2025-26 Edition

Biomedical and Translational Science, M.S.

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Dan Cooper, M.D., Director
Eric Villain, M.D., Ph.D., Director
Marguerite Klumb, Program Administrator
mklumb@hs.uci.edu
https://medschool.uci.edu/education/graduate-studies/masters-programs/ms-bats-home

The aim of the M.S.-BATS program is to train students in the conduct of high-quality multidisciplinary clinical research at the intersection of basic science and clinical medicine. The program is designed for students from varying levels of training, including medical students, residents, fellows, physicians, nurses, and others who are interested in conducting clinical research to maximize interdisciplinary communication and understanding sufficient to carry out high-quality clinical research.

The program provides training in core competencies required to conduct clinical research including study design reflecting the breadth and complexity of clinical research applications, critical appraisal of multidisciplinary research literature, conduct and management of clinical research, medical statistics, research ethics, and the leadership of multidisciplinary research teams. Students who successfully complete the program receive the M.S. degree in Biomedical and Translational Science. 

Courses

BATS 201.  Pathways in Biomedical and Translational Science.  4 Units.  
Provides fundamental knowledge to promote understanding of the process of bringing discoveries to the bedside and then to the population, providing a fundamental basis for clinical and translational science.
BATS 209A.  Introduction to Medical Statistics.  4 Units.  
Provides understanding of medical statistics for clinicians; clinical and biomedical researchers to read and interpret literature.
BATS 232.  Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials.  4 Units.  
Presents history, organization and planning, rationale for methods, limits, and ethics in conducting clinical trials.
BATS 240.  Science Communication Skills for Clinical and Translational Scientists.  4 Units.  
Designed to train clinical and translational researchers to communicate their research effectively to expert audiences and community members, and creates opportunities for training in scientific writing, presenting scientific talks, or doing job interviews. Recommended elective for all MS-BATS students.
BATS 241.  Understanding the Pathobiology and Clinical Treatment of Skin Diseases.  3 Units.  
Provides participants with the clinical presentation, biology, and treatment of skin disease. At the completion of the course, attendees are able to identify gaps in research and clinical care of skin diseases.
BATS 242.  Basic Science of the Skin.  3 Units.  
Provides participants with a basic understanding of the structure and function of skin and the latest advances in skin biology.
BATS 280.  Biomedical and Translational Science Seminar.  2 Units.  
Students present their current research or a topic of interest and are exposed to diverse projects in the biomedical and translational science arena.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times  
BATS 295.  Master's Thesis Research and Writing.  2-12 Units.  
Master’s thesis research and writing with Biomedical and Translational Science faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken for credit for 12 units  
BATS 296.  Ethics in Clinical Research.  4 Units.  
Covers major frameworks and concepts of ethics in public health research as well as human subject protection issues.
BATS 299.  Independent Directed Research.  2-12 Units.  
Independent research with Biomedical and Translational Science faculty. Capstone option for students who do not choose the thesis option.
Repeatability: May be taken for credit for 12 units  

Faculty evaluate applicants to the program on the basis of grades, previous course work, letters of recommendation, other relevant qualifications, and experience. All graduate students, including those from public health, nursing science, and pharmaceutical science are eligible to apply, but the program has a highly clinical focus and is specifically designed for those with a sufficient background in clinical sciences.

Applicants should have successfully completed a B.S. degree or equivalent, and may be from varying levels of training, including medical students, residents, fellows, physicians, nurses, clinical research coordinators, and others interested in excelling as an effective clinical researcher will benefit from this program. 

The M.S.-BATS program initially offers training in Evidence-Based Medicine/Clinical Research, which focuses on the conduct and interpretation of clinical research, synthesis of clinical literature, and the assessment and improvement of quality of healthcare. Additional fields of emphasis may be added, as per the individual needs of the student, including Molecular Medicine, focusing on the molecular mechanisms and molecular physiology of human disease and Population Medicine, focusing on the application of epidemiologic research and research methods and findings to clinical practice.

The course requirements are as follows:

A. Complete:
BATS 201 Pathways in Biomedical and Translational Science
BATS 209A Introduction to Medical Statistics
BATS 232 Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials
BATS 296 Ethics in Clinical Research
B. Complete:
BATS 280 Biomedical and Translational Science Seminar (three quarters)
BATS 295 Master's Thesis Research and Writing (three quarters)
or BATS 299 Independent Directed Research

Students must also complete 8-16 units of elective courses as part of the curriculum. Examples of additional elective courses include Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology, Comparative Effectiveness Research, Health Politics and Policy, and Outcomes Research and Advanced Applied Methods. In addition, with prior approval, students may enroll in courses in other disciplines (e.g., Public Health) that are appropriate to their thesis or capstone topic.

The program culminates in a written thesis or capstone project.