Biology, B.S./Medical Sciences in Biology, M.S.

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Georgia State University

Program Overview

The Biology, B.S./Medical Sciences in Biology, M.S. at Georgia State University is a five-year dual-degree pathway designed for students who want a strong foundation in biology while preparing specifically for medical school and advanced health-science study. Students complete the 120-credit B.S. and 40-credit M.S., with qualified students able to begin graduate-level coursework during their junior or senior year and apply selected credits toward both degrees.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through introductory biology and supporting science coursework, developing an understanding of fundamental biological principles. Courses such as BIOL 2107K Principles of Biology I and BIOL 2108K Principles of Biology II provide the foundation for the upper-level biology curriculum.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into more specialized areas of biology and laboratory-based study, building the knowledge required for advanced medical-science coursework. Students can progress toward subjects such as BIOL 2300 Microbiology and Public Health, BIOL 2310 Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory, and BIOL 2800 Introduction to Molecular Biology.

Year 3: Students develop deeper knowledge of human biology and molecular processes through courses such as BIOL 3240 Human Physiology, BIOL 3250 Human Physiology Laboratory, and BIOL 3800 Molecular Cell Biology. These courses provide preparation for the Medical Sciences in Biology component and the program's medical-school focus.

Year 4: Qualified students can begin integrating graduate-level study into their undergraduate degree, with BIOL 6687, BIOL 6686, and the designated capstone forming part of the dual-listed coursework. The program specifically requires BIOL 3240 and BIOL 3250 with grades of at least B before admission to the dual-degree pathway.

Year 5: Students complete the Medical Sciences in Biology master's-level curriculum, strengthening their preparation for medical-school applications and the demanding coursework of the first year of medical school. The dual-degree structure allows the bachelor's and master's degrees to be completed in as little as five years, while selected graduate courses taken during the undergraduate stage can count toward both degrees.

Focus areas:

Molecular genetics and cell biology, medical sciences, human physiology, microbiology, pre-medical/pre-health preparation, and biological sciences.

Learning outcomes:

Students develop advanced knowledge of biological and medical sciences, strengthen preparation for medical-school coursework and applications, and gain the academic foundation needed for careers in medicine and allied health professions.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program is housed within Georgia State University's College of Arts & Sciences; the official program page does not state a separate program-specific professional accreditation.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Georgia State University's official program information reports a 90% medical-school acceptance rate among the first three cohorts of the Medical Sciences in Biology program; a program-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking is not stated on the official university source.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Biology, B.S./Medical Sciences in Biology, M.S. dual-degree program at Georgia State University gain practical experience through laboratory-based biology courses, undergraduate research, and advanced graduate-level study. The program connects students with active research areas including molecular genetics and cell biology, microbiology, virology, metabolic disorders, and cell and molecular biology, while Georgia State’s research infrastructure provides access to specialized biological research facilities and imaging technologies. The 4+1 structure also allows qualified students to begin graduate-level coursework during the later part of the bachelor’s degree, creating a direct progression into the Medical Sciences in Biology master’s program.

These program-specific opportunities give students several ways to build laboratory, research, and medical-science skills:

Course-based undergraduate research: Georgia State’s Department of Biology offers Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences in which students conduct experiments focused on areas including molecular parasitology, microbial ecology, behavioral endocrinology, urban water quality, and vertebrate development.
Undergraduate research: Biology students can participate in research alongside faculty, with the department specifically supporting undergraduate researchers through its Program for Undergraduate Research in the Life Sciences.
Research areas: Students can connect their practical learning with faculty research in cell and molecular biology, metabolic disorders, microbial genetics and physiology, and virology.
Molecular Basis of Disease: The interdisciplinary Molecular Basis of Disease program provides competitive fellowships, seminars, and symposia supporting Biology undergraduate and graduate researchers, giving students opportunities to engage with disease-focused biological research.
Brains and Behavior: The Brains and Behavior interdisciplinary area provides fellowships, seminars, and symposia for undergraduate and graduate researchers interested in neuroscience and behavior.
Bio-Bus: Through the Bio-Bus program, students can participate in community outreach using a mobile teaching laboratory that visits primary and secondary schools throughout metro Atlanta.
Advanced research facilities: Georgia State’s research infrastructure includes an Imaging Core Facility with laser confocal, biological light, and electron microscopy capabilities, providing access to advanced imaging-based biological analysis.
Biological research infrastructure: The university’s High Containment Core contains BSL-3 laboratories and animal facilities for infectious-disease research, while the Mass Spectrometry Core supports analysis of biological molecules including peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and oligosaccharides.
Graduate-level practical preparation: The dual-degree structure requires students to complete specified graduate courses including BIOL 6687, BIOL 6686, and a capstone, with graduate coursework beginning during the junior or senior year for eligible students.
Medical-science preparation: The Medical Sciences in Biology component is specifically designed to strengthen preparation for medical school and first-year medical coursework, making the experiential component particularly relevant to students pursuing physician and other health-profession pathways.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biology, B.S./Medical Sciences in Biology, M.S. is designed as a five-year dual-degree pathway that combines undergraduate biology preparation with advanced medical-science study, helping students prepare for medical school without a separate gap year. Georgia State reports a 90% medical school acceptance rate for the first three cohorts of the MBMS program, while graduates can progress toward careers such as physicians, surgeons, general practitioners and other allied health professions.

Career opportunities: The program can support progression toward roles such as physician, surgeon, general practitioner, and allied health professional, with the master's component also providing preparation for bioscience-related pathways.

University Career Services: Georgia State provides career support including resume reviews, career chats, employer recruiting, career fairs and job/internship postings. Its Handshake platform connects students with 5,000+ employers offering full-time, part-time, internship and co-op opportunities.
Employment statistics: The university does not publish a specific employment rate for graduates of this dual-degree program. However, Georgia State reports a 90% medical school acceptance rate for the first three MBMS cohorts.
Salary figures: A program-specific graduate salary figure is not stated on the official Georgia State University program sources.
University–industry connections: Students can access internships and career opportunities through Georgia State's biology program and university-wide employer network; the Biology department specifically highlights internship opportunities in Atlanta and throughout the country.
Research and professional preparation: The Biology department's research areas include cell and molecular biology, metabolic disorders, microbial genetics and physiology, and virology, providing an academic environment aligned with biomedical and health-science progression.
Graduation outcomes: The dual-degree program is specifically designed to prepare students for the medical-school application process and the demanding first year of medical school. Georgia State states that graduates become more competitive medical-school applicants and are better prepared for first-year medical-school coursework.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the five-year B.S./M.S. pathway, students can apply to medical school and progress toward careers as physicians, surgeons and other medical professionals. The Biology degree also provides a foundation for professional programs including dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, public health and physician-assistant programs, while students interested in research can continue into doctoral-level study in biology or related disciplines.