BS in Biomedical Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Iowa State University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Sciences field at Iowa State provides undergraduate students with opportunities to build knowledge in human and animal health sciences through subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, genetics and biochemistry. It suits students interested in medicine, health sciences, biomedical research and related professional pathways, with Iowa State offering hands-on undergraduate biomedical coursework including human anatomy and advanced biomedical science subjects.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students generally establish their foundation in biological and chemical sciences before progressing into specialized biomedical coursework. At Iowa State, relevant undergraduate options include BMS 3290: Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals and foundational biology and chemistry coursework that supports later study in physiology, pharmacology and human anatomy.

Second Year: Students can begin developing a stronger understanding of how biological systems function through courses such as BMS 4380: Principles of Physiology and BMS 4390: Principles of Pharmacology. These subjects introduce physiological mechanisms and the principles of drug action, providing preparation for advanced biomedical and health-science study.

Third Year: More advanced study can incorporate BMS 4480: Principles of Human Gross Anatomy, alongside subjects such as GEN 4090: Molecular Genetics and MICRO 3100: Medical Microbiology. This combination develops understanding of human structure, genetics and microorganisms relevant to health and disease.

Fourth Year: Advanced biomedical study can be supported through courses such as MICRO 4750: Immunology, TOX 4010: Principles of Toxicology, and BBMB 4110: Techniques in Biochemical Research. Students can therefore develop a broader understanding of immune responses, toxicological mechanisms and laboratory-based biochemical research.

Focus areas: Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, molecular genetics, medical microbiology, immunology, toxicology, biochemistry, biomedical research and human health sciences.

Learning outcomes: Students develop an understanding of the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs and body systems, mechanisms of disease and drug action, and laboratory approaches used in biomedical science. Hands-on anatomy coursework also develops skills in specimen-based study, radiograph interpretation, osteology and clinical case analysis.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): No specific professional accreditation for a standalone B.S. in Biomedical Sciences is stated by Iowa State University because the university does not currently list this as an undergraduate bachelor's degree. The Biomedical Sciences department instead offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Biomedical Sciences.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): A specific QS, Guardian or other employability ranking for an Iowa State undergraduate B.S. in Biomedical Sciences is not stated on the university's official Biomedical Sciences pages.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences at Iowa State University can build practical skills through laboratory-based biomedical science courses and undergraduate research opportunities within the College of Veterinary Medicine. The university’s biomedical research environment gives students access to specialized laboratories, molecular and cellular research technologies, diagnostic facilities, and faculty working in areas such as neuroscience and infectious disease. The Department of Biomedical Sciences itself has more than 24,000 square feet of research space, creating opportunities to connect classroom science with hands-on biomedical investigation.

Practical opportunities include:

Biomedical Research: The Department of Biomedical Sciences conducts research in areas including neuroscience and infectious disease, giving students a direct environment for exploring biomedical research.
Research Laboratories: College of Veterinary Medicine facilities include research laboratories within Patterson Hall, the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center and the Veterinary Medical Research Institute, supporting biomedical and animal-health research.
Molecular Research Tools: The CVM Core Laboratory provides access to instruments including the QuantStudio 5 real-time PCR system, iBright FL1500 Imaging System, NanoDrop OneC, Qubit 4, 10x Genomics Visium CytAssist, Jess Automated Western Blot, Seahorse XF Pro Analyzer, Agilent TapeStation, and Beckman L100 XP Ultracentrifuge.
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) provides exposure to real-world biomedical and diagnostic science through specialized laboratories covering molecular diagnostics, bacteriology, virology, pathology, histopathology, serology, parasitology, and analytical chemistry.
Real-World Diagnostic Work: The VDL processes more than 127,000 cases and 1.7 million tests annually, giving Iowa State's biomedical research environment a strong connection to active diagnostic work involving animal and human health.
Research Infrastructure: Students interested in infectious disease research can benefit from facilities including the Livestock Infectious Disease Isolation Facility (LIDIF), a BSL-2 research facility, and an Animal Biosafety Level-3 (ABSL-3) modular facility used for research into foreign animal and zoonotic diseases.
Comparative Pathology: The Comparative Pathology Core Service supports research involving animal models through gross and microscopic pathology, clinical pathology, specialized imaging, photography, and data analysis.
Clinical & Biomedical Facilities: The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center includes clinical pathology and teaching laboratories, research laboratories, diagnostic imaging facilities, and other specialized clinical spaces that support the university's broader biomedical education and research environment.
Library & Study Facilities: Patterson Hall within the College of Veterinary Medicine includes a library, study areas, classrooms, seminar and meeting rooms, research laboratories, and student support spaces.
Digital Diagnostic Tools: The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory uses electronic case records for teaching and investigative research, while its client-facing operations also use a web portal for diagnostic services.
Internships and Group Projects: Iowa State's official sources reviewed for this program do not identify a dedicated internship, field-trip requirement, or specific group-project requirement exclusively for the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences; therefore, these should not be assumed as mandatory components.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Sciences at Iowa State University can prepare students for biomedical research and health-related pathways by building knowledge across anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, cell biology, and related life sciences. The program can support progression toward professional health programs as well as research-oriented careers, with Iowa State offering undergraduate research, internships, career services, and access to biomedical research environments.

Career roles: Laboratory Research Technician, Biomedical Research Assistant, Biological Technician, Pharmaceutical or Biotechnology Laboratory Associate.
Career services: Iowa State provides CyHire, career fairs, employer connections, and career advising resources that students can use to find internships, co-ops, and career-related employment. CALS Career Services also facilitates employer visits and campus interviews for full-time, part-time, internship, and summer positions.
Internships: Iowa State supports internships as hands-on, career-related experiences that can be completed with university or external employers; opportunities may be paid or unpaid and can count for academic credit where applicable.
Research opportunities: Students can participate in undergraduate research at Iowa State, while the Biomedical Sciences department has research facilities supporting work in areas such as experimental anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, neurotoxicology, diabetes, retinal biology, and drug development.
Industry partnerships: Iowa State's industry-partnership network connects students with employers through internships, part-time employment and class projects. The university's Research Park provides opportunities to work with businesses and reports 500+ Iowa State students employed by Research Park tenants.
Employment & salary: Iowa State's 2024 Biological Sciences salary survey reports average starting salaries of $44,070 for Lab/Research Technicians, $50,000 for Microbiologists, $52,010 for Biologists, and $53,000 for Biochemists. These figures are for Biological Sciences graduates in the university's regional salary survey and should not be treated as guaranteed salaries for Biomedical Sciences graduates.
Professional preparation: The Biomedical Sciences department emphasizes hands-on education in human and animal health sciences, including anatomy, histology, physiology, pharmacology, and cell biology, with a One Health perspective connecting human and animal health.
Accreditation: Iowa State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with accreditation reaffirmed through the 2035–2036 academic year. No separate specialized professional accreditation for the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences is stated on the university's official Biomedical Sciences pages.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can use the scientific foundation for entry-level laboratory and biomedical positions or continue into professional and graduate education. Iowa State's Biomedical Sciences department offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs with specializations in Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Cell Biology, creating direct opportunities for advanced study within the same academic department.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can pursue Iowa State's M.S. or Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, specializing in areas such as Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, or Cell Biology. The degree can also provide a foundation for professional-school pathways in human or veterinary health, while related interdisciplinary graduate options include neuroscience and other biomedical research fields.