Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• 69-80 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 students 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

• Identify, describe, and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in biomedical sciences, including:
  • Basic molecular and cellular units of structure that define the function of all living things
  • Fundamental principles of biology, such as the central dogma, diversity of life, homeostasis, and evolution.
• Apply scientific, quantitative, and qualitative reasoning to biomedical data analysis and interpretation by: 
  • Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data with application to problems involving human physiology, disease, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, or microbiology.
  • Quantifying data using fundamental mathematical skills (e.g. arithmetic and algebraic calculations, statistical analysis) to analyze biological problems, with an emphasis on techniques applicable to biomedical fields.
  • Graphically presenting scientific data to communicate scientific findings important to human health.
• Effectively communicate evidence-based findings to technical and non-technical audiences related to human health and medicine. 
  • Interrogate primary scientific literature and access specialized resources available in biomedical sciences 
  • Find and evaluate primary sources, the quality of information, and determine a source’s credibility.
  • Synthesize empirical findings related to biomedical sciences, and communicate the findings through collaboration, writing, and oral presentation
• Synthesize fundamental concepts, apply core knowledge, and conduct civil discourse in biomedical science to questions related to human health and disease.
  • Apply depth of biomedical science knowledge to current issues in an area of specialization (Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, or Infectious Disease).
  • Apply quantitative reasoning skills to solve novel problems and clinical examples related to human health and disease.
  • Apply core biomedical principles to interpret data to evaluate the strength of evidence and conclusions.