Biomedical Science

Chairs: Andrew Stewart, PhD and Lisa Morey, PhD

INTRODUCTION

The biomedical science major offers broad training in the biological sciences and serves as a solid preparation for allied health related fields, including medical, dental, physician assistant, and veterinary school. Graduates may also pursue employment in biomedical and related fields, such as business, communications, law and social policy development.

The biomedical science program of study combines lectures and a hands-on learning experience in both its core and elective courses. The elective courses offered within the major cover the key subject areas needed for admission to post-graduate training in allied health. In addition, the opportunity to perform independent research with a faculty member in the biology department provides additional opportunities for a broad education in biology. 

Additionally, Canisius has developed programs for students interested in Early Assurance Acceptance into the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (College of Medicine, Schools of Dental Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, and Pharmacy) as well as Joint Degree Programs with the University at Buffalo (School of Pharmacy), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (School of Pharmacy), D’Youville University (School of Pharmacy) and SUNY College of Optometry.

QUALIFICATIONS

Students must maintain a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in biomedical science. Students must attain a C- or greater in each of the introductory courses (BIO 111, BIO 112, and BIO 211) in order to progress into the next course in the biology sequence. Students must have a C- or better in BIO 212 and successfully complete BIO 211L and BIO 212L to take any 400-level Biology courses.

Advisement

All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one.  Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

MAJOR EXPERIENCES

All faculty in the biology department are research-active and maintain their own research program at Canisius. Students interested in pursuing research opportunities with biology faculty are encouraged to speak with individual faculty members about their work and research opportunities in their respective laboratories.

Double Majors

Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement.  In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean. 

Per university policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major.  Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless completing the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.

Minors in Other Disciplines

Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major.  Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.

Curriculum

An Ignatian Foundation

All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.

Free Electives

Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).

Major Requirements

Biomedical Science Major Course Requirements

List A: Advanced Biology for Biomedical Science 

List B: Application of Biomedical Science (ABMS)

Roadmap

¹

PSY 102 and SOC 111 may be taken in Spring

Learning Goals and Objectives

Student Learning Goal 1

Students will develop competency with respect to knowledge, having a working understanding of basic concepts in biomedical science.

Students will:

• Objective a: demonstrate detailed knowledge of two areas of biomedical science—advanced biology and applied biomedical science; 
• Objective b: connect previously learned material with current research in biology;
• Objective c: demonstrate knowledge of key ethical issues in biomedical science.

Student Learning Goal 2

Students will develop problem solving skills applicable to biomedical science.

Students will:

• Objective a: accurately interpret data;
• Objective b: design an experiment to address a specific hypothesis;
• Objective c: critically analyze an article from the original scientific literature or a professional report.

Student Learning Goal 3

Students will demonstrate mastery with respect to technical skills in biomedical science.        

Students will:

• Objective a: effectively communicate scientific material in a written format;
• Objective b: effectively communicate scientific material orally;
• Objective c: draw graphs or design tables to accurately represent scientific information;
• Objective d: describe or explain instrumentation and technology appropriate to their course of study