Biomedical Sciences, B.S.

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The biomedical sciences major combines rigorous academic preparation and the flexibility to customize courses for numerous post-graduate health career programs. The unique combination of natural and social science courses prepares students to understand disease processes and how to effectively relate to patients in a wide variety of post-graduate health profession programs. Students select courses from six different categories based on the health profession they wish to enter. Students practice what they have learned through applied experiences in the health care field, either by direct patient care, becoming a Health Coach through our collaboration with local providers, or by shadowing health care professionals. Through intensive advising, students will choose courses in the sciences and humanities that prepare them for entrance exams (e.g., MCAT, DAT) and provide a solid knowledge foundation for their chosen profession program.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Biomedical Sciences B.S. students will be able to:

demonstrate basic knowledge of theories, concepts, and methods in cell and molecular biology, chemistry, and human behavior
write effectively about biological phenomena.
speak effectively about biological phenomena.
effectively engage with health care professionals through a prescribed health experience.

Program Requirements

Required Courses: 25-26

BIOL 151 - Gen Bio Cells and Genetics 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 152 - Gen Bio Organisms and Ecology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 301 - Communicating in Biology 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 105 - General Chemistry 1 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 106 - General Chemistry 2 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 341 - Organic Chemistry 1 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
or
BIOL 307 - Cell Biology 3 Credit(s)
MATH 125 - Probability and Statistics I 3 Credit(s)
or
STAT 100 - Statistics 3 Credit(s)

Cognate Requirements: 12 Credits

(choose at least 12 credits that are unique from the selections listed under Required Courses)

BIOL 307 - Cell Biology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 311 - Genetics 3-4 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 341 - Organic Chemistry 1 1-3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 342 - Organic Chemistry 2 3 Credit(s) (taken for 4 total credits: lecture & lab)
CHEM 425 - Biochemistry 1 3 Credit(s)
MATH 141 - Integrated calculus IA 4 Credit(s)
or
MATH 151 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 101 - College Physics I 4 Credit(s)
or
PHYS 103 - University Physics I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 104 - University Physics II 4 Credit(s)
or
PHYS 202 - College Physics II 4 Credit(s)
PHTH 331 - Death and Dying 3 Credit(s)
PHTH 333 - Human Nutrition 3 Credit(s)
PHTH 342 - Womens Health 3 Credit(s)
PHTH 385 - Epidemiology and Biostatistics 3 Credit(s)
PHTH 430 - Human Disease Patterns Prevention and Intervention 3 Credit(s)

Patient Communication: 2 Credits

(choose at least 2 credits)

BIOL 270 - Health Coaches I 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 479 - Issues in Health Care 1 Credit(s)
DRAM 235 - Introduction to Acting 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 331 - Moral Issues in Mental Health 3 Credit(s)
PHTH 270 - Health Coaches I 2 Credit(s)
PHTH 310 - Health Disparities 3 Credit(s)

Understanding Human Behavior: 6 Credits

(choose 6 credits)

ANTH 202 - Cultural Anthropology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 220 - Child Development 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 370 - Theories of Personality 3 Credit(s)
SOCI 101 - Understanding our Social World 3 Credit(s)

Electives: 14 Credits

(choose 14 credits)

BIOL 320 - Microbiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 403 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 404 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 407 - Cell Physiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 410 - Human Physiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 413 - Neurophysiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 415 - Virology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 418 - Microbial Diseases and Arthropod Vectors 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 426 - Immunobiology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 431 - Developmental Biology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 445 - Human Genetic Diseases 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 311 - Quantitative Analysis 1-3 Credit(s)
CHEM 315 - Forensic Science 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 426 - Biochemistry 2 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 433 - Inorganic Chemistry 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 434 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 444 - Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 461 - Nanomedicine 3 Credit(s)
EXSC 450 - Kinesiology and Movement Science 3 Credit(s)

Healthcare Experience: 2 Credits

(choose 2 credits)

BIOL 370 - Health Coaches II 2 Credit(s)
PHTH 370 - Health Coaches II 2 Credit(s)
APLE 491 - Internship .5-12 Credit(s) (taken for 2-4 credits)
BIOL 485 - Research in Biology 1-3 Credit(s)
or
CHEM 497 - Research Problems 1-3 Credit(s)

Note(s)

Students graduating with a Biomedical Sciences major (B.S.) must complete the major requirements with at least a 2.0/S grade in each course.
Note to transfer students: lower division courses that transfer to Potsdam and are accepted for upper division credit may or may not be accepted by professional programs and/or weaken your application to some professional programs.