Biology: Biomedical Sciences Major
Why study biology and the biomedical sciences at CMU?
The biology-related programs provide students with a strong background to prepare them for future careers or graduate study in biology. Consider some key features distinguishing these programs:
- Advanced facilities, including research laboratories, an animal room, a computer laboratory, electron microscopes, and a greenhouse
- The only university in Michigan and one of two in the Midwest that operates an island research station - the CMU Biological Research Station on Beaver Island located in northern Lake Michigan
- Fieldwork opportunities at Neithercut Woodland, located just miles north of CMU's campus
- CMU is the only university in the nation with a bachelor's degree option in microscopy
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Employment of biological scientists is projected to grow 9 to 17 percent.
- Recent budget increases at the National Institutes of Health have led to large increases in federal research and development expenditures.
- New industrial applications of biotechnology, such as changing how companies make ethanol for transportation fuel, also will spur demand for biological scientists.
Career options
Graduates of the biology-related programs at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Biological Researcher
- Cell Biologist
- Elementary or High School Teacher
- Forestry Technician
- Microscopist
- Soil Scientist
- University or College Professor
- Veterinarian
- Wildlife Biologist
- Zoologist
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Biology/Biomedical Sciences Major
The Biomedical Sciences Major is designed for students interested in pursuing professional programs in human and/or animal medicine or biomedical research. This course of study is designed to satisfy the prerequisites for admission into professional programs as well as provide students with the breadth and depth of scientific concepts in biology, chemistry and physics to perform well on required admission exams for professional programs, such as the MCAT, DAT or GRE.
( Total: 71-75 semester hours
Volunteering, job shadowing and/or work experience in the biomedical profession of the student's choice is required for admission to many professional programs. The student should consult an advisor as to the hours required for admittance into a program within their area of interest. Proficiency in conversational Spanish is recommended for students seeking careers in health professions. )
(24 hours)
Required Courses I
4
BIO 110 Concepts of Biology
3
BIO 208 Microbiology
3
BIO 218 General Zoology
3
BIO 324 Cell Biology
4
BIO 326 Genetics
4
BIO 392 Mammalian Physiology
3
BIO 500 Biological Statistics
(12 hours)
Required Courses II
Advanced level courses are divided into two categories: a) Integrative Courses and b) Medical and Speciality Courses. Students must select 12 hours with at least 3 hours selected from the Integrative Courses in consultation with an advisor. In addition, at least 6 hours must be laboratory courses (BIO 524, 544, 545, 580, 325, 337, 536, 537, 577, HSC 214).
a.) Integrative Courses
3
BIO 501 Evolution
4
BIO 524 Molecular Biology
4
BIO 544 Developmental Biology
4
BIO 545 Molecular Genetics
4
BIO 580 Medical Microbiology
3
BIO 591 Neurophysiology
b.) Medical and Specialty Courses
3
BIO 320 Biology of Bacteria
3
BIO 325 Biotechnology
4
BIO 337 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
3
BIO 534 Endocrinology
3
BIO 536 Histology
4
BIO 537 Immunology
3
BIO 577 Hematology and Immunohematology
3
BIO 590 Cardiovascular Physiology
4
HSC 214 Human Anatomy
3
HSC 411 Pathophysiology
(2 hours)
Required Courses III
Select one of the following capstone experiences:
( Notes: BIO 490 may be repeated with a different topic for a total of 2 credits. BIO 495 must be taken for at least 2 credits. )
3-4
BIO 403 Undergraduate Research
1-2
BIO 490 Biomedical Sciences Capstone Seminar
1-4
BIO 495 Undergraduate Internship in Biology
(4 hours)
Other Requirements I
( Note: A course higher than MTH 130 may be chosen in consultation with an advisor. )
4
MTH 130 Pre-Calculus Mathematics
(8-9 hours)
Other Requirements II
Select one of the following options:
(8 hours)
Option I
4
CHM 131 Introduction to Chemistry I
4
CHM 132 Introduction to Chemistry II
(9 hours)
Option II
5
CHM 161 Principles of Chemistry
4
CHM 211 Quantitative Analysis
(3-6 hours)
Other Requirements IV
Select one of the following options:
(3 hours)
Option I
3
CHM 425 Introductory Biochemistry
(6 hours)
Option II
3
CHM 521 Fundamentals of Biochemistry
3
CHM 522 Intermediate Biochemistry
(8 hours)
Other Requirements III
3
CHM 345 Organic Chemistry I
3
CHM 346 Organic Chemistry II
2
CHM 349 Introduction to Organic Chemistry Lab
(5 hours)
Other Requirements V
Select one of the following options:
Option I
4
PHY 130 College Physics I
1
PHY 170 College Physics Laboratory I
Option II
4
PHY 145 University Physics I
1
PHY 175 University Physics Laboratory I
(5 hours)
Other Requirements VI
Select one of the following options:
Option I
4
PHY 131 College Physics II
1
PHY 171 College Physics Laboratory II
Option II
4
PHY 146 University Physics II
1
PHY 176 University Physics Laboratory II