Department of Biological Sciences

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

• At least 67 units of major requirements

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements

• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences consists of a Life Sciences Core combined with a broad range of flexible elective options. From anatomy and physiology to human microbiology, students will develop an understanding of biological and chemical systems of the human body — and develop a foundation for a career in a range of health professions.
 
The Life Sciences Core is designed to provide the student with a strong grounding in biology, chemistry and mathematics. The student, in consultation with an academic advisor and using a basic course schedule as a guideline, may select from elective courses relevant to a range of disciplinary areas and career fields, such as Human Genomics, Immunobiology, Medical Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering or design his or her own set of electives approved by one of the program academic advisors. 
 
Numerous undergraduate research opportunities involve you in the process and application of science in research areas at NAU’s research centers and institutes, such as the Center for Bioengineering Innovation (CBI),the Center for Microbial Genetics & Genomics (MGGen), the Center for Applied Research and Environmental Endocrinology (CAREE), and at the Imaging and Histology Core Facility.  Due to the rigorous nature of our program, our graduates have exceptional placement rates in medical schools, government agencies, and graduate programs.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to communicate scientific information effectively, with specialized knowledge of issues in health-related fields within the biosciences.
• As preparation for careers in research and the health sciences, students will be able to collect, analyze and interpret scientific data with application to problems involving human disease, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology and/or microbiology.
• Students will develop proficiency in the quantitative skills necessary to analyze biological problems (e.g., arithmetic, algebra, dimensional analysis, and statistical analysis), with an emphasis of quantitative techniques applicable to biomedical fields.
• Students will be able to apply the scientific method as a demonstration that they understand the basic paradigm of scientific inquiry as it relates health-related questions in the field of biology.
• Students will be able to describe fundamental principles of biology e.g., central dogma, diversity of life, inheritance.
• Students will understand that evolution is the central principle uniting the field of biology, and that human biology (e.g., physiology, behavior, disease, pathogen interactions) is shaped by the evolutionary process.
• Students will be able to access and interrogate the primary scientific literature with knowledge of specialized resources available within the biomedical sciences (e.g., the National Library of Medicine)
• Students will be able to synthesize material from throughout the biomedical discipline (e.g., evolution, genetics, molecular biology, anatomy, physiology, behavior, microbiology) and apply this to advanced-level course material (i.e., a Capstone experience).
• Students will develop an appreciation for the interdisciplinary role of science as applied to human health challenges, including health issues affecting the global community and health disparities among differing communities.
• Students will develop a mastery of one of the following areas, as applied to the biomedical sciences: a) Anatomy and Physiology, b) Genetics and Molecular Biology c) Microbiology and Immunology.