Admission and Program Requirements

You’re not required to have a minor for this degree.

If you’d like to add a minor, talk with your advisor.

Your first steps

First, become a Bear: Apply to Missouri State.

Then, before completing 30 credit hours, follow these steps:

  1. Declare or change your major to biomedical sciences by contacting the MCHHS Student Advisement and Success Center.
  2. Meet with your assigned advisor. You’ll discuss admission requirements and develop your schedule.
  3. Complete the admission requirements (detailed below).
  4. Update your record by using the Application to Degree Program form (.pdf). Your advisor can help you complete the form.

When you declare your major in biomedical sciences, you maintain pre-major status until you meet all admission requirements.

Biomedical Sciences (Comprehensive)

Bachelor of Science

The comprehensive major in Biomedical Sciences, is a rigorous and selective program in the sciences that prepares academically-serious students for:

  1. Graduate work in cell biology or molecular biology,
  2. Graduate work in fields such as biotechnology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and microbiology where a strong undergraduate foundation in cell and molecular biology would be an asset,
  3. Professional schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing or other health-related professions and,
  4. Employment in cell biology and biotechnology-based industries.

Because of sequential prerequisites, limited course offerings, and tight course scheduling, students seeking formal admission to the degree program must begin to plan their program with a Biomedical Sciences advisor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences early during their freshman year.

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to the Biomedical Sciences major requires:

  1. Completion of at least 25 hours of course work, including BMS 110, BMS 111, BMS 231, CHM 160, CHM 161.
  2. A cumulative and science GPA of 2.50 or higher.
  3. A grade of "C" or better in all specific general education requirements (item 1 below), all required BMS core courses (item 3 below), and all requirements from other departments (item 4 below).
  4. A grade of "C" or better must be obtained in a prerequisite course prior to taking a sequential course.
  5. In the terminal semester, student is required to take a comprehensive assessment examination.

Major requirements (81-88 hours)

Core requirements (45-49):
  1. Specific General Education requirements: BMS 110(3), 111(1); PHY 123(4) or 203(5); one course from MTH 136(3), 137(3), 138(5), 261(5), 287(3).
  2. Preferred General Education requirements: PSY 121(3), SOC 150(3).
  3. Biomedical Sciences courses: BMS 231(4), 494(1); DTN 240(3).
  4. Required courses from other departments: CHM 160(4), 161(1), 170(3), 171(1); IPE 381(3) or PSY 200(3) or SOC 220(3); LLT 102(2); PHY 124(4) or 204(5).
  5. Public Affairs Capstone Experience will be fulfilled by completion of BMS 494(1) and any combination of the following courses equaling three total hours: BMS 300(1), 380(1-3), 400(2), 460(1), 490(3).
Complete one of the following options:
Anatomy and Physiology option (39 hours):
  1. BMS 307(4), 321(4), 442(3), 542(3), 562(1); CHM 342(3), 343(3), 345(2).
  2. 16 hours of electives from: BMS 317(3), 417(4), 450(3), 498(1-3, up to 4 hours), 500(1-4), 507(3), 521(4), 524(3), 525(4), 530(2), 535(2), 540(2), 558(3), 561(3), 565(3), 567(4), 569(3), 570(3), 573(2), 582(3), 585(4); BIO 312(3), BIO 313(2). Other electives may be selected with advisor approval. At least 10 of these elective hours must carry a BMS course code.
Cell and Molecular Biology option (39 hours):
  1. BMS 321(4), 521(4), 525(4); CHM 342(3), 343(3), 345(2).
  2. 19 hours of electives from: BMS 307(4), 308(4), 317(3), 417(3), 442(3), 450(3), 498(1-3, up to 4 hours), 500(1-4), 507(3), 524(3), 530(2), 535(2), 540(2), 542(3), 558(3), 561(3), 565(3), 567(4), 569(3), 570(3), 573(2), 582(3), 585(4); BIO 312(3), BIO 313(2). Other electives may be selected with advisor approval. At least 13 of these elective hours must carry a BMS course code.
Human Health Sciences option (36-38 hours):
  1. BMS 307(4), BMS 308(4); BMS 450(3) or BIO 312(3)* and 313(2)*; CFD 155(3), IPE 375(3), PSY 304(3).
  2. 16 hours of electives from: BMS 321(4), 450(3)* 498(1-3, up to 4 hours), 500(1-4), 507(3), 521(4), 524(3), 525(4), 530(2), 535(2), 540(2), 558(3), 561(3), 565(3), 567(4), 569(3), 570(3), 573(2), 582(3), 585(4); BIO 312(3)*, BIO 313(2)*; CHM 201(3), CHM 202(2); DTN 334(3), DTN 430(3), DTN 532(3), PSY 331(3), PSY 363(3), PSY 370(3). Other electives may be selected with advisor approval. At least 10 of these elective hours must carry a BMS course code.
  3. BMS 380 is preferred for the Capstone Experience.

    *Note: Credit may only be used to satisfy one requirement.

University level requirements:

  1. General Education Program and Requirements
  2. General Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Accelerated graduate program in Biomedical Sciences

Eligible Missouri State undergraduate students may apply for admission to the Biomedical Sciences program and begin taking graduate course work as they complete the work for a bachelor’s degree. A maximum of 12 hours of graduate credit may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree (Mixed Credit). Refer to the Graduate Catalog for specific admission requirements.

Refer to Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Classes for additional information and procedures for obtaining permission for Mixed Credit.

Electives

In the biomedical sciences program, you must complete an option area which includes 16-19 credit hours of electives.

Electives must be pre-approved by your advisor. At least 10-13 credit hours from your chosen electives must have a BMS (biomedical sciences) course code.

Additional requirement

In your senior year, you’ll take the Area Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT).

The department administers this test in late April and late November. There is no cost for this test.