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The Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences immerses students in an exploration of topics in the life sciences, including cell biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, and physiology, as they are applied to the science of human health. The BS in Biomedical Sciences also allows students to fulfill some undergraduate course requirements for admission to medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy and other health- and science-related graduate or professional schools.
Major Coordinators are Jack Vincent and Leighann Chaffee.
Biomedical Sciences Degree Requirements (after 2018)
NOTE: Online lab courses will not be accepted in the Biomedical Sciences major and cannot serve as pre-requisites for subsequent SAM courses. Exceptions will be made for online lab courses that were completed between Spring 2020 and Spring 2022.
OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS
- Introductory/Preparatory Courses in Biomedical Sciences: 64 credits
- Core Courses in Biomedical Sciences: 39 credits
- Biomedical Sciences Upper-Division Electives: 15 credits
- Required "bookend" Courses: 8 credits
- Capstone (research, internship, etc.): 3-10 credits planned with faculty advisor
- Statistics Course: Select one course
- Ethics Course: Select one course
- Health and Society course: Select one course
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES PREPARATORY COURSES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE EQUIVALENCIES
Preparatory Courses by Institution
| PREPARATORY COURSE | CREDITS | MINIMUM GRADE | UW TACOMA COURSES |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Chemistry | 18 | 2.0 | TCHEM 142/152/162 |
| College Biology | 18 | 2.0 | TBIOL 120/130/140 |
| Organic Chemistry | 18 | 2.0 | TCHEM 251/261/271 |
| College Physics | 6 | 2.0 | TPHYS 121 |
| Calculus I | 5 | 2.0 | TMATH 124 |
| Calculus II | 5 | 2.0 | TMATH 125 |
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
| PREPARATORY COURSE | CREDITS | MINIMUM GRADE | GREEN RIVER CC TRANSFER EQUIVALENCIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 161/162/163† |
| College Biology | 15 | 2.0 | BIOL& 211/212/213† |
| Organic Chemistry | 18 | 2.0 | CHEM& 261/262/263† |
| College Physics | 5 | 2.0 | PHYS& 114 or 221 |
| Calculus I | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 151 |
| Calculus II | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 152 |
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
†Preparatory biology and chemistry sequences should be completed at the institution in which they are started. These transfer in as full sequences, but not necessarily as individual equivalencies.
| PREPARATORY COURSE | CREDITS | MINIMUM GRADE | HIGHLINE CC TRANSFER EQUIVALENCIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 161/162/163† |
| College Biology | 15 | 2.0 | BIOL& 211/212/213† |
| Organic Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 261/262/263† |
| College Physics | 5 | 2.0 | PHYS 201 |
| Calculus I | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 151 |
| Calculus II | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 152 |
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
†Preparatory biology and chemistry sequences should be completed at the institution in which they are started. These transfer in as full sequences, but not necessarily as individual equivalencies.
| PREPARATORY COURSE | CREDITS | MINIMUM GRADE | OLYMPIC CC TRANSFER EQUIVALENCIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 141/142/143 and 151/152/153 (labs)† |
| College Biology | 15 | 2.0 | BIOL 201/202/203 or BIOL& 211/212/213† |
| Organic Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 241/242/243 and 251/252/253 (labs)† |
| College Physics | 5 | 2.0 | PHYS 114 or 254 |
| Calculus I | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 151 |
| Calculus II | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 152 |
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
†Preparatory biology and chemistry sequences should be completed at the institution in which they are started. These transfer in as full sequences, but not necessarily as individual equivalencies.
| PREPARATORY COURSE | CREDITS | MINIMUM GRADE | PIERCE C TRANSFER EQUIVALENCIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 161/162/163† |
| College Biology | 15 | 2.0 | BIOL& 211/212/213† |
| Organic Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 261/262/263† |
| College Physics | 5 | 2.0 | PHYS& 114 or PHYS& 221 |
| Calculus I | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 151 |
| Calculus II | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 152 |
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
†Preparatory biology and chemistry sequences should be completed at the institution in which they are started. These transfer in as full sequences, but not necessarily as individual equivalencies.
| PREPARATORY COURSE | CREDITS | MINIMUM GRADE | SOUTH PS CC TRANSFER EQUIVALENCIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 161/162/163† |
| College Biology | 15 | 2.0 | BIOL& 211/212/213† |
| Organic Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 241/242/243 and 251/252/253 (labs)† |
| College Physics | 5 | 2.0 | PHYS& 114 or PHYS& 221 |
| Calculus I | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 151 |
| Calculus II | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 152 |
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
†Preparatory biology and chemistry sequences should be completed at the institution in which they are started. These transfer in as full sequences, but not necessarily as individual equivalencies.
| PREPARATORY COURSE | CREDITS | MINIMUM GRADE | TACOMA CC TRANSFER EQUIVALENCIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Chemistry | 15 | 2.0 | CHEM& 161/162/163† |
| College Biology | 15 | 2.0 | BIOL& 221/222/223† |
| Organic Chemistry | 18 | 2.0 | CHEM& 261/262/263† |
| College Physics | 5 | 2.0 | PHYS& 114 or PHYS& 221 |
| Calculus I | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 151 |
| Calculus II | 5 | 2.0 | MATH& 152 |
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
†Preparatory biology and chemistry sequences should be completed at the institution in which they are started. These transfer in as full sequences, but not necessarily as individual equivalencies.
