Biomedical Health Sciences Major

School of Health Sciences

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The biomedical health sciences (BMHS) major — formerly health sciences pre-professional (HSPP) — is designed to prepare you for entry into professional and graduate schools for a wide arena of health professions and health sciences. The coursework builds a solid foundation in the biomedical health sciences to ready you for the challenges of pursuing a career in the diverse and ever-changing industry of healthcare and health science. The thoughtful design of our curriculum requires all students to take similar coursework during the first two years of enrollment, allowing for flexibility to switch from one BMHS program to another, and includes the course requirements for entry into professional or graduate school.

In addition to required courses, you’ll take courses from a growing list of research-focused School of Health Sciences electives that include basics of oncology, imaging in medicine, immunology, industrial hygiene engineering control, healthcare leadership, applied anatomy for medicine, toxicology, analytical toxicology, and pathology and occupational health sciences. The interdisciplinary health sciences concentration offers maximum flexibility to broadly prepare you for a wide range of human health professions and health sciences careers.

Note: Newly admitted students in fall 2021 are admitted to the original HSPP major and will have the option to switch to the BMHS major or stay in the HSPP major after consulting with their academic advisor about which best fits their educational needs. In fall 2021, the degree requirements for the BMHS and HSPP majors are the same, with the new name adopted to reflect the STEM and biomedical focus of the major.

Career Opportunities

  • Research assistant
  • Pharmaceutical research assistant
  • Pharmaceutical sales
  • Government employee
  • Health scientist
  • Health policy analyst

Potential Areas of Advanced Study

  • Surgeon
  • Dentist
  • Orthodontist
  • Chiropractor
  • Physical therapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Optometrist
  • Cardiologist
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Pediatrician
  • University faculty
  • Product research and development

Learning Experiences

  • Engage in innovative health science research in the school’s laboratories.
  • Take your research to the next level by joining the School of Health Sciences Honors Program.
  • Participate in the school’s study abroad opportunities.
  • Get involved in health sciences student organizations.
  • Choose between future discipline-specific selective courses, such as Introduction to Immunology; Basics of Oncology; Lung, Heart, and Eye Physiology and Medicine; Applied Anatomy for Medicine; and more.
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Concentrations

Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Concentration

This program is designed for students interested in healthcare careers who have not decided on a specific professional program or want the flexibility to design their own path. This concentration also prepares you for the many professional programs in healthcare or biomedical sciences that are not specifically covered by the other concentrations, such as toxicology, molecular medicine, occupational and physical therapy, medical science, exposure science and more. This interdisciplinary program goes beyond minimum requirements to ensure you are ready for the rigors of a professional program across any of the biomedical health sciences.

Career Opportunities

  • Research assistant
  • Pharmaceutical research assistant
  • Government employee

Potential Areas of Advanced Study

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Pre-Dentistry Concentration

This program is specifically designed for students interested in pursuing careers in general dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics and other areas of dentistry. The pre-dentistry concentration includes prerequisites for dental school; however, this program also goes beyond the minimum requirements to ensure you are prepared for the rigors of a professional program across any of the biomedical health sciences.

Career Opportunities

  • Research assistant
  • Pharmaceutical research assistant
  • Government employee

Potential Areas of Advanced Study

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Pre-Medicine Concentration

This program is specifically designed for students interested in attending medical school after graduating from Purdue University. The pre-medicine concentration includes prerequisites for medical school; however, the program also goes beyond the minimum requirements to ensure you are prepared for the rigors of a professional program across any of the biomedical health sciences. 

Career Opportunities

  • Research assistant
  • Pharmaceutical research assistant
  • Government employee

Potential Areas of Advanced Study

View Complete List of Courses Degree Requirements

Pre-Optometry Concentration

This program is specifically designed for students interested in examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing eye diseases, injuries, and disorders. The pre-optometry concentration includes prerequisites for optometry school; however, the program also goes beyond the minimum requirements to ensure you are prepared for the rigors of a professional program across any of the biomedical health sciences.

Career Opportunities

  • Research assistant
  • Pharmaceutical research assistant
  • Government employment

Potential Areas of Advanced Study

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Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration

This program is designed for students interested in preventing and treating human illness and injury through a broad range of healthcare services under a physician’s or surgeon’s direction. Physician assistants are one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. The pre-physician assistant concentration includes prerequisites for physician assistant school; however, the program also goes beyond the minimum requirements to ensure you are prepared for the rigors of a professional program across any of the biomedical health sciences.

Career Opportunities

  • Research assistant
  • Pharmaceutical research assistant
  • Government employment

Potential Areas of Advanced Study

View Complete List of Courses Degree Requirements

Health Sciences 4+1 Programs

Master of Public Health (MPH) 4+1 Program

Students in the School of Health Sciences can complete the Master of Public Health 4+1 program in collaboration with the Department of Public Health to earn their bachelor’s degree and MPH degree in five years for students engaged in full-time study. Students who have a 3.5 cumulative GPA may apply for admission to the MPH program during their junior year. Undergraduate and graduate courses will be combined during students’ fourth and fifth years.