Biomedical Sciences, BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Marquette University

Program Overview

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Marquette University gives students a strong foundation in human and medical sciences, with coursework exploring how genes, proteins, cells and organs interact in human health and disease. It is particularly suited to students interested in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, biomedical research or other health-related careers, while its flexible curriculum allows students to shape their studies around their career goals.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin by developing their scientific foundation through subjects such as BIOL 1001 General Biology 1, BIOL 1002 General Biology 2, and CHEM 1001 General Chemistry 1. Alongside these sciences, students complete Marquette Core Curriculum requirements and electives that establish a broad academic base.

Year 2:

The curriculum becomes more specialized, introducing courses such as BISC 3135 Clinical Human Anatomy and BISC 3213 Biochemistry, supported by CHEM 2111 Organic Chemistry 1 and laboratory or statistics coursework. This stage starts connecting fundamental biological and chemical concepts directly to human structure, function and health.

Year 3:

Students move deeper into human physiology and specialized biomedical science, with BISC 4145 Human Physiology alongside courses from the Anatomy & Systems and Cellular & Molecular content areas. Students can also select electives and cognates that help them build a curriculum aligned with interests such as medicine, research, public health, genetics or pharmacology.

Year 4:

The final year allows students to complete advanced Anatomy & Systems, Cellular & Molecular, Disease & Pathology and Biomedical Sciences elective coursework while completing the remaining degree requirements. Students can use this flexibility to prepare for professional or graduate study, and eligible students can also pursue accelerated pathways into programs such as the Biomedical Sciences M.S., Exercise and Rehabilitation Science M.S., Global Health Equity M.S. or other graduate/professional programs.

Focus Areas:

Human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, genetics, neuroscience, public health, biomedical research, health sciences, pre-medical studies, pre-dental studies and other pre-health pathways.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop knowledge of molecules, cells and tissues; understand tissue organization and function; analyze molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human disease; interpret biomedical data using evidence-based reasoning; critically evaluate biomedical topics; and communicate and collaborate effectively with others.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. is an academic undergraduate degree rather than a separately professionally accredited clinical program. Marquette specifically positions the major as preparation for professional pathways including medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, occupational therapy and optometry, as well as graduate study and biomedical careers.

Reputation (Employability & Outcomes):

Marquette reports that 98% of College of Health Sciences students are employed, in graduate school or in military service six months after graduation. The university also highlights #6 for Best College in Job Placement / #1 in Wisconsin from Zippia, #14 for Best Colleges for Internships among private universities from The Princeton Review, and #82 in Student Outcomes from The Wall Street Journal.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Marquette’s Biomedical Sciences, B.S. gives students substantial opportunities to learn through laboratory work, research and professional experience. Students can work with human anatomy through an intensive gross anatomy laboratory, complete an internship for academic credit, or participate in independent biomedical research under faculty supervision. The department also offers a competitive 10-week Summer Research Program, where students spend 40 hours per week in a research laboratory, work with a faculty mentor and present their findings at the end of the program.

Students can build this practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Gross Anatomy Laboratory: Students in BISC 3136 Gross Anatomy for the Biomedical Sciences undertake regional dissection of human cadaveric material, studying body structures and systems directly in the laboratory.
Research Internship: BISC 4988 Research Internship in Biomedical Sciences and BISC 4989 Research Internship in Biomedical Sciences – Grading Period allow students to incorporate research internship experience into the Biomedical Sciences major, with up to 6 internship credits and up to 3 credits counting toward the major.
Independent Research: Students can complete BISC 4995 Independent Study in Biomedical Sciences, receiving up to 6 credits for independent research. Students present their research to faculty and fellow students at the end of each semester.
Summer Research Program: The Biomedical Sciences Summer Research Program is a 10-week, full-time research experience in which students conduct an independent project with a College of Health Sciences faculty mentor. The program includes research training, weekly data discussions, faculty seminars and a final research presentation; eligible participants receive a $5,000 stipend.
Research Laboratories: The Biomedical Sciences Department houses 13 independent neuroscience research laboratories investigating areas including cellular signaling and plasticity, cognition and memory, brain health and disease, and neurological damage.
Biomedical Research Collaboratory: The BISC Collaboratory provides access to molecular, behavioral and imaging research cores and supports hands-on learning in biomedical research, including collaboration with industry and scientific leaders.
Research Presentation: Students participating in the Summer Research Program present their research in poster format at Biomedical Sciences Student Research Day, giving them experience communicating scientific findings.
Clinical/Professional Internships: The department’s BISC Internship Program allows students to apply off-campus internship experiences toward their major as course credit. Recent internship sites listed by Marquette include Aurora Health Care and the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Library & Research Support: Students have access to Raynor Library, which provides research librarians, current journals, research services and access to Marquette’s broader library collections of more than 1.7 million volumes.
Biomedical Sciences Facilities: The department is based in the Schroeder Complex, home to Marquette’s College of Health Sciences, with teaching and research facilities supporting biomedical sciences and faculty-led research.

Software/digital tools: Marquette’s official undergraduate Biomedical Sciences sources do not identify a specific required commercial software package for this B.S. program, so none is listed here as a program requirement.

Group projects/field trips: The official Biomedical Sciences sources reviewed emphasize laboratory research, internships, faculty-mentored research and research presentations rather than a specific required group-project or field-trip component, so these are not presented as formal program requirements.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Biomedical Sciences, B.S. from Marquette can lead directly into entry-level health and science roles or provide a strong foundation for professional and graduate education. Marquette specifically identifies career pathways in biomedical research, public health, pharmaceutical sales and healthcare, while many graduates continue into medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, pharmacy and other advanced programs.

Typical job roles include: Clinical Research Assistant, Lab Analyst, Neuroscience Research Technician, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative.

Career support: Marquette’s Center for Pre-Health Advising works with students throughout their undergraduate careers on preparation for professional health programs. Students also have access to Handshake, the Marquette Career Network, career counseling and a Professional Development Fund.
Employment outcomes: Marquette reports that 98% of College of Health Sciences students are employed, in graduate school or in military service six months after graduation. University-wide, the 2024–25 First Destination Survey reported an 87% undergraduate career outcomes rate, with 93% of full-time employed respondents saying their job was related to their career goals.
Industry and healthcare connections: Biomedical Sciences students can access internship opportunities with organizations including Aurora Health Care, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Health Department, Direct Supply and the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Professional progression: The degree is designed to support pathways into medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, optometry, podiatry and veterinary medicine. Marquette also holds an annual Graduate Health Professions Exploration Fair, bringing representatives from medical, dental, PA, PT, OT, optometry and pharmacy programs to campus.
Accreditation value: The B.S. is an academic biomedical sciences degree rather than a separately licensed clinical qualification, so its value for professional careers comes primarily from its scientific preparation and its ability to support entry into accredited professional and graduate programs.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the B.S., students can progress into professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, pharmacy, occupational therapy, optometry, podiatry or veterinary medicine. Graduate options identified by Marquette include biomedical sciences, biology, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, public health, genetic counseling, forensic science and exercise physiology