Within the medical field, there is a wide range of specialties to pursue. Developing a robust foundation in biomedical science is crucial before medical school, even if you haven't yet chosen a medical specialization. This strong base allows you to delve into advanced biology, explore various topics, and identify areas of particular interest. You might not settle on your medical focus until medical school, making this preparatory exploration highly valuable.
The Path From Biology to Medicine
There is a growing need for skilled, competent, and empathetic medical professionals in the United States. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there is projected to be a shortage of about 187,000 full-time physicians by 2037, highlighting the severity of the ongoing healthcare worker shortage crisis.
For those who may be interested in pursuing a valuable and rewarding career in medicine, the Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Biomedical Sciences Track offers a targeted path for students pursuing medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other advanced health professions.
What Is Biomedical Science?
ScienceDirect defines biomedical science as a branch of biology that applies the principles of natural sciences to clinical medicine. Throughout this degree program, students explore the various disciplines of biology while completing advanced coursework that is traditionally not included in a general biology degree. It's an ideal option for students interested in medicine, research, diagnostics, or public health.
Is Biomedical Sciences Good for Pre-Med Students?
Yes, this interdisciplinary degree program is designed to meet the core requirements of medical school. Throughout the advanced biology coursework, students can develop the core competencies required for medical school, including scientific inquiry and medical research skills.
Why Choose Biomedical Sciences for a Pre-Med Major?
While there are many biomedical science careers to consider, many students enroll in this degree program to prepare for medical school. This is one of the leading pre-med majors because it:
Covers Core Pre-Med Requirements
The specialized curriculum for this program includes all of the core pre-med requirements, including courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. Additional prerequisites include two semesters of composition, along with two semesters of Behavioral Science Anatomy & Physiology which is highly recommended. As a result, students graduate with a strong foundation in advanced biology, allowing them to enter medical school with an ability to apply the natural sciences to clinical medical practice.
Features an MCAT-Ready Curriculum
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the standardized admission exam for medical school. Known for being exceptionally challenging, the MCAT determines which students have the academic qualifications and core medical competencies required to complete medical school successfully. The biomedical sciences degree emphasizes some subjects tested on the MCAT, including biochemistry, genetics, and cellular biology.
Focuses on Human Health
With an emphasis on human health, this degree program is ideal for aspiring physicians, regardless of the specialty area they are most interested in pursuing. Courses are tailored to understanding human systems, diseases, and biological processes, giving students a unique understanding of biomedicine.
Offers Research and Lab Experience
Throughout this degree program, students can engage in hands-on lab work and complete optional research projects. Both experiences strengthen their technical skills while allowing them to build the scientific foundation required not only for medical school, but also for clinical training in a specialty area.
Includes Targeted Academic Advising
The academic plans for the biomedical sciences track are designed with medical school preparation in mind, reducing the guesswork in selecting electives or completing required coursework. Academic advisors offer targeted services that provide students with the support they need to prepare for medical school or to develop the skills and knowledge required for other biomedical science careers.
Offers Flexible Career Preparation
While this is considered one of the top pre-med majors, students will find that the biomedical sciences degree offers a strong foundation for multiple health-related pathways, including dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, optometry, physician assistant programs, and graduate degree programs in biomedical research.
Is Streamlined and Purpose-Driven
Rather than trying to formulate an individual plan that meets the pre-med requirements, students can rely on the biomedical sciences track for a clear, structured pathway toward medical school admission. This purpose-driven degree program covers advanced biology topics not covered in other pre-med majors, positioning students for success.
Courses That Build a Medical Foundation
The required courses within the biomedical sciences track are uniquely designed to prepare students for medical school. Some of the core courses within this track include:
- Anatomy — Within this course, students develop an advanced understanding of human anatomy, giving them the foundation they need to enter medical school. Students also have the option to take an Advanced Human Anatomy course with hands-on human cadaver dissection, which is rare for an undergraduate program.
- Physiology — Covering the functions of living organisms and their relationship to their environments, this advanced biology course is one of the leading pre-med requirements. Students who enroll in the biomedical sciences track can choose between human physiology and animal physiology, depending on their career goals.
- Microbiology — Although this is not a common medical school requirement, SSU has a strong microbiology series of courses (including Immunology and Diagnostic Microbiology) that give students the needed preparation and analytical skills for medical school or graduate school pathways.
- Biotechnology — Covering a range of nucleic acid, protein, and genetic technologies and their use in conducting biomedical research that leads to scientific discoveries and medical therapies, this course equips students with the skills required for a wide range of biomedical science careers.
Core Competencies Needed for Medical School
Throughout medical school, exceptional students transform into physicians, requiring medical school admissions officers to look closely at each individual candidate. Not only do they want to see strong academic performance, but they want to ensure that the most competent students are accepted into their programs. The American Medical Association highlights the core competencies needed for medical school:
- Scientific Inquiry and Analytical Thinking — Medical school students will need to rely heavily on scientific inquiry and analytical thinking skills to perform medical research and learn how to diagnose patients properly. Biology, chemistry, and physics courses teach students how to ask questions, interpret data, and think critically.
- Problem-Solving and Decision-Making — Medical students often test these skills in real time as they complete their clinical requirements. Lab experiments, case studies, and research projects required as part of the biomedical sciences degree program mirror those clinical scenarios and allow students to develop these critical skills.
- Teamwork and Communication — Providing patient-centered care requires medical students to be collaborative and communicative. Throughout the biomedical sciences degree program, collaborative lab work and group presentations allow students to develop the ability to work effectively in team settings.
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility — Before becoming physicians, medical students must take an oath to do no harm, requiring them to have a strong sense of ethics and professional responsibility. Ethics are integrated into coursework and discussions within the biomedical sciences degree, helping students understand the importance of patient confidentiality, informed consent, and professional integrity.
- Interdisciplinary Understanding — Medical students must rely on interdisciplinary understanding to provide patients with comprehensive care. Courses within this degree program combine biology, chemistry, anatomy, and genetics, giving students a well-rounded view of the human body and disease mechanisms.
- Hands-On Scientific Research Skills — Through lab-based learning and optional research projects, students can sharpen their technical skills and improve their scientific literacy skills, preparing them for both medical school and research-based graduate degree programs.
Beyond the Classroom: Research, Internships, and Pre-Health Support
Shawnee State enhances the classroom learning experiences for biomedical sciences program students through research opportunities and partnerships with pre-health advisors. All students enrolled in this track can work one-on-one with faculty members in several dedicated research lab spaces, allowing them to fine-tune their scientific inquiry and medical research skills. Faculty advisors provide guidance and support for students seeking shadowing, research, volunteer, and service experiences to strengthen their preparation for a health or biomedical career.
What Can You Do with a Biomedical Science Degree Besides Medical School?
While many students in this degree program attend medical school, others pursue rewarding biomedical science careers in other related areas, such as pharmaceutical research, public health, medical communication, diagnostics, and more. Even if your plans change, you will find that this is a versatile and valuable degree program.
Start Strong on Your Journey to a Medical Career at SSU
With its broad scope, the medical field needs professionals with a solid foundational understanding of biomedical science. Considered one of the leading pre-med majors, the biomedical sciences degree offers advanced coursework that uniquely prepares graduates for medical school.
At Shawnee State University, our Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Biomedical Science Track offers rigor, relevance, and real-world application — all critical for success in medical school. While other biology bachelor's degree programs cover the various biology disciplines, SSU's biomedical sciences track offers advanced biology courses in gross anatomy and advanced microbiology that may not be offered at other universities.
Request more information about our biomedical science major today.