http://www.rit.edu/healthsciences/undergraduate-programs/biomedical-sciences/

Program overview

Biomedical sciences is an academic program designed to prepare students for advanced study in medical, dental, or graduate schools as they pursue careers in health care or biomedical research. Faculty, from across the basic science disciplines and within and outside of the college, offer a diverse curriculum as well as research opportunities for students. In tracking through a highly flexible curricular structure, students will have access to myriad scientific professionals and educational experiences.

For the past 20 years, researchers in the biomedical fields have enjoyed rapid gains in employment due, in part, to the advances in biotechnology and an increase in staff in new medical research industries. Continued employment growth will occur with the increased need for more research in many areas of health care, including AIDS, diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders. Courses and concentration options within biomedical sciences are designed to attract students interested in the broad spectrum of medically related jobs and to provide a knowledge base and the technical skills required to pursue their chosen careers.

Curriculum

Requirements for the BS degree in biomedical sciences

The curricular requirements for the BS degree in biomedical sciences are very flexible, consisting of a life sciences core and a broad range of flexible options. The life sciences core is designed to provide the student with a strong grounding in mathematics and science, a complement of liberal arts courses in preparation for a particular career path—e.g., entry into medical/dental school graduate studies—or a research position in an applied area of biomedical science. Upon completion of the life sciences core, a choice of concentration areas is available in which the student, in consultation with an academic adviser, may select and complete a series of required and elective courses. Concentration areas include focused study in forensic science, pre-health professions (premedical, pre-dental), exercise science, pathology, neuroscience, and genetics. Students also may choose to use elective credits to engage in undergraduate research with a faculty mentor and/or pursue a secondary field of study through a minor; e.g., in the liberal arts (communications, psychology, public policy, foreign language, etc.) or sciences (statistics, biochemistry, or imaging science), or possibly a second major.

Program concentrations

The program includes the following concentrations:

Forensic science
Pre-health professions
Exercise science
Pathology
Genetics
Neuroscience

Elective courses

Below is a sample of available elective courses.

Bioinformatics
Immunology
Science of Forensics
Premedical Studies
Genetics
Medical Terminology
Introduction to Infectious Diseases
Patient Care
Biochemistry
Introduction to Microbiology
Sports Physiology and Life Fitness
Exercise Prescription
Fitness Programming and Prescription
Undergraduate Research*
Sports Nutrition
Medical Genetics
Histology
Introduction to Neuroscience
Medical Pathophysiology
Genetic Engineering
Human Gross Anatomy
Endocrinology
Developmental Biology
Virology
Introduction to Pharmacology
Evolutionary Biology

*Variable credit; requires at least two sequential quarters of participation