Major map:
Biomedical Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences [B.Sc. (BMSC)]
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
Biomedical Science is a diverse field of study that focuses on facets of the biological sciences especially relevant to human health and the improvement of patient care. Through a unique partnership, the College of Medicine and College of Arts and Science offer five distinct B.Sc. (BMSC) degree programs majoring in:
Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
Biomedical Foundations
Biomedical Neuroscience
Cellular, Physiological and Pharmacological Sciences
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences
All five of these majors build on a shared two-year biomedical science core platform that provides students with a broad introductory exposure to cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology and pharmacology. After completing these core courses, students select one of the above BMSC major programs in which to specialize for their third and fourth years of study.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying biomedical sciences at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue, meet with a BMSC undergraduate advisor and/or Arts and Science academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
BIOL 120.3 | The Nature of Life
CHEM 112.3 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
CHEM 115.3 | General Chemistry II Chemical Processes
PHYS 115.3 | Physics and the Universe
PHYS 117.3 | Physics for the Life Sciences
BMSC 200.3 | Biomolecules
You choose
- One course (3 cu) to fulfill part of your MATH/STAT requirements
- Three courses (9 cu) to fulfill part of your elective requirements
Academic tips
- Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
- To ensure all degree requirements are met, it is recommended that students book with a BMSC undergraduate advisor and/or an Arts and Science academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- Attend information sessions for professional programs like Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy
What will I learn?
- Critical thinking and problem solving. Our learners will develop analytical thinking skills that are an excellent preparation for health science professional programs and biomedical research careers
- Technical skills in basic life sciences, many of which have high clinical relevance
- Broad understanding of the molecular basis of life from single molecules to complex biological systems
- Specific knowledge of key disease processes and infectious agents
- Gain hands-on research experience in some of the leading biomedical research labs in the country
Gain relevant experience
- Consider a study abroad experience to earn credit toward your degree
- Enroll in a First Year Research Experience (FYRE) course to have a meaningful research, scholarly, or artistic experience
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests (Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology)
- Join a biomedical sciences undergraduate student group for study help and social connections
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
Featured courses
- BMIS 321.3 Principles of Immunology
- BMIS 430.3 Biochemistry of Cancer
- CHEP 350.3 Introduction to Epidemiology
- CPPS 308.3 Experimental Basis of Physiology and Pharmacology
- NEUR 334.3 Introductory Neuroanatomy
Explore your major
Your second year is an exposure to the breadth of the biomedical sciences. The common core will allow you to sample courses from the various programs and determine how your strengths, interests and aspirations align. View the course and program catalogue, meet with a BMSC undergraduate advisor and/or Arts and Science academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
BMSC 207.3 | Human Body Systems I
BMSC 208.3 | Human Body Systems II
BMSC 210.3 | Microbiology
BMSC 220.3 | Cell Biology
BMSC 230.3 | Metabolism
BMSC 240.3 | Laboratory Techniques
CHEM 250.3 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry
You choose
- One course (3 cu) to fulfill part of your MATH/STAT requirements
- Two courses (6 cu) to fulfill part of your elective requirements
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks or meet with an academic advisor (BMSC and/or Arts and Science) to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Continue to explore professional programs and ensure alignment between your course choices and admission requirements
Choose your major
Choose from five distinct B.Sc. (BMSC) degree programs.
Gain relevant experience
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities
- Meet with the Study Abroad Coordinator or an ISSAC International Education Officer to explore your study abroad options
- Become a peer mentor with the College of Arts and Science, Student Learning Services, or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Talk to professors and graduate teaching assistants about getting involved in research, and summer research opportunities (Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology research; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology research)
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and the Global Connections Network
- Attend the Colleges of Medicine and Arts and Science undergraduate research information sessions
Get career ready
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
- Attend biomedical researcher seminars to meet eminent scientists and gain exposure to a career in research
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue, meet with an Arts and Science academic advisor, and/or meet with a BMSC undergraduate advisor to understand all program requirements.
