BIOMEDICAL HEALTH SCIENCES at Purdue University

Biomedical Health Sciences is designed to prepare students for entry into professional and graduate schools in a wide arena of health professions and health sciences. Building a solid foundation in the biomedical health sciences prepares our undergraduates for the challenges of pursuing a career in the diverse and ever-changing industry of healthcare and health science.

Due to the thoughtful design of our curriculum, students take similar coursework the first two years of enrollment, allowing the flexibility of switching from one pre-professional concentration to another. The most outstanding feature of this degree is that the course requirements for entry into professional or graduate school are incorporated into the plans of study, resulting in no extra coursework for our undergraduates.

Students in the School of Health Sciences often pursue undergraduate research in areas such as toxicology, cancer treatment and prevention, Parkinson’s disease, neurodegenerative disorders, heavy metals, health physics, medical imaging, occupational and environmental health. Students can also participate in an undergraduate honors program, with the ability to potentially conduct research as early as the first year. All students complete HSCI 10100, Introduction to Health Professions, in the first semester. During this course, students have the opportunity to explore careers across the allied health professions and to hear from practicing health professionals to gain an introduction to the numerous opportunities within the healthcare industry.

Careers in Biomedical Health Sciences

The majority of general health sciences graduates go on to graduate school or professional schools. In recent years, approximately 70% of our graduates enrolled in graduate school or professional schools; the national placement rate for professional school (med school, PT, OT, etc.) is less than 50%.

A number of students will also choose to enter into the workforce in various science-based fields, such as research and development, government agencies, biomedical science facilities and community health.

• Cardiologist
• Chiropractor
• Dentist
• Gastroenterologist
• Optometrist
• Orthodontist
• Pediatrician
• Physician Assistant
• Product Research and Development
• Surgeon
• University Faculty