Pose questions and pursue answers: you’ll do that here.

A biology biomedical sciences degree lays the foundation for you to continue to a professional school in medicine or further study for a career in research or laboratory work. Students may select additional electives in virology, immunology, pathogenic bacteriology, epidemiology, comparative anatomy, molecular genetics, health physics, and toxicology.

What You'll Do

The curriculum includes supporting chemistry, physics, and mathematics coursework as well as a core of courses that prepares graduates in any area of biology.

  • Engage with faculty mentors who offer research opportunities to help you develop professional skills for a competitive job market.
  • Learn through rigorous coursework in animal physiology and molecular genetics required for most medical schools.
  • Immerse yourself in additional coursework in social science, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics, making you competitive for admission to medical schools.
  • Find peer support and guidance through Alpha Epsilon Delta, American Student Medical Association, and the Student Medical Society.
  • Receive guidance through the Biomedical Scholars Advising Program. Your advisor will meet with you every semester to help as you progress toward professional school.

What Can You Do with a Biomedical Science Degree?

Most graduates of the program continue on to some type of professional or medical school or pursue a graduate degree. Southeast alumni have attended some of the most prestigious medical schools throughout the country, including:

  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Harvard Medical School
  • Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
  • St. Louis University School of Medicine
  • University of Minnesota
  • Kansas University –Kansas City
  • NYU 

Missouri residents typically matriculate to University of Missouri – Columbia or University of Missouri – Kansas City. Southeast students are eligible for the Bryant Scholars Program at the University of Missouri – Columbia. The program is to encourage rural students to pursue careers in medicine then serve rural communities.

Illinois students typically matriculate to Southern Illinois University or the University of Illinois.

Students interested in osteopathic medicine find opportunities to become physicians at:

  • A.T. Still –Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM)
  • Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Southeast students have access to the KCOM Pre-Osteopathic Scholar Pre-admission Program.

Students interested in chiropractic medicine may matriculate directly to Logan College of Chiropractic medicine through our 3+3 plan.

Biomedical Sciences (BS) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Professional Partnerships

Our agreement with St. George’s University guarantees all SEMO graduates from the pre-medical or biomedical sciences programs who meet the requirements gain admission into its accredited School of Medicine.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $229k

    Physician

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for physicians and ophthalmologists is $229,300.

  • $126k

    Physician Assistant

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a physician assistant is $126,010.

  • $95k

    Biological Scientist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a biological scientist is $95,920.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

The biology biomedical sciences curriculum includes core coursework to prepare you for any area of biology. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Required Courses:

  • BI163 Evolution & Ecology (4)
  • BI173 Cell & Organismal Biology (4)
  • BI283 Genetics (4)
  • BI389 Career Development in Biology (2)
  • CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
Choose one math course:
  • MA116 Precalculus A (3)
  • MA137 Precalculus (5)
  • MA139 Applied Calculus (3)
  • MA140 Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (5)
Choose one additional math course:
  • MAxxx Additional math (for which MA116 is a prerequisite) (3)
  • MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)
Experiential Learning Requirement: 2 hours
  • BI551-553 Biology Field Studies (2)
  • BI563-565 Experience in Museum Curation (1-3)
  • BI570 Development of Instructional Materials (1)
  • BI582 Internship in Biology (1-3)

Biomedical Sciences Option Required Courses:

  • BI310 General Microbiology (4)
OR
  • ZO310 Zoology (4)
  • ZO331 Animal Physiology (3)

Biology Electives: Choose 17 Hours

  • Any BI, BO, ZO, BT courses. At least 10 credit hours must be at the 300-599 level.

Non-Biology Requirements:

  • CH 186 General Chemistry II (3)
  • CH 187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • CH341 Foundations of Organic Chemistry (4)
  • CH342 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1)
  • PH120 Introductory Physics I (5)
  • PH121 Introductory Physics II (5)

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year    

Fall Semester (15-17 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1) 
  • BI163 (4) 
  • CH184/185 (4) 
  • MA116/137/139/140 (3-5) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (14 Hours)     
  • BI173 (4)
  • CH186 (3) 
  • CH187 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • Additional Math course (3) 

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

Sophomore Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)  
  • BI283 (4) 
  • CH341 (4) 
  • CH342 (1) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)    
  • BI310 or ZO310 (4) 
  • CH343* (3) 
  • CH344* (2) 
  • Biology elective (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

(summer courses are encouraged to avoid 18 hour semesters)

Junior Year    

Fall Semester (16 Hours)    
  • PH120/020 (5) 
  • ZO331 (3) 
  • Biology Elective (3) 
  • Experiential Learning Req (2) 
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)     
  • BI389 (2) 
  • PH121/021 (5)  
  • Biology elective (3) 
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: take admission test and apply to professional program

Senior Year    

Fall Semester (16 Hours)     
  • Biology electives (4) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (13 Hours)  
  • Biology electives (4) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

 * Recommended for program; consult advisor

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Hands-on Learning

You’ll gain hands-on real-world experience through a required 80 hours outside the classroom shadowing doctors and nurses, working in hospitals, or conducting laboratory research with faculty.

Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.

Alumnus

"Conducting research gave me a sense of which medical programs I am interested in applying to as well as specialties I am considering after my training. I’ve worked in a wide range of labs on campus, which has prepared me for the research I want to do in medical school."

Andrew Behrmann

A portrait of Biomedical student, Andrew Behrmann.
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