Biomedical Sciences, BS: Biomedical Science
Students in the Biomedical Sciences major are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree upon completion of all requirements. Students choose from one of the following seven areas or submajors:
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Biomedical Science
- Cytotechnology
- Radiologic Technology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Diagnostic Imaging (degree completion program)
- Health Science (degree completion program)
- Public Health Microbiology
All students will be required to comply with a background check, drug screen, and maintain health insurance during the professional training experience.
Biomedical Science
Students in the Biomedical Sciences major are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree upon completion of all requirements. This submajor provides excellent preparation for medical, physician assistant, dental, veterinary school, research and other related fields that require an advanced degree.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 30 | |
| Biomedical Science Submajor Requirements | 76 | |
| Electives | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Preparatory Coursework
Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program.
General Education Requirements (GER)
UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.
Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Categories and Credits | ||
| Civics and Perspectives (CP) | 6 | |
| Communication and Literacy (CL) | 6 | |
| Humanities and Arts (HA) | 6 | |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Wellness (NSW/NSWL) | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Biomedical Science Submajor Requirements
This program is intended for students who wish to pursue an education in a laboratory-based program with the intent of working in the healthcare industry or for pursuing graduate health profession study. Sufficient elective credits are included to facilitate custom degree pathways. The minimum number of credits required to complete this degree is 120. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, or chemistry may need additional credits. This program does not lead to certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
The minimum degree requirement for completion is 120 credits including the following. Entry into professional training is dependent upon completing the requirements below.
- Completion of UWM's General Education Requirements (GER);
- A cumulative UWM minimum grade point average of 2.5;
- A cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.5 in specific, required science courses;
- Completion of all required courses and electives (87 credits) through the second semester of junior year (per plan of study);
- A grade of C or better in all junior-level courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIO SCI 202 | Anatomy and Physiology I 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry 1,2 | 5 |
| BIO SCI 203 | Anatomy and Physiology II 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis 1 | 5 |
| HCA 224 | Computational Tools for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I 1,2 | 4 |
| BMS 301 | Human Pathophysiology: Fundamentals 1 | 1 |
| BMS 302 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems I 1 | 1 |
| BMS 303 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems II 1 | 1 |
| CHEM 341 | Introductory Survey of Organic Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 342 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 2 |
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics 1 | 4 |
| BMS 304 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems III 1 | 1 |
| BMS 305 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems IV 1 | 1 |
| BIO SCI 383 | General Microbiology 1 | 4 |
| BMS 427 | Clinical Immunology 1 | 3 |
| BMS 428 | Clinical Immunology Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| CHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| BMS 420 | Clinical Hematology | 3 |
| BMS 421 | Introduction To Hematology Laboratory | 1 |
| BMS 431 | Clinical Chemistry | 3 |
| BMS 432 | Clinical Chemistry Laboratory Theory & Operations | 1 |
| BMS 517 | Laboratory Technology: Theory and Practice | 2 |
| or BMS 717 | Laboratory Technology-Theory and Practice | |
| BMS 518 | Experimental Design and Research in Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
| or BMS 718 | Experimental Design and Research in Biomedical Sciences | |
| BMS 534 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
| BMS 535 | Medical Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BMS 560 | Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics | 2 |
| BMS 561 | Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory | 1 |
| BMS 547 | Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis | 3 |
| BMS 555 | Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring | 1 |
| KIN 270 | Statistics in the Health Professions: Theory and Practice 2 | 3 |
| or MTHSTAT 215 | Elementary Statistical Analysis | |
| Electives | ||
| Additional Electives 3 | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
- 1
Required science courses - 2.5 average GPA.
- 2
General Education Requirements (GERs): This course satisfies a UWM GER requirement. Students that meet the GER requirement through a different course must still take this course for the major.
- 3
Electives posted in final year only necessary to complete credit requirement for graduation.
BMS 101, BMS 205, BMS 531 and BMS 549 are recommended, but not required.
Suggested Elective Certificates
(Please consult advising regarding certificate requirements):
Molecular Diagnostics Certificate
Health Care Informatics Certificate (available online)
Health Care Administration Minor (available online)
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| CHPS 100 | New Student Seminar in Health Professions | 1 |
| BIO SCI 202 | Anatomy and Physiology I 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry 1 | 5 |
| Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Sciences (recommended, not required) | ||
| GER Elective | 3 | |
| GER Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BIO SCI 203 | Anatomy and Physiology II 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis 1 | 5 |
| HCA 224 | Computational Tools for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| GER Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I 1 | 4 |
| BMS 301 | Human Pathophysiology: Fundamentals | 1 |
| BMS 302 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems I 1 | 1 |
| BMS 303 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems II 1 | 1 |
| CHEM 341 | Introductory Survey of Organic Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 342 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 2 |
| GER Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| BMS 304 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems III 1 | 1 |
| BMS 305 | Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems IV 1 | 1 |
| KIN 270 or MTHSTAT 215 | Statistics in the Health Professions: Theory and Practice or Elementary Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| HCA 249 | Writing for Professional Development in Health Administration | 3 |
| GER Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| BIO SCI 383 | General Microbiology 1 | 4 |
| BMS 427 | Clinical Immunology 1 | 3 |
| BMS 428 | Clinical Immunology Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| CHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| GER Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BMS 420 | Clinical Hematology | 3 |
| BMS 421 | Introduction To Hematology Laboratory | 1 |
| BMS 431 | Clinical Chemistry | 3 |
| BMS 432 | Clinical Chemistry Laboratory Theory & Operations | 1 |
| BMS 534 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
| BMS 535 | Medical Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BMS 560 | Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics | 2 |
| BMS 561 | Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory | 1 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| BMS 517 or BMS 717 | Laboratory Technology: Theory and Practice or Laboratory Technology-Theory and Practice | 2 |
| BMS 518 or BMS 718 | Experimental Design and Research in Biomedical Sciences or Experimental Design and Research in Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
| BMS 547 | Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis | 3 |
| BMS 555 | Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring | 1 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Advanced Lectures in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Recommended, not required) | ||
| Professional Development in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Recommended, not required) or Professional Development in the Health Sciences | ||
| Electives | 16 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Required science courses - 2.5 average GPA.
Biomedical Sciences BS: Biomedical Science Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Biomedical Sciences-BMS (BMS-BMS) program will be able to:
- Apply laboratory testing theory and perform laboratory techniques across certain disciplines of diagnostic and research laboratory testing.
- Communicate sufficiently to serve the needs of the public, research peers and healthcare team.
- Analyze principles and practice of research design, implementation and dissemination of results.
- Comply with safety and governmental regulations and standards as applied to laboratory practice.
Accelerated Program Option
This program is offered as part of an accelerated graduate program. For more information, see Accelerated Graduate Degrees.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the major are granted to students who earn a GPA of 3.500 or above on a minimum of 30 completed credits at UWM.
College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.