Biomedical Sciences is a broad field of applied biology that is directed toward understanding health and disease. This degree is offered on both the College Station campus and at the Texas A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen, TX. Our mission is to educate students who will create a healthier future for humans and animals through the medical professions, biomedical innovation and discovery, global service and outreach. The program both emphasizes versatility in the biological and medical sciences, and prioritizes a One Health approach to education through courses that emphasize the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health; while bringing together students with interest in medical careers that impact all three. A highly effective counseling program assists the students with the development of an individualized approach and course package that orients and prepares the students for entry into the medical, allied health field or graduate program of their choice. Such an approach enhances their educational experiences, improves their placement in professional and graduate programs, and facilitates their entry into the biomedical science job market.
Biomedical Sciences graduates enter professional programs in human medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, podiatry, optometry, and pharmacy. Some become medical technologists, physician assistants, nurses, and laboratory and research technicians. Others pursue radiation technology, hospital administration, and a wide variety of health-related fields. Many Biomedical Sciences students continue their education in graduate schools and specialize in various biology- and medicine-related disciplines. Other graduates are employed by clinical practices, industrial companies, government agencies, private foundations, public schools, colleges and certain aspects of business. Positions are available in pharmaceutical and drug marketing, research equipment manufacture and sales, food safety, biomedical research, disease control, zoonoses and epidemiology, laboratory animal care, zoo and aquatic animal supervision, health-related inspection and regulatory work. The BS in Biomedical Sciences is also awarded to students who complete the three year Early Admission Option to Professional Schools and one year of professional school.
Plan of Study Grid First Year |
Fall |
BIMS 101 | Introduction to Biomedical Science | 1 |
BIOL 111 | Introductory Biology I 1 | 4 |
CHEM 119 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I 1 | 4 |
2 | 3-4 |
3 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
BIOL 112 | Introductory Biology II 1 | 4 |
CHEM 120 | Fundamentals of Chemistry II 1 | 4 |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Rhetoric and Composition | |
| Composition and Rhetoric | |
| Writing about Literature | |
| Technical and Professional Writing | |
2 | 3-4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Second Year |
Fall |
CHEM 227 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
CHEM 237 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
PHYS 201 | College Physics 1 | 4 |
POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
3,4 | 3 |
3 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 |
Spring |
CHEM 228 & CHEM 238 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
PHYS 202 | College Physics 1 | 4 |
POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
3,4 | 3 |
3 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 |
Third Year |
Fall |
BICH 409 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
BIMS 320/GENE 320 | Biomedical Genetics | 3 |
BIOL 319 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
5 | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Spring |
BIOL 320 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
VTPB 405 | Biomedical Microbiology | 4 |
3 | 3 |
5 | 6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 |
Fourth Year |
Fall |
STAT 302
| Statistical Methods 6
or Statistics for Biology | 3 |
5 | 7 |
3,7 | 1-3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 |
Spring |
VTPP 427 | Applied Biomedical Physiology | 3 |
5 | 10 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
In satisfying the required 30 hours of BIMS directed electives and general electives, all 285/291/485/484/491 courses may not exceed 9 credit hours. BIMS 484 may not exceed 6 total credit hours. All 289/489 courses may not exceed 9 credit hours. Restrictions to be enforced by the BIMS academic advising office.
A minimum of 36 hours of 3/400 level coursework must be completed in residence at Texas A&M University to earn a degree.
All students are required to complete 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity credit (ICD) and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse (CD) credits. A course satisfying a core category, a college department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. Select in consultation with academic advisor.
All students must complete the Foreign Language requirement: two units of the same foreign language at the high school level or a two course sequence of the same foreign language at the college level. Please see the university catalog "Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree" for further details.
Directed Electives
Biomedical Science (BIMS) directed electives are courses that are specifically approved for the curriculum. A student may choose 27 semester credits from the following partial list of courses:
A complete list of all BIMS directed electives may be obtained from a BIMS advisor.