Location
Curriculum
120 credit hours
Program Length
4 years
Accreditation
Regionally Accredited by SACSCOC
Pioneering Discoveries in Biomedical Sciences: Transforming Healthcare for the Future
Columbia International University’s Bachelor of Science program in Biomedical Sciences is your gateway to a world of endless possibilities and opportunities. CIU’s program is designed with one central goal in mind: to empower you to unravel the intricate mysteries of the human body, nurture your passion for scientific inquiry, and equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare. At CIU, we believe that every student possesses a unique blend of curiosity, dedication and compassion, and we are committed to fostering an environment where you can cultivate your potential, embrace challenges head-on and unlock the doors to a future filled with innovation and service. At Columbia International University your dreams take center stage. We are here to guide you on a path of discovery, growth and limitless success.
Why Choose Columbia International University
CIU is committed to providing you with a comprehensive and personalized education to equip you for an exciting career in the Biomedical sciences. CIU’s Biomedical Sciences degree program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to pursue various graduate health programs, including medical, dental, physician assistant or pharmacy school. Here are a few reasons CIU’s program is right for you:
- Tailored for Graduate Health Programs: The B.S. in Biomedical Sciences is specifically designed to meet the requirements of graduate health programs. By completing the required courses, including common prerequisites, you will be well-prepared for admission to your desired graduate health degree program.
- Diverse Career Opportunities: In addition to preparing you for graduate health programs, our program opens doors to various career paths. If you are interested in working in a biotechnology lab or pursuing a graduate degree in a biomedical sciences discipline, the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences provides an excellent foundation for your future endeavors.
- Small Class Sizes and Hands-On Experience: With small class sizes, you will benefit from personalized attention and guidance from our experienced faculty. The program offers 14 required laboratory courses, allowing you to develop essential hands-on skills necessary for a successful career in the biomedical sciences field.
- Real-World Research Projects and Simulations: CIU offers practical learning experiences that enhance your analytical reasoning abilities. Through real-world research projects and simulations, you will gain valuable insights into the field and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Integration of Biblical Worldview: Courses are taught from a Biblical worldview, providing you with a holistic education that integrates faith and academics. You will have the opportunity to grow in your faith in God and develop a deep appreciation for the inherent value and dignity of every individual as created in the image of God.
- Internship and Missions/Ministry Opportunities: To further enrich your educational experience, we offer internship opportunities that allow you to apply your classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Additionally, missions and ministry opportunities are available, providing you with practical ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
By choosing the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences at Columbia International University, you will receive a well-rounded education that prepares you for both academic and professional success. CIU’s program not only equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills but also nurtures your personal and spiritual growth. Join us on this transformative journey and take the first step towards a fulfilling career in the biomedical sciences field.
Overall Benefits of this Degree
You will learn in CIU’s new Health Sciences laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment. Freshman lab courses will introduce you to equipment to develop and sharpen your research skills and prepare you for the advanced laboratory courses later in the program. The objective of CIU’s Biomedical Sciences program is to facilitate your professional development in safe laboratory practices which will help you in any career path.
Caring faculty members are available to help each student reach their potential. Biomedical Sciences faculty are committed to helping you succeed in the classroom as well as providing pre-med and pre-health advising. Our experienced faculty have taught many students who are now surgeons, dentists, neuroscientists, veterinarians, pharmacists and more so they are knowledgeable about what it takes to succeed in the competitive market of graduate health education. Importantly, they want to help you to achieve your career goals too.
The Biomedical Sciences curriculum is aligned with the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) which will help you to maximize your potential on this key test for medical school admissions. CIU also has arrangements with medical school recruiters who will visit the campus to inform you about your medical school options.
Columbia International University is excited about our postgraduate agreement with Cedarville University. Students who meet admission criteria are guaranteed interviews for admission to Cedarville for Pharmacy and Physician Assistant programs.
Our theme verse is Luke 9:6 “So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” (NIV) This verse, on the entryway wall of the Health Sciences Lab, is a constant reminder of the mission we have at CIU: To know Him and to make Him known. As we prepare students to be successful on the job and in graduate school, our ultimate purpose is to help students grow in their faith and their ability to share it. As our graduates take care of the physical health needs of others, our prayer is that they also minister to the spiritual needs and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Featured Faculty
What Will I Study?
Below is the list of courses for this program. NOTE: You will choose one course each from the mathematics, history, science, and culture and arts areas. Your enrollment counselor can provide more information about course selection.
