Biomedical Sciences (BS) – Pre-Medical Track

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Florida

Program Overview

The Biomedical Sciences B.S. – Pre-Medical Track at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is designed for students preparing for medical school, with a curriculum that combines biomedical science fundamentals with courses specifically aligned to medical-career preparation. Students study anatomy, physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and biochemistry while also completing Overview of Select Medical Careers and choosing electives that can strengthen preparation for medical-school applications.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their foundation in biological and chemical sciences through courses such as Biology I (BSC 2010C), Chemistry Fundamentals I (CHM 2045C) and Chemistry Fundamentals II (CHM 2046). They also begin the quantitative side of the degree with Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAC 2311C) and Statistical Methods I (STA 2023).

Year 2:

The curriculum progresses into Organic Chemistry I (CHM 2210), Organic Chemistry II (CHM 2211) and Organic Laboratory Techniques I (CHM 2211L), building the chemistry background needed for advanced biomedical study. Students also complete SLS 2311C – Overview of Select Medical Careers, giving the pre-medical track a direct connection to different medical-career pathways.

Year 3:

Students move into core biomedical subjects including Human Anatomy (ZOO 3733C), Human Physiology (PCB 3703C) and General Microbiology (MCB 3020C). These courses develop a deeper understanding of the human body, physiological systems and microorganisms relevant to health and disease.

Year 4:

Advanced study includes Molecular Biology I (PCB 3522), Molecular Biology II (PCB 4524) and either Medical Biochemistry (BCH 4024) or Biochemistry I (BCH 4053). Students can tailor their final coursework through electives such as Cancer Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Human Genetics, Virology, Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Neuroscience, while also completing a UCF-designated High Impact Practice.

Focus Areas:

Pre-medical preparation, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, genetics, infectious diseases, cancer biology, neuroscience and biomedical research.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and medical-career preparation, with advanced knowledge of human structure and function, microorganisms, molecular biology, immunology and biochemistry, while gaining opportunities to explore specialized biomedical topics through restricted electives.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

UCF does not list a separate professional accreditation for the Biomedical Sciences B.S. – Pre-Medical Track on its official program page. Instead, the curriculum is specifically structured to support students preparing for medical school, with required anatomy, physiology and medical-career coursework and recommended electives relevant to professional-school preparation.

Reputation (Employability):

UCF's official program information highlights the university's recognition by U.S. News & World Report as a 2026 Most Innovative university. The university's broader Biomedical Sciences information also identifies biomedical careers as a growing employment field and provides career information for graduates in the discipline.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biomedical Sciences B.S. – Pre-Medical Track at UCF gives students opportunities to apply their classroom knowledge in real clinical and research environments. Through the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, students can take part in clinical shadowing, clinical research and surgical internships, as well as undergraduate research programs where they work with faculty or in teams on biomedical projects. The pre-medical curriculum also requires a UCF-designated High Impact Practice, giving students a structured opportunity to gain practical experience before progressing to professional school.

Students can build hands-on experience through these UCF-specific opportunities:

Clinical internships: UCF has agreements with healthcare providers and physicians in the greater Orlando area for one-semester clinical shadowing internships. Selected students register for MCB 4941, a one-credit internship course.
Clinical research internship: Students can conduct clinical research at AdventHealth Orlando, working under program directors and research personnel for 10–15 hours per week over a one-year period.
Surgical internship: Selected pre-medical students can observe surgeries and work alongside surgeons at locations including AdventHealth Winter Park, Downtown Surgery Center and Foot and Ankle Sports Medicine Institute.
GEAR – Group Effort Applied Research: Students work in teams on a real research project in a classroom setting, and the experience can count as a restricted elective.
PURE – Program for Undergraduate Research Experience: Students can participate in structured undergraduate research through the Burnett School's research programs.
PILOT: The Peer Instruction and Laboratory Occupational Training program is available as one of the research/experiential options within the Biomedical Sciences curriculum.
Research facilities: UCF's Burnett Biomedical Sciences Building houses three Biosafety Level 3 laboratories and a major transgenic animal facility, providing an advanced environment for biomedical research.
Microscopy and anatomy facilities: The UCF College of Medicine's facilities include a 5,300-square-foot Microscopy Lab and a dedicated Anatomy Lab, giving students access to specialized biomedical learning environments.
Clinical simulation: The College of Medicine also houses a Clinical Skills and Simulation Center, providing access to medical simulation and clinical training facilities.
Academic and research support: Burnett School undergraduate students have access to academic success coaching, undergraduate research opportunities and pre-health clinical internships.

Facilities: Students are connected to UCF's biomedical facilities across the College of Medicine and Burnett School, including the Burnett Biomedical Sciences Building at Lake Nona, Health Sciences II, research laboratories, Biosafety Level 3 laboratories, the transgenic animal facility, Microscopy Lab, Anatomy Lab, Clinical Skills and Simulation Center, and the Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library. These facilities place biomedical education alongside UCF's medical and research infrastructure in Orlando's Lake Nona medical community.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Sciences B.S. – Pre-Medical Track at UCF is structured primarily for students planning to continue into medical school and other professional health programs, while also providing a foundation for biomedical research and related careers. Students gain opportunities for clinical exposure, research and internships through the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, including partnerships with healthcare organizations in the greater Orlando area.

Typical career roles include: Clinical Research Assistant, Biomedical Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Clinical Research Coordinator.

Students can strengthen their professional preparation through UCF's academic support, clinical partnerships and research opportunities:

Academic and career support: The Burnett School provides undergraduate academic advising and academic success coaching, along with access to undergraduate research and pre-health clinical internships.
Clinical experience: UCF has agreements with healthcare providers and physicians in the greater Orlando area for one-semester clinical shadowing internships. Selected students receive academic credit through MCB 4941.
Clinical research partnership: Students can undertake a clinical research internship at AdventHealth Orlando, working with program directors and research personnel for 10–15 hours per week over one year.
Surgical exposure: The Burnett School offers a semester-long surgical internship at AdventHealth Winter Park, Downtown Surgery Center and Foot and Ankle Sports Medicine Institute, where selected students observe surgeries alongside surgeons.
Employment and salary information: UCF's official Biomedical Sciences page states that occupations in biomedical sciences are projected to grow by more than 11% through 2029 and lists $89,000 as median earnings for biomedical sciences graduates. These are field-level figures provided by UCF, not a guaranteed salary for individual graduates.
Industry and healthcare connections: The Burnett School's clinical internship program works with healthcare providers and physician practitioners throughout the greater Orlando area, providing students with direct exposure to medical practice.
Professional preparation: The pre-medical curriculum specifically includes SLS 2311C – Overview of Select Medical Careers, Human Anatomy and Human Physiology, alongside biomedical science coursework, to support preparation for medical-school applications.
Graduation outcomes: The degree is designed to support progression into professional programs including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic practice and physician assistant training, as well as graduate education and biomedical employment.
Accreditation value: UCF does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this specific B.S. pre-medical track on its official program page. The degree instead provides the undergraduate scientific preparation needed for subsequent professional education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. – Pre-Medical Track, students can apply to medical school or other professional programs such as dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic practice and physician assistant programs. Students interested in research can also pursue graduate education in biomedical sciences and related life-science disciplines.