2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
Catalog Contents
Academic Calendar
Board of Regents and System Administrative Officers
TAMU Administrative Officers
General Information
International Programs for Students
University Honors Program
Environmental Program
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Architecture
Lowry Mays College and Graduate School of Business
College of Education
Dwight Look College of Engineering
College of Geosciences
College of Liberal Arts
College of Science
College of Veterinary Medicine
General Academic Programs
School of Military Sciences
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Graduate Studies
Course Descriptions
Faculty
Appendices
Section ContentsPrevious Page
 

 

College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical Science
  1. A Biomedical Science (BIMS) major will be admitted into the upper-level courses according to the following criteria:

a. Completion of a set of Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) courses (35 hours to include BIOL 113, 123, 114 and 124; CHEM 101, 102, 227, 237, 228 and 238; PHYS 201 and 202; and MATH 131) with a grade of C or better in each course. Normally, for admission to BIMS upper-level courses, a student may have attempted a CBK course no more than twice.

b. A minimum of 55 completed semester hours with a cumulative resident Grade Point Ratio (GPR) of 2.5 or better.

Process: Each student upon completing 55-65 semester credit hours must have a degree audit to verify upper-level eligibility.

  1. The Biomedical Science Program will continue to accept changes of major into BIMS according to current Texas A&M University policy, but restrict changes of major into the upper-level courses (BIMS) according to the criteria listed in item 1. Students in other majors requesting a change of major to the BIMS program must also fulfill the criteria in item 1. In addition, the dean must verify availability of resources necessary to insure the student's full-time enrollment in required upper-level courses prior to admission to upper-level status. If such courses are not available, the student will be denied admission to Biomedical Science.
  1. To enter BIMS upper-level courses, transfer students must have:

a. A minimum GPR of 2.5 in CBK courses with a grade of C or better in each completed course.

b. At least 55 semester credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPR of 2.5.

c. Transfer students admitted under another major and wishing to change into BIMS must complete one semester of graded course work at Texas A&M University with a cumulative resident GPR of 2.5.

  1. Students seeking readmission will be considered on a case-by-case basis, according to current catalog policy. No quotas will be placed on readmission; however, the decision to readmit will be dependent on resource availability and University policy.
  1. Any student admitted to upper-level courses who then falls below the 2.5 GPR requirement will not be considered in good academic standing in their major and will be placed on college probation. All Biomedical Science majors must follow established probation rules for the Biomedical Science Program.
  1. The Dean, Director or Department Head will reserve the right to waive CBK or GPR requirements within the criteria established in Texas A&M University Student Rules.
  1. No courses other than KINE 199, BIMS 481, 484 and 489, and 285/485s can be taken S/U to be used in the degree plan.
  1. Existing recruitment and retention initiatives will remain unchanged.

Curricula in Biomedical Science

Applied Science Option

Biomedical Science is a broad field of applied biology that is directed toward understanding health and disease. The curriculum is designed to provide a strong four-year education that emphasizes versatility of the graduate in the biological and medical sciences. A highly effective counseling program assists the students with the development of an individualized approach and course package that orients and prepares the students for entry into the medical and allied health field of their choice. Such an approach enhances their educational experiences, improves their placement in professional programs, and facilitates their entry into the biomedical science job market.

Biomedical Science graduates enter professional programs in human medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, podiatry, optometry, pharmacy and nursing. Some become medical technologists, physician assistants, veterinarian assistants, and laboratory and research technicians. Others pursue radiation technology, hospital administration, and a wide variety of health-related fields. Many Biomedical Science students continue their education in graduate schools and specialize in various biology- and medicine-related disciplines. Other graduates are employed by clinical practices, industrial companies, government agencies, private foundations, public schools, colleges and certain aspects of business. Positions are available in pharmaceutical and drug marketing, research equipment manufacture and sales, food safety, biomedical research, disease control, zoonoses and epidemiology, laboratory animal care, zoo and aquatic animal supervision, health-related inspection and regulatory work. The B.S. in Biomedical Science is also awarded to students who complete the three year Early Admission Option to Professional Schools and one year of professional school.

