For more information, see the Program Guide [PDF].

The minimum requirement for the M.S. degree is 30 semester hours and the following guidelines apply:

Didactic coursework

At least 15 semester hours must be in courses of the major subject area, of which 5 semester hours consist of major subject required courses, and 4 semester hours must be of major subject selective courses (for details see Specific Course Requirements in the MSOB Program Guide). At least one-half of the credits counting toward the degree (exclusive of thesis) must be in courses open to graduate students only (600 level or above). The remaining semester hours in the program can be distributed as recommended and approved by the student's thesis advisor/mentor and the Program Director. Typically, students complete the required coursework (30 credit hours) during the fall and spring semester of their first year, after which they become “Masters Candidates” allowing them to focus on their research project.

Thesis research requirements

Fifteen semester hours comprise Thesis and Research which are under the supervision of the thesis advisor and members of the Thesis Committee. The student is trained in the design and interpretation of biomedical research projects. There are a wide range of possible areas for research training at ULSD including the following: molecular, cellular and craniofacial biology; craniomaxillofacial diagnostic imaging; biochemistry of calcium-regulating hormones; regulation of gene transcription; oral microbiology; inflammation and immunology; cellular mechanisms of salivary gland secretion; infection control; protein glycosylation; protein expression and trafficking; interrelationships between oral and systemic disease; periodontology; dental materials science; orthodontics; endodontics; prosthodontics; oral and maxillofacial pathology; and health services research related to dentistry.