- BIB 1116 Old Testament Survey
In this course, you will become familiar with the basic contents of each book of the Old Testament and the broad historical framework of Old Testament events. You will pay special attention to key passages and prominent themes of the Old Testament. You will read the Old Testament with a view to using it for spiritual formation and discipleship.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 1120 New Testament Survey
This course is an overview of the books of the New Testament and the historical circumstances surrounding these writings. You will focus on the background, content, message, and personal application of each book in the New Testament. You will also examine the process by which the New Testament canon was formed and the New Testament was transmitted through the history of the Church.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 3420 Principles of Bible Interpretation
This course will guide you through the hermeneutical principles basic to interpreting Scripture. Many of these principles are common to language and literature, while others apply uniquely to the Bible. All of them are based on the way in which the Bible interprets itself. You will begin to lay a foundation of cognitive understanding, with an emphasis on practice in applying the principles.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 3616 Romans
Within the framework of an exegetical study, you will focus on the New Testament's most organized, thorough exposition of the Christian faith and its relation to human history and implications for Christian living. Giving special attention to the personal application of the message, you will apply principles of biblical interpretation to the study of this book.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 4310 Progress of Redemption
In this course, you will explore God's plan of redemption as it progressively unfolds in the Bible. You will trace the basic historical revelation in the Old and New Testaments to see what God is doing and by what method. You will consider the spoken revelations as you observe the progress of doctrine.
3.00 credit hours
- THE 3310 Christian Theology
This course provides a study of the theological truths of the Bible, during which you will focus on the basic doctrines necessary for a Christian worldview: Scripture, God, Christ, Holy Spirit, sin and salvation, church, and future events. You will examine the doctrinal teaching of the Bible, supplemented with insights from the theological reflections of the church throughout its history and from contemporary theological discussions.
3.00 credit hours
- COM 2110 Public Speaking 3.00 credit hours
- ENG 1110 Composition and Research
This course provides you an introduction to reaching well-reasoned conclusions based upon the most credible evidence available, skills fundamental to college writing but also for life as an educated adult. You will develop your abilities with modern academic library resources as evidenced through an annotated working bibliography, among other assignments. You will spend the majority of the course drafting and revising papers which demonstrate the effective use of secondary resources.
3.00 credit hours
- ENG 1111 Literature and Research
This second writing course is designed to foster an appreciation of literature, use literary texts as a platform for strengthening skills in reading, writing, and analysis, and continue to emphasize foundational skills in library research. Texts and genres (such as short fiction, poetry, and drama) will vary.
3.00 credit hours
- PHI 2110 Introduction to Philosophy
In this course, you will explore some of the fundamental issues that must be addressed by anyone attempting to formulate a comprehensive understanding of things (worldview), and will examine primary texts in order to observe some of the very best thinking regarding these fundamental issues.
3.00 credit hours
- PHI 4140 Seminar in Ethics
In this capstone course, you will integrate Scripture, theology, and philosophy as they relate to who we are, what we should do, and living well. You will develop a Christian framework for ethical thinking and decision-making based on the Christian understanding of human nature as bearing the Image of God. Course limited to students classified as seniors.
3.00 credit hours
- PSY 2110 General Psychology
In this survey of scientific psychology, you will focus on historical roots, human development, and the physiological basis of behavior, learning, motivation, perception, emotions, personality, socialization, and pathology. You will learn how to filter psychological data through biblical principles to help produce a biblically-consistent model of human psychology which can then be used in both Christian and non-Christian environments.
