Biomedical sciences (BMS)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Grand Valley State University

Program Overview

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Grand Valley State University gives students a comprehensive foundation in human life sciences, combining anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, and advanced biomedical topics. It is well suited to students interested in medicine, healthcare, biomedical research, or graduate study, with laboratory experience, research, internships, study abroad, and more than 35 advanced biomedical science electives built into the program.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin with core scientific concepts through BIO 120 General Biology I, CHM 125/126 Principles of Chemistry I and Laboratory, and MTH 122 College Algebra. They then progress to BMS 208 Human Anatomy and CHM 127/128 Principles of Chemistry II and Laboratory, establishing a strong foundation in human biology and the chemical sciences.

Year 2:

The curriculum moves deeper into human function and laboratory science with BMS 290 Human Physiology, BMS 212 Introductory Microbiology, and BMS 213 Laboratory in Microbiology. Students also complete Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences I and II with laboratory components and STA 215 Introductory Applied Statistics, strengthening their ability to understand biological processes and scientific data.

Year 3:

Students develop more advanced biomedical and experimental skills through BMS 391 Laboratory in Human Physiology, BMS 309 Laboratory in Human Anatomy, and CHM 461 Biochemistry I. PHY 220 and PHY 221 General Physics I and II add the physical-science foundation needed for many professional and graduate pathways.

Year 4:

The final year emphasizes genetics, advanced biomedical electives, and integration of previous learning through BIO 375 Genetics/BIO 376 Genetics Laboratory or BIO 355 Human Genetics and BMS 495 Concepts in Wellness (Capstone). Students can tailor their studies with advanced options such as CMB 451 Bioinformatics: Tools and Techniques for Life Scientists, CMB 452 Computer Modeling and Drug Design, CMB 460 Genomics and Molecular Diagnostics, or CHM 463 Biochemistry II.

Focus areas:

Human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, neuroscience, nutrition, endocrinology, bioinformatics, genomics, molecular diagnostics, cardiovascular disease, cancer biology, stem cell biology, toxicology, and biomedical research.

Learning outcomes:

Comprehensive understanding of human life sciences, laboratory and technical skills, scientific investigation, biomedical research experience, understanding of disease and human health, quantitative and analytical skills, and preparation for professional schools and graduate programs.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The B.S. in Biomedical Sciences is an academic biomedical science degree rather than a separately listed professionally accredited clinical program. GVSU specifically states that the curriculum aligns with admission requirements for professional schools and graduate programs, including medical, dental, osteopathic, veterinary, pharmacy, and graduate programs.

Reputation (employability):

Grand Valley State University identifies the Biomedical Sciences program as a pathway into science and medicine and reports that 25% of students participate in research or experiential learning with faculty. The university also identifies career pathways such as epidemiology, histotechnology, clinical research coordination, and biology, and publishes occupation-level earnings data for these fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Grand Valley State University is strongly hands-on, with laboratory experience built from introductory through advanced coursework. Students can develop practical biomedical skills through human anatomy and physiology laboratories, microbiology, faculty-led research, internships, study abroad, and laboratory-assistant opportunities. The program also connects students with GVSU’s health-related simulation facilities, where Biomedical Sciences students can learn alongside other health disciplines in realistic clinical environments.

Students can build their practical experience through:

