Professional Science Master's in Biomedical Sciences

This professional science master's (PSM) program prepares students for challenging careers in the biomedical and health sciences with rigorous academic training and professional practical skills.

Through advanced coursework in the natural sciences and complementary coursework in the humanities and social sciences, students gain in-depth scientific knowledge and a strong foundation in ethics, leadership, communication and global awareness. PSM students will gain awareness of the many issues, concerns and future directions of health and biomedical sciences fields.

Preparing for Professions in Health Care and Biomedical Sciences

This multidisciplinary program utilizes one-on-one advising to customize curriculum and identify an individualized capstone internship in order to complement and expand on each student’s academic and life experiences and to prepare them for their future careers.

Capstone Experiences

Capstone experiences are nine to twelve month internships projects, culminating in a scholarly presentation. The PSM program director works with each student to identify a capstone mentor whose professional expertise aligns with their professional aspirations. Capstone projects can be administrative, clinical, programmatic or research focused.

The goals of the capstone experience are for the student to 1) gain advanced knowledge within the field of biomedicine, 2) learn specialized skills, 3) integrate information across various disciplines related to healthcare and 4) summarize their experience and findings in a scholarly presentation. 

  • 2018-2019 Capstone Projects

    Health Disparities in Childhood Cancer and Congenital Brain Tumors
    Alina Beltrami
    Mentor: Adam Green, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Attending Physician in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital Colorado

    MonaLisa Touch as a novel treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause and improvement of quality of life
    Meg Cooksey
    Mentor: Vandna Jerath, MD, FACOG, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Optima Women’s Healthcare

    Advances & Challenges in Cardiothoracic Surgery
    Zoe Goldthwaite
    Mentor: Michael Firstenberg, MD, Chair, Cardiothoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Center of Aurora

    The “Breathe to Succeed in Sports” Program: Phase 1
    Michael Jursinski
    Mentor: J. Tod Olin, MD, Department Pediatrics/Division of Pulmonary Medicine, National Jewish Health

    Differences in Rate of Return to Pitching and Post Tommy John Surgery Performance in Latin American vs. North American MLB Athletes
    Chris Koukis
    Mentor: Thomas J. Noonan MD, Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Surgery Physician, Steadman Hawkins Clinic, UCHealth

    How to Evaluate the Use of Clinical Photographs to Demonstrate Breast Aesthetics after Breast Cancer Surgery
    Paige Petrone
    Mentor: Colleen Murphy, MD, Surgery-Surgical Oncology, UCHealth

    Surfacing the not so Sweet Truths About Sugar through the Perception of Taste to the Future Outlooks of Sugar
    Tammy Zhong
    Mentor: Sue Kinnamon, PhD, Professor, Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  • 2017-2018 Capstone Projects

    A Clinical Safety Study for Selective Photothermolysis of Sebaceous Glands for Acne Treatment
    Melissa Jackels
    Mentors: Ed Barbera and Christopher Carlton, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Accure Acne Inc.

    Patient Diagnostic Tool Statistical Analysis for Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
    Mikalyn Johnson
    Mentor: J. Tod Olin, MD, Department Pediatrics/Division of Pulmonary Medicine, National Jewish Health

    A Survey of Depression Screening in Outpatient Cardiac Clinics
    Molly McMahon
    Mentor: James Dillingham, PA-C, St. Joseph Hospital Cardiac & Vascular Institute

    Incidence of UCL Injury in Left- versus Right-Handed Professional Pitchers and the Association between Hand Dominance and Humeral Torsion 
    Drew Soda 
    Mentor: Thomas J. Noonan MD, Sports Medicine, orthopedic surgery physician at Steadman Hawkins Clinic/UC Health

    Low-Level Laser Stimulation of the Auricular Branch Vagus Nerve: A Pilot Study using Heart Rate Variability
    Chris Williams
    Mentor: Daniel McShan, PhD, The Exzyme Corporation

  • 2016-2017 Capstone Projects

    Factors Leading to Component Failure in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients
    Yashar Benham
    Mentor: Chad Clary, PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Denver

    Classifying and Treating Lung Cancer
    Shiema Elhusssen
    Mentor: John Truell, MD, Pathology, Swedish Medical Center

    Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposures during Hydraulic Fracturing are Reduced through Implementation of an Engineering Control for Sand Delivery
    Ted Groff
    Mentors: Tami Mullen, Program Manager & Toxicologist, and Roberta Smith, Occupational Health Program Manager, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

    Risk and Protective Factors in Mental Health Outcomes of Second-Generation Asian Americans
    Bryan Pham
    Mentors: Joseph Sakai MD, Department of Psychiatry, and Dan Savin, MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine

    Evaluating the Benefits of Alternative Stress Reduction Techniques in Alleviating the Physical Symptoms Associated with Menopause
    Julia Wachs
    Mentor: Haley Chiado, PA, HealthMark

"My capstone research was a great introduction to graduate-level research and also provided me with unique insight into the medical field."

student smiling in lab

Building a Better Knee

Yashar Behnam, a student in DU’s professional science master’s (PSM) degree program in biomedicine, is studying joint replacements from an engineering perspective. Through the program, students acquire scientific knowledge and professional skills that prepare them for careers in the biomedical and health sciences.

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Professional Advisory Board

Our curriculum and capstone experiences are guided by a professional advisory board made up of eight to twelve leaders in the fields of biomedical research, biotechnology, clinical healthcare, academic allied health and hospital administration. 

Their input ensures students are learning academic and professional skills necessary and sought after by hiring managers and admissions counselors for students looking to apply to professional schools. 

CURRENT ADVISORY BOARD (updated 09/2018)

Andras Bodoni, MD, FCCP
Pulmonologist, Critical Care Physician
Colorado Pulmonary Associates, P.C.

Elena I. Bodoni, DDS
General Dentistry
Elena I. Bodoni, DDS, Greenwood Village

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Holli Cherevka, MSc 
Chief Operating Officer
Ampio Pharmaceuticals

Mitch Fittro
Education and Workforce Manager
Central Colorado AHEC

Matthew Jonsen PhD, JD 
Partner, Intellectual Property 
Dorsey & Whitney LLP 

Denise Mathias, MBA 
Administrative Director of Cardiovascular Services 
Director of Volunteer Services 
HealthONE | Swedish Medical Center 

J. Tod Olin, MD, MSCS 
Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine 
Department of Pediatrics 
National Jewish Health 

Peter Stevens, PhD 
Chief New Ventures Officer 
AlloSource 

Contact the Program Director for PSM in Biomedical Sciences

Nancy Lorenzon

 

Tuition

Beginning in fall 2020, the professional sciences master's will carry a new tuition rate of $730 per credit hour. This degree program requires 45 credits for graduate. For more information on university tuition, please visit the Office of the Registrar website.