Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Colorado State University

Program Overview

CSU's Biomedical Sciences program dives deep into how core biological systems drive human and animal health and disease at the molecular, cellular, and systemic level — ideal for students eyeing medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or a research career. Through hands-on labs and a flexible-yet-rigorous curriculum, you'll build the exact foundation health professions and graduate programs are looking for, all while staying free to tailor your path toward the specialty that excites you most.

Curriculum Structure:

Year One :

starts you off with BMS 192: First Year Seminar in Biomedical Sciences, which introduces college survival skills and current issues in health and biotechnology, alongside BMS 260: Biomedical Sciences (opportunities and challenges in the field, from research ethics to model systems) — all while you build your foundation in general biology and chemistry.

Year Two :

Deepens your science core with BMS 300: Principles of Human Physiology and BMS 200: Concepts in Human Anatomy and Physiology, giving you your first real look at how the human body actually functions — this is also when high-performing sophomores can apply for the NIH-funded MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) program for hands-on research training.

Year Three:

Brings the program's signature experience: cadaver-based gross anatomy coursework (BMS 301/305), where you dissect and study human and animal anatomy directly, paired with specialty electives in areas like endocrinology, pharmacology, or neurophysiology (BMS 330, BMS 345) that let you start shaping your specialization.

Year Four:

culminates in an integrated senior capstone experience, along with advanced electives and independent research options (BMS 487, BMS 495, BMS 498) that let you dig deep into a specialty area — endocrinology, pathophysiology, reproductive physiology, or cardiopulmonary physiology — before graduation.

Focus Areas:

Cellular and molecular biology, human and animal anatomy, and physiology — with specialty tracks available in endocrinology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, neurophysiology, reproductive physiology, and cardiopulmonary physiology.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze scientific information and apply it across human/animal health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals; research and data analysis skills for conducting experiments and interpreting results; strong scientific communication skills for multiple audiences; and collaboration/leadership skills for working on interdisciplinary teams.

Professional Alignment:

The curriculum is specifically built to prepare graduates for entry into professional schools in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and optometry, as well as programs like nursing, physician assistant, and physical therapy — and the program is housed in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, home to CSU's top-ranked veterinary program.

Reputation:

CSU's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences ranked No. 3 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 Best Graduate Schools rankings, and was named the nation's No. 1 veterinary college for research funding by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

CSU's Biomedical Sciences program puts hands-on learning at the center of the experience — you'll be working in real labs, handling cadaver-based dissection, and using state-of-the-art tools well before you ever apply to med school or grad programs. With more than 30 specialty laboratories in the Department of Biomedical Sciences alone, plus access to the world-renowned CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Flint Animal Cancer Center, you're learning biomedical science in a real research ecosystem, not just from a textbook:

Cadaver-based coursework: Hands-on human and animal anatomy dissection courses (BMS 301/305) that give you direct, physical experience with anatomical structures most undergrads only see in diagrams
Virtual reality anatomy space: State-of-the-art VR technology for exploring the body in ways traditional dissection or diagrams can't replicate
Undergraduate research labs: Access to dozens of labs across the college and university, working directly alongside faculty at the forefront of discoveries in human, animal, and planetary health
NIH-funded research training: The Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program offers eligible sophomores a grant-funded biomedical research training experience
Integrated senior capstone: A culminating project that pulls together your coursework and research experience into a final, career-ready deliverable
Volunteering, shadowing, and internships: Direct opportunities to gain clinical and professional exposure relevant to your target career, whether that's medicine, veterinary medicine, or pharmaceutical industry work
Small class sizes: A close-knit community with engaged advisors and world-renowned faculty, rather than getting lost in a lecture hall
Specialty tracks: Customizable coursework in endocrinology, pharmacology, neurophysiology, reproductive physiology, and cardiopulmonary physiology, so your electives directly support your career goals
Student organizations: Groups like the Align Scientific Learning Community, the Biomedical Student Association, and Health Professions Student Clubs for peer support and professional networking
Institutional research partnerships: Ties to the CU Anschutz School of Medicine at CSU and the Flint Animal Cancer Center, giving students exposure to translational, One Health research spanning human and animal medicine

Progression & Future Opportunities

More than 75% of CSU Biomedical Sciences students go on to post-graduate programs, but the degree is built to open doors well beyond that too. Typical paths graduates pursue include Physician, Physician Assistant, Veterinarian, Research Scientist, and Pharmacist: here's how CSU sets you up to get there.

Career services support: The Engineering Success Center's counterpart resources and the university-wide CSU Career Center (Handshake platform, a 2025 national Handshake Career Spark Award winner) provide career coaching, resume reviews, and career fairs for pre-health and science students
Employment & outcomes stats: CSU's official First Destination Survey found that roughly 88–90% of undergraduates had a job offer or secured plans for employment/further education at graduation — and for Biomedical Sciences specifically, more than 75% go directly into post-graduate professional or academic programs
University–industry & institutional partnerships: Direct ties to the CU Anschutz School of Medicine at CSU, the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and the Flint Animal Cancer Center give students real clinical and research exposure most undergrad programs can't match
Long-term value: Housed in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences — ranked No. 3 nationally by U.S. News and No. 1 for veterinary research funding — the program carries strong name recognition with medical, dental, veterinary, and graduate admissions committees
Graduation outcomes: Graduates go on to careers as physicians, physician assistants, veterinarians, pharmacists, physical therapists, research scientists, and professors/instructors, plus non-clinical paths in biotechnology, medical writing, data analysis, and pharmaceutical sales

Further Academic Progression: CSU's Department of Biomedical Sciences offers a direct, built-in path forward for students who want to keep going: a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (including Thesis, Anatomical and Physiological Sciences, and Assisted Reproductive Technologies specializations) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences also offers related graduate degrees in Clinical Sciences, Environmental Health, Microbiology, Radiological Health, and Toxicology — plus, of course, CSU's own top-3-ranked D.V.M. program for students headed toward veterinary medicine.