What is a biomedical sciences major?
Understand the four-year course map, where students struggle, and how biomedical sciences compares with biology and biomedical engineering.
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A biomedical sciences major is a bachelor's degree in how the human body works and what goes wrong in disease, studied through biology, chemistry and physics. It's built for students heading toward medicine, laboratory work, research or other health careers. Expect a heavy science load: a year of general chemistry, a year of organic chemistry, biochemistry, a year of physics, plus anatomy, physiology and microbiology. It's a demanding major, mostly because of organic chemistry and lab hours. Steady weekly practice makes it manageable.
What do biomedical sciences majors study?
Biomedical sciences takes the tools of biology and chemistry and points them at people. A general biology major might take ecology, plant biology or evolution. A biomedical sciences major spends that time on human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics and the chemistry of the body.
Most programs follow the same pattern. You build a foundation in general biology, chemistry and math in your first year. Then you move into organic chemistry and the human body, and finish with biochemistry and upper-level electives such as immunology, pharmacology or neuroscience. Lab courses run alongside most of the science lectures, so you'll spend a lot of time at the bench as well as in lectures.
Biomedical sciences courses: a typical four-year plan
Course names and order vary between colleges, so treat this as a map, not a rulebook. The courses below come from one university's published biomedical sciences requirements.
| Year | Typical courses | What it builds |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | General biology, general chemistry I and II with labs, college algebra, trigonometry | Core science and math skills |
| Year 2 | Organic chemistry I and II with labs, human anatomy with lab, microbiology with lab, statistics | Chemical reasoning and how the body is built |
| Year 3 | General physics I and II, human physiology with lab, genetics, biochemistry | How body systems work and the chemistry behind them |
| Year 4 | Upper-level biomedical electives (at least one 400-level), capstone | Depth in an area you choose |
Source: Grand Valley State University catalog, 2026-2027. Year order is a common sequence, not the catalog's. Last checked: November 13, 2026.
In that catalog, chemistry is the biggest block. General chemistry is 9 credits with labs, organic chemistry is another 9, and biochemistry adds 4. Physics is two 5-credit courses. Add anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics and 9 credits of electives, and the major adds up to roughly 74 credits before general education classes. Check your own school's catalog, because some programs ask for a second semester of biochemistry or let you swap courses.
Is biomedical sciences a hard major?
Yes, for most students it's a demanding major. We haven't found a national study that ranks majors by difficulty, so here's where the workload actually comes from.
- Organic chemistry. It asks you to predict how molecules react, not just recall facts. Many students find the first semester a big change from general chemistry.
- Biochemistry. You'll learn metabolic pathways in detail, which mixes heavy memorization with the organic chemistry you've just learned.
- Physics. It's problem solving with algebra and trigonometry, a different skill from the memory-heavy parts of biology.
- Physiology. You'll need to connect systems: how the kidneys, heart and hormones respond to the same change.
- Lab hours. Each lab adds weekly sessions and reports on top of the lecture, and you'll often have two or three in one semester.
The good news is that these courses build on each other. If general chemistry clicks, organic chemistry is easier. If organic chemistry clicks, biochemistry makes more sense.
How to study for organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics
- Do practice problems every week, not just before exams. Organic chemistry and physics are skills, and skills need repetition.
- Test yourself instead of rereading. Close the notes and draw the reaction mechanism or pathway from memory, then check what you missed.
- Learn the patterns behind the facts. In organic chemistry, focus on why electrons move, and many reactions start to look alike.
- Draw it out. Sketch body systems, pathways and free-body diagrams. A rough drawing shows gaps faster than a page of notes.
- Go to office hours early. A ten-minute question in week three saves hours in week ten.
- Space your review. Short sessions spread across the week stick better than one long night.
If you're still in high school, the best head start is a strong grip on biology, chemistry and algebra. Medly AI covers AP and SAT, with exam-style practice questions, instant feedback on your answers and an AI tutor that explains the step you missed. You can try it on Medly's free plan, which includes 5 marked questions, 20 AI tutor messages and 1 uploaded paper a day.
