Genomic Medicine BS

Overview

Develop a deep understanding of the role of the genomes of humans and pathogens in the development, prevention, and treatment of disease with the Bachelor of Science in Genomic Medicine, offered by the Department of Biology. Scientific innovations and technologies allow us to collect genetic information at unprecedented size and scale. At the center of this advancement is the study of the genome. Information from thousands—and soon to be millions—of genomes is revealing the root causes of our genetic and infectious diseases. Due to the growing clinical emphasis on genomic medicine in medical colleges, students in the Genomic Medicine program will acquire a valuable basis for understanding and working with modern biological data. Graduates also gain a foundation in the life sciences that emphasizes the medical relevance of genomics, evolutionary biology, and informatics. This degree will prepare students for growing trends in research and medical careers focused on genomic medicine that use the power of changes in genes, proteins, and next generation technologies to make clinical diagnoses, treat patients, and understand diseases. Additionally, graduates are positioned for careers across multiple research areas, including disease, evolution, genomics, and informatics.

Students may select an optional concentration in Pre-Medicine.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-GCMD-BS

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

  • achieve a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA
  • achieve a minimum 3.2 major GPA
  • successfully complete BIOL 4391 Accelerated Research in Biology, BIOL 4291 Extradepartmental Research, or BIOL 4396 Advanced Study in Biology for a total of 6 credits over two semesters
  • write a final research paper and/or present their research at a departmental research poster session

Accelerated Programs

Accelerated Programs provide a pathway for students to pursue both an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in a shorter amount of time. Below is a list of available accelerated programs for students in the BS in Genomic Medicine.

Undergraduate Contact Information

Erik Cordes, Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 447
215-204-4067
erik.cordes@temple.edu

Angela Bricker, Vice Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 333
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu

Sudhir Kumar, Director of Genomic Medicine Major
Science Education and Research Center, Room 602
s.kumar@temple.edu

