If you’re thinking of becoming a doctor or pursuing a career somewhere in the medical field, you may be considering studying Biomedical Science as an undergraduate in college. Biomedical Science isn’t pre-med, although it can be linked to it and often includes many (if not all) of the courses medical schools require you to complete before you can apply. Biomedical science is a medical-focused biology track specially designed for these types of students, so if you want to be in the medical field and are considering it, you’re on the right track.
Biomedical science is the study of how bodies work (and not simply human ones), including biochemical and physiological functions, epidemiology, and pharmacology. Students learn about nutrition, diseases, and immunology, and often participate in research related to cancer, AIDS, and the study of infectious diseases.
There is a lot of demand for biomedical sciences from students, but not a lot of colleges offer it, so your options are trimmed down from the get-go. We find this helpful rather than a drawback! Some schools call their biomedical sciences program “health sciences,” and many of the top schools in the country only offer graduate and PhD programs in Biomedical Science — not undergrad. This means that many students pick a less ‘prestigious’ (but still excellent and well-respected) college for biomedical science and then progress to a super prestigious (think Ivy League) school for graduate school.
To prepare for your degree in biomedical sciences, take as many science and math courses as you can handle (without lowering your GPA) in high school. Your writing also needs to be strong, as you’ll need to be able to communicate your future findings. Become involved in science clubs, and try to gain some laboratory experience as an intern or assistant before applying to college. Also, take a look at the list before for our 10 favorite schools that offer biomedical science at the undergraduate level.
If you’re eyeing a future in the medical profession, send us an email. We help students chart a course to a successful future.
University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Penn offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in biomedical science through the Penn Engineering program. This is more flexible than Penn’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical Science, with room for pre-med courses or another major. Despite being in the Engineering program, this degree is designed for students who don’t want to be engineers. It also prepares students to be active in the field immediately after graduation, while understanding that many will be continuing on to graduate or medical school. Students are able to practice in the field through the Global Biomedical Service Program, which includes an 8-week prep course and a 16-day on-site trip. While this program was paused during the pandemic, it should be coming back.
Cornell University — Ithaca, New York
Cornell offers a minor in biomedical sciences through the College of Veterinary Medicine. This program is designed for students taking a pre-med or pre-vet track, or who are aiming to go into (human) medicine, veterinary medicine, or biomedical research through additional schooling after graduating with their undergraduate degree. The program has a focus on “animal and human disease processes,” and you have to be majoring in the life sciences. Biology majors are not eligible for this minor.
Rice University — Houston, Texas
Rice offers a “vibrant and diverse community of scholars” a BA or BS major in Biosciences. Students pursuing this major select a concentration in Biochemistry, Cell Biology or Genetics, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology, or Integrative Biology. The Bachelor of Science degree is an intensive sciences degree for students who know that they are taking a hard science path, while the Bachelor of Art is still rigorous but more flexible.
Northeastern University — Boston, Massachusetts
Northeastern called their biomedical degree “Health Science,” and they offer it as a BS in the College of Professional Studies. This degree will prepare students for careers in hospitals, clinics, government agencies, sports facilities, and more healthcare settings, and provide students with a deep understanding of biomedical science with a specialized area of interest. While anyone can attend the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern, it is an especially good option for students who started their collegiate careers at a two-year college, or who are starting college for the first time with credits acquired during high school.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering major at UNC Chapel Hill is a Bachelor of Science engineering degree with a biomedical focus (hence the name). It’s a program that you need to apply from separate from (and after getting into) the university, so attending UNC doesn’t mean you’ll get into the major. You need to have strong grades, and show interest in the field through the courses you’ve taken once you are a student, to gain acceptance to the major. Once you’re accepted, the BME Club brings students together outside of the classroom and there are opportunities for experiential education outside of the classroom, including Helping Hands which 3D prints prosthetic hands and Engineering World Health.
St. Lawrence University — Canton, New York
The Biomedical Sciences major at St. Lawrence is housed in the Biology Department of the university, and all laboratory classes are taught by faculty, not teaching assistants, which is amazing for undergraduate students. All students work with a faculty mentor in their research lab, and there are opportunities for hands-on learning including training to be an emergency medical technician (EMT), internships, and fellowships. 61% of St. Lawrence students in this major study abroad, which isn’t always possible for biomedical science students at other colleges.
The College of Idaho— Caldwell, Idaho
The College of Idaho is a private liberal arts college despite the name, and it offers students a small community with practical, career-driven degrees. The Biomedical Science major at the College of Idaho is an intensive course of study that can be put into practice right after graduation, or as you go on to graduate school. It is designed for students who will be going into medicine either by going to medical school, nursing school, or another path like a physician’s assistant.
Purdue University — West Lafayette, Indiana
The Biomedical Health Sciences major at Purdue offers amazing opportunities for undergraduate research in things like cancer treatment, Parkinson’s disease, and environmental health. Most graduates from the program go on to graduate school, and the requirements for graduate school are baked into the program. Taking “HSCI 10100 Introduction to Health Professions” as a first year will help you decide what path is right for you, and students are eligible to apply for a 5-year “Master of Public Health” program as juniors. Once you know your path, there are pre-professional concentrations in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Optometry, and Pre-Physician Assistant.
Rochester Institute of Technology — Rochester, New York
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at RIT prepares students to move into top research positions or apply to medical, veterinary, or dental, or other medical-field graduate programs. An accelerated bachelor’s/master’s combined program is available, as is the +1 MBA program, which allows undergraduate students to complete a Master’s in Business Administration one year after graduating with their BS. Graduates from RIT’s Biomedical Sciences program get jobs at places like IBM and the American Red Cross, or go to many of the top medical schools in the country.
Washington University in St. Louis— St. Louis, Missouri
While WashU doesn’t offer a major in biomedical sciences, we’re including them on this list because we love the school and their Biomedical Physics minor is pretty unique. The minor in biomedical physics at WashU is a (unsurprisingly) physics-centered approach to biomedical studies with classes like “Physics of the Brain” and “Biophysics Laboratory.” The program is designed for students who are research-oriented or pre-med, and can be combined with another track.
If you are a student who is looking to become a doctor, vet, or to go into medical research, you know that you are going to have to get a master’s degree, medical degree, or PhD. Pursuing an undergrad in Biomedical Science sets you up for success in that next chapter.
If you’re looking to go into medicine and want to chart a course for success, send us an email. We help students like you find, and get into, their perfect fit.