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Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 2021 - 2022 Catalog

Masters of Graduate Medical Education Sciences

Graduate Medical Education Sciences - GB-MS-GMDS


Dan Webster, Ph.D., Program Director and Graduate Advisor

Graduate Faculty
Full Members: Erwin, Hewetson, Jones, Kaur, Kruczek, Pelley, Shaw, Webster
Affiliate Members: Dufour, Popp, Schneider

About the Program

Graduate Medical Education Sciences is a two-year non-thesis Master of Science degree. It is designed for students whose goal is either a teaching career in the anatomical sciences or the acquisition of additional preparation for healthcare related professional schools.

Students take courses in the anatomical, biochemical and physiological sciences with the first-year medical students and complete projects in modern instructional methods and design. Additionally, they will participate in the teaching mission of the medical school as teaching assistants.

Students will be required to design and carry out an education project in anatomy, biochemistry or histology under the direction of a faculty advisor. The project will be designed according to the needs of the curriculum and matched to the interests of the students.

Prerequisites for the program include a bachelor’s degree in any field, but must include typical science courses (chemistry, biology, zoology/animal science, etc.). A strong science background, including completion of an undergraduate biochemistry course, is encouraged.

Concentration Guidelines for Graduate Medical Education Sciences


  • GMDS 5001 Graduate Human Anatomy (1-9:1-9:0,F)

    A highly integrated graduate course of human macroscopic anatomical study (including human dissection) which embodies the gross morphology of the body and coordinates it with the clinical, developmental, and educational approaches to the human body. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5002 Graduate Cell and Tissue Biology (1-9:1-9:0,F)

    Graduate Cell and Tissue Biology is designed to provide students with fundamental information concerning the traditional areas of biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and Tissue and Organ Histology. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5003 Graduate Systems Physiology (1-9:1-9:0,F)

    A graduate course of human physiology study which provides the student with a basic understanding of the organ systems of the human body. Their functions, regulation and interactions are emphasized. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5004 Advanced Training in Anatomy Education (1-6:0:1,F)

    Students will participate in the gross anatomy laboratories as teaching assistants and attend all pre-lab meetings in preparation for the lab sessions, as well as preparing the practical exams. Prerequisites: GMDS 5001, GMDS 5002, GMDS 5003. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5005 Advanced Training in Biochemistry & Histology Education (1-6:0:1,F)

    Students will participate in histology laboratories as teaching assistants and attend all pre-lab meetings in preparation for the lab sessions, as well as preparing the practical exams. Prerequisites: GMDS 5001, GMDS 5002, GMDS 5003. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5006 Advanced Dissection Skills (1-6:0:1,F)

    Students will review and conduct specialized dissections in the anatomy lab. The students will learn and practice advanced dissection skills designed to prepare specific teaching materials to demonstrate anatomical structures. Prerequisites: GMDS 5001, GMDS 5002, GMDS 5003. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5007 Advanced Ultrasound Skills (1-3:0:1,F)

    Students will learn to show how to utilize ultrasound imaging to visualize and teach advanced topics in anatomy and physiology Prerequisites: GMDS 5001, GMDS 5004. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5008 Advanced Training in Physiology Education (1-6:0:1,F)

    Students will participate in physiology laboratories as teaching assistants and attend all pre-lab meetings in preparation for the lab sessions, as well as preparing the practical exams. Prerequisites: GMDS 5001, GMDS 5002, GMDS 5003. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5099 Topics in Grad Med Ed Sciences (1-6:1-6:0,F)

    Specific areas in Graduate Medical Education Sciences or related areas not normally included in other courses. May be repeated for credit with change of content.Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5110 Surgical Gross Anatomy (1:1:0,F)

    Introduction and overview to surgical approaches to different regions of the human body from a clinical perspective. Students will observe and assist surgeons with surgical dissections of cadavers. Prerequisite: GMDS 5001. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5120 How People Learn: Theory and Practice (1:1:0,F)

    The overall goal is to show how to maximize learning skills in the health sciences with an emphasis on medical education. Individual differences in learning style will be used as examples of the application of Deliberate Practice to increase cognitive skills. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5121 Pedagogical Concepts in Medical Education (1:1:0,F)

    The course is intended to provide a graduate-level foundation for understanding important concepts that guide current medical education pedagogy. To accomplish this goal, papers from literature will be selected by the instructors for reading and subsequent discussion by the group. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 5310 Educational Project in Biomedical Sciences (3:0:3,F)

    Students will design and carry out an educational project related to topics in medical education. The project will be designed according to the needs of the medical courses and matched to the interest of the student. Registration restricted to students admitted to the Graduate Medical Education Sciences program.

  • GMDS 6101 Seminar (1:1:0,F)

    Seminar

  • GMDS 7000 Research (1-9:0:1-9,F)

    Research