Biomedical laboratories: Required courses include BMS 213 Laboratory in Microbiology, BMS 309 Laboratory in Human Anatomy, and BMS 391 Laboratory in Human Physiology, giving students direct laboratory experience in microbiology, anatomy, and physiology.
Faculty research: BMS students can participate in original research projects in faculty laboratories. Research areas include bacterial genetics, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, parasitology, stem cell biology, toxicology, and human anatomy.
Research techniques: Faculty research includes hands-on work using approaches such as microscopy, behavioral studies, molecular biology, and CRISPR-based research, depending on the research laboratory and project.
Internships: Students can earn academic credit through BMS 492 Biomedical Sciences Internship. The internship provides supervised professional experience, defined learning objectives, workplace feedback, and opportunities to build professional networks.
Internship sites: Documented opportunities include Charles River, Corewell Health, Trinity Health Michigan, Van Andel Institute, Meridian Health, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Clinical simulation: Biomedical Sciences students are supported by the Interprofessional Simulation Center, which provides task trainers, manikins, and specialized spaces including a model living suite, gait-analysis lab, biomechanics lab, and inpatient/outpatient simulation suites.
Study abroad: Study-abroad experiences are specifically listed by GVSU as an experiential-learning option within the Biomedical Sciences B.S. program.
Laboratory assistant opportunities: Students can gain additional practical experience by serving as laboratory assistants, alongside research and internship opportunities.
Faculty mentoring: Biomedical Sciences faculty provide opportunities for students to discuss research projects and career options, with the department hosting a Meet the Faculty event where students can connect with professors about research opportunities.
Specific software/digital tools: The university's official Biomedical Sciences pages do not identify a specific commercial software package as a required program-wide tool. However, students may use research technologies and computational approaches depending on their laboratory or advanced elective, while the program's research opportunities provide exposure to modern biomedical techniques.
Group projects: The official B.S. program page does not identify a single required program-wide group project; collaborative work can vary by course, laboratory, research project, or internship.
Research facilities: The Biomedical Sciences Department is based in Henry Hall, and students can work in faculty research laboratories across areas such as microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition.
Library and research support: Students conducting research can also use GVSU's university-wide academic library and research resources to support scientific literature searches and projects.

Facilities & Resources: The program's practical environment is supported by the Biomedical Sciences Department in Henry Hall, faculty research laboratories, and the Interprofessional Simulation Center, where health-related students have access to specialized simulation spaces, task trainers, manikins, and clinical equipment. Together, these resources complement the program's laboratory courses, faculty research, internships, and other experiential-learning opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Grand Valley State University prepares students for careers in biomedical research, laboratory science, clinical research, healthcare, and related industries, while also providing a strong foundation for professional and graduate education. GVSU’s Biomedical Sciences career resources show alumni working as Clinical Research Associates, Laboratory Analysts, Clinical Research Coordinators, and Research Associates, among other roles.

Typical career roles: Clinical Research Associate, Laboratory Analyst, Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Associate.

Key career and progression advantages include:

Career services: GVSU’s Career Center provides major-specific career guides, Handshake for jobs and internships, career fairs and events, career advising, resume and cover-letter support, interviewing resources, and employer connections. Biomedical Sciences students can also use the CLAS Academic Advising Center and Pre-professional Advising Team for professional-school planning.
Employment and salary information: GVSU publishes occupation-level earnings data for careers related to the degree. For example, its Biomedical Sciences page reports median annual earnings of $62,841.72 for Histotechnologists, $167,211.19 for Clinical Research Coordinators, and $98,645.88 for Biologists. These are occupation-level figures and are not guaranteed starting salaries for GVSU graduates.
Experiential career preparation: BMS 492 Biomedical Sciences Internship provides supervised professional experience for academic credit, allowing students to develop workplace skills, receive professional feedback, build networks, and explore career options.
University–industry connections: Documented Biomedical Sciences internship sites include Charles River, Meridian Health, Corewell Health, Trinity Health Michigan, Van Andel Institute, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. GVSU's career guide also lists alumni working at organizations such as Pfizer, IQVIA, Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Charles River Laboratories.
Graduation outcomes: GVSU reports alumni outcomes including Quality Control Laboratory Analyst, Performance Improvement Analyst, Clinical Research Associate, Laboratory Analyst, Clinical Data Management Specialist, Clinical Research Coordinator, and Research Associate.
Professional-school preparation: The curriculum is designed around coursework commonly required by medical, dental, osteopathic, veterinary, pharmacy, and graduate programs. GVSU also provides dedicated pre-professional advising for students pursuing healthcare professional programs.
Accreditation value: The Biomedical Sciences B.S. is not listed as having a separate professional programmatic accreditation. GVSU itself is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which provides institutional quality assurance; GVSU's official accreditation list identifies specialized accreditations for certain other programs but not Biomedical Sciences.

Further Academic Progression:
After the B.S., students can pursue medical school, dental school, pharmacy, physician assistant programs, optometry, chiropractic, podiatry, veterinary medicine, public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health administration, or master's and Ph.D. programs in biomedical-related disciplines. GVSU also offers a combined B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and Master of Health Science (M.H.S.), providing an accelerated route into graduate-level study.