Comparative Biomedical Sciences

A flexible one- to two-year scholarly program with no research requirement, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of basic scientific principles related to veterinary and biomedical sciences.

This program will prepare students for veterinary or medical school or for careers that involve science but are not research-based such as science education or science communications.

This program is available to all qualified students with a baccalaureate degree as well as those with professional degrees (DVM, MD, DDS).

Students within this program can choose to study in any of the seven academic departments at the College of Veterinary Medicine:

• Infectious Diseases
• Large Animal Medicine
• Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
• Pathology
• Physiology and Pharmacology
• Population Health
• Biomedical Sciences 

The College also offers an online Master of Science in Comparative Biomedical Sciences degree program.

View the MS-NT handbook here: non-thesis ms_student_handbook_ August 2022

Typically completed within 2-3 years, this is a flexible research-based program that emphasizes interdisciplinary training, translational research, professional skills, and education in biomedical sciences to prepare students to make meaningful contributions to modern biomedical and veterinary science and medicine.

This program is available to all qualified students with a baccalaureate degree as well as those with professional degrees (DVM, MD, DDS).

Students within this program can choose to study in any of the seven academic departments at the College of Veterinary Medicine:

• Infectious Diseases
• Large Animal Medicine
• Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
• Pathology
• Physiology and Pharmacology
• Population Health
• Biomedical Sciences

View the thesis MS handbook here: ms_student_handbook_ Aug2022 Final

This one-year, non-thesis professional master’s program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in biomedical professions.

The program’s goal is to provide foundational knowledge and professional skills that will prepare students for careers in a broad range of biomedical professions such as veterinary medicine, human medicine, biomedical engineering, and biomedical or diagnostic technology.

It is a structured cohort-based program for qualified students with a baccalaureate degree. The program of study for this degree option is housed within the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology with an area of emphasis in integrative biomedical physiology.

Graduates of this program will learn to integrate basic sciences with clinical research to apply the latest discoveries and innovation to animal and human health. The program is designed to expand and broaden the scope of biomedical training and research by including graduate faculty and resources of the college’s clinical departments with those in the basic sciences.

The program is available to all qualified students holding professional medical degrees, as well as to post-baccalaureate students with a strong background in biology.

Students within this program can choose to study in any of the seven academic departments at the College of Veterinary Medicine:

• Infectious Diseases
• Large Animal Medicine
• Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
• Pathology
• Physiology and Pharmacology
• Population Health
• Biomedical Sciences

View the PhD handbook here: PhD Student Handbook 2024

The college’s other master’s degree programs are focused on clinical aspects of a specific field of study and require you to have a DVM.

The CBS program is a research-based training program that is available to students with a BS or BA degree; a DVM is not required.

Applicants must first apply to the UGA Graduate School. Requirements include, but may not be limited to, a statement of interest, resume or CV, all official college transcripts, and 3 letters of recommendation. International students may be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Following the completion of the Graduate School application, a CBS supplemental application form must be submitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine by emailing [email protected].

*Please note that you will not be accepted unless you have identified a major professor who is willing to mentor you or you have received a recruitment assistantship.

The GRE is NOT required for admission; however, if you have a recent (within 5 years) GRE score over 300, you are welcome to submit that information. Higher GRE scores may offset lower GPAs.

No two statements are alike. Faculty are most interested with your academic and research background, interest in pursuing the degree, research interests, and professional plans. You should also state whether you will need financial assistance in order to pursue the degree. We suggest no more than 3 pages double-spaced. Most applicants are able to express themselves in two double-spaced pages. If more is needed, that is acceptable.

You should get letters from professors who have taught you and know you well. Their letters should describe your academic work in detail, so that the Graduate Committee can be assured that you can complete a rigorous graduate program. If you have done undergraduate research, the committee will expect a letter from the professor who supervised that work. Letters from work supervisors may be of value to document your work ethic.

Applications can be submitted at any time. However, deadlines exist if you want to be considered for financial aid or if you want to start graduate school at a specific time. See the Graduate School’s website for deadlines that apply.

The Graduate Coordinator will periodically post comments on the online tracking site with an update on the status of their applications. If you have not received any notification, you may e-mail the Graduate Coordinator. However, applications can be stalled if one of the letters of reference, transcripts, or personal statement has not been received. Applications may also be delayed in the Department evaluation.

Financial Aid is available from two sources: Graduate School assistantships (although most are for PhD students) and assistantships funded by researchers. You must apply for all Graduate School assistantships through our office. Do not contact the Graduate School about financial support — students who receive support from the Graduate School must be nominated by the Graduate Coordinator. To be considered for a Graduate School assistantship, application materials must be submitted by January 15, and the applicant must matriculate in the following fall semester.

For Graduate School assistantships, the CVM Graduate Affairs committee will evaluate the applicants and assign scores to those who apply for financial support. Those whose applications are completed by January 15 will be considered for assistantships funded by the Graduate School. Please note that these assistantships are extremely competitive. Students not receiving support from the Graduate School may be eligible for a limited number of research assistantships provided by faculty members with funded research projects.

There are a limited number of assistantships available, and you may be accepted in to the program without receiving financial aid. If so, you will be responsible for the cost of tuition and your room and board.

Applicants who do not intend to pursue a degree, but who wish to take courses for professional advancement, licensure, or certification purposes, and who hold a baccalaureate degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution, should apply for nondegree status.

Nondegree applicants must submit the following to the Office of Research and Graduate Affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine in addition to the Graduate School’s requirements.

• Application for admission to the Graduate School
• Statement of Interest
• Departmental (MCBS) supplemental application
• Résume

You do not need to find a major professor, and there is no financial aid available for non-degree students.