Biomedical Science (BISC) major

This interdisciplinary major is the perfect foundation if you’re aspiring to medical school, biomedical research or other work related to the molecular basis of life.  It allows you to combine biology, chemistry and mathematics coursework required for graduate, medical and other professional health schools in a flexible and efficient four-year program.

Stellar science training

You’ll master the essential toolkit of the professional scientist: how to communicate effectively about scientific phenomena, analyze quantitative and qualitative data, apply frameworks from various fields of natural science, and solve problems through scientific investigation with accuracy and safety. The biomedical emphasis in this major — through courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology and Biochemistry — will also help prepare you for the Medical College Admission Test or other work in the health field.

The support you need to succeed

Forget about giant lecture halls or vying for face time with professors. Alverno’s 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes will allow you to perform your best. If you plan to go to medical school or another professional health school, Alverno’s Pre-Health program offers seminars, personalized advising, peer support and other resources to help make you a competitive candidate.

Get involved

Looking for more experiences to bolster your resume? Join one of Alverno’s dozens of student organizations — including Pre-Professional Women of Alverno — to practice your leadership skills and connect with other students. You can put your science skills to use (while getting paid) as a lab assistant, a tutor in the Daniel M. Soref Science and Mathematics Resource Center or a mentor to high school students through Alverno’s Girls’ Academy of Science & Mathematics. You might also participate in faculty-student research through the Center for Academic Excellence or travel to professional conferences.

Internships for the Biomedical Sciences student

Alverno’s Internship Office, which is connected to more than 2,000 partner sites, can help you find the right opportunity to advance your goals. Past internships sites have included the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee County Health Department, Sigma Aldrich, the Water Technology Accelerator at the Global Water Center, and the Milwaukee County Zoo.

How you can use your degree

Many students will move on to graduate, medical or other professional health schools. Alverno graduates have gone on to study at the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, University of Minnesota and Butler University, among other schools. Other students choose to go straight into the workforce in research, industry or teaching.

 
Beginning Requirements
MT-123
MT-124
College Algebra
and Trigonometry
4-5
or MT-148
MT-124
Functions & Modeling
and Trigonometry
or MT-152 Calculus 1
CH-213
213L
Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules
and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab
4
CH-221
221L
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 1 - Lab
4
Intermediate Requirements
BI-221Biology of Plants4
or BI-222
222L
Biology of Animals
and Biology of Animals Lab
or BI-223 Natural History of North America
BI-231
231L

and Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
4
BI-251
251L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Lab
4
CH-234
234L
Analytical Chemistry/Quantitative Analys
and Analytical Chem-Quant Analysis Lab
4
MT-256Probability and Statistics4
PH-231
231L
Algebra-Based Physics I
and Physics Lab
4
or PH-241
241L
Calculus-Based Physics 1
and Physics Lab
BI-399Formal Introduction to Advanced Work0
Advanced Requirements
BI-374BI Assessment in Effective Citizenship1
INTERN-383Internship Seminar2
BI-328
328L
Biochemistry
and Biochemistry Lab
4
or CH-328
328L
Biochemistry
and Biochemistry - Lab
BI-325
325L
Cellular Biology
and Cellular Biology Lab
4
or BI-361
361L
Genetics Lecture
and Genetics Lab
CH-322
322L
Organic Chemistry 2
and Organic Chemistry 2 Lab
4
SC ElectiveBiology (BI), Chemistry (CH), Environmental (ENV), or Math (MT), 300 or 400 level5-7
BI-491Senior Environmental Seminar3