3.00 credit hours
- MAT 2100 Introduction to Statistics
This course provides an elementary overview of probability and statistics that will prepare students to conduct and interpret research in a variety of scientific fields. The content will include descriptive statistics; probability; discrete and continuous random variables; binomial, normal, and student-t distributions; methods for conducting inference, including confidence intervals and hypothesis tests; and linear correlation and regression. (3 semester hours)
3.00 credit hours
- ART 2110 Art Appreciation
This course introduces students to the fine arts in their various media and period styles, with the goal of developing students' understanding and experience of the role of the arts in life. An ongoing focus on the relationship between art and the Bible will encourage students to develop a theology of art.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 2110 Music Appreciation
This course will introduce the student to the place that music traditionally held as one of the seven liberal arts as an apologetic to the study and enjoyment of music. The goal of the class is to enhance critical listening skills and to develop a working vocabulary of music that is meaningful to the non-musician. The course will introduce the basic elements of music and a brief overview of the history of Western classical music, American Jazz, World, and Pop music. (3)
3.00 credit hours
- CSL 0101 Christian Service Learning I
Having identified a local church during your first semester experience, you will now faithfully attend that church and volunteer at least 20 clock hours of service at that church or within a ministry in the community that is approved by the CSL Director. This service must be documented and approved by the CSL Director and a record submitted to the CSL office. No credit will be given, but completion of the service hours is a graduation requirement. Lack of faithfulness in attending or participating in a local church is an issue related to Christian character; failure to demonstrate faithfulness will be addressed by the Student Life office. (0)
0.00 credit hours
- CSL 0201 Christian Service Learning II
Having identified a local church during your first semester experience, you will now faithfully attend that church and volunteer at least 30 clock hours of service at that church or within a ministry in the community that is approved by the CSL Director. This service must be documented and approved by the CSL Director and a record submitted to the CSL office. No credit will be given, but completion of the service hours is a graduation requirement. Lack of faithfulness in attending or participating in a local church is an issue related to Christian character; failure to demonstrate faithfulness will be addressed by the Student Life office. (0)
0.00 credit hours
- CSL 0202 Christian Service Learning III
Having identified a local church during your first semester experience, you will now faithfully attend that church and volunteer at least 30 clock hours of service at that church or within a ministry in the community that is approved by the CSL Director. This service must be documented and approved by the CSL Director and a record submitted to the CSL office. No credit will be given, but completion of the service hours is a graduation requirement. Lack of faithfulness in attending or participating in a local church is an issue related to Christian character; failure to demonstrate faithfulness will be addressed by the Student Life office. (0)
0.00 credit hours
- ICS 1210 Discovering the Mission of God
This course is designed to help you develop world-Christian characteristics. You will explore the Christian's heritage in the history of the church and missions, begin to develop a scriptural perspective on the purpose of the gospel in confronting ideologies, religions and spiritual needs of the world, and discuss current strategies for identifying and reaching the lost.
3.00 credit hours
- MSD 1110 Encountering Spiritual Formation
This course is designed to introduce the student to the foundational principles of spiritual formation for effective life, ministry, and vocation. The process of the student's spiritual formation includes their relationship with God, their biblical self-image, their relationship with the Body of Christ, their personal relationships, and their relationship with the world. Students are invited into a multiple-year journey of encountering spiritual formation in community. The goal of this course is to help students build a foundation for continued spiritual formation at and beyond their time at CIU.
3.00 credit hours
- PHY 2110 General Physics I
A study of the principles of physics with emphasis on mechanics, motion, and thermodynamics. Corequisite: PHY 2111.
3.00 credit hours
- PHY 2111 General Physics I Laboratory
Hands on laboratory exercises to demonstrate principles of physics to accompany PHY 2110. Corequisite: PHY 2111.
1.00 credit hour
- PHY 2120 General Physics II
This course is a continuation of PHY 2110 with emphasis on electromagnetism and optics. Prerequisite: PHY 2110. Corequisite: PHY 2121.
3.00 credit hours
- PHY 2121 General Physics II Laboratory
Hands on laboratory exercises to demonstrate principles of physics to accompany PHY 2120. Corequisite: PHY 2120.
1.00 credit hour
- BIO 3110 Microbiology 3.00 credit hours
- BIO 3111 Microbiology Laboratory
This laboratory accompanies : BIO 3110 Principles of Microbiology. You will learn about laboratory techniques as they relate to morphology, physiology, classification, distribution, and cultivation of microorganisms. Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BIO 3110 Principles of Microbiology.
1.00 credit hour
- BIO 3215 Molecular and General Genetics 4.00 credit hours
- BIO 3360 Origins
An exploration and evaluation of origins theories including evolution and creation models. Emphasis is placed on the origin of life, origin of species, and the origin of man. Prerequisites: BIO 2110 and BIO 2111.
2.00 credit hours
- BIO 4120 Cell Biology
An investigation of the structure and function of the eukaryotic cell. Emphasis is placed on molecular organization, gene regulation, organelle structure and function, protein targeting, vesicular transport, cell signaling, and the cell cycle. Hands on laboratory exercises reinforce concepts from lecture. Prerequisites: BIO 2120 and BIO 2121.
4.00 credit hours
- MAT 2600 Business Calculus
A calculus course intended for those studying business, economics, or other related business majors. The following topics are presented with applications in the business world: functions, graphs, limits, exponential and logarithmic functions, differentiation, integration, techniques and applications of integration, partial derivatives, optimization, and the calculus of several variables. Each textbook section has an accompanying homework set to help the student better understand the material.
3.00 credit hours
- BIO 4100 Biomedical Sciences Seminar
A discussion of biomedical science research based on current literature. This course includes student presentations in both oral and poster presentation formats. Repeatable.
1.00 credit hour
- BIO 4810 Special Topics in Biology or Biomedical Sciences
An investigation of a topic in Biological or Biomedical Sciences. Course may be repeated with different topics. Repeatable.