Preparatory courses must have been completed within the last 5 years. If they were completed before that time frame or for specific transfer courses that are accepted, please consult an academic advisor.
Additionally, students must be computer literate, which is defined as the ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and communication software.
It is common for transfer students to have already met some or all of these requirements. Workshops are available for students with deficiencies in any of these areas.
- TCHEM 142 General Chemistry 1; (6) minimum 2.0 grade*
- TCHEM 152 General Chemistry 2; (6) minimum 2.0 grade*
- TCHEM 162 General Chemistry 3; (6) minimum 2.0 grade*
- TBIOL 120 Introductory Biology 1; (6) minimum 2.0 grade* (formerly TESC 120)
- TBIOL 130 Introductory Biology 2; (6) minimum 2.0 grade* (formerly TESC 130)
- TBIOL 140 Introductory Biology 3; (6) minimum 2.0 grade* (formerly TESC 140)
- TMATH 124 Calculus 1; (5) minimum 2.0 grade
- TMATH 125 Calculus 2; (5) minimum 2.0 grade
- TCHEM 251 Organic Chemistry 1; (6) minimum 2.0 grade* (formerly TESC 251)
- TCHEM 261 Organic Chemistry 2; (6) minimum 2.0 grade* (formerly TESC 261)
- TPHYS 121 Physics - Mechanics; (6) minimum 2.0 grade (formerly TESC 121) or PHYS 114 and PHYS 117 (5); minimum 2.0 grade
* Please note that most preparatory courses require a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to serve as pre-requisites for subsequent major courses. A new grade minimum of 2.0 for all preparatory courses has been approved by faculty and will become official for all students joining the major in Autumn 2024 or later. Please check with a major academic advisor if you have any questions.
- TBIOL 301 General Microbiology (6) (formerly TBIOMD 301)
- TBIOL 302 Human Physiology (5) (formerly TBIOMD 302)
- TBIOL 303 Cellular Biology (6) (formerly TBIOMD 303)
- TBIOL 304 Molecular Biology (6) (formerly TESC 380)
- TBIOL 305 Genetics and Genomics (6) (formerly TBIOMD 307)
- TCHEM 405 Biochemistry 1 (5) (formerly TESC 405)
- TCHEM 406 Biochemistry 2 (6) (formerly TESC 406)
Complete a minimum of 15 credits of advanced Biomedical Sciences. Select a minimum of two classes from List A, and up to one class from List A or List B.
- List A Biomedical Electives:
A deeper understanding of some aspects of biomedical science provides the opportunity to apply the fundamentals of biomedical science and thus prepares you for employment in a biomedical field or the pursuit of graduate studies.
- TBIOL 312 Sensory and Systems Neuroscience
- TBIOL 320 Vertebrate Anatomy and Diversity
- TBIOL 350 Introduction to Epidemiology (formerly TBIOMD 350)
- TBIOL 401 Microbial Physiology
- TBIOL 412 Behavioral and Affective Neuroscience
- TBIOL 414 Immunology
- TBIOL 436 Systems Biology (formerly TESC 436)
- TBIOL 455 Ecotoxicology
- TCHEM 271 Organic Chemistry 3 (formerly TESC 271)
- TPSYCH 361 Psychopharmacology
- List B Environmental Context Electives:
Human health and environmental health are intimately related. List B electives allow exploration of the relationship between the two, or provide a chance to apply the scientific concepts central to biomedical studies in a broader way related to other organisms or the planet.
- TBIOL 203 History and Ecology of Biological Invasions (formerly TESC 402)
- TBIOL 204 Tropical Ecology and Sustainability (formerly TESC 304)
- TBIOL 306 Animal Behavior (formerly TESC 306)
- TBIOL 318 Biogeography (formerly TESC 318)
- TBIOL 340 Ecology and Its Applications (formerly TESC 340)
- TBIOL 422 Evolution (formerly TESC 422)
- TBIOL 434 Conservation Biology Practice (formerly TESC 332)
- TBIOL 438 Environmental Biology: Marine Invertebrates (formerly TESC 438)
- TCHEM 245 Chemistry Through History
- TCHEM 333 Environmental Chemistry (formerly TESC 333)
- TCHEM 439 Analytical Chemistry with Environmental Applications (formerly TESC 439)
- TESC 210 Introductory Research Experience in the Sciences
- TESC 433 Pollutant Fate and Transport in the Environment
- TESC 435 Limnology
- TMATH 207 Introduction to Differential Equations
- TMATH 208 Matrix Algebra with Applications
- TMATH 210 Intermediate Statistics with Applications
- TMATH 410 Regression Modeling with Applications
- TBIOMD 310 Foundations in Biomedical Sciences: 5 credits, to be completed early in the third year
- TBIOMD 410 Biomedical Sciences Senior Seminar: 3 credits, to be completed in the fourth year
- TBIOMD 490 Context for Global Health Experiential Learning and TBIOMD 491 Global Health Experiential Learning Program
- TBIOMD 492 Critical Reading in Biomedical Sciences Literature
- TBIOMD 494 Biomedical Sciences Community Engagement Internship
- TBIOMD 495 Biomedical Research Experience
- TBIOMD 496 Biomedical Sciences Internship
- TBIOMD 499 Undergraduate Research in the Biomedical Sciences
- TGH 494 Thesis of Project for Global Honors (with approval from Major Coordinator)
- TGH 496 Experiential Learning in Global Honors (with approval from Major Coordinator)
Please see the capstone guidelines to learn more.
