Female Biomedical Science student and professor use microscope in classroom laboratory at Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg.

Biomedical Science

Have a direct impact on human health through hands-on experience with advanced laboratory techniques and data analysis, essential for conducting research and clinical trials. Enter a field with potential for groundbreaking discoveries by contributing to significant advancements in medical treatments and disease prevention. This you? Let's begin your journey!

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.S.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
  • Mansfield
Department
College
Program Contact
Associate Professor of Biology & Chair of the Biological and Health Sciences Department
Illustration of Mountain

A diverse future in biomedical science

Commonwealth University's biomedical science program will provide you with a strong biology background in preparation for admission into clinical, research, medical, and graduate programs in the health sciences. Some of the most unique opportunities offered to you include working with expert faculty on human health-related research, such as bioinformatics projects and cancer biology research. Additional program highlights include the health care practicum, junior seminar for preparation, and our high-quality clinical affiliations and placements for selected programs. 

Course Delivery Format

  Bloomsburg

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Lock Haven

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Mansfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Clearfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

 

Courses and Curriculum

Health science is a growing field within healthcare. Health science is appealing because of the countless career opportunities it presents within the field. This major covers a wide range of skills, specializations, and experiences that are simply not available in other dedicated majors. Instead of narrowing in on one specific career path, health science encompasses a large array of disciplines relating to health care, science, mathematics, and technology.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Medical laboratory scientists perform many of the laboratory tests used in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. As part of the health care team, they contribute data on blood, tissues, and fluids using a variety of precise methods and technologies. This program combines natural science and liberal arts education with clinical instruction. Our medical lab program is rigorous and demanding. It attracts individuals with strong quantitative and analytical skills. Students should be prepared to study in an academic and clinical environment and have a strong background in the sciences. Presently, CU is affiliated with eight hospitals. Students who complete all of the requirements and the clinical year earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree and are eligible to take the national certification examinations for medical laboratory scientists.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Clinical Affiliates and Adjunct Faculty

Genetic counseling can be seen as the health professional role concerned with the impact of genetic disease and genetic information on individuals and families. It's been predominantly concerned with the human problems arising in the context of single gene disorders, chromosome rearrangements, and malformation, including syndromes of neurodevelopmental disturbance and dysmorphic physical features. These are the core conditions dealt with in genetic counseling practice on both sides of the North Atlantic, although the scope of genetic counseling does vary between countries so that, for example, North American genetic counselors are often heavily engaged in the offer of routine antenatal screening to pregnant women, whereas this is not standard practice in Europe. As genomic analysis enters clinical medicine, it is timely to reflect on the impact that this will have on genetic counseling practice.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Pharmacy is a health profession concerned with knowledge about drugs and their effects. Pharmacists prepare, dispense, and administer drugs. They evaluate medication orders and provide information and advice on drug selection, effects, and interactions. The standard degree for a pharmacist today is the Doctor of Pharmacy - typically a six-year program. The first two years of the curriculum is broad-based and can be taken at an undergraduate institution such as CU. Students may apply to transfer after two years or complete a bachelor's degree (we recommend the B.S. Health Sciences degree) before applying to a professional program. BU students have been admitted to a number of different pharmacy schools.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Physician Assistants work under the supervision of and in collaboration with physicians. They provide a broad range of diagnostic, educational, and therapeutic patient care services. Most physician assistant programs are now at the master's degree level. We strongly recommend students complete the B.S. in Health Sciences degree and then apply to a master's physician assistant degree program. These programs are typically two years in length.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Physical Therapists examine, diagnose, and treat patients who have a variety of musculoskeletal, cardiac, neurological, and pulmonary problems. They carry out programs to help increase a patient's strength and flexibility, to relieve pain, and to help limit permanent physical disabilities. Most physical therapy degree programs are now offered at the doctoral level. We strongly recommend that students complete the B.S. Health Sciences degree, then apply for admission to a physical therapy program where they earn a doctoral (D. PT) degree. These programs are usually three years in length.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

General Biomedical Sciences (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

  1. describe the cellular basis of life.
  2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
  3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
  4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
  5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
  6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
  7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

Medical Lab Science (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

  1. describe the cellular basis of life.
  2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
  3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
  4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
  5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
  6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
  7. gain and apply knowledge in specific content areas and proficiency in laboratory skills required of a medical laboratory professional
  8. successfully complete a NAACLS accredited clinical program.

Medical Genomics and Counseling (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

  1. describe the cellular basis of life.
  2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
  3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
  4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
  5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
  6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
  7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

Pre-Pharmacy (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

  1. describe the cellular basis of life.
  2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
  3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
  4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
  5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
  6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
  7. prepare for admission to PharmD programs

Pre-Physician Assistant (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

  1. describe the cellular basis of life.
  2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
  3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
  4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
  5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
  6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
  7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

Pre-Physical Therapy (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

  1. describe the cellular basis of life.
  2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
  3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
  4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
  5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
  6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
  7. prepare for admission to DPT programs.

Pre-Medical Sciences (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

  1. describe the cellular basis of life.
  2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
  3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
  4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
  5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
  6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
  7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.
Commonwealth University

Biomedical Science

Illustration of Mountain

Labs and Facilities

From day one, you'll have a resource as you take your first intro biology courses to study individually or in groups, get tutoring, and to learn together with faculty.

Commonwealth University’s state-of-the-art biology lab facilities across all campuses provide students with access to the tools and technology needed for advanced scientific discovery. No matter where you study within our university, you'll benefit from high-quality lab experiences that bring biology to life.

  • Hartline Science Center (Bloomsburg)
  • East Campus Science Center (Lock Haven)
  • Grant Science Center (Mansfield) 

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Biomedical Science Contacts

Kate

Kate Beishline

  • Associate Professor of Biology & Chair of the Biological and Health Sciences Department
  • Bloomsburg

Applying to This Program

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