This 100% online, one-year program grounds you in the field of biomedical diagnostics, studying the science, technologies, business and applications of diagnostics.
The MS program in biomedical diagnostics can be completed in one year, if enrolled full-time. The flexible, innovative degree program is offered in condensed sessions through ASU's unique online framework.
Four areas provide the progressing foundation of the degree program:
- science of diagnostics
- technology of diagnostics
- business of diagnostics
- application of diagnostics
Students complete a culminating experience in which they work on a team-based project with an ASU professor and industry partner on a topic relevant to the diagnostics field.
At A Glance
Biomedical Diagnostics, MS
- Offered by: College of Health Solutions
- Location: Online
Plan of study
The Plan of study is the required curriculum to complete the program.
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Application Deadlines
The fall deadline for A/C sessions is July 23.
The spring deadline for A/C sessions is Dec. 14.
Biomedical Diagnostics (MS) Course Listing
BMD 501 (3) Introduction to Biomedical Informatics
Provides an overview of the field of biomedical informatics, combining perspectives from medicine, computer science and cognitive/social science for use of computers and information in health care and biomedical sciences, covering specific applications and general methods, current issues, capabilities and limitations of biomedical informatics.
BMD 510 (3) Current Perspectives in Biomedical Diagnostics
Provides an overview of the Biomedical Diagnostics Industry covering research, policy and legal aspects of the field. Visiting speakers from ASU, DCU, biomedical diagnostics companies, and regulatory agencies will provide an overview of their specialty based on personal experience and case studies. Plans are for students to work in teams to research and develop a case study report related to biomedical diagnostics.
BMD 511 (3) Health Economics, Policy and Payment Models
Provides a thorough grounding in selected microeconomic concepts and models that are relevant for the economic aspects of health care but also have more general applications. The concepts and methods are applied to a selected set of topics that include the public provision of health insurance, benefit-‐cost and cost effectiveness analysis, human capital models of investments in health, incentives and the legal approach to medical malpractice and current approaches to methods of payment for health care services.
BMD 667 (3) Regulation of Medical Diagnostics
This course explores the regulatory environment for the development, marketing, access and interpretation of modern biomedical diagnostics. Students will explore the business environment of diagnostic firms, interactions with state and federal regulatory authorities, and how new types of diagnostics and business models challenge established approaches for safeguarding the validity and safety of new products and service.
BMD 598 (4) Principles of Diagnostic Technology 2: Immunology
The purpose of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of the theory and applications of advanced diagnostic assay systems and devices. In this module students will gain knowledge in immunoassay design and validation with particular attention to the manipulation of the immune system for disease recognition. This module assumes no former knowledge of immunology, but some knowledge would be advantageous.
BMD 502 (3) Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods I
Survey the methods and theories underlying the field of biomedical informatics. The course explores techniques in mathematics, logic, decision science, computer science, engineering, cognitive science, management science and epidemiology, and demonstrates the application to healthcare and biomedicine.
BMD 598 (3) Biomedical Device Design
Medical Device Design is a hybrid class/lab where a mixture of lecture, hands on, demos, lab experiments are used to convey the breadth of medical devices in the medical diagnostic device industry. Classification of devices and function are explained and covered. Students will learn, reverse engineer and build simple devices as well as learn about the FDA, market, business and design side of these products.
BMD 598 (3) Molecular Diagnostics
This is a survey course covering topics such as multiple types of analytes including DNA, RNA and protein, a multitude of disease application areas, major molecular diagnostic platforms, development of molecular diagnostics tests, sample preparation, and future prospects for molecular diagnostics.
Culminating Experience/ Research Courses: (5 credit hours)
BMD 592 (2) Research
Biomedical Diagnostics Independent study (Applied Project) in which a student, under the supervision of a faculty member or industry mentor, conducts research that is expected to lead to a specific project such as a thesis or dissertation, report, or publication. This course is focused on developing a project charter and plan to serve as a guide towards successfully completing the Applied Project research component in the following BMD 593 Applied Projects course.
BMD 593 (3) Applied Project
Students will complete an experiential learning experience as part of their applied project on a topic of relevance to the diagnostics field and their career interests. Applied projects will demonstrate students’ ability to apply skills and knowledge learned in coursework, use research methods appropriate to the field, and report and present results.
Degree requirements
Required Core (19 credit hours)
BMD 502 Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods I (3)
BMD 510 Current Perspectives in Biomedical Diagnostics (3)
BMD 511 Health Economics, Policy, and Payment Models (3)
BMD 513 Principles of Diagnostic Technology: Immunoassays (4)
BMD 514 Principles of Diagnostic Technology: Molecular Diagnostics (3)
BMD 667 Regulation of Medical Diagnostics (3)
Electives (6 credit hours)
Research (3 credit hours)
BMD 592 Research (3)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
BMD 593 Applied Project (3)
Additional Curricular Information
Students should see the academic unit for an approved elective list of BMD courses. They should note that BMD 592 and BMD 593 are contiguous courses and cannot be taken in different years.
Admission requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in one of the following fields, or a closely related field: biomedical informatics, biology, life sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, biomedical engineering, business, computer science, supply chain management, health sciences or medical studies.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- statement of purpose
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. Students should see the Graduate College requirement https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate/english-proficiency.
Admission examinations are not required.
What are ASU's Online Programs?
ASU Online offers programs like Biomedical Diagnostics, MS in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
More information on the program is available directly from ASU Online.