The ability to apply statistical thinking to experimental design, data collection, and data analysis and interpretation is crucial for biomedical studies.
Ethical practice is critical to the success of all healthcare and scientific careers. A thorough understanding and application of ethics across disciplines builds public trust in your chosen profession and ensures that your efforts will serve as many people as possible.
As a healthcare provider or scientist, you must be versed in how your field interacts with issues of broader societal and cultural significance. This understanding is critical for your successful communication with patients, co-workers, and the public at large.
- TBIOL 242 Aging and Biology (formerly TESC 242)
- TBIOL 252 The Nature of Human Diversity
- TBIOL 270 Genetics and Society (formerly TESC 370)
- TBIOMD 201 Intro to Public Health
- TEGL 202 Introduction to Contemporary American Indian Issues
- TEGL 401 Critical and Indigenous Methodologies
- TEGL 464 Indigenous Health, Political Ethnoecology and Governance
- TESC 345 Pollution and Public Policy
- THLEAD 407 Diversity, Health, and Inequities
- THLTH 310 Health, Illness, and Society
- THLTH 372 Environmental Health: Local to Global
- THLTH 470 Challenges and Controversies in US Health Care
- THLTH 485 Critical Issues in Global Health
- TPSYCH 220 Lifespan Development
- TPSYCH 260 Biopsychology
- TPSYCH 360 Health Psychology
- TPSYCH 362 Psychophysiology of Stress and Stress Management
- TPSYCH 441 Diversity and Health Psychology
- TSOCWF 350 Biopsychosocial Human Services
- TSOCWF 353 Mental Illness and Recovery
- TSOCWF/THLTH 355 HIV/AIDS: Global and National Issues
Students who wish to complete pre-medical, -veterinary, -dental, -pharmacy, or other professional or graduate school program in conjunction with the Biomedical Sciences degree are advised to research specific schools and programs they wish to attend, as requirements vary. Some additional coursework may be required, such as:
- TBIOMD 199 Preparation for Biomedical Careers (formerly TESC 199)
- TMATH 126 Calculus 3
- TPHYS 122 Physics 2 (formerly TESC 122)
- TPHYS 123 Physics 3 (formerly TESC 123)
Additional courses may be approved and added to courses lists to provide students more flexibility and options.
Please refer to this page often for the most up-to-date information.
Check for: Degree requirements effective 2017 or degree requirements prior to 2017
NOTE: Students taking a course within the Sciences and Mathematics Division (SAM) must often receive a minimum grade in many prerequisite and required courses. Students who need to retake a course (second attempt) can register for the repeated course beginning in Registration Period 2. Those who need to repeat a course for the second time (third attempt) must submit a repeat petition.
Biomedical Sciences Student Learning Outcomes
There are five major student learning outcomes associated with the BS in Biomedical Sciences:
1. Core Knowledge
- An understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry and biology
- An understanding of the key principles of biochemistry, microbiology and molecular biology and their application to human health
- Awareness of the major issues at the forefront of these disciplines
- Awareness of societal and ethical issues in the biomedical sciences
- The ability to integrate knowledge across interdisciplinary lines
2. Applying the Process of Science
- The ability to dissect a problem into its key features by thinking in an integrated manner and to look at problems from different perspectives
- The ability to generate hypotheses, design experiments, observe nature and test hypotheses
- The ability to understand the limitations of the experimental approach
3. Quantitative Reasoning
- The ability to analyze experimental data and interpret the results
- The ability to apply statistics and other mathematical approaches to examine biological systems
4. Laboratory Skills
- The ability to work safely and effectively in the laboratory
- The ability to troubleshoot and optimize methods
- The ability to collaborate with other researchers
5. Literature and Communication Skills
- The ability to assess primary papers critically
- The ability to use oral, written and visual presentations to present their work to both a science literate and general audience
Biomedical Sciences Career Options
Through rigorous coursework and ample opportunities for research or clinical experiences, students will be prepared for: (1) advanced training at the graduate or professional level, i.e. MS, MPH, Ph.D., MD, DDS, DO, OD, PA, DPM, PharmD, or DVM; and (2) employment in biomedical careers, such as clinical and research laboratories in private industry or public agencies (regional, state, federal), or other areas such as law and business that bridge with biology.
Contact an advisor to learn more.
