Bachelor of Science Applied Biotechnology: Industrial Plant and Microbial Biotechnology Emphasis

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Arizona

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biology: Biomedical Sciences Emphasis at the University of Arizona is designed for students interested in medicine, biomedical research, and other health professions, combining systems biology with focused study in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and related sciences. The program provides a strong scientific foundation and includes the coursework required for medical-school admission, while encouraging students to gain hands-on experience through independent research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their foundation in biological and chemical sciences through MCB 181R – Introductory Biology I, MCB 181L – Introductory Biology I Lab, and CHEM 151/161 – General Chemistry I. Mathematics and introductory physics are also introduced to build the quantitative and scientific preparation required for advanced biomedical study.

Year 2: Students progress into ECOL 182R – Introductory Biology II, ECOL 182L – Introductory Biology II Lab, and CHEM 241A/243A – Organic Chemistry I and Lab, strengthening their understanding of biological systems and the chemical principles underlying life. The curriculum also develops laboratory skills and prepares students for upper-division biology and biomedical sciences courses.

Year 3: Students move into advanced biological study through courses such as ECOL 302 – Ecology, ECOL 320 – Genetics, and BIOC 384 – Foundations of Biochemistry. These courses develop knowledge of biological interactions, heredity, molecular processes, and biochemical mechanisms, while biomedical electives allow students to build depth in areas such as physiology, cellular or molecular biology, and microorganismal biology.

Year 4: Students complete advanced biomedical electives and can tailor their studies through upper-division coursework in physiology, genetics, cellular or molecular biology, microorganismal biology, macroorganismal biology, and Science and Society. Students are also encouraged to participate in independent research through faculty laboratories or targeted research programs, creating opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real scientific questions.

Focus areas: Biomedical sciences, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, genomics, cellular biology, molecular biology, microbiology, medical research, health professions

Learning outcomes: Biological analysis, laboratory skills, biochemical understanding, genetic analysis, scientific research, quantitative reasoning, evidence-based problem solving, interdisciplinary understanding

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Arizona is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), providing recognized institutional accreditation for the degree. The university also conducts academic program reviews to assess student learning outcomes and strengthen academic quality; the Biology: Biomedical Sciences program is not listed by UArizona as holding a separate specialized professional accreditation.

Reputation (employability rankings): UArizona has been recognized in QS rankings using employer reputation and employment outcomes as part of its methodology, while the university's official research information reports a No. 23 U.S. ranking in biological and biomedical sciences research expenditures through HERD. The university also highlights its biomedical sciences graduates' progression into medical and professional programs and careers in medical and clinical research, healthcare, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, and forensic science.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology: Biomedical Sciences emphasis gives students opportunities to move beyond classroom learning into faculty-led laboratory research, biomedical research programs, and hands-on biological investigation. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in independent research in faculty laboratories, while the curriculum develops practical knowledge in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and genomics. UArizona also provides structured research opportunities where students can work directly with faculty mentors and contribute to laboratory or field-based projects.

Students can build practical experience through several UArizona resources and research opportunities:

Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP): Students can complete a full-time summer research apprenticeship in a biological research laboratory, receive faculty mentoring, and potentially continue research part-time during the academic year.
Biomedical research: UArizona’s College of Medicine laboratories provide undergraduate research opportunities connected to biomedical research, allowing students to participate in research teams working across areas of human health and disease.
BLAISER/FRONTERA Summer Internship: This 10-week undergraduate research experience pairs eligible students with UArizona health-sciences researchers for laboratory training and biomedical/public-health research, including projects addressing health issues affecting border communities.
Laboratory and field research: UBRP projects can involve laboratory, field-based, and community-based participatory research, giving students exposure to different approaches to biological investigation.
Computational tools: Courses such as ECOL 326 – Genomics introduce students to contemporary methods for investigating genomes and include exercises using web-based computational tools for genome analysis.
Evidence-based research projects: ECOL 379 – Evidence Based Medicine includes instruction in probability, statistics, randomized clinical trials, and Bayesian analysis; students design their own trials, with at least one trial carried out by the class.
Research presentation: UBRP participants can present their work at the Annual UBRP Conference, helping develop scientific communication and professional presentation skills.
Research facilities and community: The Undergraduate Biology Research Program is based in the Life Sciences South Building, while UArizona’s Molecular and Cellular Biology laboratories offer research opportunities in areas including cancer, neurobiology, heart development and disease, cell signaling, gene expression, RNA biology, genetic networks, and systems biology.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology: Biomedical Sciences Emphasis prepares graduates for biomedical research, medicine, healthcare, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, and forensic science, while also providing the coursework required for medical-school admission. Students gain a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and genomics, with opportunities to participate in faculty-led independent research.

Typical job roles: Biomedical Researcher, Clinical Researcher, Pharmacology Professional, Forensic Scientist.

Career support and employment opportunities:

Career services: The University of Arizona’s Center for Career Readiness provides career-outcome information and supports students in connecting their academic experience with post-graduation pathways. The university reports that about 9 in 10 students participate in at least one career-related experience, including internships, research, volunteering, leadership, preceptorships, employment, study abroad, or co-ops.
Employment outcomes: UArizona reports 74% knowledge rates for both the Class of 2025 and Class of 2024 in its undergraduate career-outcomes data. The university's dashboard also reports first destinations, top employers, starting salaries, and continuing-education outcomes; it does not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the Biomedical Sciences emphasis on the page.
Industry connections: UArizona has a long-standing academic medicine partnership with Banner Health, supporting clinical research, clinical trials, medical education, and healthcare innovation. In 2026, the two organizations launched a Joint Translational Research Accelerator, funding collaborative projects that connect fundamental science, clinical research, healthcare delivery, and potential industry partnerships or clinical trials.
Bioscience industry exposure: The university's BIO5 Institute has partnered with the Biotechnology Industry Organization of Southern Arizona to connect students with the regional bioscience industry through networking and internship opportunities; a documented example is a BIO5 internship at Ventana Medical Systems that led directly to a full-time position for one alumnus.
Research progression: Students are strongly encouraged to undertake independent research in faculty laboratories or targeted research programs, allowing them to develop experience relevant to biomedical research and graduate or professional-school applications.
Long-term accreditation value: The University of Arizona is currently accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and received a ten-year accreditation in 2023; the university was previously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission from 1917–2023.
Graduation outcomes: Biomedical Sciences graduates have progressed into medical and clinical research, healthcare, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, and forensic science, while others have successfully entered professional programs in medicine, pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, and public health.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into MD, DO, PharmD, OD, DDS/DMD, MPH, master's, or PhD programs, depending on their career goals. UArizona's College of Medicine offers graduate programs including Arizona Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology, Immunobiology/Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Medical Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Physiological Sciences, and Genetics, creating direct opportunities for advanced biomedical and health-science study.