After your second year, choose your major and specialize in one of the following four-year programs. Please note, some majors have limited availability and acceptance will be based on academic standing.
You choose
Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology (BMIS)
- This major includes microbial physiology and pathogenesis, protein structure and function, molecular biology, microbial genetics, virology, tumour biology and cancer, immunology and immunopathogenesis
Biomedical Foundations (BMF)
- This major builds on the shared two-year biomedical sciences platform shared by all the biomedical science majors to provide students with a strong foundation of multi-disciplinary training. This program includes necessary courses for students seeking entry into certain health-related professional schools not requiring a four-year degree, such as the Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, and Post-Degree Nursing programs at the University of Saskatchewan
Biomedical Neuroscience (NEUR)
- This major includes education in many of the central topics in neuroscience including molecular and cellular neuroscience, systems and sensory neuroscience, behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, neurophysiology and neuroanatomy
Cellular, Physiological and Pharmacological Sciences (CPPS)
- This major provides a comprehensive understanding of the functions and mechanisms of actions of the cells and major systems of the human body, and of the effects and mode of action of chemicals which modify the major systems of the body
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (IDBMSC)
- Are you looking for a broad foundation for professional school like medicine, or do you have interests that span disciplines? This major enables cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary training that positions graduates for careers in the biomedical sciences, community health and epidemiology, public health, and other health-related professions
Academic tips
- Biomedical science provides an excellent foundation for each of these professional programs at USask:
Consider applying to a graduate program
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
- Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
- Community and Population Health Sciences (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
- Health Sciences (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Arts and Science Student Union (ASSU) or the USask Students' Union (USSU)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter and CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Possible destinations
People with a biomedical sciences degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Biomedical Ethics Researcher
- Biomedical Scientist
- Biophysicist
- Biostatistician
- Chemist
- Clinical Application Specialist
- Clinical Research Associate
- Consultant
- Dentistry
- Engineering Consultant
- Ergonomist
- Field Scientist
- Immunologist
- Laboratory Assistant
- Laboratory Supervisor
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medicine
- Microbiologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Nursing
- Pharmaceutical Sales
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist
- Professor
- R&D Scientist
- Research Officer
- Research Program Coordinator
- Research Scientist
- Scientific Director
My program offered me a chance to practice practical lab skills that I can use in my field. There were many opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation and this helped to create a more well rounded educational experience and improve my ability to work as a team in my field.
—Emma, third-year biochemistry, microbiology and immunology student
Where do USask alumni work?
- Canadian Light Source
- Circle Cardiovascular Imaging
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
- Life Labs
- McGill University
- St. Paul's Hospital
- Toronto Research Chemicals
- University Health Network
- University of British Columbia
- University of Saskatchewan
- VIDO-InterVac
- Western University
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"My most valuable experience within the BMI program is meeting other people who are interested in the same kind of science as me. Being a BMI student who is passionate and excited for the future of science has opened many doors for me in terms of meeting faculty, doing research, and having my work published. I believe that having a BMI degree is a great way to set yourself up for success in the future as there are many opportunities for further education, research positions, and clinical jobs."
—Hannah, fourth-year biochemistry, microbiology and immunology student
"I decided to give MCIM a try. After one term, I knew I had made the right choice. The labs are incredibly valuable for learning all the important techniques and methods that form the basis of the major. Plus, there are many valuable classes that offer a unique experience that will help you develop important skills... I think that finding a job related to this degree will be easier than before, since its value is now being recognized globally and hopefully demand will increase along with it."
—Liliana, fourth-year biochemistry, microbiology and immunology student
"The CURE Lab course provided a unique opportunity to apply the knowledge I have gained throughout my degree and work on my research development skills. The BMI program provided both career opportunities as well as many options to continue my education with graduate studies."
—Kennedy, fourth-year biochemistry, microbiology and immunology student