Obtain excellent training for a professional career in healthcare, medical laboratory science and diagnostics, and biomedical research. Choose one of three options: Clinical Science, Medical Laboratory Science, and Pre-Medical/Pre-Health.

What is Applied Biomedical Sciences?

Applied Biomedical Sciences combines basic sciences (like biology and chemistry) with more advanced applied sciences with a clinical focus. Through hands-on laboratory experiences and research opportunities, you will learn about health and disease, medical diagnostics, biotechnology, and laboratory research. You will also learn how science can be used to understand disease and develop tools to diagnose and treat it.

The UMass Lowell Applied Biomedical Sciences program prepares you for a professional career in healthcare (like medicine, veterinary and physician assistant), medical laboratory science, medical diagnostics (including forensics), and research in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industries. You'll focus on health-centered basic and applied science courses, laboratory experiences with a clinical emphasis, including the opportunity for a co-op experience with one of our industry partners.

Choose from one of three options: Clinical Science, Medical Laboratory Science, and Pre-Medical/Pre-Health.

Careers in Applied Biomedical Sciences

Graduates from the Applied Biomedical Sciences degree program are exceptionally prepared for careers in laboratory and research environments, including industry, government, medical diagnostics, forensics and biotechnology. Our graduates are also qualified for graduate and professional degree programs in medicine and related fields.
Scientist holding a syringe and test tube in a laboratory

Nearly 100% of program graduates are successfully employed. Our alumni have worked at:

  • Anna Jaques Hospital, Newburyport 
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston 
  • Boston Medical Center, Boston 
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston 
  • Cambridge Hospital, Cambridge 
  • Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston 
  • Emerson Hospital, Concord 
  • Genzyme, Framingham 
  • Holy Family Hospital, Methuen 
  • Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington 
  • Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence 
  • Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Hallmark Health, Medford 
  • Lowell General Hospital, Lowell 
  • Magellan Diagnostics, Billerica 
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 
  • Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Hallmark Health, Melrose 
  • Merrimack Valley Hospital, Haverhill 
  • Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton 
  • Pfizer, Inc., Andover 
  • Winchester Hospital, Winchester 

Choose an option that fits your career goals.

You will begin your studies in either the Clinical Science (CS) Option, which also provides the foundational courses necessary for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Option, or the Pre-Medical/Pre-Health (PMPH) Option, if you are interested in a professional medical career. With support from your professional and faculty advisors, you will decide which Option is best for your career interests:

  • Clinical Science (CS) Option: The Clinical Science Option provides work-ready skills for careers related to biomedical laboratory research and biotechnology as well as preparation to apply for graduate degrees and certain professional programs (like physician assistant or PA). To reinforce classroom learning, the CS Option offers multiple hands-on laboratory experiences, including opportunities for a co-op experience with one of multiple industry partners.

  • Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Option: Medical Laboratory Scientists are highly skilled and specialized health care professionals who perform diagnostic tests on fluid and tissue samples to help medical teams identify disease and treat patients. You will graduate with approximately 450 hours of intensive experience in clinical diagnostic laboratories, including top Boston hospitals and free-standing clinical/diagnostic laboratories. You can apply to the MLS Option after completion of several requisites while in the Clinical Science Option. Learn more about the two-step admission process. Nearly 100% of MLS graduates obtain employment after graduation.

  • Pre-Medical/Pre-Health (PMPH) Option: This option delivers all the education needed for applying to professional medical programs, including veterinary, dental, chiropractic, podiatry, optometry, and pharmacy as well as pre-physician assistant (pre-PA) school. The PMPH Option provides interprofessional education in the basic sciences necessary for medical training, combined with medical/clinical content from many disciplines across the biomedical sciences. It delivers essential content related to human health and disease, medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical sciences, and human nutrition for promoting healthy living. This special combination of basic and applied sciences elevates the PMPH Option at UMass Lowell above other pre-medical programs. A dedicated pre-health advisor will guide you through the application process of any professional programs you wish to apply for.

Courses you will take

The B.S. in Applied Biomedical Sciences begins with a strong core of foundational science courses taken in the first two years, including Anatomy & Physiology, Physiological (or traditional) Chemistry, Basic Clinical Microbiology & Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Theory.

