Major in Biomedical Science

Preparing and applying to medical school is a competitive, rigorous, and challenging path. Our pre-medical concentration will thoroughly prepare you by providing a strong science foundation as well as addressing your specific educational goals. This concentration can be utilized for both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical programs.

Our curriculum gives you a rich, strong foundation in the sciences and other academic areas and emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills.  You can choose to participate in hands-on research experiences, and clinical opportunities; including shadowing and observing physicians.

Dentists all over the world are needed to diagnose and treat problems with our teeth and gums by doing everything from routine cleanings, to straightening teeth, to performing specialized surgical procedures.

Ball State’s pre-dentistry concentration blends foundational coursework in biology, chemistry, physics and other subjects that are needed for graduates to be admitted to dental schools certified by the American Dental Education Association.

Pharmacists are a vital part of the U.S. healthcare system. Equipped with extensive knowledge of medications and how these substances interact with each other and with our bodies, pharmacists are responsible for providing necessary medications to thousands of people every day. According to the National Community Pharmacists Association, the majority of community pharmacies have been experiencing pharmacy shortages, so there is a high demand for pharmacists.

The Ball State pre-pharmacy concentration has been carefully constructed so you can complete your courses in an efficient sequence in two to three years. With the guidance of our departmental advisors, you will be prepared to meet the curricular requirements to apply for multiple pharmacy schools in the state once you complete the program.

Ball State University does not grant a degree in pharmacy. Instead, you will graduate with a degree in Biomedical Science with a concentration in pre-pharmacy. Our concentration prepares you to apply to pharmacy school at Butler University, Purdue University and Manchester University or schools throughout the country.

Please be aware that admission to a four-year pharmacy school is competitive. The minimum overall GPA for consideration is a 3.0 although the mean GPA for admission of transfer students is closer to a 3.75. Important attributes assessed in students include verbal and written communication skills, understanding of the profession, commitment to patient care and professionalism. While the requirements are high, your Ball State advisor will help guide you along the way, and help you prepare to change your path if you decide not to pursue pharmacy school.

Optometrists are doctors that provide primary vision care by examining our eyes for visual acuity, diagnosing eye-related diseases and disorders, and prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses to patients.

The Ball State pre-optometry concentration prepares you to pursue a doctor of optometry degree by meeting admission requirements for four-year optometry schools accredited by the American Optometric Association.

Because many of our students decide to apply to the Indiana University School of Optometry, we designed our program around IU's admission requirements. However, our departmental advisors can you help explore other schools and meet their specific admissions requirements.

Physician assistants (PAs) work as part of a healthcare team under the supervision of a physician to provide healthcare services to patients. Physician assistants are commonly seen in primary care positions aiding physicians by documenting a patient’s medical history, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting lab tests, diagnosing and treating common illnesses, and assisting in medical procedures.

The Ball State physician assistant concentration prepares you for entry into a master’s PA program after graduation. Because specific requirements vary among PA programs, your departmental advisor will work with you throughout your studies to make sure you are ready to apply. PA programs are highly competitive and require a GPA of 3.75 or higher typically along with clinical experience hours.

The curriculum for the Ball State pre-physician assistant program is based on pre-requisites required by eight PA programs in Indiana. While the requirements differ from school to school, they all require the completion of a bachelor’s degree prior to acceptance into the master’s program, which is why our major in Biomedical Science with a concentration in pre-physician assistant is the perfect preparation.

Veterinarians are important medical specialists that diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses in animals such as household pets, outdoor livestock, and even wildlife at the zoo. 

To become a licensed veterinarian, you must graduate from a four-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Most veterinary schools require students to have completed a significant amount of undergraduate coursework—ranging from 45 to 90 credit hours—but most prefer that you obtain your bachelor’s degree before applying.

Our pre-veterinary program will prepare you to meet the admission requirements of Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. If you have another school in mind during your studies at Ball State, your assigned departmental advisor will be happy to help you stay on track with that school’s specific admissions requirements.

Chiropractic is a form of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders through adjustment of the spine. As a licensed chiropractor, you seek to reduce pain in your patients and improve their mobility while also promoting healthy lifestyles through exercise, ergonomics, and other therapies.

Ball State’s pre-chiropractic concentration is designed to allow students to fulfill admissions requirements for chiropractic school. Through your studies, your departmental advisor will help you meet the requirements of your chiropractic school of choice, including schools that have a partnership with Ball State.

Affiliation Agreements

Logan University College of Chiropractic Medicine

Ball State has a "3+3" affiliation agreement with the Logan University College of Chiropractic Medicine. Students admitted to Logan at the end of their junior year can complete their bachelor's degree transferring up to 32 credits from Logan's first-year curriculum provided those grades are a C or above. Ball State students must complete the Ball State University Core Curriculum and take additional Logan prerequisite courses and accumulate at least 94 credits before entering the Logan chiropractic program in the fall of their senior year.

National University of Health Sciences

We have an affiliation agreement with the National University of Health Sciences. As part of a pre-chiropractic program at Ball State, qualified students will complete three years of undergraduate study or a minimum of 90 credits leading toward their bachelor of science in Biomedical Science. Students with a 3.5 GPA or higher will then start the three-year DC program at NUHS. After successful completion of all coursework in the first three trimesters at NUHS, they will be granted their bachelor's degree from Ball State.

Medical laboratory scientists play a vital role in diagnosing and preventing diseases by conducting a variety of complex laboratory tests in hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and in educational and research settings. According to Forbes, we are currently experiencing a shortage for medical laboratory scientists, which mean they are in high demand! This is a great career option for students who want to contribute to health care but do not necessarily want patient interaction.

As a Ball State student in the medical laboratory science concentration you will learn how to conduct laboratory work in bacteriology, chemistry, serology (reactions and properties of serums), and blood bank technology, which are all skills needed in the industry. After three years of study, you will finish with an intensive clinical laboratory program to gain hands-on experience.

To learn more about the profession and possible careers, visit the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) website.