinary focus and the inclusion of business and law courses as part of the major. A graduate from this program is expected to have a greater breadth of knowledge about the interrelated fields of biomedical science, business, law and ethics. Consequently, the program also requires less depth of knowledge about specific fields within the biomedical sciences. Our robust elective options give students the opportunity to cater their degree to fields that they find interesting by seeking a depth of knowledge in those specific fields.
Yes. Good photocopies or scanned copies of transcripts are acceptable for a decision. This can either be an official electronic transcript or a paper copy you have scanned and uploaded. The document must have one or more of the following features: registrar’s seal, registrar signature or watermark of the institution.
Documents such as self-printed academic histories, Web-based academic evaluations and anything hand-written are not acceptable for the review process. Official transcripts will only be required if you are subsequently offered admission by Georgia State.
The signature experience requirement can be completed through one of four options encompassing some of the experiences that graduates can expect to encounter in biomedical sciences careers. The signature experience typically takes place during the spring semester of the student’s graduating year.
- BMSC4970 – Selected topics
- BMSC4980 – Internship
- BMSC4990 – Independent research
- BMSC4870 – Honors thesis
Students can find more information about each of these courses in the E-mails should be sent to: Official Electronic Transcripts should be sent to: Regular mail should be sent to: In-person deliveries and courier packages should be sent to:
Office of Admissions - Graduate Programs
[email protected]
Graduate Admissions, The Graduate School
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4018
Atlanta, GA 30303
Graduate Admissions, The Graduate School
Georgia State University
55 Park Place NE, Suite 308
Atlanta, GA 30303
Employers and post-bachelor schools are seeking applicants with a diverse skill set that includes discipline specific knowledge and, increasingly, soft skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Courses in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences have a strong commitment to enhancing students’ soft skills through the implementation of the National Association of Colleges and Employers core competencies throughout the curriculum. For more information, visit https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined/. Our program trains students in a diverse skill set including biomedical sciences, business and law, which makes them uniquely qualified when entering the workforce or post-bachelor education.
The Biomedical Science and Enterprise program is a perfect fit for anyone passionate about patient care, intrigued by the scientific study of human diseases or interested in creating and marketing the next generation of disease-preventing therapeutics or wearable health devices. It's also for those who have dreams of working in a hospital, pharmaceutical company or biomedical startup. The program is a good fit for students who are interested in pursuing medical or graduate school, who would like to enter the workforce immediately after graduation or who are passionate about biomedical sciences but aren’t yet sure what that means for their career.
As of summer 2020, GRE scores are no longer required for admission into the Institute for Biomedical Sciences graduate programs.
The GRE is not required for admission into IBMS graduate programs.
The Office of Student Accounts has a comprehensive site to detail the cost of enrollment at Georgia State https://sfs.gsu.edu/resources/tuition/.
MIS students are eligible for consideration for a graduate research assistantship (GRA) appointment, which includes a full tuition waiver and a small monthly stipend. These appointments are merit-based. Applicants who submit a completed application for admission will be automatically considered for a GRA appointment.
All accepted doctoral students are awarded funding in the form of a graduate research assistantship (GRA) during the admissions process. GRAs work in one of our faculty member's labs an in exchange for a full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend of at least $2,500. This leaves the student responsible for mandatory student fees including health insurance and a $37.50 registration fee. All assistantship offers are dependent on the student's ability to successfully verify legal presence.
A graduate assistantship is an opportunity to work in an Institute for Biomedical Sciences laboratory in exchange for a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend.
Assistantships at the master's level are merit-based. Students entering the doctoral program will receive an assistantship appointment.
Review the rules and regulations on the Tuition Classification page: https://sfs.gsu.edu/tuition-fees/tuition-classification/.
Contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services if you have questions related to immigration regulations and studies. Visit https://isss.gsu.edu/about/contact/ for contact information.
Yes. Submit a copy of your passport with your application materials.
No. You should complete the international immigration form at the time of application. If admitted to the program, you may submit required supplemental information.
Students who are non-native speakers of English are required to demonstrate proficiency through one of the following:
- Completion of a bachelor’s or graduate degree from inside (from an accredited institution) or outside the U.S. where English is the official language of academic instruction
- TOEFL scores (paper or Internet-based)
- IELTS scores
- Completion of a University System of Georgia-approved English as a Second Language program
An applicant whose country of birth is an English-speaking country (as listed below) is not subject to the English proficiency requirement.
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Ascension Island
- Australia
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Christmas Island
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Great Britain
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Jersey
- Malawi
- Montserrat
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Pitcairn Islands
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent/ Grenadines
- South Africa
- St Helena
- The Bahamas
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tristan da Cuhna
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Virgin Islands
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. More information on the test, testing centers pricing, etc., may be found at www.ets.org/toefl.
Because the Institute for Biomedical Sciences reviews applications for admission holistically, we do not have a minimum required TOEFL score. Competitive applicants will have a total score of at least 100.
Applicants may apply at any time. Test scores must be received by the application deadline for admission consideration. Applications will not be considered if TOEFL scores are not received by the deadline.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses the language ability of candidates. More information about this test, including testing sites and pricing, can be found at https://www.ielts.org/.
Yes. The Institute for Biomedical Sciences accepts the IELTS Academic score. The recommended minimum is a score of 7.
Because the Institute for Biomedical Sciences reviews applications for admission holistically, we do not have a minimum required IELTS score for either program. Competitive applicants will have a total overall score of 7.0.
Most international students take the TOEFL, but we also accept the IELTS.