Jun 04, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Biomedical Sciences, B.A.

About the Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Sciences prepares students for careers at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and medicine, including careers in the allied health professions or for entry into the dynamic and growing biomedical research industry. Faculty advisors work closely with each student to plan a series of required and elective courses based on individual interests and career goals. Through a broad and integrative curriculum rooted in the sciences, including coursework in human anatomy, physiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, genetics, as well as upper-level electives in microbiology, biochemistry, histology, neurobiology, bioinformatics, and more, students gain a comprehensive foundation in the biological and chemical principles that underpin human health and disease. The program’s liberal arts framework encourages students to develop strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that are essential for success in healthcare and research environments. The Biomedical Sciences degree allows flexibility and can incorporate semester-long study abroad opportunities. Practical experiences such as clinical shadowing and undergraduate research opportunities allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while exploring their professional interests. Graduates are well-prepared to pursue graduate programs in the biomedical sciences, including Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Occupational Therapy, as well as entry-level positions in biomedical and pharmaceutical research settings.

Core Curriculum

Nine Biology Courses (36 credits)

BI 101 General Biology I (4 Credits)
BI 102 General Biology II (4 Credits)
Please note: Students who wish to take upper-level courses (200-level and above) must have met one of the following two criteria: The average of the student’s grades in BI101 and BI102 must be greater than or equal to a C- (1.7 GPA) OR the student must have received transfer credits for BI101 and BI102 upon admission to Arcadia.
BI 190 Careers in Biology (2 Credits)
BI 201 Evolution and Population Biology (4 Credits)
BI 204 Genetics (4 Credits)
BI 209 Foundations in Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
BI 242 Reading and Writing in Biology (4 Credits)
BI 290 Junior Seminar in Biology (2 Credits)
OR two semesters of BI380/Faculty Sponsored Research by the end of the Junior Year.
BI 490 Senior Seminar in Biology (4 Credits)

Two Chemistry Courses (8 credits)

Does not count in Major GPA

CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 Credits)
CH 102 General Chemistry II (4 Credits)
OR
CH 111 Conceptual Chemistry I (4 Credits)
CH 112 Conceptual Chemistry II (4 Credits)

Three Cognate Courses (12 credits)

Does not count towards Major GPA

MA 141 Elementary Statistics (4 Credits)
MA 201 Calculus I (4 Credits)
CH 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 Credits)
CH 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 Credits)
PH 201 Fundamental Concepts of Physics I (4 Credits)
PH 202 Fundamental Concepts of Physics II (4 Credits)
PH 211 Conceptual Physics I (4 Credits)
PH 212 Conceptual Physics II (4 Credits)
PY 111 Introduction to Psychology (4 Credits)
CS 222 Introduction to Data Science with Python (with CS 222L Lab) (4 Credits)

Four Biology Electives (16 credits)

Four Biology electives at the 300-level of those listed here:

BI 317 Developmental Biology (4 Credits)
BI 318 Human Genome and Disease (4 Credits)
BI 325 Cell Biology (4 Credits)
BI 327 Histology (4 Credits)
BI 333 Molecular Biology (4 Credits)
BI 335 Neurobiology (4 Credits)
BI 336 Pathophysiology (4 Credits)
BI 337 Immunobiology (4 Credits)
BI 338 Bioinformatics (4 Credits)
BI 340 Biochemistry (4 Credits)
BI 345 Cancer Biology (4 Credits)
One course must have a lab. These courses must be taken at Arcadia University, or an approved study abroad course may be substituted.

NOTE: Students completing both BI205/Human Anatomy and BI206/Human Physiology will have the option to count these two courses as one of the four required 300-level electives in Biology.

Internship or Independent Research

(Does not count in Major GPA)

Practical experience in the form of BI 370 Internship in Biology, BI 380 Faculty Sponsored Research, or BI 389 Independent Study is encouraged, but cannot be used to meet the requirements for four 300-level elective courses.