Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Clinical Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Vermont

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at the University of Vermont is designed for students passionate about science and medicine who want practical preparation for careers in clinical, public health, research, or industry laboratories. Students build a strong foundation in human biology, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, and mathematics before choosing one of three concentrations: Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health Laboratory Science, or Applied Biomedical Science.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:

Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as BHSC 1340 Human Cell Biology, HSCI 1100 Introduction to Public Health, MATH 1212 Fundamentals of Calculus I, and CHEM 1400 General Chemistry 1. They also develop academic and scientific communication skills through ENGL 1001 Written Expression and BHSC 1980 Intro to Scientific Writing, while completing the Catamount Core requirements.

Second Year:

Students move deeper into the biological and clinical sciences with ANPS 1190 Undergraduate Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, ANPS 1200 Undergraduate Human Anatomy & Physiology 2, CHEM 1580 Intro Organic Chemistry with Lab, and MMG 2010 Microbiology & Infectious Disease. Statistics and health-care ethics further strengthen students' ability to interpret scientific information and understand the professional responsibilities associated with healthcare and laboratory work.

Third Year:

Students begin their selected concentration and move into more specialized biomedical and clinical coursework. Depending on their pathway, this can include BIOC 3001 Fundamentals of Biochemistry, PATH 2010 Introduction to Human Disease, MLS 3100 Clinical Chemistry I, MMG 3220 Medical Microbiology with Lab, and BHSC 3420 or MMG 3230 Immunology.

Fourth Year:

The final year emphasizes advanced professional preparation and real-world application. Medical Laboratory Science students complete courses such as BHSC 3810 Applied Molecular Biology, MLS 3200 Hematology, MLS 3300 Clinical Microbiology II, and MLS 3400 Immunohematology, followed by a full-time hospital laboratory practicum; Public Health Laboratory Science students complete a public-health laboratory practicum, while Applied Biomedical Science students complete a 6-credit research project or community-partner internship.

Focus Areas:

Human cell biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, mathematics, medical laboratory science, public health laboratory science, applied biomedical science, molecular biology, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, human disease, laboratory research and clinical practice.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop competency in biomedical, public health and clinical laboratory testing; learn to interpret laboratory results and apply statistical approaches to data; develop troubleshooting skills for laboratory procedures and instrumentation; build professional communication and teamwork skills; and understand quality assurance, quality improvement, laboratory education, administration, information technology and clinical decision-making.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Medical Laboratory Science concentration within UVM's Biomedical and Clinical Sciences degree is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) and has been re-accredited through April 30, 2032. This accreditation is specifically applicable to the Medical Laboratory Science concentration rather than the entire B.S. degree.

Reputation & Employability:

UVM reports strong outcomes for its Medical Laboratory Science students: the three-year average placement rate is 100%, meaning graduates found employment in their field or a closely related field and/or continued their education within one year. The program also reports a three-year average graduation rate of 95% for students entering the professional third-year program and a 78% three-year average ASCP certification exam pass rate for exams taken within one year of graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at the University of Vermont combines classroom learning with hands-on laboratory, clinical, research and industry experiences. Students collaborate closely with faculty and can specialize in Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health Laboratory Science, or Applied Biomedical Science, with the final year providing substantial practical experience through a clinical practicum, public-health laboratory placement, research project, or industry internship.

Students can build practical and professional skills through these program-specific opportunities:

