Biomedical Science and Enterprise, B.I.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Georgia State University

Program Overview

The Biomedical Science and Enterprise, B.I.S. at Georgia State University combines biomedical science with business, entrepreneurship and law, making it a strong choice for students interested in translating scientific discoveries into healthcare products, services and commercial opportunities. The program suits students interested in areas such as patient care, human disease, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare technology and biomedical startups, while also allowing students to pursue medical-school prerequisites through its flexible curriculum.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin with Georgia State's broad core curriculum while developing their foundation in science and professional skills. The program introduces students to the biomedical field through Careers in Biomedical Science, which helps them explore career options, build networking skills and develop professional materials and career plans.

Year 2:

Students progress into the interdisciplinary foundation of the degree, connecting life sciences with entrepreneurship and professional applications. Coursework within the program's BMSC (Biomedical Sciences) sequence develops scientific understanding alongside communication, collaboration, leadership and other professional skills.

Year 3:

Students move into more focused study at the intersection of biomedical science, business and law. The curriculum develops knowledge of basic scientific research, innovation and value creation, ethics and legal affairs, while students can use elective space to pursue their individual academic or pre-medical goals.

Year 4:

Students bring these areas together through advanced coursework and the program's Signature Experience, where they can gain practical experience through internships and independent research. The final stage is designed to strengthen the professional portfolio students can take into biomedical industry, healthcare, law, graduate study or other career pathways.

Focus Areas:

Biomedical science, life sciences, entrepreneurship, business, innovation and value creation, legal affairs, ethics, healthcare, clinical applications, patient care, biotechnology and pre-medical preparation.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop critical thinking and conceptual knowledge across life sciences, entrepreneurship and pre-law; apply scientific research, innovation, business communication, collaboration and leadership skills; identify opportunities connecting basic science with clinical applications and patient care; and use scientific methods to formulate and answer questions related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Biomedical Science and Enterprise, B.I.S. is an interdisciplinary degree offered through Georgia State University's Institute for Biomedical Sciences, in partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Law, Honors College, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute. The official program page does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for this BIS degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Georgia State University reports that U.S. News & World Report ranked it No. 1 among public universities in the United States for undergraduate teaching in its 2026 Best Colleges rankings, while the university has also remained among the nation's top five most innovative public universities for 11 consecutive years. Georgia State's College to Career initiative further connects students with career counseling, internships, employer connections, Handshake and other career-readiness resources.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biomedical Science and Enterprise, B.I.S. at Georgia State University gives students practical experience through its Signature Experience, which includes internships and independent research. Students can work alongside biomedical researchers and gain exposure to the development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostic tools, while the program's interdisciplinary structure connects biomedical science with business, entrepreneurship, ethics and law.

Students also benefit from Georgia State's biomedical research environment, including advanced laboratories and core facilities in the Petit Science Center and Research Science Center. The university's newest undergraduate research initiative, UPRISM, provides selected Institute for Biomedical Sciences students with an academic-year research placement in active faculty laboratories, culminating in a formal presentation of their work. These opportunities give students direct experience with scientific research, professional development and biomedical innovation:

Signature Experience: Students complete hands-on experiences through internships and independent research, building a professional portfolio with practical skills relevant to future employers.
Undergraduate research – UPRISM: The Undergraduate Program for Research Immersion & Scholarly Mentorship places selected students in active Institute for Biomedical Sciences laboratories for an academic year. Students gain laboratory experience and present their research at the end of the program.
Biomedical research laboratories: Students are connected to research environments covering areas such as infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic disorders, vaccines, diagnostics, biomarkers and therapeutics.
Advanced imaging: The Imaging Core Facility in the Petit Science Center provides access to sophisticated imaging technologies, including laser-scanning confocal microscopy, widefield microscopy and electron microscopy for biomedical research.
Biomedical research facilities: The Institute for Biomedical Sciences has access to flow cytometry, histopathology, germ-free animal, advanced imaging and confocal microscopy, biosafety and other specialized research facilities.
Cell, Protein and DNA Core Facilities: These facilities provide sophisticated analytical and quantitative tools supporting molecular research and also support molecular-based undergraduate and graduate teaching laboratories.
Industry experience: The program has biomedical industry collaborations that can provide internships aligned with students' career goals, including a master's-degree training program with UCB Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company.
Professional development: The program's Careers in Biomedical Science course helps students explore career opportunities, develop networking and outreach skills, prepare application materials and create an individual career action plan.
Mentorship and networking: Students can participate in the Biomedical Student Association, which connects students with peers and graduate students through mentorship, networking and career-development events.
Library and research support: Georgia State University Library provides research assistance, digital collections, group-study spaces and subject-librarian support; the Institute for Biomedical Sciences has a designated librarian to support its students and researchers.
Atlanta biomedical ecosystem: Georgia State's downtown Atlanta location places students close to organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other major health and biomedical organizations, while the Institute reports more than 50 research collaborators in the U.S. and internationally.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Science and Enterprise, B.I.S. at Georgia State University prepares graduates for employment across the biomedical industry as well as for advanced study in science, business or law. Its combination of biomedical science, entrepreneurship, business and legal/ethical knowledge gives students a broad foundation for careers connected to biomedical innovation and commercialization.

Typical career roles include: Biomedical Research Associate, Clinical Research Coordinator, Biotechnology Industry Associate, Pharmaceutical Industry Associate.

Career services: Georgia State’s University Career Services provides career coaching, mentoring, workshops and career events. Students also have access to Handshake, which connects them with more than 5,000 employers offering full-time, internship, part-time and co-op opportunities.
Program-specific career preparation: The program’s Careers in Biomedical Science course helps students explore career opportunities, develop networking and outreach skills, prepare application materials and create an individual career action plan.
Employment and salary information: Georgia State reports 10,000+ job-ready graduates each year. University-wide, its 2025–26 College to Career information lists an average salary of $65,800 within five years of graduation and $112,100 at mid-career; these figures apply across Georgia State graduates and are not specific to Biomedical Science and Enterprise.
University–industry connections: The Institute for Biomedical Sciences provides opportunities for students to gain professional experience through internships and research. Georgia State also identifies biomedical-industry connections, including UCB Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company, through its biomedical enterprise programs.
Graduation outcomes: The program specifically prepares students for employment in the biomedical industry or advanced degrees in science, business or law. The Institute also reports that its bachelor's program currently has 508 students, including 48 honors students.
Long-term professional value: The interdisciplinary preparation can support progression into biomedical industry, healthcare, government, policy, law, academia and related fields. The program itself does not list a separate professional accreditation for the B.I.S., so no accreditation-specific career advantage should be assumed.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.I.S., students can continue into advanced degrees in science, business or law. Within Georgia State’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences, relevant progression includes the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Biomedical Science and Enterprise and the Ph.D. in Translational Biomedical Sciences; the university also provides pathways and career resources for students considering graduate or professional education.