The Best Path for Medical School
IUP's Bachelor of Science in Pre-medical Biology degree isn't for the faint of heart. But the challenges you'll face in this demanding field are well worth the reward. If you want a career that commands perseverance, passion, and a commitment to care, you'll be right at home in this dynamic program.
Whether you want to become a patient's trusted provider or work behind the scenes developing life-saving treatments, IUP provides the foundation you need to find success in medical school and beyond. The BS in Pre-med Biology major calls on science-minded students to rise to the occasion and become the healers of their generation.
In the BS in Pre-medical Biology track, you'll get the specific skills you'll need and exclusive opportunities for real-world experiences. You can expect to:
- Complete internships with physicians throughout the United States
- Join exciting research projects with Biology faculty
- Network with current IUP students, medical students, and physician alumni via IUP’s American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- Participate in leadership activities like the Biology Student Mentorship Experience (BioME)
Why Major in Pre-medical Biology at IUP?
You can count on IUP to set you up for the future. Qualified students can take advantage of IUP's articulation agreements with elite medical schools including:
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Thomas Jefferson University's Jefferson Medical College
IUP also supports its BS in Pre-med Biology students through partnerships and programs, like:
- The Physician Shortage Area Program, where students can serve rural areas and gain hands-on experience
- The 3+4 Program, which grants qualified IUP students early admission to certain medical schools
What You’ll Learn
You'll benefit from a variety of academic and hands-on experiences in the BS in Pre-med Biology program. You'll get a foundational understanding of biology before moving onto upper level courses and pursuing advanced training, including:
- A physician-supervised biology internship in your chosen field
- EMT training and transfer credits for additional field experience and career opportunities
- Opportunity to participate in the Biology Honors Program for faculty-supervised research projects
- Specialized study in pharmacology, endocrinology, and neurobiology
Imagine Your Future
IUP students go onto top-tier medical schools, and you could be next.
After earning a BS in Pre-med Biology degree at IUP, you can go on to pursue a doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DO, DPM) at a medical school. Depending on your chosen specialty, you'll then complete three to nine years of additional internship or residency training. Another option is to pursue a doctoral degree in podiatric medicine (DPM). After earning the DPM, podiatrists then complete a 3-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency.
BS in Biology Pre-medical graduates can also move on to earn other advanced degrees and pursue careers as:
- Physician assistants
- Clinical laboratory technicians
Physicians
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Podiatrists
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Physician Assistants
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Clinical Technicians
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Classes and Requirements
The BS in Biology Pre-medical curriculum is designed to prepare you to succeed on the MCAT and in a medical programs. Our core curriculum focuses on genetics and development. Advanced courses reinforce key physiology concepts, and cover:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Dissection-based anatomy
Pre-med students also explore medical fields in professional settings through internships and training.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
Biomedical Science Minor
You don't have to major with a BS in Pre-med Biology to take an interest in bioscience. Students in related programs, such as nursing and food and nutrition, can enhance their degree by minoring in biomedical science. A Biomedical Science Minor from IUP boosts your professional credentials while you pursue your primary studies. You can expect to learn:
- Basic anatomy
- Microbiology concepts important to healthcare
- Physiology
The Biomedical Science Minor will provide you with relevant information outside of your field of study and can make you more competitive for graduate programs or jobs when you finish your degree.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Articulation Agreements with Medical Schools
Qualifying students can take advantage of IUP's early acceptance agreements with:
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
Both allow qualifying students to gain provisional acceptance into the medical college as long as they maintain a 3.5 GPA or better in the BS Pre-med Biology program.
The early acceptance agreement is made possible through the 3+4 program, which allows IUP students to enter medical school after three years at IUP. Students must fulfill the undergraduate requirements at IUP and complete the first-year curriculum at LECOM or PCOM to be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-medical Biology from IUP.
Biology Honors Program
The Biology Honors Program is an exclusive research program that allows high achieving biology students to participate in additional research and thesis opportunities.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Biology Undergraduate Research Experience (BURE)
The purpose of the BURE scholarship program is to encourage student research, creative activity, and student-faculty innovative research projects.
BURE enables students to become part of the entire research experience, including (in sequential order):
- Planning an experiment
- Writing the proposal
- Completing the research project
- Preparing the work for presentation and publication
BURE scholarship recipients receive $2,000 in summer stipend money plus an additional $500 to purchase necessary research materials.