Program: Oral Sciences MS - University at Buffalo

Apr 09, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

The Oral Sciences program in the School of Dental Medicine leads to a Master of Science degree. The curriculum provides opportunity for scholarship in areas particularly relevant to oral health and disease. Students may be simultaneously enrolled in a clinical advanced certificate program. An enhanced pre-professional curriculum is also available to students interested in applying to professional school (e.g., dental school) after completing the program. The scope of the enhanced curriculum is to strengthen the candidacy of prospective dental school applicants by preparing them for the rigors of dental school via coursework and research.

Required Core (21 credits)

OS 504LEC - Saliva and the Oral Microbiome Credits: 4
or
ORB 510LEC - Saliva and the Oral Microbiome Credits: 4
ORB 500SEM - Craniofacial Development, Tissue Engineering and Oral Diseases Credits: 2
ORB 545DIS - Dynamics of Bone Credits: 2
OS 502LEC - Oral Sci:Physio of Pain Credits: 2
OS 506LEC - Oral Sci:Biomaterials Credits: 1
OS 510LEC - Res Sem in Oral Sciences Credits: 1 (for 4 semesters, 4 credits total)
OS 512LEC - Res Design Oral Sciences Credits: 2
OS 518LLB - Stat Methods Oral Science Credits: 4
Required coursework may be substituted with prior approval of Program Director, two substitute courses or 6 credit hours are allowed. Commonly approved substitute courses are listed below.

Potential Substitute Courses for Required Core

CLD 555LEC - Head and Neck Anatomy Credits: 1
MIC 502LEC - Medical Microbiology Credits: 4
MIC 512LEC - Graduate Immunology Credits: 2
ODS 500SEM - TMD:Conceptual Foundations Credits: 2
ODS 513LAB - Motor Measurement Credits: 2
ODS 514SEM - ANA/Physio Mastic Syst Credits: 3
ODS 535LEC - Advanced Oral Pathology Credits: 2
ODS 603LEC - Medical Biophysics Credits: 1 - 3
ORB 522SEM - Crse in Scientific Writg Credits: 1
PAS 600LEC - General Pathology Credits: 4
PER 603SEM - Periodontal Biology Credits: 1 - 4
ODS 530SEM - Histo Interp Oral Lesions Credits: 2
OS 519LEC - Evid-Based Dent Credits: 2
OS 520SEM - Advanced Statistical Concepts Credits: 1

Electives and Culminating Experience (9 credits)

Select appropriate amount of elective credits with consultation from your academic advisor from all ODS or OS graduate level classes at the 500, 600 or 700 level, excluding independent study.

Culminating Experience: Thesis

ORB 653LAB - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 4
ODS 653TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 3
PER 653TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 3
RDN 653TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 4
CLD 651LAB - Research Credits: 1 - 12
ORB 651LAB - Research Credits: 1 - 12
ODS 651TUT - Research Credits: 1 - 12
PER 651TUT - Research Credits: 1 - 12
RDN 651TUT - Research Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 30

3.0 Degree GPA Required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

30 Hours

Time-To-Degree

2 Years

Application Fee

$50

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.