Program Overview

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Medicine: Basic Medical Sciences Emphasis

Overview

Healthcare comprises nearly one-fifth of the US economy with projections of job growth over the next 10 to 20 years. Our society has a significant demand for medical professionals in fields from medical specialists and primary care to physical therapists, nurses and physician assistants. Basic medical sciences provide a foundation for work in a wide variety of medical professions. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Medicine with an emphasis in Basic Medical Sciences study the fundamental processes of the human body. This major is designed for students aspiring to pursue further professional development in the healthcare field. Students gain understanding of physiological systems, cellular biology and medical treatment while attaining the necessary course work to continue in medical school and other healthcare professions.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the structure and function of the human body in health and disease including use of appropriate medical terminology, and apply this knowledge to evaluation of disease therapies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the scope of medical device technology as well as the complex datasets generated and their application to the practice of precision medicine.
• Describe social determinants of health including racial/ethnic disparities, and apply scientific evidence, best practices, and professional judgment to proposing strategies to mitigate negative impacts of social factors on health outcomes.
• Demonstrate understanding of professional and ethical responsibility in independent and/or multidisciplinary team settings.
• Demonstrate skills needed to engage in life-long learning, including the ability to find and critically evaluate relevant information, and apply it to solving clinical problems.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• IMB 402: Medical Microbiology Basics
• CMM 437: Immunology Basics
• PHCL 442: Human Performance Pharmacology

Career Fields

• Ph.D. in Basic Sciences
• Medical School
• Pharmacy
• Doctor of Nursing Practice School
• Physician Assistant

Level of Math

Moderate Knowledge

The M-strand is for students who require mathematical facility at the level of at least MATH 112 (College Algebra Concepts) or 108 (Modeling with Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions). This strand involves reasonable facility with algebra and algebraic functions, graphs, and simple modeling. Students who choose the M-strand are prepared for further mathematical work. This work may include MATH 107 (Exploring and Understanding Data), MATH 113 (Elements of Calculus), MATH 116 (Calculus Concepts for Business), MATH 119A (Mathematics of Biological Systems: A Calculus Based Approach), or a statistics class from outside the Mathematics Department, such as ISTA 116 (Statistical Foundations for the Information Age) or SBS 200 (Statistics for the Social Sciences).

Level of Second Language

2nd Semester Proficiency

Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

No

This Major's College

College of Medicine, Tucson

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Sample Plans

2025, Medicine: Basic Medical Sciences Emphasis

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework

First Year

1st Semester

• BSM 101 Intro to Medicine (2 credits)
• BSM 201 Healthcare Professional (3 credits)
• ENGL 101 First-Year Composition I or ENGL 109H (3 credits)
• MATH 112 College Algebra (3 credits)
• GE Foundation Second Language (Second Semester) (4 credits)
• Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1 credit)

2nd Semester

• BSM 296 Careers in Medicine (3 credits)
• ENGL 102 First-Year Composition II or ENGL 109H (3 credits)
• MATH 163 Statistics or MATH 263 Biostatistics (3 credits)
• CHEM 151 or CHEM 161 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
• MCB 181R & 181L Intro to Biology I with Lab (4 credits)

Second Year

3rd Semester

• Required Major Selective (4 credits)
• CHEM 152 or CHEM 162 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
• ECOL 182R & 182L Intro to Biology with Lab (4 credits)
• PSIO 201 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)

4th Semester

• Required Major Selective (4 credits)
• Required Major Selective (4 credits)
• PSIO 202 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)

Third Year

5th Semester

• CMM 410 Introduction to Human Histology & Pathology (3 credits)
• PHCL 412 Intro to Pharmacology (3 credits)
• IMB 401 or PSIO 431 (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)

6th Semester

• PSIO 411 or PHIL 321 Medical Ethics (3 credits)
• CMM 461 Clinical Reasoning (1 credit)
• Required Major Selective (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1 credit)

Fourth Year

7th Semester

• FCM 496D Disability Perspectives in Research, Policy, & Practice (3 credits)
• Major Emphasis Elective (3 credits)
• Major Emphasis Elective (3 credits)
• Major Emphasis Elective (3 credits)
• General Elective (3 credits)

8th Semester

• BSM 441 Diagnostic Technologies and Their Role in Healthcare (3 credits)
• PATH 415 Mechanisms of Human Disease (3 credits)
• Major Emphasis Elective (3 credits)
• General Elective (3 credits)