Caryn Babaian, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 602
215-204-1814
caryn.babaian@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Genomic Medicine.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics3
      BIOL 3396Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating3
      BIOL 4396Advanced Study in Biology3
      BIOL 4596Introduction to Scientific and Regulatory Writing3
      BIOL 4597Communicating Science to a Broader Audience / Non-Scientists3
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First-Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (80-85 s.h.)
    At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 6 Biology courses must be completed at Temple.
    Biology
    BIOL 1111Introduction to Organismal Biology4
    or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
    Select one of the following:4
    BIOL 1112
    		Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    or BIOL 1912
    		 Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    BIOL 2112
    		Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    or BIOL 2912
    		 Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    BIOL 2207Genetics3
    BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics (WI) 13
    BIOL 2512Genomic Foundations of Medicine (S)3
    BIOL 3101Evolution (F)3
    BIOL 3112Fundamentals of Genomic Evolutionary Medicine (S)3
    Select one of the following:3
    BIOL 3396
    		Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating (WI)
    BIOL 4396
    		Advanced Study in Biology (WI)
    BIOL 4596
    		Introduction to Scientific and Regulatory Writing (WI)
    BIOL 4597
    		Communicating Science to a Broader Audience / Non-Scientists (WI)
    BIOL 3511Pathophysiology of Genomic Medicine (F)3
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 1031
    & CHEM 1033
    		General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    CHEM 1951
    & CHEM 1953
    		Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 1032
    & CHEM 1034
    		General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    CHEM 1952
    & CHEM 1954
    		Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 2201
    & CHEM 2203
    		Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    CHEM 2921
    & CHEM 2923
    		Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 2202
    & CHEM 2204
    		Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    CHEM 2922
    & CHEM 2924
    		Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    Computer & Information Sciences
    Select one of the following:4
    CIS 1051
    		Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
    or CIS 1951
    		 Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
    CIS 1057
    		Computer Programming in C
    CIS 1068
    		Program Design and Abstraction
    or CIS 1968
    		 Honors Program Design and Abstraction
    Genomic Medicine Electives
    Select five of the following: 2, 315-20
    ANTH 3743
    		Human Biology of Modern Populations
    ANTH 3772
    		Evolutionary Medicine
    BIOL 2233
    		Mammalian Anatomy (F)
    BIOL 2311
    		Human Evolution
    BIOL 2525
    		Nutrigenomics: From Molecular Nutrition to Disease Prevention
    BIOL 3011
    		Integrative Cell and Tissue Biology
    BIOL 3111
    		Genomics in Medicine (F)
    BIOL 3113
    		Genome Analytics
    BIOL 3128
    		Genomics and Infectious Disease Dynamics (F)
    BIOL 3201
    		Human Genetics (F)
    BIOL 3204
    		Cell Structure and Function (F)
    BIOL 3212
    		Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
    BIOL 3225
    		Evolutionary Genetics and Phylogenetics (S)
    BIOL 3232
    		Behavioral Genetics (F)
    BIOL 3241
    		Genomics and Evolutionary Biology of Parasites and Other Dependent Species (S)
    BIOL 3243
    		Parasitology
    BIOL 3265
    		Developmental Biology (F)
    BIOL 3301
    		Advanced Cell Biology (F)
    BIOL 3312
    		Biostatistics (F)
    BIOL 3317
    		General Microbiology (S)
    BIOL 3324
    		Molecular Biology
    BIOL 3325
    		Research Techniques in Molecular Biology (S)
    BIOL 3327
    		Immunology (S)
    BIOL 3328
    		Virology (F)
    BIOL 3329
    		Developmental Genetics
    BIOL 3334
    		Mammalian Physiology (S)
    BIOL 3352
    		Systems Neuroscience
    BIOL 3356
    		Organization and Development of the Nervous System (S)
    BIOL 3358
    		Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (S)
    BIOL 3361
    		Molecular Neuropharmacology
    BIOL 3363
    		Mammalian Development
    BIOL 3365
    		The New Neuroimmunology
    BIOL 3367
    		Endocrinology (F)
    BIOL 3368
    		Biology of Cancer (S)
    BIOL 3371
    		Cell Proliferation (S)
    BIOL 3373
    		Cell Signaling (S)
    BIOL 3374
    		Physical Biochemistry (S)
    BIOL 3379
    		Biotechnology
    BIOL 3380
    		Contemporary Biology
    BIOL 3403
    		Genomic Biology
    BIOL 3514
    		Biological Models in Python
    BIOL 4338
    		Epigenetics
    BIOL 4341
    		Genome Editing
    BIOL 4344
    		Research Techniques in Biochemistry (S)
    BIOL 4364
    		Biochemistry of Embryogenesis (F)
    BIOL 4365
    		Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Evo-Devo (S)
    BIOL 4366
    		Stem Cell Biology (F)
    BIOL 4375
    		General Biochemistry I (F)
    BIOL 4376
    		General Biochemistry II (F)
    CHEM 3401
    		Applications of Biochemistry
    CHEM 3405
    		Physical Chemistry of Biomolecules
    CHEM 4401
    		Biochemistry I
    CIS 2033
    		Computational Probability and Statistics
    CIS 2109
    		Database Management Systems
    CIS 2168
    		Data Structures
    CIS 3223
    		Data Structures and Algorithms
    CIS 3308
    		Web Application Programming
    CIS 3715
    		Principles of Data Science (S)
    CIS 4330
    		Current Topics in Information Science & Technology
    CIS 4331
    		Principles of Database Systems
    CIS 4517
    		Data-Intensive and Cloud Computing
    CIS 4523
    		Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
    CIS 4526
    		Foundations of Machine Learning
    EPBI 3101
    		Introduction to Epidemiology
    HIM 3101
    		Health Record Documentation
    HIM 3106
    		Pathophysiology
    HIM 3111
    		Statistics and Research in Health Care
    HIM 3113
    		Healthcare Database Design and Development
    HIM 3203
    		Electronic Health Record Systems
    HIM 3208
    		International Classification of Diseases
    HIM 4101
    		Health Informatics: Infrastructure and Standards
    HIM 4121
    		Healthcare Data Analytics
    MATH 3031
    		Probability Theory
    MATH 3032
    		Mathematical Statistics (S)
    MATH 3043
    		Numerical Analysis I
    MATH 3046
    		Differential Equations with Computer Lab
    MATH 4033
    		Stochastic Processes (F)
    MATH 4043
    		Applied Mathematics
    SOC 3201
    		Statistical Methods in Sociology
    SOC 3525
    		Urban Health
    SOC 3559
    		Health and Reproduction
    SOC 4002
    		Data Analysis
    STAT 3502
    		Regression and Predictive Analytics
    STAT 3503
    		Applied Statistics and Data Science
    STAT 3504
    		Time Series and Forecasting Models
    STAT 3506
    		Nonparametric and Categorical Data Analysis
    Mathematics
    Select one of the following:4
    MATH 1041
    		Calculus I
    MATH 1941
    		Honors Calculus I
    Select one of the following:4
    MATH 1042
    		Calculus II
    MATH 1942
    		Honors Calculus II
    MATH 1044
    		Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
    Physics
    Select one of the following:4
    PHYS 1021
    		Introduction to General Physics I
    PHYS 1061
    		Elementary Classical Physics I
    or PHYS 1961
    		 Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
    PHYS 2021
    		General Physics I (F)
    or PHYS 2921
    		 Honors General Physics I
    Select one of the following:4
    PHYS 1022
    		Introduction to General Physics II
    PHYS 1062
    		Elementary Classical Physics II
    or PHYS 1962
    		 Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
    PHYS 2022
    		General Physics II (S)
    or PHYS 2922
    		 Honors General Physics II
    Total Credit Hours80-85
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    This course has a co-requisite of BIOL 2207.

