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Biomedical Sciences Programs & Courses
The following information is an excerpt from the tentative version of the 2026-27 College Catalog. Please check back later in the summer to view the final approved version.
Biomedical Sciences
The B.A. Degree
The B.A. degree in Biomedical Sciences requires 13 courses from a combination of biology, chemistry, and mathematics, with elective courses from a variety of disciplines. This major provides a rigorous grounding in biomedical sciences for students planning careers in allied health fields such as nursing, genetic counseling, occupational therapy, or who wish to combine their biomedical training with other areas of study, such as psychology, education, public health, or business. This major prepares students for careers in the healthcare industry, education, or other technical disciplines related to healthcare. Different healthcare disciplines require specific training and prerequisite coursework, so the courses chosen as electives in this major should be discussed with your major and pre-health advisor(s).
Major Requirements
BIO 110 Introduction to Biology I
BIO 111 Introduction to Biology II
BIO 222 Genetics
BIO 323 Human Physiology
BIO 338 Human Anatomy
CHEM 122/123 General Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHEM 124/125 General Chemistry II and Laboratory
MATH 123 Statistics
One of the following:
CHEM 222/223 Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHEM 219 Organic and Biochemistry
Four courses from at least two different prefixes, at least two of which must be numbered 300 or higher, chosen from the following:
ANTH 101 Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives
BIO 108 Public Health
BIO 322 Neurogenetics
BIO 324 Medical Microbiology
BIO 333 Medicinal and Poisonous Plants
BIO 336 Vertebrate Biology
BIO 342 Animal Behavior
BIO 343 Biomechanics
BIO 347 Immunology
BIO 432 Genome Analysis
BIO 435 Cell Biology
BIO 437 Molecular Biology
BIOCH 444 Biochemistry I
BIOCH 445 Biochemistry II
CHEM 224/225 Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
CHEM 232 Quantitative Chemical Analysis
CHEM 443 Instrumental Analysis
MATH 128 Calculus I
NEURO 210 Introduction to Neuroscience I
NEURO 211 Introduction to Neuroscience II
PHIL 219 Philosophical Issues in Health Care
PHYS 225 Fundamentals of Physics I
PSY 206 Brain and Behavior
PSY 217 Lifespan Development
PSY 239 Applied Behavioral Analysis
PSY 242 Drugs Behavior and Society
PSY 315 Clinical Neuroscience
PSY 342 Health Psychology
SOC 210 Sociology of Mental Health and Illness
SOC 212 Contagion
SOC 228 Aging and Society
SOC 310 Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare
The B.S. Degree
The B.S. degree in biomedical sciences requires 16 courses from a combination of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, and physics with elective courses from a variety of disciplines. This major is more intensive than the B.A., requires 16 courses, and is intended to prepare students for careers at the highest levels of healthcare and biomedical research, including medical school, physician assistant, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, and Ph.D. level graduate biomedical research programs. Different healthcare disciplines require specific levels of training and prerequisite coursework, so the courses you choose as electives in this major should be chosen in consultation with your major and pre-health advisor(s).
Major Requirements
BIO 110 Introduction to Biology I
BIO 111 Introduction to Biology II
BIO 222 Genetics
BIO 323 Human Physiology
BIO 324 Medical Microbiology
BIO 338 Human Anatomy
BIO 347 Immunology
BIOCH 444 Biochemistry I
CHEM 122/123 General Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHEM 124/125 General Chemistry II and Laboratory
CHEM 222/223 Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHEM 224/225 Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
MATH 128 Calculus I
PHYS 225 Fundamentals of Physics I
Two courses from the following:
ANTH 101 Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives
BIO 108 Public Health
BIO 322 Neurogenetics
BIO 333 Medicinal and Poisonous Plants
BIO 336 Vertebrate Biology
BIO 342 Animal Behavior
BIO 343 Biomechanics
BIO 432 Genome Analysis
BIO 435 Cell Biology
BIO 437 Molecular Biology
BIOCH 445 Biochemistry II
CHEM 232 Quantitative Chemical Analysis
CHEM 443 Instrumental Analysis
MATH 123 Statistics
MATH 129 Calculus II
NEURO 210 Introduction to Neuroscience I
NEURO 211 Introduction to Neuroscience II
PHIL 219 Philosophical Issues in Health Care
PHYS 226 Fundamentals of Physics II
PSY 206 Brain and Behavior
PSY 217 Lifespan Development
PSY 239 Applied Behavioral Analysis
PSY 242 Drugs Behavior and Society
PSY 315 Clinical Neuroscience
PSY 342 Health Psychology
SOC 210 Sociology of Mental Health and Illness
SOC 212 Contagion
SOC 228 Aging and Society
SOC 310 Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare
Biomedical Sciences majors for both the B.A. and B.S. degrees are also required to successfully complete four semesters of BIO 349/449 (non-credit colloquium) and complete a capstone experience described below.
Capstone Requirements
Biomedical Sciences majors must choose one of the options below and deliver a presentation of their experience in BIO colloquium. Research or shadowing experiences must have a clear focus on biomedical research or practice as determined by the program coordinator(s). Finally, all majors are required to pass the Biology Department Exit Exam.
- BIO 447 Cell and Molecular Biology Research Methods
- CHEM/BIOCH 449 Information, Communication, and Ethics
- Lycoming College Independent Study or Honors Project
- Clinical internship or research experience (includes NSF REU or NIH SIP programs or their equivalents)
- Medical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology Internship
- Significant clinical shadowing experience(s) with documentation of at least 100 hours.
Students may not double major in any combination of Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, or Ecology.
Cooperative Programs
Lycoming College has several affiliations with cooperative programs relevant to Biomedical Sciences majors. These programs are described in the Academic Program section of the catalog under Cooperative Programs. Some programs may have accelerated timelines that would preclude a student from being able to fully complete the Biomedical Sciences major. In these instances, students must make an appeal to the Academic Standards Committee, in consultation with their academic advisor, to approve exceptions to the major. Students interested in these programs should contact the program director as soon as possible.