Freshman Year
First Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr

 

Second Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
BIMS 101 Intro. to Biomedical Science

(1-0)

1

 

BIOL 114 Introductory Biology

(3-0)

3
BIOL 113 Introductory Biology

(3-0)

3

 

BIOL 124 Introductory Biology Lab.

(0-3)

1
BIOL 123 Introductory Biology Lab.

(0-3)

1

 

CHEM 102 Fund. of Chemistry II

(3-3)

4
CHEM 101 Fund. of Chemistry I

(3-3)

4

 

MATH 131 Mathematical Concepts--Calculus

(3-0)

3
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric

(3-0)

3

 

Visual and performing arts elective 2

 

3
MATH 166 Topics in Contemporary Mathematics II

(3-0)

3

 

* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity 1

(0-2)

1
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity 1

(0-2)

1

 

 

 

15
 

 

16

 

 

 

 
 
Sophomore Year
ANSC 107 General Animal Science 3

(3-0)

3

 

ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing

 

 

ANSC 108 General Animal Science Lab. 3

(0-2)

1

 

or

 

 

CHEM 227 Organic Chemistry I

(3-0)

3

 

ENGL 301 Technical Writing

(3-0)

3
CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry Lab. I

(0-3)

1

 

CHEM 228 Organic Chemistry II

(3-0)

3
HIST 105 History of the U.S.

(3-0)

3

 

CHEM 238 Organic Chemistry Lab. II

(0-3)

1
PHYS 201 College Physics

(3-3)

4

 

HIST 106 History of the U.S.

(3-0)

3
STAT 302 Statistical Methods

(3-0)

3

 

PHYS 202 College Physics

(3-3)

4
 

 

18

 

Business elective 4

 

3
 

 

 

 

 

 

17
 
Junior Year
BICH 410 Comprehensive Biochemistry I

(3-0)

3

 

BICH 411 Comprehensive Biochemistry II

(3-0)

3
BIMS 320 Biomedical Genetics

(3-0)

3

 

POLS 207 State and Local Govt.

(3-0)

3
POLS 206 American Natl. Govt.

(3-0)

3

 

VTPB 405 Biomedical Microbiology

(3-5)

5
VAPH 305 Biomedical Anatomy

(2-4)

4

 

VTPP 423 Biomedical Physiology I

(3-3)

4
Elective 5

 

3

 

Elective 5

 

3
 

 

16

 

 

 

18
 
Senior Year
** BIMS directed electives

 

9

 

** BIMS directed electives

 

7
Social and behavioral sciences elective 6

 

3

 

Humanities elective 7

 

3
Elective 5

 

3

 

Social and behavioral sciences elective 6

 

3
 

 

15

 

Elective 5

 

3
 

 

 

 

 

 

16
Total Hours 131

In satisfying the required 16 hours of BIMS directed electives and free electives, all 485 courses may not exceed 6 credit hours and all 489 courses may not exceed 6 credit hours. A 489 course used as a free elective may not exceed 3 hours.

NOTES:
1. No more than 1 semester credit hour of KINE 198 and KINE 199 or their equivalents may be used in satisfying the requirements of this option.

2. Three hours of visual and performing arts must be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

3. Students who do not plan to apply for the professional DVM program may choose to substitute ANSC 107/108 with a course more suited to their career interests. Substitutions may be selected from the BIMS directed elective list or other options as approved by advisor.

4. Students may choose from ACCT 209; INFO 209; MGMT 209, 211, 212 and other courses approved by advisor.

5. No course can be used as an elective in this option when the course content of the elective is essentially the same as, or less than, the subject matter of a required course in the option. Examples: ENGL 103, MATH 102, 103, 150. Also, no AERS, MLSC, NVSC or 1-hour seminar can be used as an elective including AGLS 101; ANSC 400; BICH 107; CAEN 101/102; ENGR 189; EPSY 101, 102; GENE 105; MUSC 250, 280, 286, 290.

6. Three hours of social and behavioral sciences must be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

7. Three hours of humanities must be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

* Click here for more information.

** BIMS directed electives: Courses that constitute the major in the applied science option are those offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine and those approved for biomedical science electives. A student may choose 16 semester credits from the following partial list of courses: BIMS 289, 452, 470, 484, 489, 492; VTPB 301, 303, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 412, 421, 438, 452, 454, 487; VTPP 424, 425, 427, 429, 431; VAPH 343, 404, 409, 418, 420, 443, 450, 451; VLAM 409; Additional CVM courses: 489 Honors sections and 485 (Directed Studies). A complete list of all BIMS directed electives may be obtained from a BIMS advisor.

