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.

Blending psychology and sociology courses with an increased focus on coursework required by most medical schools—biochemistry, cell structure, and function, and bioinformatics or biostatistics—the optional Pre-Medicine Concentration prepares graduates for entry into medical school and STEM research careers in 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.

Undergraduate Contact Information

Robert Sanders, Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 255
215-204-8851

Erik Cordes, Vice Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 315A
215-204-8876

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

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Genomic Medicine: Pre-Medicine Concentration.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 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
    • 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 (87-89 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
    Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    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
    BIOL 3204Cell Structure and Function (F)4
    BIOL 3511Pathophysiology of Genomic Medicine (F)3
    Select one of the following: 23
    Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
    Biostatistics (F)
    Select one of the following: 3
    Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating (WI, S)
    Advanced Study in Biology (WI)
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    CHEM 3401Applications of Biochemistry3
    Computer & Information Sciences
    Select one of the following:4
    Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
    Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
    Computer Programming in C
    Program Design and Abstraction
    Honors Program Design and Abstraction
    Genome Medicine Electives
    Select two of the following: 3, 46-8
    Mammalian Anatomy (F)
    Human Evolution
    Integrative Cell and Tissue Biology
    Genomics in Medicine (F)
    Genomics and Infectious Disease Dynamics (F)
    Human Genetics (F)
    Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology 2
    Evolutionary Genetics and Phylogenetics (S)
    Behavioral Genetics (F)
    Genomics and Evolutionary Biology of Parasites and Other Dependent Species (S)
    Parasitology
    Developmental Biology (F)
    Advanced Cell Biology (F)
    Biostatistics 2
    General Microbiology (S)
    Molecular Biology
    Research Techniques in Molecular Biology (S)
    Immunology (S)
    Virology (F)
    Developmental Genetics
    Mammalian Physiology (S)
    Systems Neuroscience
    Organization and Development of the Nervous System (S)
    Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (S)
    Molecular Neuropharmacology
    Mammalian Development
    The New Neuroimmunology
    Endocrinology (F)
    Biology of Cancer (S)
    Cell Proliferation (S)
    Cell Signaling (S)
    Physical Biochemistry (S)
    Contemporary Biology
    Genomic Biology
    Biological Models in Python
    Epigenetics
    Genome Editing
    Research Techniques in Biochemistry (S)
    Biochemistry of Embryogenesis (F)
    Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Evo-Devo (S)
    Stem Cell Biology (F)
    General Biochemistry I (F)
    General Biochemistry II (F)
    Database Management Systems
    Data Structures
    Principles of Data Science (S)
    Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
    Probability Theory I
    Mathematical Statistics (S)
    Probability Theory II (F)
    Mathematics
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    Select one of the following:4
    Calculus II
    Honors Calculus II
    Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
    Physics
    Select one of the following:4
    Introduction to General Physics I
    Elementary Classical Physics I
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
    General Physics I
    Honors General Physics I
    Select one of the following:4
    Introduction to General Physics II
    Elementary Classical Physics II
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
    General Physics II
    Honors General Physics II
    Social Sciences
    PSY 1001Introduction to Psychology3
    or PSY 1901 Honors: Introduction to Psychology
    Select one of the following:3
    Introduction to Sociology
    Honors Introduction to Sociology
    Introduction to Sociology for Health Professions
    Total Credit Hours87-89
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    This course has a co-requisite of BIOL 2207.

    2

    Either BIOL 3212 or BIOL 3312 must be taken to satisfy degree requirements. The course not selected may be chosen as a Genomic Medicine Elective.

    3

    Additional course prerequisites may be required.

    4

    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 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 4 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 course for the major, including 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 with Pre-Medicine Concentration

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
BIOL 1111
Introduction to Organismal Biology
or Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
4
MATH 1041
Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
4
SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar 1
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
or Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
 
Computer Programming in C  
Program Design and Abstraction
or Honors Program Design and Abstraction
 
ENG 0802
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
Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
or Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
 
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
 
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
 
Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I
 
Select one of the following: 4
Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
 
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences  
IH 0851
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
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
 
Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II
 
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Sociology
or Honors Introduction to Sociology
 
Introduction to Sociology for Health Professions  
Elective 2
 Credit Hours15
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
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
 
Organic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory I
 
PSY 1001
Introduction to Psychology
or Honors: Introduction to Psychology
3
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
BIOL 3511 Pathophysiology of Genomic Medicine (F) 3
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
 
Organic Chemistry for Honors II
and Organic Honors Laboratory II
 
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to General Physics I  
Elementary Classical Physics I
or Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
 
General Physics I
or Honors General Physics I
 
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
BIOL 3112 Fundamentals of Genomic Evolutionary Medicine (S) 3
CHEM 3401 Applications of Biochemistry 3
Select one of the following: 4
Introduction to General Physics II  
Elementary Classical Physics II
or Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
 
General Physics II
or Honors General Physics II
 
Genomic Medicine Elective 1 3-4
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
BIOL 3204 Cell Structure and Function (F) 4
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology  
Biostatistics (F)  
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 2-1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following: 3
Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating [WI] (S)  
Advanced Study in Biology [WI]  
Genomic Medicine Elective 1 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3-2
 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 with Pre-Medicine concentration:

College of Science and Technology