UCSF Masters of Science in Biomedical Imaging (MSBI)

[secretsunset29]

Hey everyone!

I wanted to bring your attention to a program that I don't think a lot of people are aware of. It's the fairly new Masters of Science in Biomedical Imaging Program at UCSF. http://www.radiology.ucsf.edu/education/graduate-programs/mbi-program. It's about to start it's 3rd year, and it's part of the Radiology Dept. at UCSF.

From the site:

"The Masters of Science in Biomedical Imaging (MSBI) program is intended for students with Bachelors degrees, advanced pre-doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, researchers and faculty members who wish to master biomedical imaging and research methods to enhance their research designs and broaden their investigative projects. The course can be completed in one year of full time study or two years of part time study.

Course work includes instruction in core theory drawn from imaging physics, engineering and mathematics, linked to physiology and disease processes, providing a foundation in interdisciplinary scholarship. In addition to introduction to the fundamentals underlying image formation, hands-on laboratory courses with experiments relevant for characterizing pathologies, monitoring response to therapy and assessing the underlying mechanisms and etiologies, will be introduced."

They've just re-opened their application from June 1st 2013 till June 30th 2013 to fill in the few empty spots that they have for the upcoming school year. The class size about 20, with about 10 different professors! This is a great opportunity for any pre-med student who's looking for a unique program to enhance their med school app! And come on guys, it's UCSF, think about all the great opportunities you'd have there 🙂, as well as graduating with a Masters degree!

I've just submitted my application and I'm eagerly waiting for a response. It seems like they really are looking to fill in the spots ASAP, so I suggest really looking into this world-class program.

The only downside is that it's fairly expensive :/

So far, I haven't really heard much buzz about this on SDN, so I thought I'd share!

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[MDforMee]

Well said, sunset. I applied and was accepted a month or two ago; I'm not going because I get free tuition at another MS program.

Long story short, I've done a lot of research on the program, and think that it's an amazing opportunity at a world class University for people who are interested in pursuing MDs/DOs. The UCSF MSBI program is also a lot cheaper than most SMPs.

I highly recommend this program as an alternative to traditional SMPs for people who don't need SERIOUS academic repair, only a nice overcoat 😉

 

[MDforMee]

I did a bit of research on this program here, and elsewhere. These things should help:

Accepted to UCSF Biomedical Imaging MS Program: Opinions?
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=996367

Radiology Student Advising and Mentoring
*http://www.radiology.ucsf.edu/education/medical-students/careers

It appears that student advising will be available to UCSF MSBI students.

And, the UCSF MSBI program can not only help you get into a medical school, but place into a competitive residency even if you go DO. Lots of specialties use diagnostic imaging, not just radiology.

Also, here are some cool options for cross-enrolling in USF, SFSU, UCB for informal-postbaccaulareate types of classes and/or graduate courses:

SF Consortium
http://registrar.ucsf.edu/current-former-students/registration/sf-consortium

I talked to the registrar, too, and it looks like you can't go to Stanford through the Stanford exchange, but you can do the other consortium schools via tuition/etc.

If I were to do the UCSF MSBI program, I'd do the following:
1. Take the MS part time while cross enrolling in grad/upper divs in biomedical sciences
2. Do a thesis under someone at the MSBI program
3. Sponge off of UCSF medical students at mini-conferences like the ones coordinated by the Radiology Advising Service
4. Do more sponging at the UCSF MSBI program
5. Get involved with Bioengineering at UCB somehow

If you could put together a really compelling CV, a good thesis that may be part of a published paper, and take a variety of upper divs/sciences at schools like Cal, SFSU, or USF, you'd be a hard candidate to turn down at most MD schools, provided that the rest of your application is in line. This was my master plan until I got into a few other MS programs (free for me, not free for you [veteran's benefits]) at UCSD, UCD, and USC (not free). I hope someone carries out my master plan.