Apr 01, 2025  
College Catalog 2025 - 2026 
  
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Message from the President
  Programs of Study
  Course Descriptions
  General Education Program
  Elective Courses
  About BHCC
  Mission, Vision, and Values
  Equity and Inclusion
  Accreditation
  Academic Calendar
  Admissions
  Student Central: Financial Aid, Student Payment and Academic Records
  Academic and Student Affairs Policies
  Graduation and Alumni Engagement
  Advising and Lifemap
  Educational Opportunities
  Academic Resources
  Student Affairs and Student Programs
  Program Advisory Committees
  Administrative Divisions
  Faculty, Professional Staff and Administrators
  Glossary of Academic Terms
HELP
College Catalog 2025 - 2026

Biological Sciences: Medical Professions Option, A.S.

This option provides students with the technical coursework and laboratory experiences that enable them to successfully transfer and pursue a career in the medical professions including medical, veterinary, and pharmacy, physical therapy and physician’s assistant programs.  Students should tailor this option by choosing electives based on the requirements of the programs to which they plan to apply.  BHCC has articulation agreements with UMass Boston, UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell, enabling Medical Professions graduates to enroll in any one of these universities as juniors, without losing credits.

* Milestone Courses should be taken in the order shown. This will help you stay on track and graduate on time.

Semester 1

Total Credits: 15

Semester 1 Advising Note

  • General Education Requirements Quantitative Problem Solving and Scientific Reasoning satisfied by program.
  • This option has three tracks: 1. Pre-pharmacy school; 2. Pre-physician’s assistant or physical therapy school; 3. Pre-medical or Pre-veterinary school. Course selection will vary based on a student’s intended career. Students should learn about the course requirements of specific programs as they choose their electives. Please see each semester’s advising notes for correct course registration.
  • Students need to complete three General Education courses. Students do not need to complete General Education courses in any particular order.
  • MAT-197  requires a C+ or higher to enroll in CHM-201 .
  • If a student is not eligible to take (MAT-281 ) Calculus I, they should take (MAT-197 ) Precalculus in order to take (CHM-201 ) General Chemistry I/Lab in their second semester.

  • The major obstacle for a student starting this program is their entering math level. If they placed into Intermediate Algebra (MAT-099 ) or lower they will have to use their first semester to complete their development math course before they can take their first science courses. General Biology I (BIO-195 ) requires the completion of College Algebra for STEM (MAT-194 ) with a grade of C or better. General Chemistry I (CHM-201 ) requires the completion of Precalculus (MAT-197 ) with a grade of C or better.

  • If student is taking developmental math their first semester they can supplement their schedule with General Education courses and College Writing I (ENG-111 ).

  • Taking developmental math the first semester will require a student to attend for an extra semester and/or attend a summer session to complete the program.

Semester 2

Total Credits: 17

Semester 2 Advising Note

  • Cell Biology/Lab (BIO-207 ), Genetics/Lab (BIO-208 ), Organic Chemistry I/ Lab (CHM-251 ), Organic Chemistry II/Lab (CHM-252 ) and Interpretation and Presentation of Scientific Research (SCI-221 ) are not always offered during the summer semester. All other required science and math courses are offered during the summer.
  • Meet with an advisor to begin career planning activities.
  • Begin exploring transfer options: attend a transfer workshop and the College transfer fair

  • A student should consider taking one of their General Education courses during the summer session to lighten their academic load in semester two.

  • Students should be aware that some Biology and Chemistry courses are not offered during the summer. Please plan accordingly.

Semester 3

Total Credits: 15-16

Semester 3 Advising Note

  • May substitute Physics I (PHY-251 ). Students should check with their transferring institution to see if algebra or calculus-based physics is recommended for their biology programs. Veterinary and pharmacy schools: Most require calculus and calculus-based Physics (PHY-251  and PHY-252 ). Medical, physician’s assistant, physical therapy schools: Most do not require calculus or calculus-based physics and students can instead take General Physics (PHY-201  and PHY-202 ). However, Physics (PHY-251  and PHY-252 ) courses will strengthen your application.

