Bachelor of Science in Biology-Biomedical Sciences

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Oklahoma

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Science at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is designed for students interested in understanding the human body, disease, medical advances, and the science behind healthcare. It is particularly well suited to students preparing for medical or other health-professional programs, biomedical research, biotechnology, or related scientific careers, with study spanning cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin by building a strong foundation in biological and physical sciences through courses such as BIO 1204 – Biology for Majors: Principles, BIO 1225 – Biology for Majors: Diversity, and CHEM 1103 – General Chemistry I, supported by laboratory learning. These subjects establish the scientific knowledge needed for more advanced biomedical coursework.

Year 2:

The curriculum moves deeper into cellular and microbiological processes, with subjects such as BIO 2203 – Cell Biology, BIO 2211 – Cell Biology Laboratory, and BIO 3054 – Microbiology for Majors and Lab. Students develop a stronger understanding of cellular function, microorganisms, laboratory methods, and the biological processes relevant to human health.

Year 3:

Students expand their understanding of biological systems through BIO 3303 – Genetics, BIO 3803 – Mammalian Physiology I, and options such as BIO 3414 – Histology and Lab or BIO 4343 – Molecular Biology Techniques & Lab. These courses allow students to explore genetics, physiology, tissues, and molecular techniques while developing more specialized biomedical knowledge.

Year 4:

The final stage emphasizes advanced study and professional preparation through courses such as BIO 4763 – Biology of Cancer, BIO 4515 – Pathogenic Micro and Immunology & Lab, and BIO 4840 – Capstone. Students can also complete approved research, internship, service-learning, or other capstone experiences, giving them an opportunity to connect their academic preparation with future professional or graduate-study goals.

Focus Areas:

Cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, human health, organic chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical research, biotechnology, disease and diagnostics.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop an understanding of biological systems and human health, strengthen laboratory and research skills, apply scientific knowledge to biomedical questions, gain interdisciplinary knowledge across biology and chemistry, and prepare for medical, health-professional, graduate, research, or biotechnology pathways.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The B.S. in Biomedical Sciences is not separately listed by UCO as holding a specialized professional accreditation. UCO is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, while the university separately identifies its Biomedical Engineering program as ABET-accredited; this distinction means ABET accreditation should not be attributed to the Biomedical Science degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

UCO highlights the Biomedical Sciences program's preparation for medical school, health-professional programs, biomedical research, and biotechnology careers. The university also identifies opportunities with organizations such as the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, IMMY Fungal Diagnostics, and Cytovance Biologics, while its program page cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of 10% growth for medical scientist roles and 5% for biomedical engineers

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biomedical Science at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) gives students practical exposure through hands-on laboratory work, faculty-mentored research, and opportunities to apply biomedical concepts beyond the classroom. The Department of Biology specifically encourages undergraduate students to participate in laboratory and field-based research, present their findings to the scientific community, and take part in interdisciplinary research through UCO’s College of Mathematics and Science.

Students can further build professional experience through the program’s capstone and internship options, while UCO’s biomedical research infrastructure provides opportunities to develop technical, analytical, communication, and research skills. Relevant facilities and opportunities include:

Biology Research Projects: Biology faculty mentor undergraduate students in laboratory and field-based research, with students encouraged to present their research to the scientific community.
BIO 4012 – Introduction to Biological Research: Students design a research project, prepare a proposal, conduct and report research, search scientific literature, and critically evaluate published research papers.
BIO 495_ – Internship: Students can use an internship to satisfy the BIO 4840 Capstone requirement, providing a direct route to experiential professional learning.
Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Education and Research (CIBER): Students can gain exposure to biomedical and health-science research, learn research techniques, participate in journal clubs and seminars, and develop skills for presenting experimental results.
Don Betz STEM Teaching and Research Center: The facility provides undergraduate research spaces and access to scientific equipment and laboratories supporting fields including Biology and Biomedical Engineering.
Biology Laboratories: UCO's Biology Department operates dedicated laboratories, including University Life Science and Microbiology laboratories, supporting hands-on biological education and research.
Selman Living Laboratory: UCO's official Biology field station provides a research and teaching environment with natural habitats and research opportunities, including access to large bat caves.
Collaborative Biomedical Opportunities: UCO identifies collaborations and community opportunities involving organizations such as the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, IMMY Fungal Diagnostics, and Cytovance Biologics, giving students exposure to the wider biomedical and biotechnology environment.
Student Research Example: UCO has documented biomedical-science student research involving work on dandelion extract and cervical cancer cells, conducted with faculty mentorship and collaboration with a Biomedical Engineering student.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Science at the University of Central Oklahoma is designed to prepare students for careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, diagnostics, genetics, public health, and other health-related fields, while also providing a strong foundation for professional and graduate study. UCO specifically identifies opportunities in areas such as industrial microbiology and biotechnology, infectious-disease and cancer diagnostics, biopharmaceuticals, genetics, neurophysiology, public health, and food and water safety.

Typical career roles: Biomedical Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biotechnology Specialist, Clinical/Diagnostic Laboratory Assistant.

Students can strengthen their transition from the classroom into employment through UCO's career-development resources and connections to the biomedical community:

Career Development Center: UCO provides career coaching, career and major exploration, resume reviews, interview preparation, job and internship searches, and graduate-school resources. Its Handshake platform lists part-time, internship, and full-time positions and is updated with new postings daily.
Career fairs and employer connections: UCO hosts career fairs throughout the academic year, while its Career Development Center facilitates employer connections, on-campus interviews, and recruitment opportunities.
Biomedical and industry connections: The Biomedical Science program identifies community opportunities with organizations including the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, IMMY Fungal Diagnostics, and Cytovance Biologics, giving students potential exposure to research, diagnostics, and biotechnology environments.
Health-professions preparation: UCO's Health Professions Program provides guidance on job shadowing, volunteering, summer research, graduate-exam preparation such as MCAT/DAT/GRE preparation, application preparation, and networking with practitioners through an annual mentorship dinner.
Internship experience: UCO Biology internships are structured for academic credit and place students under both a UCO Biology faculty mentor and an on-site supervisor, giving students supervised experience in biological-science settings.
Employment outlook: UCO's Biomedical Science page cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of 10% growth for medical scientist occupations and 5% growth for biomedical engineers. These are occupation-level projections rather than employment outcomes specifically for UCO Biomedical Science graduates.
Salary figures: UCO's Biomedical Science program page does not publish a program-specific graduate salary figure, so a UCO-specific salary figure should not be assumed. The university instead directs students toward career resources and occupational outlook information.
Graduation outcomes: The program is structured to prepare graduates for employment in biomedical and biotechnology-related areas as well as medical, health-professional, graduate, and research pathways. UCO's Biology Department states that its broader mission includes preparing students for graduate studies and careers in education, research, medicine, allied health, and related scientific fields.
Accreditation value: UCO is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university does not identify the B.S. in Biomedical Science as holding a separate specialized professional accreditation, so the HLC institutional accreditation is the appropriate accreditation reference for this degree.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biomedical Science, students can pursue UCO's M.S. in Biology, which offers thesis and non-thesis options and can provide deeper preparation for research careers or doctoral study. The program can also serve as a foundation for medical, health-professional, and other graduate programs; UCO's Health Professions Program specifically supports students with professional-school prerequisites, entrance-exam preparation, research opportunities, and application preparation.