Medical Laboratory Science practicum: Students complete a full-time hospital laboratory practicum in their final semester, applying biomedical knowledge and technical skills in a professional laboratory environment.
Public Health Laboratory Science: Students complete a full-time practicum in a public health laboratory, gaining experience related to laboratory testing, disease surveillance and population health.
Applied Biomedical Science internship/research: Students complete a 6-credit research project or community-partner internship in the spring of their fourth year. The Applied Biomedical Science concentration also provides internship or research opportunities with approved industry partners.
Faculty research: Undergraduate students can work with faculty on research projects covering areas such as immunology, precision medicine and cancer research.
Research projects: UVM's Biomedical and Clinical Sciences course catalogue includes BMCS 1995/2995/3995/4995 Research, allowing students to participate in individual or small-team research projects under faculty supervision.
Internships: The department offers BMCS 1991/2991/3991/4991 Internship courses involving supervised, on-site work combined with a structured academic learning plan.
Clinical laboratory facilities: Medical Laboratory Science students train in professional laboratory environments through UVM and affiliated clinical sites. Previous practicum locations have included Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital and Central Vermont Medical Center.
Interprofessional environment: The curriculum includes MLS 3910 – Foundations of Interprofessionalism, giving students preparation for collaboration within healthcare teams.
Laboratory skills: Medical Laboratory Science coursework includes dedicated laboratory and clinical practicum courses such as BHSC 3820 Applied Molecular Biology Lab, BHSC 3440 Immunology Lab, MLS 3220 Hematology Lab and clinical practicums in chemistry, hematology, microbiology and immunohematology.

Facilities & Resources:

Students benefit from UVM's College of Nursing and Health Sciences and its connection with the University of Vermont Medical Center, providing access to classroom, laboratory, clinical and research environments. The college also supports faculty-led health research and professional practice across UVM Health sites, while the Biomedical and Clinical Sciences program provides access to affiliated hospital, public-health laboratory and industry settings for the required applied experiences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at the University of Vermont prepares graduates for entry-level opportunities across clinical, public health, research, and industry laboratory environments. Depending on their concentration, students graduate with practical experience through hospital or public-health laboratory practical, research projects, or community-partner internships, giving them a strong foundation for employment or further study.

Typical career roles: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Biomedical Research Assistant, Public Health Laboratory Technician.

Career development is supported through UVM’s academic advising, career resources, professional networks, and practical experiences:

Career and professional support: UVM’s Career Center provides career coaching, career-interest groups, career fairs, networking opportunities, Handshake job and internship listings, resume support, and pre-professional advising for pathways such as medicine and dentistry. CNHS Student Services also helps students plan for graduate school and connect with research mentors and faculty advisors.
Employment and graduation outcomes: For the Medical Laboratory Science concentration, UVM reports a 100% three-year average placement rate for graduates who found employment in the field or a closely related field and/or continued their education within one year of graduation. The three-year average graduation rate for students entering the professional third-year program is 95%.
University-wide career outcomes: UVM reports that 94% of graduates were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation. Among College of Nursing and Health Sciences graduates in the Class of 2025, the reported success rate was also 94%, comprising 54% employed and 40% continuing education.
Salary information: UVM publishes college-level salary data rather than a current salary figure specifically for this B.S. The university’s Class of 2023 undergraduate report recorded an average salary of $65,754 for the broader Nursing and Health Sciences category; this should not be interpreted as a program-specific salary.
University–industry and clinical connections: Students complete applied experiences at affiliated institutions, while the program places students in direct contact with laboratory professionals during the final-semester practicum. The curriculum also connects students with clinical and research environments, including the University of Vermont Medical Center, and faculty research spans areas such as immunology, precision medicine, and cancer.
Professional accreditation value: The Medical Laboratory Science concentration is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) through April 30, 2032. This accreditation is specifically for the Medical Laboratory Science concentration, rather than the entire B.S. degree.
Certification and outcomes: For the Medical Laboratory Science concentration, UVM reports a 78% three-year average ASCP Certification Exam pass rate for exams taken within one year of graduation, based on students graduating in 2024–2026.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into postgraduate or professional education depending on their career goals. The program provides a foundation for graduate-level study in biomedical sciences, public health and related health disciplines, while UVM also provides pre-professional advising for pathways such as medicine and dentistry. Students interested in research can build on the program’s laboratory and research experience when progressing toward advanced master's or doctoral study.