3.00 credit hours
Accreditation and Accolades
Career Path Opportunities
- Physician (M.D. or D.O.)*
- Physician Assistant*
- Dentist*
- Pharmacist*
- Optometrist*
- Veterinarian*
- Biomedical Scientist (Neuroscientist, Immunologist, Microbiologist, Biochemist etc.)*
- Biotech Laboratory Research Assistant
*Postgraduate training required.
Top FAQs
- What is the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree?
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The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree is a comprehensive program that immerses you in the study of biological and medical sciences. It provides a strong foundation in subjects such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, genetics and microbiology. This multidisciplinary approach equips you with a deep understanding of the human body, its functions and the scientific principles underlying health and disease.
- What can I do with a degree in Biomedical Sciences?
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A degree in Biomedical Sciences opens diverse career paths in healthcare and research. With this degree, you can pursue advanced professional programs such as medical school, dental school, physician assistant programs or pharmacy school. Additionally, you can work in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, government agencies, public health organizations or pursue further studies in biomedical sciences through graduate programs or research fellowships.
- Can I get hands-on experience in the program?
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Absolutely! CIU’s program provides extensive hands-on experience to prepare you for a successful career in the biomedical field. Starting from your freshman year, you will have access to our state-of-the-art Health Sciences laboratory equipped with cutting-edge equipment and technologies. Through laboratory courses, research projects and simulations, you will develop practical skills in experimental techniques, data analysis, scientific inquiry and critical thinking. These hands-on experiences will enhance your problem-solving abilities and equip you with the necessary skills for a successful career.
- Are there research opportunities available for undergraduate students?
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Yes, we offer research opportunities specifically designed for undergraduate students. Under the guidance of experienced faculty members, you will have the chance to engage in real-world research projects in various biomedical areas. These projects may involve conducting experiments, analyzing data and contributing to ongoing scientific inquiries. Participating in research as an undergraduate will strengthen your analytical reasoning abilities, foster your scientific curiosity and provide valuable experience for future research endeavors or graduate studies.
- How does the curriculum prepare me for graduate health programs?
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Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to prepare you for admission to graduate health programs. You will take a combination of foundational science courses and specialized coursework that align with the common prerequisites required for admission to medical, dental, physician assistant or pharmacy schools. These courses cover essential subjects such as biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology and anatomy. Additionally, our curriculum is aligned with the content covered in entrance exams such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), maximizing your potential for success on these exams.
- What is the student-faculty ratio like in the program?
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At Columbia International University, we prioritize a personalized and supportive learning environment. With small class sizes, you will benefit from a low student-faculty ratio, ensuring that you receive individualized attention and mentorship from our dedicated faculty members. Our professors are not only highly qualified in their respective fields but also deeply committed to your academic success and personal growth. They will provide guidance, support and personalized instruction, fostering an engaging and enriching educational experience.
- Can I pursue internships or missions/ministry opportunities as part of the program?
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Absolutely! We believe in the importance of practical application and real-world experiences. As a student in the Biomedical Sciences program, you will have the opportunity to pursue internships or engage in missions/ministry opportunities related to healthcare and biomedical fields. These experiences can be within hospitals, research institutions, non-profit organizations or healthcare settings, allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire in the classroom to real-world scenarios. These experiences will not only broaden your perspective but also enhance your professional development and help you make informed decisions about your future career path.
- How does the program integrate biblical principles?
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As a Christian institution, we integrate biblical principles into our curriculum and approach to education. We believe that faith and science are not mutually exclusive but complement and enrich one another. In the Biomedical Sciences program, you will explore the ethical implications of healthcare practices, the sanctity of life and the responsibility to serve others. You will engage in discussions and projects that encourage critical thinking from a biblical worldview, emphasizing the value of each individual as created in the image of God. This integration of faith and science will not only deepen your understanding of the subject matter but also help you develop a well-rounded perspective that recognizes the spiritual and ethical dimensions of healthcare.
- Are there opportunities for networking and professional development?
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Yes, we provide opportunities for networking and professional development to enhance your career prospects. Throughout your program, we organize events, workshops and guest lectures where you can connect with professionals in the biomedical field. You will have the opportunity to network with alumni who have successful careers in various healthcare professions. Additionally, our faculty members, who have extensive experience and connections in the field, will provide guidance and support for your career development. They can offer advice on graduate school applications, professional organizations, internships and other opportunities relevant to your career goals.
- How long does it take to complete the program?
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The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences is typically completed in four years, assuming you are enrolled as a full-time student. However, the duration of the program may vary based on individual circumstances, such as transfer credits, course load and participation in research or internships. Our academic advisors will work closely with you to develop a personalized academic plan that aligns with your goals and ensures timely completion of your degree.