Biomedical Sciences

Are you an aspiring doctor or researcher?

Do you want to become a physician or researcher? Are you fascinated by the study of life? The Alverno biomedical sciences major will get you ready for this fast-paced and rapidly changing world.

Our interdisciplinary major combines the biology, chemistry and mathematics coursework that is required for graduate, medical and other professional health schools. After graduation, our students are ready to pursue an advanced degree or go straight into the workforce in research, industry or teaching.

The Alverno difference

At Alverno, biomedical sciences majors are part of a connected STEM community that spans disciplines. You’ll get to know faculty and students, participate in joint research projects, and forge strong bonds and networking skills. There are no outsiders here.

Women have historically been under-represented in STEM. So we’ve specifically designed our small class sizes and dynamic curriculum to help you build confidence and achieve success as a STEM leader in the classroom, in the lab and in the workplace.

You will gain professional experience in and out of the classroom, including completing at least one internship. On campus, you can work as a paid lab assistant or tutor, or you can help mentor and inspire young women in middle school or high school to explore STEM. Off campus, you can share your research at conferences and attend local professional seminars and meetings. And there are many opportunities for students to participate in faculty-student research projects.

As an Alverno biomedical sciences student, you will learn to:

• Master the essential toolkit of the professional scientist: how to communicate effectively, analyze quantitative and qualitative data, and solve problems through scientific investigation with accuracy and safety. The biomedical emphasis in this major help prepare you for admissions tests, including the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
• Apply what you learn — rather than just memorize — to accurately interpret the biological and chemical basis of phenomena and show the limitations of scientific analysis.
• Demonstrate proficient library, mathematical and computer skills in chemical and biological data gathering and analysis.
• Demonstrate creativity in the scientific process to design, conduct and communicate your own independent biological and chemical experiments in courses, internships and student/faculty-mentored research.
• Appreciate the impact of concepts of biology and chemistry to the greater world by applying your work to environmental, societal, political, economic and ethical issues.

“I liked that I got to essentially combine the biology major and the chemistry major. I am a pre-dental student, so this helped me get all of my prerequisite courses for dental school. This major is ideal for any student who is interested in going to a professional school or even just interested in the sciences, because you get the best of both worlds.”

— Abigail, biomedical sciences major, class of 2019

Alverno biomedical sciences graduates are ready for:

• Medical school
• Graduate school
• Veterinary school
• Biomedical research
• Careers in the biomedical industry
• And more!