Biology (B.S.) Biomedical Concentration

Program Overview

The Biology major provides a strong and broad foundation in biological sciences, from the molecular to the ecological level. The Biomedical concentration prepares students for medical, veterinary, dental, ophthalmological, physician assistant, and biomedical graduate research programs, as well as immediate post-graduate employment. Coursework explores cellular biology, physiology, anatomy, and specialized electives including microbiology, cancer biology, neuroscience, and immunology.  As with all Biology concentrations, supporting courses in philosophy, chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics equip students with a versatile foundation. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Biology program can:

  1. Describe the nature and process of science, and the fundamentals of biology related to biomedical sciences spanning molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological subdisciplines.
  2. Articulate a rationally defensible integration of science and faith.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in searching and evaluating published biomedical literature.
  4. Demonstrate competence in applied skills required for biomedically-related careers and post-graduate studies.
  5. Engage with the professional scientific community appropriate for vocational pursuits in the biomedical field.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

BIOL 170Cell and Animal Physiology

4

BIOL 171Biological Sciences Cornerstone

1

BIOL 172Diversity of Life and Plant Science

4

BIOL 260Genetics

4

BIOL 262Ecology

4

CHEM 105General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 106General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 309Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 310Organic Chemistry II

4

SCIE 495Natural Sciences Capstone

3

STAT 269Introductory Statistics

3

BIOL 260 and BIOL 262: Writing in the major requirement.

Three to four credits from the following:

MATH 108Intuitive Calculus with Applications

3

MATH 111Calculus I

4

Four credits from the following:

PHYS 201Introductory Physics I

4

PHYS 202Introductory Physics II

4

PHYS 211General Physics I

4

Three credits from the following:

PHIL 101Problems in Philosophy

3

PHIL 102History of Philosophy

3

Biomedical Concentration (17-20 credits)

 A minimum of two laboratory courses, or one laboratory course and one discipline-specific travel course (BIOL 301) must be taken from the elective groupings.
BIOL 460Physiology

4

Three to four Molecular and Cellular credits from the following:

BIOL 375Developmental Biology

3

BIOL 380Genomics and Disease

4

BIOL 416Cancer and Cell Biology

4

BIOL 418Immunology

3

Three to four Organismal and Biodiversity credits from the following:

BIOL 325Medicinal Botany

3

OR

BIOL 4122Tropical Medicine

3

BIOL 332Plant Taxonomy and Systematics

4

BIOL 456Ornithology

4

BIOL 458Herpetology

4

 

Seven to eight credits from the following:

BIOL 265Microbiology

4

 

BIOL 301Healthcare in the Developing World

3

OR

BIOL 4122Tropical Medicine

3

 

BIOL 375Developmental Biology

3

BIOL 380Genomics and Disease

4

BIOL 416Cancer and Cell Biology

4

BIOL 418Immunology

3

BIOL 465Gross Anatomy

4

BIOL 470Neuroscience

3

CHEM 410Biochemistry I

4

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication 3
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences (MATH 108 or MATH 111) met/major
Laboratory Science (BIOL 160, BIOL 162 or CHEM 105) met/major
Science, Technology & the World waived
Two of the following (six credits total):
   Social Science, European History or U.S. History
6
Literature 3
Philosophy and Religion (PHIL 101 or PHIL 102) met/major
Arts 3
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural 3
Non-Western Studies 2-3
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course 1
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 42-43
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration) 67-70
Free electives 14-10
Total credits 123