Biomedical and Clinical Sciences B.S.

All students must meet the Degree and University Requirements.

All students must meet the Catamount Core Curriculum Requirements.

All students must meet the College Requirements.

Biomedical and Clinical Scientists are health professionals involved in the development, performance, and evaluation of laboratory tests that lead to assessment of health status, diagnosis of disease, and monitoring of therapeutic treatment. Students in this major work closely with faculty members and engage in hands-on learning in the classroom, laboratory, and an applied environment to develop critical thinking and technical skills.

Students select a concentration in medical laboratory science, public health laboratory science, or applied biomedical science at the end of their second year. The curriculum provides balance between general and professional education, with coursework in the sciences and liberal arts serving as a foundation for the biomedical and clinical science courses. In the fourth year, the final semester consists of a full time medical or public health laboratory practicum, or an applied biomedical research or internship at an off-campus affiliate site, which may require additional room, meal, and/or transportation expenses. Site selection for the final semester is determined by a lottery system.

Students in programs offered by the Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences (BHSC) must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 or higher. Students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.3 will be placed on academic trial. First-year students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher by the end of two subsequent semesters to be removed from trial. Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.3 after the trial semesters may be discontinued from the program. Students beyond the first year must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher by the end of the subsequent semester to be removed from trial. Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.3 after the trial semester may be discontinued from the program. Students who earn one grade below a C in any non-practicum, non-internship, professional/core course will be placed on “academic warning” and will receive a letter informing them of such. Professional or core courses are identified on each major curriculum sheet. In order to remain in good standing within the BHSC programs, students must also be consistently progressing in the program curriculum. Failure to follow the required sequence of courses outlined in the BHSC program of study for more than one semester is grounds for discontinuation from the major.

Graduates who complete the medical laboratory science concentration are qualified for a national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Students who choose the concentration in public health laboratory science may elect to complete a clinical rotation in microbiology to qualify to take the ASCP microbiology-only certification exam. Taking and passing the ASCP Certification Exam is not a requirement for graduation. ASCP certification is required by most clinical diagnostic and public health laboratories. The curriculum of the medical laboratory science concentration is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The public health laboratory science and applied biomedical science concentrations are not accredited pathways.

Applied Biomedical Science Concentration

Students in Applied Biomedical Science plan to pursue careers in research, industry, or as a healthcare professional. This concentration provides students with a foundation of knowledge and skills which are appealing to numerous areas of study including biotechnology, pharmacology, veterinary science, agricultural science, and even forensics and public health. Applied biomedical science students will complete an internship or research at an approved industry partner. 

Medical Laboratory Science Concentration

Medical laboratory science students complete course work which prepares them for practica in medical laboratories where they will apply their biomedical knowledge and technical skills and further learn about the health and disease status of patients.

Practicum Sites* Have Included:

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA

  • Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, NY

  • Central Vermont Medical Center, Berlin, VT

  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH

  • Elliott Hospital, Manchester, NH

  • Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls, NY

  • Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

  • NorDx, Portland and Scarborough, ME

  • Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT

  • St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, NY

  • University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT

  • Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT

*Clinical affiliations subject to change.

Public Health Laboratory Science Concentration

Public health laboratory scientists work in public health laboratories at the state, federal, and international levels. The curriculum focuses on the use of microbiology and molecular biology in the field of public health, in support of epidemiology, and to monitor health status and disease prevention strategies.

Practicum Sites* Have Included:

  • District of Columbia Health Department, Washington, DC

  • New Hampshire Department of Health Laboratory, Concord, NH

  • Vermont Department of Health Laboratory, Burlington, VT

  • Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health, Albany, NY

*Public health laboratory affiliations subject to change.