Bachelor of Science in Medicine Undergraduate Program
Have you thought about helping others through clinical care or research? Unlock a career in health care with a BS in Medicine!
The BS in Medicine program will prepare you for success, whether you pursue a career in clinical care, biomedical research, the newest medical technologies or other health care-related areas. Coursework is designed and delivered as a collaboration between medical care professionals, basic scientists and humanists, focusing on clinical reasoning and case-based learning. Nearly half of our classes are taught by practicing physicians and medical scientists. The program covers unique topics, including clinical case analysis, hands-on learning through simulation and traditional interactive lectures.
Connect
Connect with practicing physicians and members of the graduate faculty who teach medical students and residents in the College of Medicine – Tucson in general medical practice.
Join
Join a diverse group of students and dedicated faculty members who will support you along your journey.
Explore
Explore career avenues in fields of health care, which consumes nearly one-fifth of the U.S. economy with projections of job growth at >30% for the next 10 to 20 years.
You will choose one of the following emphases to complete your degree requirements:
Medical Technology
Basic Medical Sciences
Medicine and Society
Integrative and Practice-Focused Medicine
The BS in Medicine is excellent preparation for a career in health care or graduate education, but it does not allow one to practice medicine, nor does it guarantee admission into medical school.
See our Career Guide by Emphasis
Required Foundation, General Education Courses & Math Requirements (32-40 units)
- MATH 112 & MATH 163 or MATH 263
- ENGL 101 & 102 or 109H
- Foreign Language 101 & 102
- GE Exploring Perspectives Artist, Humanist, Social Scientist & Building Connections
- UNIV 101 & 301
Required Supporting Science Courses (24 units)
- CHEM 151 or CHEM 161+163
- CHEM 152 or CHEM 162+164
- MCB 181R & L
- ECOL 182R & L
- PSIO 201
- PSIO 202
Required Major Selectives (15 units)
- PHYS 110 or PHYS 141 or PHYS 102+181
- PHYS 111 or PHYS 142 or PHYS 103+182 or PHYS 241
- CHEM 241A+243A or CHEM 242A+ 244A
- BIOC 384 or BIOC 385
- EPID 309
- MIC 205A
- MIC 205L
- ISTA 130
- ECE 175
- HSD 401
- PSY 101 or PSY 150A1
- PSY 382
- PSY 385
- SOC 101
- PHP 301
- PHP 308
- MUS 180
- ANTH 325
- HPS 300
- HPS 306
- HPS 387
- SPAN 125
Required Major Core Courses (31-32 units)
- BSM 101
- BSM 201
- BSM 296
- CMM 461
- CMM 410
- IMB 401 or PSIO 431
- BSM 441
- PSIO 411 or PHIL 321
- PHCL 412
- PATH 415
- FCM 496D
Required Emphasis Courses (minimum of 12 units; will vary based on concentration and availability)
Learn More about Emphasis Electives
Note: Emphasis courses are subject to change. Please reach out to your adviser for an updated list of available courses.
BSM 101 - An Introduction to Medicine
BSM 201 – On Being a Health Care Professional
BSM 296 – Careers in Medical Health Sciences
CMM 461 – Clinical Reasoning: Working Clinical Cases
CMM 410 – Human Histology: An Introduction to Pathology
IMB 401 – Medical Microbiology and Immunology
PSIO 431 – Physiology of the Immune System
BSM 441 – Diagnostic Technologies and Their Role in Healthcare
PHIL 321 – Medical Ethics
PSIO 411 – Scientific Methods and Professional Ethics
PHCL 412 – Introduction to Pharmacology
PATH 415 – Mechanisms of Human Disease
FCM 496D – Disability Perspectives in Research, Policy, and Practice
Medical School
- BIOC 384 or BIOC 385
- CHEM 241A
- CHEM 243A
- CHEM 241B (as Emphasis Elective)
- CHEM 243B (as Emphasis Elective)
- PHYS 102
- PHYS 181
- PHYS 103
- PHYS 182
Physician’s Assistant School
- BIOC 384 or BIOC 385
- CHEM 241A
- CHEM 243A
- MIC 205A
- MIC 205L
- PSY 101 or PSY 150A
- MCB 301 or MCB 304 (other options available; speak to your adviser)
- Medical Terminology (speak to your adviser)
Physical Therapy School
- PHYS 102
- PHYS 181
- PHYS 103
- PHYS 182
- PSY 101
- SPAN 125 for UA PT program
- PSY 200 or 340 or 381
The BS in Medicine degree prepares students who wish to pursue specific health care careers or continue their education by pursuing graduate programs such as medical school, physician assistant school, physical therapy doctoral programs, dental school, postgraduate clinical research programs, or other specialized professional programs in health care or health sciences.
Students interested in attending medical school or other postgraduate education or pursuing certain health care careers should become familiar with the specific requirements for admissions testing, school or program admissions, or employment. While most careers in health require biology, physiology and chemistry, not all require physics, organic chemistry or biochemistry. The BS in Medicine allows students to tailor those science requirements to their future profession of choice. Talk to your academic or pre-health adviser for more information.
Additional Links
Academic: https://ua-trellis.my.site.com/uastudent/s/catcloud
Pre-health: https://theacenter.arizona.edu/pre-health/pre-health-professions-advising
London and Sydney have direct equivalents of coursework you may use toward your BS in Medicine degree.