Biomedical sciences vs biology vs biomedical engineering
These three majors sound alike but lead to different places. Biology is broader. Biomedical engineering is an engineering degree that applies design and math to medicine.
| Biomedical sciences | Biology | Biomedical engineering | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Human body, health and disease | All living things, from cells to ecosystems | Designing devices, materials and systems for medicine |
| Typical core courses | Organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, physics | Cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, chemistry | Biological sciences plus fluid and solid mechanics, circuit design, biomaterials |
| Math load | College algebra, trigonometry, statistics | Varies by program | Engineering-level math |
| Common next steps | Medical school, lab science, research, other health programs | Research, teaching, environmental work, medical school | Engineering jobs with a bachelor's; some roles need a graduate degree |
| Median pay | Medical scientist, $103,410 (needs a PhD or MD) | Varies widely by route | Bioengineer or biomedical engineer, $109,370 |
Source: BLS biomedical engineers and BLS medical scientists, median pay for May 2025. Last checked: November 13, 2026.
If you love the human body and want flexible health options, biomedical sciences fits. If you like building things and enjoy math, look at biomedical engineering. If you're interested in life beyond human health, biology gives you more room.
Is biomedical sciences a good major for medical school?
Yes, it's a good fit, because the major already covers most of the science medical schools ask for. The AAMC says most medical schools don't prefer any particular major. It advises completing at least a year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry, plus the prerequisites of the schools you apply to. A biomedical sciences major usually covers all of these.
Choosing a science major doesn't raise your odds on its own. In the 2025 admissions cycle, 13,480 of 23,440 medical school matriculants majored in biological sciences, according to AAMC data reported in an AMA article. The same article shows biological sciences applicants matriculating at 42.1%, compared with 51.3% for physical sciences. Your grades, MCAT score and experience matter more than the name of your major.
Jobs with a biomedical sciences degree
Some careers open with a bachelor's. Clinical laboratory technologists, who run tests on patient samples, typically need a bachelor's degree, and some states require a license. The BLS reports a median wage of $62,930 in May 2025 for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians combined.
Other routes take more training. Medical scientists, who research diseases and treatments, typically need a PhD or a medical degree. Medicine, physician assistant programs and pharmacy all need a graduate or professional degree after your bachelor's.
Who a biomedical sciences major suits
- You're curious about how the body works and why people get sick.
- You're aiming for medicine, dentistry, a physician assistant program, lab science or research.
- You're comfortable with chemistry, or ready to work at it.
- You like labs and hands-on work as much as reading.
- You want a degree that keeps several health careers open while you decide.
It's a weaker fit if you dislike chemistry or want to focus on ecology, animals or the environment. A broader biology major will suit you better there.
Frequently asked questions
What are biomedical sciences majors?
Biomedical sciences majors study human biology, health and disease using biology, chemistry and physics. Core courses usually include organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology and microbiology.
Is bio med a hard major?
Yes, it's demanding. Organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics carry most of the difficulty, along with regular lab sessions. Weekly practice problems and self-testing make a big difference.
What subjects are needed for biomedical science?
In high school, take as much biology, chemistry and math as you can. AP Biology and AP Chemistry are good preparation, and some physics helps too. Check each college's admissions page for its exact requirements.
What A-Levels do I need for biomedical science?
If you're applying in the UK, most universities ask for biology and chemistry. For example, King's College London asks for AAA including A grades in biology and chemistry for September 2027 entry. Requirements vary by university.
Is biomedical sciences good for pre-med?
Yes. It covers most medical school prerequisites, though medical schools don't prefer any one major. Strong grades and a strong MCAT score matter most.
Can you get a job with just a bachelor's in biomedical sciences?
Yes. Roles such as clinical laboratory technologist typically need a bachelor's degree, though some states also require a license. Research and medical careers usually need further study.