Core courses are followed by many required and optional applied science courses with a clinical/medical, pharmaceutical and nutritional science focus, many of which provide hands-on laboratory experiences. The most notable are Pathophysiology, Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Immunology, Medical Bacteriology, Molecular Pharmacology, Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory, Molecular Diagnostics, Applied Biomedical Genetics and Human Nutrition.

Check out our degree pathways—a suggested four-year schedule—for a possible pathway toward your B.S. in Applied Biomedical Sciences.

View pathways for each option:

Many students engage in collaborative learning with exercise physiology, nursing, nutrition and public health majors through the College’s Interprofessional Education Program (IPE).

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing and to learn about the Applied Biomedical Sciences minor.

Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

  1. Apply analytical and critical thinking in trouble shooting laboratory instrumentation and procedures.
  2. Demonstrate leadership skills of accountability, delegation, education, and supervision.
  3. Clearly communicate scientific information both orally and in writing.
  4. Generate, analyze and present research results.
  5. Be admitted to and be successful in graduate/professional programs.
  6. Advance in their chosen fields.
  7. Work safely with potential chemical and biological hazards using the standards established in the workplace chemical hygiene plan, safety manual, and the blood-borne pathogen policy.

Why study applied biomedical sciences at UMass Lowell?

Two female researchers watch male researcher work with test tube in lab

Clinical Placements

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Option has more than 20 clinical affiliate sites, including Boston hospitals, community hospitals and reference laboratories. Student-to-faculty ratios for undergraduate clinical placement do not exceed 2:1.

Microscope with multiple lenses and a slide

Advanced Facilities

Our student laboratories are equipped with the most current available technology in instrumentation, allowing you to work in simulated labs that prepare you for the real world.

Three students watch a researcher perform work in lab

Experiential Learning

Build career-ready skills through experiences outside the classroom, including:

  • Research in a faculty laboratory 
  • Co-ops and internships 
  • Paid work on campus 
  • Service learning 
  • Study abroad
A student wearing a white lab coat looks through a microscope in an applied biomedical sciences lab at UMass Lowell

Bachelor’s-to-Master's Program

Get on the fast track to an advanced degree with our combined bachelor's-to-master's program.

  • Available to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.000 or better
  • Offers a continuous, coordinated sequence of courses
  • Reduced credit-hour requirements can save you time and money

Meet Our Students

Katie McGourty works in a lab
Katie McGourty '18, '19
Applied Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Katie McGourty took advantage of UML's Bachelor’s-to-Master’s program and completed her master’s in one year. She landed a job with Pfizer Inc. in the inflammation and immunology department before she graduated.

I decided to do the accelerated B.S.-M.S. program in pharmaceutical sciences because it was a cost-effective way to get my master’s in a growing field.
Read More About Katie McGourty 
UMass Lowell student Edward Judge sits at a desk.
EJ Judge ’19, ’21
Applied Biomedical Sciences, Master of Public Health

EJ Judge received his Master of Public Health degree during the pandemic, which provided real-world opportunities to learn what epidemiology is all about.

I wanted to get into a field where I could help people. I was supported by professors who quickly became mentors.
Read More About EJ Judge 
Jose Archila Quezada in front of Emergency Room doors
José Archila Quezada '22
Applied Biomedical Sciences

José Archila Quezada found support and a network of friends in the MAGIC program, which helps students from underrepresented groups pursue medical school.

Through MAGIC, I saw that we could help each other. That’s where I got a community.
Read More About José Archila Quezada 
Thavaleak Prum works with lab equipment in an Applied Biomedical Sciences laboratory at UMass Lowell.
Thavaleak Prum ’14, ’24
Applied Biomedical Sciences

Thavaleak Prum came to UML to pursue her dream of transforming people’s lives through research.

The courses challenge me, but the support from my professors and the hands-on laboratory experience was like a key unlocking the very in-depth knowledge taught in the classroom.
Read More About Thavaleak Prum 
Lindsay Roberts works at a Stop the Spread event
Lindsey Roberts ’14 ’19
Applied Biomedical Sciences

Lindsey Roberts worked her way through the clinical laboratory science program and a master’s degree, too. Now she’s the laboratory supervisor at Lowell Community Health Center.

I’m the middle person between the lab and the rest of the world.
Read More About Lindsey Roberts