Biomedical Science

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

Bradley University

Program Overview

Bradley University’s Biomedical Science B.S. gives students a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, sociology, and psychology for careers in medicine, other health professions, and the medical or biotechnology environment. Students can tailor the degree toward Pre-Med, Veterinary Science, or Biomedical Science Research and Development (R&D) while gaining early exposure to research, laboratory work, and human health.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
Students begin with foundational biomedical and laboratory sciences, developing an understanding of how biological and chemical principles relate to human health. Courses include BMS 150 – Introduction to Biomedical Science, CHM 110/111 – General Chemistry I and Laboratory, and MTH 115 – Brief Calculus With Applications I, alongside introductory biology and communication coursework.

Year 2:
The second year builds deeper knowledge of organisms, ecology, evolution, statistics, and organic chemistry. Students take courses such as BIO 250 – Organismal Biology, BIO 251 – Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, and CHM 252/253 – Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory I, strengthening their preparation for advanced biomedical study.

Year 3:
Students move into more specialized biological and biomedical concepts, including BIO 310 – Genetics, BIO 311 – Genetics Laboratory, and BMS 320 – Environment and Human Health. Chemistry, physics, statistics, and elective coursework further develop the scientific foundation needed for health-profession or research pathways.

Year 4:
The final stage focuses on applying biomedical knowledge to human health and professional practice. Students complete BMS 465 – Medical Physiology, BMS 466 – Human Anatomy, and BMS 490 – Biomedical Science Capstone, with the capstone involving collaborative projects guided by faculty; students can also pursue advanced electives such as Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Immunology of Host Defense, Molecular Genetics, or Advanced Physiology.

Focus Areas:

Biomedical science, human health and disease, biology, chemistry, medical physiology, human anatomy, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, medical and biotechnology applications, pre-medical studies, veterinary science, biomedical research and development.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop knowledge of biological and biomedical systems, laboratory and research skills, scientific reasoning, data analysis, understanding of human anatomy and physiology, and the ability to apply biomedical concepts to health, disease, research, and professional healthcare settings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Bradley University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and has maintained accreditation since 1913, with its next reaffirmation scheduled for 2030–2031. The Biomedical Science B.S. is not listed by Bradley as having a separate programmatic accreditation; its professional preparation instead supports pathways into medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, and other health professions.

Reputation (Employability):

Bradley reports 100% career outcomes for its Biomedical Science program and highlights a $60,000 median salary on the program page. The university also states that Biomedical Science students can gain research experience beginning in their first year through laboratories, independent studies, and summer research projects, with research opportunities available under faculty mentorship.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biomedical Science, B.S. at Bradley University gives students hands-on experience from the first year through laboratory courses, independent studies, faculty-mentored research, and summer research projects. Students can apply their classroom knowledge to biomedical problems through research and collaborative projects, with the opportunity to earn course credit for research and, depending on the concentration, pursue a year-long research experience. The program also provides access to the modern science facilities and research laboratories in Olin Hall of Science, while the Pre-Med concentration includes hands-on human anatomy work through a cadaver lab.

Students can build practical and research skills through:

Faculty-led research: Students can work alongside faculty in research laboratories, developing technical research skills and contributing to ongoing scientific projects.
Independent studies and summer research: Research opportunities begin in the first year and can continue through independent studies and summer projects; students may count up to three research hours toward the degree.
Biomedical Science Capstone: BMS 490 – Biomedical Science Capstone requires students to complete collaborative projects under the guidance of a faculty team, applying skills developed throughout the major.
Cadaveric dissection: BMS 466 – Human Anatomy provides direct experience with cadaveric dissection and the study of the human musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, abdominal and thoracic systems.
Research and Development concentration: Students pursuing the R&D concentration complete a year-long research project with faculty guidance and can undertake BIO 485 – Research, providing a deeper research-focused experience.
Olin Hall of Science: Biomedical Science students benefit from Bradley's modern science facilities and equipment, including research laboratories used for undergraduate faculty-mentored research.
Research presentation and publication: Students have opportunities to present research at professional conferences and potentially publish their work, helping them develop scientific communication and professional networking skills.
Professional and peer engagement: The Biology Undergraduate Society and Tri-Beta Honor Society provide opportunities for networking, professional development and interaction with other students and professionals.
Cooperative education: Bradley's Biology curriculum also makes cooperative education assignments available, providing an additional avenue for career-oriented experience.
Specialized research environment: Bradley's Biology faculty include researchers working in areas such as regenerative medicine and stem-cell research through the Bohlander Stem Cell Research Laboratory.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Science, B.S. at Bradley University is designed to prepare students for both immediate career opportunities and advanced professional education in healthcare and biomedical fields. The program offers concentrations in Pre-Med, Veterinary Science, and Research & Development, while Bradley reports 96% career outcomes for Biomedical Science graduates in its 2024–25 First Destination Study, with 46% employed and 50% continuing their education among graduates for whom outcome data was available.

Typical career paths: Biomedical Scientist, Research Scientist, Physician, Dentist

Students can build their career and continue toward professional education through:

Career support: Bradley’s Smith Career Center provides personalized career guidance, resume and interview support, job and internship searches, employer networking, career fairs, and access to Bradley netWORK, an online database of jobs, internships, employers and career events.
Employment and salary outcomes: Bradley’s Biomedical Science program reports a $60,000 median salary and 100% career outcomes on its current program page. Its 2024–25 First Destination Study reports 96% career outcomes for Biomedical Science graduates, based on 29 respondents out of 33 graduates.
Healthcare partnerships: Bradley has a formal research partnership with OSF HealthCare through its Innovation for Health initiative, designed to connect Bradley faculty with OSF clinicians and innovation teams to develop practical healthcare solutions.
Medical-school pathway: Through Bradley’s partnership with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP), eligible Biomedical Science students can apply for the Early Assurance Program, with up to five students selected each year for provisional acceptance to UICOMP while completing their bachelor’s degree.
Additional health-profession pathways: Bradley’s 2026 partnership with Midwestern University provides qualified students and alumni with guaranteed admissions interview opportunities across programs including osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine; qualified applicants to Midwestern’s College of Graduate Studies receive guaranteed admission.
Long-term accreditation value: Bradley University has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913, with its next reaffirmation scheduled for 2030–31. HLC accreditation applies to the university as a whole and supports the institutional quality assurance and transferability of credits.
Graduate outcomes: Bradley’s Biomedical Science graduates have continued into medical and other professional schools across the U.S., including institutions such as the University of Chicago Pritzker, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Michigan and University of Iowa.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, physician assistant and other health-profession programs, or continue into graduate study and research. Bradley also offers an M.S. in Biology and a BS/MS 4+1 pathway, allowing eligible students to begin graduate-level Biology coursework during their senior year and complete the combined degree in five years.