Admission Requirements

• Admissions Deadlines
• Fall, July 1 (recommended)
• Spring, November 1

• Completed application for admission, including:
  • Online application
  • Admissions Essay
  • Curriculum vita or resume
  • Three letters of recommendation if overall and/or required undergraduate courses (below) GPA is less than 3.0. Two must be from faculty (e.g., math, science). Only two are needed if overall and required courses GPA is greater than 3.0.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• Overall undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale and overall science grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, for all transcripts (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate). Admission for students with less than a 3.0 overall and science GPA is rare but possible with clear evidence of improved academic or professional development (e.g. research or work experience, GRE scores, MCAT scores, etc.)
• The following undergraduate courses are required for acceptance into the MABS program:
  • Introductory biology with lab (1 year, minimum 8 credits)
  • Introductory chemistry with lab (1 year, minimum 8 credits)
  • Organic chemistry with lab (minimum 4 credits)
  • Statistics (minimum 4 credits)
  • Upper-level college math (e.g., calculus, minimum 3 credits)
  • 3-4 upper-level biology courses (e.g., anatomy & physiology, biochemistry, neuroscience)

Students who are admitted conditionally may be required to enroll in the online Harvard HMX Fundamentals courses in immunology, physiology, genetics, and biochemistry prior to starting the program.

For more information about the Harvard HMX program, please email Admissions at graduate@chatham.edu.

Alternatively, we also accept applications completed via PostBacCAS.

Admissions materials may be submitted to:
Chatham University
Office of Graduate Admission
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
graduate@chatham.edu

International Applicants

International Applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web page.

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

BIO512	Advanced Human Gross Anatomy An in-depth study of both regional gross human anatomic structures & cellular level tissue. The course is clinically oriented with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, cardiopulmonary, urinary & reproductive systems. Regional study of the head/neck, trunk, and upper/lower extremities, is accomplished through human cadaver dissection.	3
BIO512L	Advanced Human Gross Anatomy Lab The laboratory compliment to BIO512, this course uses human cadavers to facilitate a deeper appreciation for regional gross human anatomic structures. The course is clinically oriented with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, cardiopulmonary, urinary and reproductive systems, via regional study of the head/neck, trunk, and upper/lower extremities. Co-requisites BIO512 Advanced Human Gross Anatomy	2
BIO514	Advanced Human Physiology An in-depth study of the mechanisms of human body function, emphasizing cells, genetic control of protein synthesis, transport across membranes, contraction and excitation of muscles, the physiology of cardiac muscle, and rhythmical excitation of the normal heart.	3
BIO515
BIO516	Advanced Neuroscience A study of the structure and function of the human central and peripheral nervous system, including vascular components and special senses. The course emphasizes nervous system control of movement.	3
BIO516L	Advanced Neuroscience Lab This lab complements the lectures in BIO516, using hands-on laboratory and data collection exercises. It examines nervous system function, emphasizing excitability, synaptic transmission and neuron-target interactions. It also includes a study of integrative neural function in sensory, motor, learning, memory and limbic systems. Two hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisites BIO516 Advanced Neuroscience	2
BIO630	Biological Research Principles This course provides students with a foundation in biological research principles, covering ethics, professional development, writing, research design, data analysis, and research proposal development. These are essential scientific components for any graduate student in the biological sciences.	3
BIO538	Biochemistry I This course offers the structure and function of proteins, polynucleic acids, and biological membranes. Enzymes and kinetics are also taught. Metabolic pathways, with emphasis on the thermodynamics of the equilibria and the storage and usage of energy are also discussed.	3
OR
BIO539	Biochemistry II This course offers the structure and function of proteins, polynucleic acids, and biological membranes. Enzymes and kinetics are also taught. Metabolic pathways, with emphasis on the thermodynamics of the equilibria and the storage and usage of energy are also discussed.	3
One of:
BIO517	Genetics A study of the modern concepts of the gene. Lectures stress theory and experimental evidence relating to the structure of the gene, heritability of characteristics, and the behavior of genes in populations.	3
BIO519	Immunology This course covers fundamental principles of immunology with emphasis on molecular and cellular immunology, including antigen and antibody structure and function, effector mechanisms, complement, major histocompatibility complexes, and the cellular basis for the immune response.	3
BIO558	Histology A microscopic analysis of human and animal tissue and organ function at the cellular level. Material comes from textbook, lecture, images and animations in addition to practical application and identification of histological specimens. Recommended for students planning to apply to professional schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry.	3
BIO561	Pharmacology This course covers the general principles of drug action, including administration, distribution, mechanism, and excretion. Emphasis will be placed on key pharmacological concepts, basic signal transduction pathways and molecular mechanisms. Pharmacology of the nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems as well as the mechanisms of various antimicrobial agents will be considered.	3

+Electives

6 credits

Two of any any course above, or
BIO508	Developmental Biology A study of the embryonic and post-embryonic development of animals, with special emphasis on humans. The morphogenesis, growth and mechanisms of differentiation are stressed. Other topics include cancer, regeneration, cloning, hormones as mediators of development, and developmental genetics.	3
BIO532	Biostatistics The study and application of biostatistics and probability distributions in biology, for students who already have a working knowledge of statistics and want to understand the place and application of biostatistical methods in science. Topics include hypothesis testing, analysis of variance for one and many variables, and linear and nonlinear regression. Three hours of class per week.	3
BIO555	Medical and Bio-ethics This course will discuss selected topics in medical ethics emphasizing methods of ethical reasoning about moral dilemmas and contributions of philosophical theories and principles to practical problems of medicine. Includes legal aspects of health care decisions.	3
BIO562	Cardiometabolic Disease This course is a focused course extending the concepts related to human physiology. It is expected that each student has an advanced knowledge of the physiological systems of the body as well as basic understanding of the pathophysiology related to cardiovascular and metabolic disease.	3
BIO693	Independent Study Independent Study Pre-requisites Complete the following course: XXX123 Permission of Instructor	3
FST512	Practical Nutrition Course provides an overview of nutrition as an evidence-based research field, focusing on groups and communities where research is conducted and then applied. Topics include science and politics of food categories; supplements and functional foods; weight and disordered eating, commercial, local, organic, and conventional foods; cuisine, culture, and diet.	3
PSY503	Applied Biological Psychology The course addresses biological aspects of human psychology, including the biological basis of neurological deficits and mental disorders, and the use psychotropic medications for treating mental illnesses. Topics also include stress and health, mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, and contemporary issues in biological psychology.	3
PSY530	Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology This course is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts and intervention techniques of sport and exercise psychology. Topics covered will include motivation theory applied to sport, team dynamics, an introduction to psychological skills training, the psychology of sport injury, and issues pertinent to exercise adoption, adherence, and drop-out.	3
PSY629	Human Development across the Life Span The course explores cognitive, social, emotional and physiological development throughout the life span. While including concentration on the major theoretical approaches to life span development, an equally significant focus will be on practical application of material.	3
PSY635	Concepts of Mental Health and Illness The course provides an overview of concepts of mental health and its development, and of the etiologies of psychopathology, from a culturally sensitive perspective. Students learn to recognize the complex biological and environmental contributors to mental illness, and to evaluate effective treatment approaches for mental illness.	3
PSY663	Foundations of Health Psychology Students will explore how psychological processes influence physical health. Further, the psychological sequelae of physical illness will be examined. Students will delve into the mind-body connection with consideration given to the cultural context. The role of the counseling psychologist as a member of the healthcare team will be explored.	3