Biomedical Sciences BS Four Year Graduation Plan

Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Director:  Dr. Jan Fassler, 202 BBE, 335-1542, jan-fassler@uiowa.edu

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Admission to the Major

The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biomedical Sciences major is designed for the undergraduate student with an aptitude for the sciences who plans to attend medical school or conduct biomedical research in graduate school and beyond.  The program is specifically designed to cover the coursework needed for admission to medical schools and prepares students for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).  The major requires a minimum of 78 semester hours of course work in the natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, and the social sciences.  Entry into the Biomedical Sciences major is selective, with a limited number of students admitted.

Applying to the major as an incoming first-year student
Incoming first-year students who wish to apply to the Biomedical Sciences major declare Biomedical Sciences Interest as their degree choice on the application for admission in order to receive a supplemental application for submission of an essay.  Students applying for admission to the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) directly from high school with the following profile will be considered for admission to the major:

• A minimum ACT composite score of 29 or the equivalent SAT composite
• A minimum ACT Math and Scientific Reasoning score of 29 or the equivalent SAT score
• A minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.70 (weighted or unweighted)
• A record of completing advanced science courses in high school such as AP, IB, or Honors courses if offered by the high school and/or of completing a second course in a sequence of courses (such as Chemistry I and Chemistry II), with grades in key science courses considered
• An essay which shows dedication to and passion for the sciences and mathematics

For students applying without a standardized test score:

• A minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.80 (weighted or unweighted)
• 2 years/units of high school math beyond Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry
• 5 units of high school science including biology, chemistry, and physics
• An essay which shows dedication to and passion for the sciences and mathematics

Applying to the major as a current UI or transfer student
A student may also be admitted to the major as a continuing student at Iowa or as a transfer student with the understanding that a late declaration of the major may delay graduation. Applicants must demonstrate a record of academic excellence in the sciences through their outstanding grades in related UI or transfer course work.  Current UI students wanting to be evaluated for admission should be enrolled in, or already completed, Foundations of Biology (BIOL 1411).  A statement of purpose and one letter of reference from a science or mathematics instructor is required.  Before admission to the program, a student must meet with the Director of the Biomedical Sciences major.  Applicants must be able to show their ability to work in a team, a strong work ethic, and a high level of academic integrity, as necessary for research in a faculty lab.