Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences, B.S. - COLSA, UNH

The Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences (BMS:MVS) program is informed by the principles of the One Health Initiative, which unites human and veterinary medicine.  This rigorous academic program meets requirements for entry into veterinary school, medical school, and graduate school in the area of biomedical science or for a career as a research scientist in either the biotechnology/pharmaceutical sector or government and academic research labs.

You will select elective courses from three major areas of study:

• biomedical systems
• pathobiology and disease
• health and environmental issues

As a BMS:MVS major, you have many opportunities for career-relevant learning experiences including:

• NH Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory located on the UNH campus
• UNH Agricultural Experiment Station farm facilities
• independent research in laboratories of UNH faculty in the biomedical and biological sciences
• experience in local hospitals
• internships in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the Greater Boston area

BMS:MVS graduates are prepared for post-baccalaureate education in:

• professional health programs
  • veterinary school
  • medical school
  • allied health programs (physician assistant or pathologist’s assistant)
• graduate programs
  • biomedical science
  • pathology
  • public health
  • nursing

Careers of previous Medical & Veterinary Sciences graduates include:

• research scientists/laboratory technicians
  • biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
  • academic biomedical research programs
  • forensic laboratories
  • hospitals/health clinics
• state and federal government employment
  • public health laboratories
  • health inspector (e.g., Food and Drug Administration)

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

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BMCB 605, BMS 503 & BMS 504, and GEN 604 may be taken in other semesters, but all should be completed by the end of Fall semester in junior year.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Students in the Medical and Veterinary Sciences (MVS) option take eight Foundation courses, six Bioscience Core courses, three BMS-MVS Core courses, and six BMS-MVS Major Elective courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors. In addition, all other university academic requirements must be completed, including those for the Discovery Program and the University Writing Program requirements.

A grade of C-minus or above is required in all courses within the major, which includes Foundation, Bioscience Core, and BMS-MVS Core courses, and BMS-MVS Major Electives.

Students applying to health profession schools need a full year of English.  ENGL 415C, ENGL 419, ENGL 501, ENGL 502 or ENGL 503 should be taken in addition to ENGL 401. For more information contact the Pre-Professional Health Program Advising Office.

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 CHEM 403 fulfills the Physical Science Discovery requirement

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 MATH 424B fulfills the Quantitative Reasoning Discovery requirement

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BIOL 411 fulfills the Biological Science Discovery requirement, Discovery Laboratory requirement, and the Discovery Inquiry requirement.

BMS-MVS Major Elective Courses

A total of six unique major elective courses are required. Two courses must be taken in each of the following subject areas: biomedical systems, pathobiology and disease, and health and environmental issues.

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Enrolling in GEN 725 concurrently is encouraged but not required

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 Only one 400-level course may be taken to fulfill a Major Elective requirement.

BMS: MVS Capstone

The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning.  The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity).  Students may take more than one capstone course.  Capstone completion is never displayed on Degree Works; your advisor will certify capstone completion at the time of graduation. Students must have 90 credits or more when completing their capstone requirement.  See your advisor for questions about capstones.

For a Capstone experience not listed above, such as an internship, submit a Capstone Experience Approval form prior to beginning the experience.

Program Learning Outcomes

Core Knowledge

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of core knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics & biomedical sciences.

Quantitative Literacy, Inquiry & Analysis

• Students will be able to apply the scientific method to examine experimental evidence and draw informed conclusions.
• Students will be able to use graphs to represent scientific data.
• Students will be able to apply statistical methods to interpret scientific data.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Students will be able to use data to troubleshoot an unexpected outcome.
• Students will be able to apply core knowledge to critically interpret scientific data.

Written Communication

• Students will demonstrate written skills to communicate scientific knowledge and experimental data.

Oral Communication

• Students will be able to demonstrate oral presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge and experimental data.

Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences option

• Students will be able to list the major organ systems in mammals and describe their basic structure and function.
• Students will be able to describe the differences between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
• Students will be able to describe the structure and function of the major cellular organelles.
• Students will understand the principles of Mendelian genetics.
• Students will understand the pathogenesis of disease and effects on the major organ systems.
• Students will be able to describe the inter-relationships between health and disease, society, and the environment.