  • Internship courses require student be accepted into an internship with approval from the department Chair or Internship office.

  • Electives should be decided based on the medical profession chosen by the student. Students should research specific programs and their course requirements.

  • Veterinary and medical schools elective options: Organic Chemistry II (CHM-252 ), Genetics (BIO-208 ), Statistics (MAT-181 ), *Students may choose to take Microbiology (BIO-205 ).
  • Pharmacy programs elective options: Organic Chemistry II (CHM-252 ), Microbiology (BIO-205 ), Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO-203 ), *Students may also choose: Public Speaking and Professional Communication (COM-171 ), Statistics (MAT-181 ), and/or Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO-204 ).
  • Physician’s Assistant or Physical Therapy programs elective options: Anatomy & Physiology I and II (BIO-203  and BIO-204 ), Statistics (MAT-181 ),* Students may choose to take Medical Terminology (NHP-180 ) and/or Microbiology (BIO-205 ).
  • Continue preparations for transfer: write essays for transfer institution, collect letters of recommendation, apply for transfer.
  • Complete a pre-graduation check with an advisor in LifeMap

Semester 4

Total Credits: 13-15

Semester 4 Advising Note

  • May substitute Physics II (PHY-252 ). Students should check with their transferring institution to see if algebra or calculus-based physics for their biology programs. Veterinary and pharmacy schools: Most require calculus and calculus-based Physics (PHY-251  and PHY-252 ). Medical, physician’s assistant, physical therapy schools: Most do not require calculus or calculus-based physics and students can instead take General Physics (PHY-201  and PHY-202 ). However, Physics (PHY-251  and PHY-252 ) courses will strengthen your application.

  • Internship courses require student be accepted into an internship with approval from the department Chair or Internship office.

  • Electives should be decided based on the medical profession chosen by the student. Students should research specific programs and their course requirements.

  • Veterinary and medical schools elective options: Organic Chemistry II (CHM-252 ), Genetics (BIO-208 ), Statistics (MAT-181 ), *Students may choose to take Microbiology (BIO-205 ).
  • Pharmacy programs elective options: Organic Chemistry II (CHM-252 ), Microbiology (BIO-205 ), Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO-203 ), *Students may also choose: Public Speaking and Professional Communication (COM-171 ), Statistics (MAT-181 ), and/or Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO-204 ).
  • Physician’s Assistant or Physical Therapy programs elective options: Anatomy & Physiology I and II (BIO-203  and BIO-204 ), Statistics (MAT-181 ),* Students may choose to take Medical Terminology (NHP-180 ) and/or Microbiology (BIO-205 ).
  • Apply for graduation.

Upon Completion of This Concentration Graduates Will Be Able To:

  • Describe the structure and function of living cells and explain how their cellular components and biochemistry interact in the metabolic pathways that define life. 
  • Relate cellular reproduction to the theories and concepts of genetics to explain inheritance.
  • Relate the concept of evolutionary theory to explain adaptations, speciation, the diversity of life, and the interactions of living organisms in the biosphere.   
  • Apply currently accepted biological, chemical, physical and mathematical concepts to investigate problems and ideas presented in advanced biological study.
  • Apply the concepts of scientific inquiry to investigate biological observations by formulating hypotheses, designing and conducting experiments, analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting experimental data, and developing evidence-based conclusion.
  • Search and retrieve peer-reviewed information from scientific journals and other sources and provide proper credit when the information is used in their own scientific reporting.
  • Evaluate the credibility of sources of scientific information presented by the general media and the Internet.
  • Clearly express the procedures used, data collected, and conclusions obtained in his or her written or oral presentation of a scientific investigation.
  • Apply laboratory safety protocols in using the equipment, technology, and techniques that are commonly used in laboratory or field investigations.
  • Apply evidence-based science in addressing personal and global issues.

Career Outlook

This option will allow students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities to seek a bachelor’s degree to pursue a career in the health professions. Students should enroll in this option if they plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue admission to programs in medical, veterinary, pharmacy, physician’s assistant or physical therapy professions.

Explore Career Options 

Transfer Options

Transfer Advising Guides 

MassTransfer A2B Link

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst