BS in Biomedical Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Susquehanna University

Program Overview

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Susquehanna University combines biology, chemistry and physics with applied study of the human body and social sciences, making it a strong option for students interested in healthcare, biomedical research and professional health programs. The curriculum is designed to support preparation for medical and other professional-school entrance exams such as the MCAT, DAT and OAT, while also providing a foundation for graduate study in areas such as cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology and microbiology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:

Students begin with the core sciences that underpin biomedical study, including BIOL-101 Ecology and Evolution, BIOL-102 Cell Biology and Genetics, and introductory general chemistry. These courses establish an understanding of biological systems, genetics and chemical principles while students also complete Susquehanna's broader Central Curriculum.

Year 2:

Students build their scientific foundation through BIOL-205 Organismal Biology, CHEM-221 Organic Chemistry I and CHEM-222 Organic Chemistry II, alongside the required physics sequence. This stage connects biological systems with organic chemistry and physical principles relevant to biomedical science.

Year 3:

Students move into advanced biomedical topics through an upper-level cell or molecular biology option such as BIOL-306/307 Cell Biology, BIOL-316/317 Molecular Biology, BIOL-312/313 Microbiology or BIOL-400/401 Immunology. They also complete biochemistry through options including CHEM-424 Biochemistry of Metabolism, CHEM-426 Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes or CHEM-314 Survey of Biochemistry.

Year 4:

Students apply their scientific preparation to human health and biomedical topics, including Anatomy, Physiology and additional biomedical-science coursework and electives. The program's structure allows students to complete professional-school prerequisites while developing preparation for careers or graduate study in biomedical research and related fields.

Focus Areas:

Human health and disease, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, cancer biology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, biomedical research and pre-health professional preparation.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop a foundation in biological, chemical and physical sciences; understand human biology and disease; apply scientific knowledge to biomedical questions; develop preparation for professional health programs and biomedical graduate study; and build the scientific and analytical skills needed for biomedical research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. is an academic undergraduate degree rather than a separately licensed clinical program. Susquehanna specifically structures the major to meet prerequisites for medical and other professional programs and to prepare students for entrance examinations including the MCAT, DAT and OAT.

Reputation (Employability):

Susquehanna University reports that its Biomedical Sciences program prepares students for careers and further study, with listed career outcomes including biomedical researcher, biologist, biochemical engineer, research scientist, doctor, dentist, pharmacist, physical therapist, veterinarian and public health professional.

At the university level, Susquehanna reported in 2025 that it ranked No. 575 among 4,600 U.S. colleges and universities for career-long earnings, placing it in the top 12% nationally, according to Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Susquehanna University gives students practical exposure through laboratory-based science courses, faculty-mentored research and opportunities to work with modern scientific equipment. Students can conduct research in areas such as molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology and microbiology, while the university’s Natural Sciences Center provides teaching and research laboratories designed to support hands-on scientific study. The program also connects students with research experiences that can strengthen preparation for graduate and professional health programs.

Students can develop practical experience through:

Laboratory coursework: Biomedical Sciences students complete laboratory-based courses in biology, chemistry and other sciences, developing skills in experimental methods, observation, data collection and scientific analysis.
Faculty-mentored research: Susquehanna provides undergraduate research opportunities where students can work directly with faculty on scientific projects. Biomedical-related research areas include cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology and microbiology.
Research presentation: Students can gain experience communicating scientific findings through Susquehanna's undergraduate research activities and presentations.
Natural Sciences Center: The university's Natural Sciences Center provides dedicated laboratory and classroom space for biology, chemistry and physics, supporting the practical work required by the Biomedical Sciences curriculum.
Scientific equipment: The Natural Sciences facilities support hands-on biological and chemical investigation, giving students access to laboratory instrumentation used for teaching and faculty research.
Internships and professional experience: Susquehanna's career resources and academic departments provide opportunities for students to pursue internships and experiential experiences relevant to healthcare, research and other biomedical careers.
Group work: Laboratory courses and research activities require students to collaborate, conduct experiments and discuss scientific findings, although the university does not identify a specific required group-project sequence for the Biomedical Sciences major.
Software/digital tools: The official Biomedical Sciences program information does not identify a specific required commercial software package, so none is listed as a formal program requirement.
Field trips: The official program information reviewed does not identify a specific required field-trip component for the Biomedical Sciences B.S.

Facilities & Resources: Susquehanna University's Natural Sciences Center is the key facility supporting the program's laboratory-based education, housing teaching and research spaces for the natural sciences. Students also have access to James W. Garrett Library, which provides academic research resources and library support for their coursework and research. Together, these resources give Biomedical Sciences students a combination of laboratory, research and academic study environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Sciences, B.S. at Susquehanna University is designed to prepare students for careers in biomedical research and healthcare, while also providing the science foundation needed for professional or graduate education. Susquehanna specifically lists outcomes such as biomedical researcher, research scientist, biologist, doctor, dentist, pharmacist, physical therapist and public health professional.

Typical job roles include: Biomedical Researcher, Research Scientist, Biologist, Public Health Professional.

Students can build toward these outcomes through:

Career and professional advising: Susquehanna's Director of Health Professions, working with students from their first year alongside their academic advisor, provides career-specific advising, help arranging internships, professional-test preparation, application preparation and professional-school selection.
Employment and salary figures: Susquehanna's official Biomedical Sciences information lists career outcomes but does not publish a Biomedical Sciences-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure on the sources reviewed. I would therefore not present a university-wide salary figure as a program outcome.
Industry and professional connections: The program supports students pursuing biomedical research and healthcare pathways, while Susquehanna's pre-health advising helps students arrange internships and prepare for professional schools.
Professional-school preparation: The major is structured to meet requirements for medical and other professional programs and includes coursework intended to prepare students for entrance examinations such as the MCAT, DAT and OAT.
Graduation outcomes: Susquehanna identifies graduates progressing into careers including biomedical research, research science, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health and veterinary medicine.
Additional professional pathway: A newly announced 4+3 partnership with Northeast College provides biomedical sciences students with a guided pathway toward the Doctor of Chiropractic program, with early admission available subject to the program's requirements.
Accreditation value: The Biomedical Sciences B.S. is an academic degree rather than a separately licensed clinical qualification. Its long-term value is therefore primarily through its scientific preparation and its ability to support entry into graduate and professional programs rather than through a professional clinical license.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the B.S., students can continue into medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary, public health and other health-professional programs. The degree also prepares students for graduate study in biomedical areas such as cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology and microbiology, as well as biomedical research careers