Questions about how to start the process to study abroad may be directed to the Study Abroad Office.
Data regarding salary (2023 median pay) and job outlook (2023-2033) comes directly from the latest Occupational Projections and Characteristics table provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm (visited October 10, 2024).
Academic Advising Is a Critical Component of Student Success
Academic advisers are here to help you navigate your time as an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona. Beyond helping you plan your courses, they can help you connect to campus resources, clarify departmental and university policies, and partner with you to define and achieve your academic goals.
Three Ways to Connect with Your Academic Adviser
You can choose from several advising options to find the best fit for your needs and learn how to prepare for your academic advising session.
Scheduled Appointments
- 30-minute appointments for currently declared majors or minors. Prepare ahead of time to get the most out of your time together!
- Available in-person, through Zoom or over the phone. After booking your appointment, please be sure to verify the modality!
- Our academic advisers typically post appointments two weeks at a time. If you don’t see any availability, keep checking back!
Drop-in Advising
- Designated for quick questions only (think 10 minutes or less). No appointment necessary; simply show up within the drop-in hours to see your advisers on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Typically offered in person in the Ina Gittings Building.
- Availability varies, so you should always check your adviser’s calendar in Trellis Advise for their offerings before doing anything.
Email Advising
- You can email your academic adviser for any general questions you have.
- Use your official U of A email account and include your name, student ID number and details about your question. Read more about best practices for email.
- It can take 24-48 business hours to get a response (excluding holidays and priority registration).
Meet Our Advising Team
Our academic advisers work with students based on the first letter of their last name. We have a hybrid schedule, meaning your adviser works on campus some days and remotely on other days. Be sure to check their calendar in Trellis Advise for the most accurate availability!
Plan Your Journey
Meet Our Students
Request Additional Information
Apply to the U of A
Plan Your Journey: BS in Medicine Sample Four-Year Plans
Sample four-year plans are suggested course progressions, but can be individualized based on your interests, goals and needs. Please consult with your academic adviser on your personal plans.
The recommended sequence of courses depends on your math placement. Please select the sample four-year plan that aligns with the math and English placement in your first semester at the University of Arizona.
- See sample plan if you started in MATH 100 & ENGL 101A
- See sample plan if you started in MATH 100 & ENGL 101
- See sample plan if you started in MATH 100 & ENGL 109H
- See sample plan if you started in MATH 112
- See sample plan if you started in MATH 163 or MATH 263 or BIOS 376
You may also use the sample Flow-Chart as this indicates with arrows the prerequisites for classes.
-or-
Use the BSM Prerequisite Flow-Chart. You will notice that if you are not past MATH 112, you are limited to taking General Education classes, English classes and Foundation classes.
Student Resources
A variety of on-campus and virtual resources are available to students across campus, including academic support, IT support, and health and wellness. You can also visit The A Center for pre-health professions advising and information on requirements for medical school. The BS in Medicine major has several programs for motivated students who want to get the most out of the degree.
Preceptors are highly motivated students who provide support both in and out of the classroom. Preceptors are not expected to serve as content experts. They function instead as student mentors and guides and as instructional assistants.
The BS in Medicine Preceptor Program adheres to the general requirements and guidelines specified in the University of Arizona Undergraduate Preceptorship Policies & Guidelines. In addition to these university-level policies, the BS in Medicine Preceptorship Program has the following policies and requirements:
- Be in good academic standing with the University of Arizona with at least a 3.0 grade point average prior to applying for a preceptorship
- Honors students requesting an Honors Preceptorship should consult the Guidelines for Honors Preceptorships and contact an Honors College adviser
- Must be enrolled concurrently or have previously completed the course with a minimum grade of B
- No undergraduate should be a preceptor in more than one course per semester
- Undergraduates can use a maximum of 3 units of preceptorship toward the BS in Medicine major
Undergraduate students in the BS in Medicine major can participate in research projects with faculty in departments across campus. Faculty members serve as mentors and research supervisors for undergraduate students each semester.
Students who participate in research projects with faculty sponsors gain experience in presenting their research orally and through poster displays. Participating students also make connections with faculty and medical professionals, providing valuable experience as well as future references for students’ careers and continued education.
Apply your directed research to your BS in Medicine degree by enrolling in BSM 492.
The BS in Medicine program is committed to the highest quality of education as well as student retention and support. In addition to other scholarship and financial assistance opportunities available to University of Arizona students, BS in Medicine students are eligible for departmental scholarships and awards.
For BS in Medicine students with financial need who started in Fall 2022, were placed into MATH 100 and completed the semester with a high GPA, there is an opportunity to earn a scholarship covering a 3-unit summer course. Qualified students will be selected by a nomination committee.
The honors thesis is a personalized experience that serves as a steppingstone toward the next stage of your academic or professional career. It allows you to work one-on-one with a faculty member to produce a long-term, in-depth project in an area that you’re passionate about.
The honors thesis is a two-semester commitment that demands a minimum of six units of work. These six units count toward emphasis requirements of the BS in Medicine degree. Students must be enrolled in the Honors College to participate in an honors thesis.
A BS in Medicine honors thesis can be created by enrolling in BSM 498H. Students can create an honors thesis by filling out the BS in Medicine Independent Study Form.