B.S. Biomedical Science (Extended Major)

To earn this degree, complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:

• at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements.  (Be aware that you may not use courses with a  BIO prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.  

• At least 68-76 units of major requirements

• elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units  

Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject.  (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)  

Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in ethnic diversity and one in global awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.

Also be aware that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).  

Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.  

Major Requirements

For this major, you must complete at least the following 68-76 core units of biology and science support courses.

• BIO 181:181L and 182 with a grade of C or better (8 units)  

• BIO 205 with a grade of C or better (4 units)

• BIO 305W, which meets NAU's junior writing requirement, with a grade of C or better (1 unit)

• CHM 151, 151L, 152, and 152L (9 units)  

• CHM 230 and 230L (4 units)

or CHM 235 and 235L (5 units)

or CHM 235, 235L, and 238 (8 units)  

• CHM 360 or 461 (3 units)  

• MAT 125  plus either STA 270 or PSY 230 (7-8 units)

  or only MAT 136 (4 units)

• PHY 111, 111L, 112, and 112L (8 units)

or PHY 161, 161L, 262, and 262L (8 units)  

Note: if you choose the PHY 161/262 option, PHY 263 is strongly recommended

In addition, at least 27 units of biology courses with a grade of C or better.

• 3-4 units in one of the following courses which will satisfy NAU’s senior capstone requirement:  

Recommended:  BIO 482C (Human Genomics)

or one of the following:  BIO 401C, 420C, 444C, 465C, 488C

Major Electives

• Recommended:  BIO 201, 202, 344, 450 (bioinformatics), 416 (human anatomy) (18 units)

• Other electives: BIO 300*, 320, 331, 334, 338, 338L, 340, 343, 346, 350, 360, 375, 376, 424, 440, 440L, 460, 460L, 475, 485**, 497**, 498**, CHM 238L, CHM 462, NTS 256, NTS 370, PHI 332

*maximum of 3 units of BIO 300

**maximum of 6 units total of BIO 485, 497, 498

General Electives  

Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.  

You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with the Biology Advisement Center to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Click here for information about our Biology undergraduate courses and faculty.