The interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences BS major is designed for undergraduate students with an aptitude for the sciences and who plan to attend medical school or conduct biomedical research in graduate school and beyond.
This program is specifically designed to cover the coursework needed for admission to medical schools and prepares students for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Entry into the Biomedical Sciences major is selective, with a limited number of students admitted to the program. The curriculum is challenging, requiring extreme dedication by its students, who will be mentored by UI faculty members from the participating departments.
The Departments of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, and Immunology collaborate to offer the Biomedical Sciences major.
The University of Iowa is the home of the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, the medical training program for the State of Iowa. Many opportunities exist to gain experience and exposure to medical research/practice in local hospitals and laboratories.
Biomedical Sciences students are encouraged to participate in the University of Iowa Honors Program and graduate with honors in this major. Visit Honors at Iowa for more information.
Students also are encouraged to participate in the Office of Undergraduate Research and to apply for research scholarships.
Students who are interested in this major need to meet the requirements for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Requirements
Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the criteria below will be asked to complete a supplemental application for direct admission to the Biomedical Sciences major. Direct admission is selective.
Students Applying with a Standardized Test Score
- A minimum ACT composite score of 29 or the equivalent SAT composite
- A minimum ACT Math and Reasoning score of 29 or the equivalent SAT score
- A minimum high school cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.70 (weighted or unweighted)
- A record of completing advanced high school science courses such as AP, IB, or Honors courses (if offered) and/or of completing a second course in a sequence of courses (such as Chemistry I and Chemistry II), with grades in key science courses considered
- A dedication to and passion for the sciences and mathematics as indicated in a statement of purpose on the supplemental application
Students Applying without a Standardized Test Score
- A minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.80 (weighted or unweighted)
- 2 years/units of high school math beyond Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry
- 5 units of high school science including biology, chemistry, and physics
- A dedication to and passion for the sciences and mathematics as indicated in a statement of purpose on the supplemental application
Those students not selected for direct admission or eligible to apply for direct admission may still be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. These students may reapply for admission to the program in a future term.
Deadlines
Students who apply and complete the supplemental application by Nov. 1 will hear a response by Dec. 15.
The final deadline to complete the supplemental application is April 1.
Information
Iowa graduates have a 95 percent job/grad school placement rate within six months of graduation. Our Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
In addition to more than 500 Student Organizations, Iowa students choose from more than 100 Study Abroad Programs and multiple Undergraduate Research Opportunities.
The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarship to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students. For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college.
The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships.
This major requires a minimum of 78 semester hours of coursework in the natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, and the social sciences.
Students gain knowledge of the biological, biochemical, chemical, and physical foundations of living systems, and the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior.
The Biomedical Sciences curriculum includes required and elective coursework in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, human physiology, mathematics, microbiology, physics, psychology, sociology, and statistics. Students develop critical analysis and reasoning skills through coursework and independent research.
Biomedical Sciences majors also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS CORE requirements.
For detailed course information, visit Biomedical Sciences in the UI General Catalog.