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.
You will choose one of the following emphases to complete your degree requirements.
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. The degree prepares students who wish to pursue specific health care careers or who may wish to 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.
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 (39 units)
- CHEM 151 or CHEM 161+163
- CHEM 152 or CHEM 162+164
- CHEM 241A/243A
- BIOC 384 or 385
- MCB 181R & L
- ECOL 182R & L
- PHYS 102/181
- PHYS 103/182
- PSIO 201
- PSIO 202
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. Contact your advisor 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
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. For example, students pursuing the BS in Medicine may need to electively take Organic Chemistry II, a class listed as an option for each emphasis group in the BS in Medicine curriculum, which is a prerequisite for admission to some medical schools and a subject tested on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Talk to your academic or career adviser for more information.
A BS in Medicine will allow you to enter the workforce immediately in the types of careers listed below. Learn more about health careers at ExploreHealthCareers.org
Health Administration-Health Care Management
- Median salary: $101,340
- Projected 10-year growth: 28%
Health Information Technologist
- Median salary: $55,560
- Projected 10-year growth: 17%
Medical Technologist
- Median salary: $55,560
- Projected 10-year growth: 17%
Medical Research Analyst
- Median salary: $63,920
- Projected 10-year growth: 19%
Medical Program Coordinator
- Median salary: $55,560
- Projected 10-year growth: 17%
Clinical Study Analyst
- Median salary: $55,560
- Projected 10-year growth: 17%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor (some positions may require a master’s degree)
- Median salary: $48,520
- Projected 10-year growth: 22%
A BS in Medicine with a master’s degree or certification will prepare you for the following types of careers:
Physician Assistant
- Median salary: $121,530
- Projected 10-year growth: 28%
Physical Therapist Assistant and Aide
- Median salary: $49,180
- Projected 10-year growth: 24%
Medical Assistant
- Median salary: $37,190
- Projected 10-year growth: 16%
Operations Research Analyst
- Median salary: $82,360
- Projected 10-year growth: 23%
Health Specialties Teacher
- Median salary: $48,860
- Projected 10-year growth: 12%
Occupational Therapist
- Median salary: $85,570
- Projected 10-year growth: 14%
Perfusionist and Echo Technician
- Median salary: $75,380
- Projected 10-year growth: 10%
Medical Device Technologist
- Median salary: $49,910
- Projected 10-year growth: 17%
Massage Therapist
- Median salary: $46,910
- Projected 10-year growth: 20%
Speech Therapist
- Median salary: $79,060
- Projected 10-year growth: 21%
Respiratory Therapist
- Median salary: $61,830
- Projected 10-year growth: 14%
Health Actuary, Classified as Actuaries, needs statistics and mathematics emphasis
- Median Salary: $105,900
- Projected 10-year growth: 21%
A BS in Medicine with a doctoral degree will prepare you for the following types of careers
Physical Therapist (DPT)
- Median salary: $95,620
- Projected 10-year growth: 17%
Medical Physician (MD or DO)
- Median salary: >$208,000
- Projected 10-year growth: 3%
Researcher (PhD)
- Median salary: $95,310
- Projected 10-year growth: 17%
Pharmacist (PharmD)
- Median salary: $128,570
- Projected 10-year growth: 2%
Dentist (DDS)
- Median salary: $163,220
- Projected 10-year growth: 6%
Podiatrist (DPM)
- Median salary: $145,840
- Projected 10-year growth: 2%
Optometrist (OD)
- Median salary: $124,300
- Projected 10-year growth: 10%
Nurse Practitioner (DNP)
- Median salary: $120,680
- Projected 10-year growth: 46%
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Median salary: $195,610
- Projected 10-year growth: 12%
Nurse Midwife
- Median salary: $112,830
- Projected 10-year growth: 7%
Current numbers of median salary and projected growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (updated March 2023).
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.
Peer mentors provide an experienced student’s perspective on navigating the university and can help new students create a map to successful completion of the degree. The goal is to provide students with resources and a sense of community within the major that will last them until they graduate.
The BS in Medicine program encourages dedicated individuals to be mentors to incoming first-year students majoring in medicine. Use the experience you have gained in attending the University of Arizona to lend support to new university students.
The program is looking for juniors and seniors pursuing a BS in Medicine to volunteer as peer mentors for incoming first-year students. If you are interested, please contact your BS in Medicine adviser.
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
BS in Medicine Ambassadors are a select group of distinguished undergraduates who participate in events, including undergraduate recruiting, convocation, orientation and outreach activities. BS in Medicine Ambassadors are usually juniors and seniors in the major with a high level of academic achievement. Selection is usually by recruitment/recommendations from faculty and peers.
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.
BS in Medicine
bsmedicine@arizona.edu