Honors Biomedical Sciences (HBS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Houston

Program Overview

The Honors Biomedical Sciences (HBS) B.S. at the University of Houston is designed for high-achieving students who want a rigorous foundation for careers in health care, combining honors-level science and mathematics with the interdisciplinary Medicine & Society minor. Students explore biology, chemistry, genetics, biochemistry, human physiology and the social, cultural and ethical dimensions of medicine while developing the critical thinking, communication and research skills valued in competitive health-profession pathways.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build their scientific and analytical foundation through courses such as CHEM 1321H: Fundamentals of Chemistry, BIOL 1306H: Intro to Biological Sciences and MATH 2413: Calculus I. Alongside these subjects, the Human Situation sequence introduces students to broad ideas and perspectives that support the program's emphasis on communication and critical thinking.

Second Year: The curriculum moves deeper into the sciences with BIOL 3301: Genetics, BCHS 3304: Biochemistry I and BIOL 3324: Human Physiology, supported by organic chemistry, physics and statistics. Students also begin the Medicine & Society component through HON 3301H: Readings in Medicine & Society, connecting scientific knowledge with wider questions surrounding health and medicine.

Third Year: Students develop more advanced biological understanding through courses such as BIOL 4374: Cell Biology or BIOL 4320: Molecular Biology, together with BIOL 3311: Genetics Lab where applicable. The curriculum also includes government, history and Medicine & Society electives, giving students a broader perspective on the social and institutional context of health care.

Fourth Year: Students bring their scientific and research preparation together through HON 3396H: Senior Research Experience and HON 4396H: Senior Research Experience, supported by BCHS 3201: Biochemistry Lab and BCHS 3305: Biochemistry II. Biology or biochemistry electives allow students to further develop their interests while completing a curriculum specifically designed to prepare competitive health-profession candidates.

Focus Areas

Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, Biochemistry, Human Physiology, Medicine and Society, Medical Humanities, Health and Disease, Scientific Research.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop strong scientific knowledge, critical-thinking and communication skills while gaining experience in biomedical research and examining health and disease from scientific, social, historical, cultural and ethical perspectives. The program is designed to produce well-rounded candidates prepared for demanding health-profession pathways.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The HBS program is a specialized honors bachelor's pathway rather than a professionally licensed health-care degree, so the university does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the HBS major. Its professional alignment comes from its partnerships with UT McGovern Medical School and UT Medical Branch at Galveston, its health-focused curriculum and the University of Houston's Health Professions Advising resources.

Reputation (Official University Indicators)

The HBS program is housed within a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university, giving students access to the research environment and resources of a major research institution. The university also identifies HBS as a program that produces competitive health-profession candidates, while its Honors College provides undergraduate research and other experiential opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

HBS combines advanced classroom study with meaningful research preparation, particularly through its senior research sequence. The program's partnership with McGovern Medical School and UTMB connects the degree with the wider Texas Medical Center health and research environment, while University of Houston research programs give undergraduates opportunities to work with faculty mentors and present their findings.

Students also have access to university-wide research and pre-health resources rather than relying only on classroom laboratory work. The official HBS degree plan specifically includes HON 3396H and HON 4396H Senior Research Experience, while UH's research programs offer structured summer, semester and independent research opportunities:

Senior Research Experience: Students complete HON 3396H and HON 4396H, providing dedicated research experience during their final year.
Undergraduate research: UH's Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards offers HERE, a two-week early research experience; SURF, a funded 10-week summer research program; and PURS, a part-time semester research opportunity with a faculty mentor.
Faculty-mentored research: Students can work as research assistants in university laboratories, pursue independent study, volunteer in laboratories or participate in formal research fellowships.
Research presentation: Undergraduate researchers can present independent and faculty-mentored research at UH's annual Undergraduate Research Day and potentially at academic conferences.
Clinical exposure: UH's Health Professions Advising resources point students toward clinical experiences, shadowing, volunteering and employment opportunities that can complement a health-professions application.
Houston-area research opportunities: UH identifies opportunities with organizations including Baylor College of Medicine, UT Health McGovern Medical School, Houston Methodist and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for undergraduate research and internships.
Laboratory preparation: The degree plan includes dedicated laboratory courses such as BIOL 1106/1107, CHEM 1112, CHEM 2123/2125, BIOL 3311 and BCHS 3201, providing practical experience alongside the theoretical curriculum.
Medicine & Society: The built-in minor gives students interdisciplinary exposure to the social, historical, cultural and ethical dimensions of medicine rather than limiting their preparation to laboratory sciences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

HBS is primarily structured as a strong pre-health and biomedical-science foundation, making it particularly suitable for students planning to continue into professional health programs or research. The University of Houston specifically provides preparation and advising for medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other health careers, while research opportunities can also support students interested in biomedical and scientific research.

Typical progression routes include physician, dentist, physician assistant, pharmacist, with other health professions available through the appropriate professional degree or training after the bachelor's degree. Students interested in research can also build experience toward biomedical research careers through faculty-mentored research, fellowships and laboratory experience.

Students can strengthen their transition into professional study and employment through several University of Houston resources:

Health Professions Advising: The Health Professions Advising Center helps students explore and prepare for careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other health professions.
Medical-school preparation: UH advises pre-med students on prerequisites, MCAT preparation, clinical exposure, research, volunteering, leadership and other components of a competitive medical-school application.
Research development: HERE, SURF and PURS provide structured opportunities to gain research experience under faculty mentorship, while the Senior Honors Thesis is another route for advanced undergraduate research.
Health-care partnerships: HBS was created in partnership with UT McGovern Medical School and UT Medical Branch at Galveston, giving the program a direct connection to major Texas health-profession institutions.
Research environment: UH is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university with 12 National Research Centers, supporting opportunities for students interested in scientific and biomedical research.
Professional development: Undergraduate research can help students develop faculty relationships, research skills, presentations and professional networks that are valuable for future graduate and professional applications.
Graduation outcomes: The university's official HBS material describes graduates as competitive health-profession candidates, and historical HBS reporting documents graduates progressing to medical schools including McGovern Medical School and UTMB.

Further Academic Progression: After completing HBS, students can pursue professional degrees such as M.D., D.D.S./D.M.D., Pharm.D., physician assistant programs, physical therapy programs and other health-profession qualifications, depending on their chosen career. Students interested in research can also continue into graduate-level biomedical or scientific study, while the HBS curriculum's research preparation provides a strong foundation for advanced academic pathways.