    2

    Additional course prerequisites may be required.

    3

    Students may fulfill one upper-level elective by completing a total of 6 credits of research. A maximum of 3 credits may come from the junior level research course BIOL 3082 and the remaining 3 credits must come from a senior level (4000+) research course. Students may also complete all 6 credits using a two semesters of the senior research course if they prefer. Consult with your departmental advisor to determine which course(s) are appropriate. Once completed, students must seek approval from a CST advisor to obtain the waiver for credit towards one upper-level elective.

With the exception noted in footnote 3 above, the research and independent study courses shown below do not count as Genomic Medicine electives, but they may count as free elective credits toward graduation. Most research courses can only be taken ONCE for a letter grade. Check individual course descriptions for details and/or exceptions.

BIOL 2082Independent Research I1 to 4
BIOL 3082Independent Research II1 to 4
BIOL 3181Cooperative Research in Biochemistry3
BIOL 3681Cooperative Studies2 to 4
BIOL 3685Externship Studies3
BIOL 4291Extradepartmental Research1 to 4
BIOL 4391Accelerated Research in Biology1 to 4
BIOL 4483Accelerated Research in Biochemistry3
BIOL 4491Research in Biochemistry3
BIOL 4591Research in Neuroscience1 to 4

Note: Grades of C- or higher are required unless otherwise specified in all courses for the major, including course prerequisites. The College of Science and Technology requires that students have a GPA of at least 2.00 overall and at least 2.00 in the courses applicable to their major and/or minor GPA to graduate.

A total of one semester of Biology research courses numbered lower than 4000 (to include: BIOL 2082, BIOL 3082, BIOL 3181, and BIOL 3681) may be taken for a letter grade. Any additional semesters in research courses in this category can be taken only on a CR/NC basis.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Genomic Medicine

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
BIOL 1111
or BIOL 1911
 Introduction to Organismal Biology
or Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
 4
MATH 1041
or MATH 1941
 Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
 4
SCTC 1001 CST First-Year Seminar 1
Select one of the following: 4
CIS 1051
or CIS 1951
 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
or Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
  
CIS 1057
 Computer Programming in C  
CIS 1068
or CIS 1968
 Program Design and Abstraction
or Honors Program Design and Abstraction
  
ENG 0802
or ENG 0812
or ENG 0902
 Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
 4
 Credit Hours17
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
BIOL 1112
or BIOL 1912
 Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
or Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
  
BIOL 2112
or BIOL 2912
 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
  
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 1031
& CHEM 1033
 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I		  
CHEM 1951
& CHEM 1953
 Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I		  
Select one of the following: 4
MATH 1042
or MATH 1942
 Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
  
MATH 1044
 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences  
IH 0851
or IH 0951
 Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
BIOL 3101 Evolution (F) 3
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 1032
& CHEM 1034
 General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II		  
CHEM 1952
& CHEM 1954
 Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II		  
IH 0852
or IH 0952
 Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
 3
GenEd Breadth Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
BIOL 2207 Genetics 3
BIOL 2297 Research Techniques in Genetics [WI] 3
BIOL 2512 Genomic Foundations of Medicine (S) 3
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 2201
& CHEM 2203
 Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I		  
CHEM 2921
& CHEM 2923
 Organic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory I		  
Elective 2
 Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
BIOL 3511 Pathophysiology of Genomic Medicine (F) 3
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 2202
& CHEM 2204
 Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II		  
CHEM 2922
& CHEM 2924
 Organic Chemistry for Honors II
and Organic Honors Laboratory II		  
Select one of the following: 4
PHYS 1021
 Introduction to General Physics I  
PHYS 1061
or PHYS 1961
 Elementary Classical Physics I
or Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
  
PHYS 2021
or PHYS 2921
 General Physics I (F)
or Honors General Physics I
  
Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
BIOL 3112 Fundamentals of Genomic Evolutionary Medicine (S) 3
Genomic Medicine Elective 1 3-4
Select one of the following: 4
PHYS 1022
 Introduction to General Physics II  
PHYS 1062
or PHYS 1962
 Elementary Classical Physics II
or Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
  
PHYS 2022
or PHYS 2922
 General Physics II (S)
or Honors General Physics II
  
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
Genomic Medicine Elective 1 3-4
Genomic Medicine Elective 1 3-4
Genomic Medicine Elective 1 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3-0
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Genomic Medicine Elective 1 3-4
Select one of the following: 3
BIOL 3396
 Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating [WI]  
BIOL 4396
 Advanced Study in Biology [WI]  
BIOL 4596
 Introduction to Scientific and Regulatory Writing [WI]  
BIOL 4597
 Communicating Science to a Broader Audience / Non-Scientists [WI]  
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
Elective 3-1
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours123
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course
1

See the Genome Medicine Electives list under Requirements for course options.

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated programs may be of interest to students in the Genomic Medicine BS:

College of Science and Technology