What types of BQS programs do you offer at San Diego State University?

We offer an MS in Biomedical Quality Systems degree and a Biomedical Quality Systems Advanced Certificate. The MS in BQS degree is a 40-unit program, which takes approximately 21-24 months to complete. The 9-unit BQS certificate can be completed within 9-12 months.

Is the MS in BQS degree a new program at San Diego State University ?

The MS in BQS degree program admitted its first students in Fall 2004.

How do I contact the Biomedical Quality Systems program office?

• San Diego State University
  Biomedical Quality Systems
  5500 Campanile Drive
  San Diego, CA 92182-4610
  Phone: 619-594-6030
  Fax: 619-594-6132
  Mail Code: 4610
  Home page: www.cbbd.sdsu.edu
  Email: cbbd@sciences.sdsu.edu
  
• Larry Gundersen, Ph.D.
  Interim Director, Biomedical Quality Systems Programs
  
• Rashmi Praba
  Administrative Support Coordinator, Biomedical Quality Systems

Obtaining an Advanced Certificate

How do I start the BQS advanced certificate?

There is no application process to pursue the BQS advanced certificate. Students (other than those accepted to the Master of Science in Biomedical Quality Systems degree program) may earn the Advanced Certificate in Biomedical Quality Systems by successfully completing the certificate courses. You can register for these courses by calling the SDSU College of Extended Studies (CES) at 619-594-5152 or by going online. Once you complete these courses, download the Certificate of Completion form (available in Word format) and fax it to the MS in Biomedical Quality Systems office at 619-594-6132. You will receive the certificate within 2-3 weeks. Additionally, you can provide the name and address of your supervisor, and we will notify her/him of your achievement.

Will the BQS certificate courses be applied toward the MS in BQS degree program if I decide to apply?

All of these courses will be applied, up to a limit of 12 units/hours, to the full degree program.

Applying for the Degree Program

How do I apply for the MS in BQS degree program?

You can find detailed application procedures and application forms on this website.

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in a field of science or engineering to apply to the MS in BQS degree program?

You must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in order to apply to the Master's program.  We strongly believe that a background in life sciences, physical sciences, or engineering is necessary for students to successfully complete the MS in BQS degree program. Priority will be given to applicants with this educational background.

Am I required to take the GRE to apply for admission to the MS in BQS degree program?

The GRE will be waived if the applicant already holds an advanced degree (such as an MBA, MS, MA, Ph.D, JD, etc.) from an institution that is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools. The GRE score requirement will not be waived for any other reason.

What is the minimum undergraduate GPA and GRE score required for admission to the MS in BQS degree program?

SDSU requires domestic graduate applicants to have a minimum 2.85 undergraduate GPA and international applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

The minimum required GRE score for the MS in BQS program is a combined score of 900 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.

Can I complete the MS in BQS degree program if I am living outside of San Diego ?

We have most of our courses available as online, Internet-based, distance-learning presentations. There are 3 additional business courses that are offered in the traditional "face-to-face" in-class format and meet once or twice a week in the evenings (BA 651 - Organizational Behavior and BA 662 - Operations Management).

However, students who are not living in the San Diego area have another option. With prior approval from the BQS office, students may take similar graduate-level courses at a local-to-you or other online (fully accredited) college or university. This arrangement is conditional upon receiving approval from the SDSU Graduate Office.

Registering & Paying for a Course

How can I find out when BQS courses will be offered?

You can find the BQS schedule of classes on this website.

How do I register for BQS courses?

Please contact the College of Extended Studies at 619-594-5152 or online.

What is the deadline for registering in a BQS course?

Please register for BQS courses at least one- two weeks before the course start to ensure the student receives course materials before the course begins.

How much does the BQS program cost?

Payment for the Biomedical Quality Systems degree program and individual Biomedical Quality Systems courses is on a course-by-course basis. For 2004-2005, the fee is $517/unit. The program receives no public monies or grants in financial support of its operation. All costs are based upon projections of anticipated expenses and are, therefore, subject to annual increases.

Does San Diego State University offer financial aid?

Financial aid is available to students in the MS in BQS degree program. For more information about financial aid please visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/fao/index.html.

Taking a Course

I have registered in a BQS course- what now? How do I start the course?

The first day of the course you will receive an email with the course website address, a username and a password. You will also receive an introduction message and instructions on starting the course.

Do I have to purchase books and course materials separately?

Your fee will include course materials for most BQS courses; however there are some courses where students are required to purchase the textbook on their own. Students must also purchase required books for the business courses.

How does an online course work?

These typically 10-week courses are structured on a weekly basis, so you do not have to be online on any particular day/time to participate in the course. There are weekly assignments, including web exercises and threaded discussion boards based on the weekly readings. Threaded discussion boards work like this: on Monday the instructor will post a comment or question. You can log in and post a comment to what the instructor said or you may see your classmate's response and wish to respond to that student's response. You are required to post 3 comments each week. You can access weekly lectures online. You will receive audio CDs, which contain the lecture so you can listen to the lecture on a CD player away from your computer. You can also access the lecture transcript online if you would rather read the lecture than hear it. You will also receive an introductory video in which the instructor talks about the course and what is expected of the students.

I have taken graduate level courses in the past. Will these units transfer towards the MS in BQS degree?

You must receive approval from the Director of the Biomedical Quality System program prior to taking a course at another college or university in order for units to transfer. Therefore, units taken in the past will not be transferable.

What are the business course descriptions?

BA 651- Organizational Behavior
Human Behavior at individual, interpersonal and group levels including effect of the structure of the organization on behavior.

BA 662- Operations Management
Decision making techniques for operations management in service, production, government and non-profit organizations. Quantitative techniques for establishing the management decision criteria, constraints and alternatives.

Dropping a Course

What is the refund policy if I drop a course?

The College of Extended Studies has a strict refund policy. Before registering for any BQS courses, please make yourself familiar with the policy.

How do I withdraw from a course? Will I receive a refund?

You may withdraw from a course by completing an official transaction form at the College of Extended Studies. Non-attendance or notifying the instructor does not constitute officially dropping or withdrawing from a course. Credit courses must be dropped in person. Students who stop attending credit courses without officially dropping will receive a grade of U or No Credit in the class. Refunds are not automatic. NO refunds are due unless the course is officially dropped within stated guidelines in the refund schedule. All refunds are done by check and students can expect to receive refund checks approximately 4-6 weeks from the date the request is received. Refunds may be applied against other amounts due the University.

If I qualify for a refund, how much will I receive?

Certificate, Extension, and Special Sessions Courses:

1. Withdrawal in person or postmarked at least one working day before the first day of class – total fee minus $5 if class fee is less than $50 or $17 if class fee is $50 or more. All credit refunds are subject to a $17 administrative charge.
2. Refund requests on or after the first day of class must be made in writing. Unless otherwise stated, in courses of five or more meetings, 65% of the fee will be refunded until 25% of the course time has elapsed, after which time there is no refund. For courses of four or less class meetings, no refund.
3. Refund on the trip portion of travel study courses will be determined by the Director of Extension. Refunds for credit portion are as listed above.
4. Decision on withdrawals and refunds will be based on the date when written withdrawal notice is received by the College of Extended Studies. Drops done by mail are effective as of the postmark date.

Can I add a class, drop a class, or get a refund after the deadline date?

Adds/drops/refunds requested after deadline dates may be done by petition only. Obtain a “Petition for Special Consideration” from the Extended Studies registration office. Petitions will only be considered for serious and compelling reasons beyond the student’s control. Petitions will not be accepted one year after the semester in question has passed.