Veterinary Medical Biotechnology Option
Students are no longer accepted into this option.

Veterinary medical biotechnology is a specialized part of the broader field of biotechnology having to do with health and disease in the animal kingdom. The option concentrates on a rigorous course of study in cellular science and molecular biology related to health and disease. It provides hands-on experience with laboratory techniques and methodologies currently used, and developing, in medical biotechnology and molecular science laboratories. The objective of the option is to prepare students for graduate studies.

Freshman Year
First Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr

 

Second Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
BIOL 113 Introductory Biology

(3-0)

3

 

BIOL 114 Introductory Biology

(3-0)

3
BIOL 123 Introductory Biology Lab.

(0-3)

1

 

BIOL 124 Introductory Biology Lab.

(0-3)

1
CHEM 101 Fund. of Chemistry I

(3-3)

4

 

CHEM 102 Fund. of Chemistry II

(3-3)

4
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric

(3-0)

3

 

ENGL 210 Scientific and Tech. Writing

(3-0)

3
MATH 171 Analytical Geom. and Calc.

(4-0)

4

 

MATH 172 Calculus

(4-0)

4
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity 1

(0-2)

1

 

* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity 1

(0-2)

1
 

 

16

 

 

 

16
 
Sophomore Year
CHEM 227 Organic Chemistry I

(3-0)

3

 

BIMS 320 Biomedical Genetics

(3-3)

4
CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry Lab. I

(0-3)

1

 

CHEM 228 Organic Chemistry II

(3-0)

3
HIST 105 History of the U.S.

(3-0)

3

 

CHEM 238 Organic Chemistry Lab. II

(0-3)

1
PHYS 201 College Physics

(3-3)

4

 

HIST 106 History of the U.S.

(3-0)

3
STAT 302 Statistical Methods

(3-0)

3

 

PHYS 202 College Physics

(3-3)

4
Computer science elective

 

3

 

 

 

15
 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 
Junior Year
CHEM 315 Quantitative Analysis

(3-0)

3

 

BICH 410 Comprehensive Biochemistry I

(3-0)

3
CHEM 318 Quantitative Analysis Lab.

(0-3)

1

 

BICH 412 Biochemistry Lab. I

(0-3)

1
POLS 206 American Natl. Govt.

(3-0)

3

 

BIMS 405 Mammalian Genetics

(3-0)

3
VAPH 305 Biomedical Anatomy 2

(2-4)

4

 

POLS 207 State and Local Govt.

(3-0)

3
VTPB 405 Biomedical Microbiology

(3-5)

5

 

VAPH 343 Histology 2

(3-3)

4
 

 

16

 

VTPP 423 Biomedical Physiology I 2

(3-2)

4
 

 

 

 

 

 

18
 
Senior Year
BICH 411 Comprehensive Biochem II

(3-0)

3

 

GENE 431 Molecular Genetics

(3-0)

3
BICH 413 Biochemistry Lab II

(0-3)

1

 

VMID 400 Biotech. Techniques 2

(2-9)

5
MICR 454 Immunology

 

 

 

Humanities elective 4

(3-0)

3
or

 

 

 

Social and behavioral sciences elective 4

(3-0)

3
VTPB 409 Intro. to Immunology 2

(3-0)

3

 

Elective 3

(3-0)

3
Social and behavioral sciences elective 4

(3-0)

3

 

 

 

17
Visual and performing arts elective 5

 

3

 

 

 

 

Elective 3

(3-0)

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

Total Hours 131

NOTES:
1. No more than 4 semester credit hours of KINE 199 or its equivalents may be used in satisfying the requirements of this option.

2. Courses that constitute the major in the veterinary medical biotechnology option are those offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine.

3. No course can be used as an elective in this option when the course content of the elective is essentially the same as, or less than, the subject matter of a required course in the option.

4. Social and behavioral sciences and humanities electives must be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

5. Three hours of performing and visual arts must be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

* Click here for more information.

