Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Arizona State University Tempe

Program Overview

The Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), BS at Arizona State University prepares students to understand human biology, disease processes and biomedical research, combining biology and chemistry with laboratory and research experience. It is well suited to students interested in medicine, health professions or biomedical research, with coursework designed to build the scientific foundation and critical-thinking skills needed for medical and other professional programs.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIO 181 General Biology I, BIO 182 General Biology II, CHM 113 General Chemistry I and CHM 116 General Chemistry II, alongside mathematics and first-year university requirements. These courses introduce biological systems, chemistry and quantitative skills that support later biomedical study.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized biological and chemical concepts, including BIO 340 General Genetics, CHM 231 Elementary Organic Chemistry, BCH 361 Principles of Biochemistry and STP 231 Statistics for Life Science. This stage strengthens understanding of genetics, molecular processes, biochemical reactions and the statistical skills needed to interpret scientific data.

Year 3: The program develops deeper biomedical knowledge through courses such as BIO 353 Cell Biology, BIO 360 Animal Physiology and BIO 312 Bioethics or BIO 416 Biomedical Research Ethics. Students can also select advanced subjects such as BIO 420 Immunology: Molecular and Cellular Foundations, BIO 440 Functional Genomics or BIO 467 Neurobiology, connecting cellular and physiological science to human health and disease.

Year 4: Students apply their knowledge through an upper-division Biomedical Research course, with options including BIO 354 Cell Biology Laboratory, BIO 451 Cell Biotechnology: Cell Culture, Immunocytochemistry and Bioimaging, BIO 495 Undergraduate Research or MIC 421 Experimental Immunology. They also complete a Medicine in Society course, with options such as BIO 403 Evolutionary Medicine and Global Health, BIO 302 Cancer—Mother of All Diseases or BIO 494 Introduction to Clinical Healthcare, providing a broader perspective on medicine and health.

Focus areas: Human biology, disease processes, genetics, cell biology, physiology, immunology, biochemistry, biomedical research, medicine and society.

Learning outcomes: Scientific thinking, critical analysis, laboratory skills, experimental design, data analysis, understanding of biomedical systems, and preparation for graduate/professional programs and health-related careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation provides institutional recognition and confirms that ASU meets established standards for academic quality and continuous improvement. The biomedical sciences program also aligns its curriculum with scientific competencies recommended for premedical students by the Association of American Medical Colleges and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Reputation (employability rankings): No. 2 among U.S. public universities for graduate employability in the 2026 Global Employability University Ranking and Survey (GEURS), with ASU ranked No. 14 among all U.S. institutions and No. 37 globally.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), BS at Arizona State University gives students hands-on preparation in human biology, disease processes, molecular health, and biomedical research. Students develop practical laboratory skills through coursework and can extend this training through independent research and internships, gaining experience in experimental design and data analysis while working in an R1 research environment. ASU also provides access to interdisciplinary research centers and institutes, including facilities focused on biomedical discovery, microbiomics, personalized diagnostics, and related health sciences.

Experiential opportunities include:

Biomedical laboratory training: Students gain hands-on experience through laboratory coursework covering areas such as physiology, genetics, developmental biology, cell biology and neurobiology, building practical skills relevant to biomedical and health-related careers.
Independent research: Students can join School of Life Sciences research programs and work with faculty on biomedical inquiry, including developing skills in experimental design and data analysis.
Research internships: The Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution offers undergraduate research internships where students work under faculty, postdoctoral or graduate-student mentors and conduct hands-on research; students can earn academic credit after completing a successful semester.
Biomedical research facilities: The Biodesign Institute brings together biologists, physicists, chemists, engineers, mathematicians and other researchers in interdisciplinary centers working on challenges in health, sustainability and security.
Microbiomics research: The Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics provides an environment connected to research into microbial systems and their applications, particularly relevant to students interested in biomedical and molecular research.
Personalized diagnostics: The Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics is among the School of Life Sciences' research centers, giving students exposure to an environment focused on biomedical research and diagnostic innovation.
Specialized laboratory support: ASU's School of Life Sciences supports instructional laboratories in anatomy, biology, physiology, microbiology and molecular biology, with dedicated laboratory coordinators and modern equipment and supplies for student laboratory instruction.
Immersive digital learning: ASU's School of Life Sciences uses Dreamscape Learn as part of its immersive approach to biology education, providing technology-supported exploration alongside laboratory learning.
Interdisciplinary biomedical environment: Students can study within a research ecosystem that connects the School of Life Sciences, Biodesign Institute, hospitals and research centers, creating opportunities to see how biological research connects with medicine and health applications.
Global experiential learning: The biomedical sciences concentration identifies short-term study-abroad experiences in Panama for field research and health-care-focused experiences in Europe as experiential opportunities available to students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), BS at Arizona State University prepares students for careers and advanced study in medicine, biomedical research and health-related fields. Students build expertise in human health, disease, physiology, genetics, cell biology and neurobiology, alongside laboratory, experimental-design and data-analysis skills.

Typical job roles: Clinical Trial Manager, Medical Scientist, Molecular Biologist, Laboratory Technologist.

Career support and employment preparation:

Career Services: Students can receive support to explore career pathways, develop resumes, connect with career advisors, find jobs and internships through Handshake, prepare for graduate or professional school, practice interviews, and attend career workshops and events.
Internships: Students can gain professional experience through internships, with official opportunities involving organizations such as Abbott Laboratories, Genentech, EPA, TGen, USDA Forest Service, the Broad Institute and the National Science Foundation.
Research experience: The degree includes opportunities for independent research or internships, allowing students to develop practical skills in biomedical inquiry, experimental design and data analysis.
Employment and salary figures: ASU lists Clinical Trial Manager — $167,220 median salary; Medical Scientist — $103,410; Molecular Biologist — $98,920; Laboratory Technologist — $62,930; Epidemiologist — $87,220. These are occupational median salary figures rather than guaranteed graduate starting salaries.
University–industry connections: The McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program provides eligible students in this degree with industry-leader access, mentorship, internships, hands-on research, dedicated career advisers and specialized support. The program also includes corporate engagement visits and one-on-one career exploration with industry partners.
Biotechnology ecosystem: Students can engage with ASU's Biodesign Institute, Phoenix Bioscience Core and ASU Health, creating an interdisciplinary environment focused on health and bioscience innovation.
Long-term accreditation value: All ASU undergraduate and graduate academic programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and ASU has been continuously accredited by HLC since 1931. This institutional accreditation supports the recognition of the degree by employers and graduate schools.
Graduation outcomes: The degree prepares graduates for medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy and other health professions, as well as careers in biotechnology, genetics, immunology, genomics, physiology, biomedical science, health care and medical technology.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy and other professional health programs, with the biomedical sciences curriculum specifically supporting MCAT preparation and professional-school prerequisites. Students can also progress into graduate study and biomedical research, while ASU offers an accelerated degree option and the McKenna program provides an opportunity for eligible students to combine this BS with a finance bachelor's degree and an Entrepreneurship and Innovation certificate within four years.