Biomedical Science

Health science is a growing field within healthcare. Health science is appealing because of the countless career opportunities it presents within the field. This major covers a wide range of skills, specializations, and experiences that are simply not available in other dedicated majors. Instead of narrowing in on one specific career path, health science encompasses a large array of disciplines relating to health care, science, mathematics, and technology.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Medical laboratory scientists perform many of the laboratory tests used in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. As part of the health care team, they contribute data on blood, tissues, and fluids using a variety of precise methods and technologies. This program combines natural science and liberal arts education with clinical instruction. Our medical lab program is rigorous and demanding. It attracts individuals with strong quantitative and analytical skills. Students should be prepared to study in an academic and clinical environment and have a strong background in the sciences. Presently, CU is affiliated with eight hospitals. Students who complete all of the requirements and the clinical year earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree and are eligible to take the national certification examinations for medical laboratory scientists.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Clinical Affiliates and Adjunct Faculty

• Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
  850 Greenfield Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601
  Ms. Carol Bond, Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science
  717-947-6193; csbond@pacollege.edu
• Reading Hospital and Tower Health System
  School of Health Sciences
  P.O. Box 16052, Sixth Ave. & Spruce St., Reading, PA 19612
  Mr. Ethan Kentzel, MLS (ASCP), Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science
  484-628-7898; ETHAN.KENTZEL@towerhealth.org
• Robert Packer Hospital
  One Guthrie Square, Sayre, PA 18840
  Ms. Stacy Pond, MS, MLS(ASCP), Program Director, MLS Program
  570-887-4736; Stacy.Pond@guthrie.org
• St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
  Erie Ave at Front St., Philadelphia, PA 19134
  Ms. Susanne Dannert, Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science
  215-427-5306; susanne.dannert@tenethealth.com
• UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport
  700 High Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
  Ms. Christine Wheary, Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science
  570-321-2367; cwheary@susquehannahealth.org
• Thomas Jefferson College Health Professions
  130 S 9th St., Suite 1924, Philadelphia, PA 19107
  Ms. Valerie Jalicke, Program Director, Laboratory Sciences
  215-503-2792; valerie.jalicke@jefferson.edu
• Well Span Health/York Hospital
  1001 South George St., York, PA 17405
  Mr. Edwin Beitz, Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science
  717-851-2473; ebeitz@wellspan.org

Genetic counseling can be seen as the health professional role concerned with the impact of genetic disease and genetic information on individuals and families. It's been predominantly concerned with the human problems arising in the context of single gene disorders, chromosome rearrangements, and malformation, including syndromes of neurodevelopmental disturbance and dysmorphic physical features. These are the core conditions dealt with in genetic counseling practice on both sides of the North Atlantic, although the scope of genetic counseling does vary between countries so that, for example, North American genetic counselors are often heavily engaged in the offer of routine antenatal screening to pregnant women, whereas this is not standard practice in Europe. As genomic analysis enters clinical medicine, it is timely to reflect on the impact that this will have on genetic counseling practice.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Pharmacy is a health profession concerned with knowledge about drugs and their effects. Pharmacists prepare, dispense, and administer drugs. They evaluate medication orders and provide information and advice on drug selection, effects, and interactions. The standard degree for a pharmacist today is the Doctor of Pharmacy - typically a six-year program. The first two years of the curriculum is broad-based and can be taken at an undergraduate institution such as CU. Students may apply to transfer after two years or complete a bachelor's degree (we recommend the B.S. Health Sciences degree) before applying to a professional program. BU students have been admitted to a number of different pharmacy schools.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Physician Assistants work under the supervision of and in collaboration with physicians. They provide a broad range of diagnostic, educational, and therapeutic patient care services. Most physician assistant programs are now at the master's degree level. We strongly recommend students complete the B.S. in Health Sciences degree and then apply to a master's physician assistant degree program. These programs are typically two years in length.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Physical Therapists examine, diagnose, and treat patients who have a variety of musculoskeletal, cardiac, neurological, and pulmonary problems. They carry out programs to help increase a patient's strength and flexibility, to relieve pain, and to help limit permanent physical disabilities. Most physical therapy degree programs are now offered at the doctoral level. We strongly recommend that students complete the B.S. Health Sciences degree, then apply for admission to a physical therapy program where they earn a doctoral (D. PT) degree. These programs are usually three years in length.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

General Biomedical Sciences (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. describe the cellular basis of life.
2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

Medical Lab Science (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. describe the cellular basis of life.
2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
7. gain and apply knowledge in specific content areas and proficiency in laboratory skills required of a medical laboratory professional
8. successfully complete a NAACLS accredited clinical program.

Medical Genomics and Counseling (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. describe the cellular basis of life.
2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

Pre-Pharmacy (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. describe the cellular basis of life.
2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
7. prepare for admission to PharmD programs

Pre-Physician Assistant (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. describe the cellular basis of life.
2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

Pre-Physical Therapy (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. describe the cellular basis of life.
2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
7. prepare for admission to DPT programs.

Pre-Medical Sciences (B.S.)

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. describe the cellular basis of life.
2. describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
3. describe the integration between animal form and function.
4. describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
5. communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
6. utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
7. prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

Medical Imaging (B.S.)

At the completion of the Medical Imaging Program, the student will:

1. Demonstrate clinical competence by producing high-quality diagnostic medical images, and employing
   safety practices pertinent to medical imaging.
2. Utilize effective communication skills appropriate to the healthcare environment.
3. Employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills during professional practice by adapting to changing patient needs during the performance of radiographic procedures, and implementing corrective actions as needed to improve image quality.