Double Major in Biomedical Science and Marine Biology

The double major in Biomedical Science and Marine Biology is a collaborative effort designed to allow a student to receive a double major. Students at Texas A&M University receive a B.S. in Biomedical Science with a second major in Marine Biology. Students at Texas A&M University at Galveston receive a B.S. in Marine Biology with a second major in Biomedical Science.

The Biomedical Science and Marine Biology double major provides an applied understanding of aquatic animal health through hands-on exposure to marine organisms and their habitats. Students spend their first two years in College Station obtaining a prerequisite background in the biological and chemical sciences and then transfer to Galveston where they receive hands-on exposure to flora and fauna of the estuarine/marine environment. The Galveston stint emphasizes dynamic interactions between disease agents and aquatic organisms, especially bivalve, fisheries and marine mammal stocks. This program culminates in a rigorous study of cellular and molecular biology at College Station. This prepares the graduate for careers in aquatic animal health, seafood technology and various marine biology related disciplines, as well as advanced studies in veterinary medicine, biological oceanography or related biological disciplines.

 
Summer I at Galveston
 

(Th-Pr)

Cr
Marine botany elective (5 wk)

 

4
MARB directed electives (10 wk) 2

 

4
Humanities elective (5 wk)

 

3
* KINE 199 (5 wk) 1

(0-2)

1
 

 

12
 
Junior Year at Galveston
First Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr

 

Second Semester

(Th-Pr)

Cr
ENGL 301 Technical Writing

(3-0)

3

 

MARB 450 Developmental Biology of Marine Organisms

(3-3)

4
COMM 203 Public Speaking

(3-0)

3

 

MICR 351 Microbiology (TAMUG)

(3-3)

4
MARB 435 Invertebrate Zoology

(3-3)

4

 

MARB directed elective 2

 

3
MARB 481 Seminar in Marine Biology

(1-0)

1

 

Social and behavioral sciences elective

 

3
MARS 360 Biochemistry

(3-0)

3

 

 

 

14
 

 

14

 

 

 

 
 
Summer II at Galveston
MARB 425 Marine Ecology (10 wk)

(3-3)

4
MARB 482 Seminar in Marine Biol. (5 wk)

(1-0)

1
Directed elective in Aquatic Diseases (5 wk) 3

 

3
Social and behavioral sciences elective (GEOG 210) (5 wk) 4

 

3
 

 

11

NOTES:
1. Introductory or advanced scuba diving is recommended if feasible.

2. MARB directed electives should be chosen in consultation with your academic advisor but generally include courses such as Ichthyology, Physiological Ecology, Fish Physiology, Biology of Marine Mammals, Physiological Ecology of Marine Mammals, Mammology or Animal Behavior.

3. To be chosen from special topics in Diseases of Ornamental Fishes, Parasites and Diseases of Marine Organisms or Immunology.

4. GEOG 210, Marine Geography, is recommended. The course is typically offered during an intersession period and includes a "shakedown cruise" aboard the T/S TEXAS CLIPPER II .

* Click here for more information.

International Certificate Program with a Focus in Spanish for Biomedical Science Students

Courses in language, culture and area studies combine to provide a certificate in Spanish and international studies for students majoring in Biomedical Science. The certificate program prepares the graduate for positions in multinational companies, foreign organizations and specific countries in which Spanish is used. Because of limited resources, the program will have a cap on the number of students admitted to the program. All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or better. The certificate will be awarded upon completion of a B.S. degree in Biomedical Science. To earn the certificate, students are required to take:

 

SPAN 200-level Courses 1

6 credits

Internationalization Courses 2

 

     Humanities or Visual and Performing Arts

3 credits
     Social and Behavioral Sciences

3 credits
     Spanish culture/literature/advanced language

3 credits

     International Experience Component 3

 

NOTES:
1. See your major academic advisor for recommended or required language sections.

2. See the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and your major academic advisor for a list of courses that meets each of these requirements. Often, a course, if chosen in consultation with your major academic advisor, will satisfy both an internationalization requirement and a University Core Curriculum requirement.

3. The international experience requirement is individualized, and it must be approved by the Biomedical Science Program. It may be satisfied by an approved study abroad program, an international internship, a directed study experience or another approved course or field experience.