Biomedical Science

To be eligible to apply to the major, a student must (1) be a high school senior and (2) apply for freshman admission to Ohio State.

In addition to completing the Common Application for freshman admission to Ohio State, students must also submit a separate online application to the biomedical science major. Application instructions can be found at medicine.osu.edu/bms. The application deadline is November 15 of each year. Approximately 26 high school seniors are selected for the biomedical science major each year.

Please note: Due to the structured nature of the major, current Ohio State students and transfer students are not eligible to apply.

In addition to General Education courses, the biomedical science major requires the following:

• traditional pre-med courses in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics
• advanced science electives in areas such as anatomy, physiology and biochemistry
• courses in biomedical science, including an extensive research experience

The biomedical science curriculum is designed to be both rigorous and flexible. Students begin taking major course work in their freshman year as they learn to conduct scientific literature searches, develop a research hypothesis, and begin to read and analyze biomedical science literature. These skills are carried into the sophomore year as students focus on research being conducted at Ohio State by reading research manuscripts written by faculty of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and discussing the manuscripts with the authors. The junior year is largely spent in the research lab and preparing for graduate and professional school exams and applications.

In the senior year, students complete two series of classes. The first series addresses doctor-patient communication, health care organizations and leadership in medicine. The second series allows students to apply their scientific knowledge to particular diseases. Students take classes in translational science using immunology and infectious diseases, genetic and neurological conditions, and cancer as models.

An optional study abroad experience is offered for biomedical science seniors. While abroad, students perform community and educational services with partner agencies. Past senior cohorts have traveled to Malawi, Guatemala and Estonia.

Biomedical science students also take full advantage of study abroad opportunities offered by Ohio State's Office of International Affairs as well as outside agencies.

To help students determine which field is best for them, the biomedical science program offers students a variety of experiences, including a summer internship shadowing residents at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The biomedical science major is the sole honors-based major at Ohio State, meaning all of the biomedical science courses are classified as honors.

The major has strong ties with the Honors and Scholars Center, and students are strongly encouraged to apply for the Honors or Scholars Programs through their freshman application. Students in the biomedical science program follow the College of Medicine's Honors Program, which includes Honors course work, research, service and leadership.

Research is one of the hallmarks of the biomedical science major. Students are required to join a research lab in the second semester of their freshman year or first semester of their sophomore year. In fact, the junior year biomedical science courses are structured around the students' research endeavors. Students have opportunities to work in prestigious research labs throughout The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The Biomedical Science Major Student Organization (BMSMSO) is open to students enrolled in the major. The purpose of this organization is to foster community among the four biomedical science cohorts and to facilitate mentoring and tutoring opportunities for students in the major.

The biomedical science major is designed to strongly prepare students for graduate and professional programs in areas such as biomedical research, medicine and other areas of health care.

Currently, about 50 percent of biomedical science graduates go on to medical school, 25 percent go on to pursue a PhD or a joint MD/PhD, and 25 percent pursue other graduate programs (e.g., dentistry, physician assistant, optometry, public health). Placement into graduate and professional programs for biomedical science alumni is nearly 100 percent.

Graduates from the biomedical science program will:

• be prepared for success in a professional or graduate program in medicine or other advanced health-focused programs. The biomedical science major serves as an excellent undergraduate preparation for graduate study in non-health areas, such as business, engineering or law.
• possess the motivation to pursue graduate/professional education in biomedical research and/or the health sciences and be a leader in improving the nation’s healthcare delivery system.
• have the ability to acquire and evaluate information from a wide data source as it relates to complex problems.
• have the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and function comfortably in various cultural, political, and social environments within the context of healthcare and the biomedical sciences.
• be sensitive to the humanistic aspects of healthcare and healthcare-related services.
• possess knowledge and skills that are fundamental to the formulation, conduct, and reporting of clinical or basic science research.
• appreciate and value the importance of research and the advancement of knowledge for the progress of society.
• adapt to challenges and opportunities by bringing a wide knowledge base to problem-solving tasks, and who integrate life-long learning into all phases of life.
• have knowledge of policy issues related to healthcare and the interaction of social, political, and environmental factors that impact the field.
• be prepared to enter the workforce in areas such as pharmaceutical sales, forensic science labs, genetics labs, and other entry-level lab positions.