What can you do with a medical sciences degree?

Medical sciences provides you with a defined pathway into health and biomedical fields while giving you flexibility in how you get there. Instead of committing to one narrow track, you build a scientific background that supports several job opportunities in medicine, research and industry.

If you want to become a physician, dentist or other health professional, this degree ensures you have the scientific preparation that medical programs expect. If you’re interested in biomedical research, it empowers you to work in laboratories investigating how diseases progress and how treatments are developed. If you’re considering a career in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or other health-focused industries, it gives you the biological knowledge those fields rely on.

Learn more about what a medical sciences degree is, what career opportunities it makes possible and what sets University of Idaho’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in medical sciences apart.

What is a medical sciences degree?

A medical sciences degree focuses on the biological and chemical foundations of human health and disease. As a student in this major, you study how body systems function, how diseases develop and how scientific research informs diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

As Tanya Miura, department chair and professor of biological sciences at University of Idaho, said, “Medical sciences focuses on the scientific disciplines a student needs to understand human health and disease at a mechanistic level. It is excellent preparation for careers in health care, biotechnology or biomedical research.”

Unlike a broader biology degree, medical sciences is structured specifically around health-focused goals. Your coursework emphasizes human biology, chemistry and advanced biomedical subjects such as physiology, genetics, microbiology and biochemistry. You’ll explore areas like ethics, psychology, statistics and global health. This enables you to understand not only the science of disease but also the human and societal factors that influence care.

How a medical sciences degree prepares you for professional school

One reason you may choose a medical sciences degree is to prepare for professional or graduate study in a health field. Careers such as physician, dentist, physician assistant, physical therapist or pharmacist require advanced education beyond a bachelor’s degree, and admission into those programs is generally competitive.

A medical sciences degree ensures you can take that next step by aligning your coursework and experiences with what professional schools expect. You complete the core science requirements these programs look for and build the academic habits and research acumen that strengthen your application.

“The degree includes courses that are prerequisites for professional schools, cover topics needed to score well on entrance exams (like the MCAT) and prepare for success in professional school coursework,” Miura said. “It also incorporates options for internships and research experiences that are critical for competitive applications to professional and graduate schools into the degree requirements.”

A Bachelor of Science in medical sciences degree plan already incorporates unique opportunities and the courses you need to take to elevate your application. If professional school is part of your plan, a medical sciences degree is a strong fit.

Careers with a medical sciences degree

Professional school is one direction a medical sciences degree can take you, but it’s not the only one.

With a bachelor’s degree in medical sciences, you can directly enter roles that rely on scientific training and laboratory experience. The coursework and hands-on opportunities you get as an undergraduate build practical skills that employers value in research, health and biotechnology settings.

“A bachelor's degree in medical sciences prepares graduates for jobs in research or clinical laboratories or biotechnology, health care or pharmaceutical industries,” Miura said.

Let’s explore entry-level career pathways you can pursue with a medical sciences degree.

Research and laboratory roles

Research settings are where scientific questions are tested, challenged and refined. If that interests you, you can use your medical sciences degree to drive discovery through research. Common entry-level positions include:

• Clinical laboratory assistant
• Laboratory technician
• Research assistant in academic or industry labs
• Research project coordinator

In these positions, you may conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, maintain laboratory equipment and support research teams making biomedical discoveries.

Clinical laboratory roles allow you to work in health care settings, where you help analyze patient samples and diagnostic processes. Research-focused jobs in academic institutions, biotechnology firms or pharmaceutical companies may involve investigating disease mechanisms, testing new therapies or supporting product development.

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical careers

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies rely on employees who understand biological systems, medical innovation, product development and scientific foundations — all of which you’ll learn in a medical sciences program.  Potential biotechnology and pharmaceutical roles are:

• Clinical trial assistant
• Laboratory technician
• Pharmaceutical sales representative
• Quality control analyst
• Regulatory support roles

Clinical and laboratory technicians track study data and coordinate research teams as new treatments are evaluated. Pharmaceutical sales representatives use their scientific background to communicate complex medical information clearly and accurately to health care providers. Quality control and regulatory professionals help ensure that biomedical products meet safety and compliance standards.  

Health care and health systems positions

With a medical sciences degree, you could find a role that supports the structure of health care, rather than providing clinical treatment. Careers in this field may include:

• Clinical research coordination
• Health policy research
• Hospital administration support
• Medical law
• Public health initiatives

What sets you apart in these environments is your ability to understand medical terminology and biological processes. When reviewing patient-related data or supporting research initiatives, you recognize how clinical decisions connect back to physiology and disease mechanisms. That knowledge allows you to contribute meaningful scientific context.  

Science writing and communications jobs

Scientific research does not stay confined to laboratories. Someone must clearly communicate findings to physicians, patients, policymakers and the public. If you have strong writing skills, you could pursue a career as a:

• Health education specialist
• Medical content developer
• Science writer
• Technical writer for biomedical companies

In these roles, you may summarize clinical research, develop patient education materials or create documentation that explains how a product or procedure works. Because your medical sciences degree covers disease processes, research methodology and other related topics, you’ll know how to translate complex information into language that is precise and understandable without being misleading.

Earn your B.S. in medical sciences at University of Idaho

University of Idaho’s Bachelor of Science in medical sciences combines rigorous coursework with hands-on research and flexible elective pathways. As you move through the degree, you develop practical skills, apply them in real laboratory settings and shape your upper-division experience around your goals. Here’s what you can expect:

Build transferable skills

Whether you’re conducting biomedical research, preparing for professional school, working in a biotech company or contributing to public health initiatives, the ability to evaluate evidence, interpret data and think holistically about biological systems is essential.

In addition, our medical sciences program ensures you graduate with:

• Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
• Problem-solving skills in laboratory and research settings
• Data analysis and interpretation skills
• Scientific communication abilities
• Collaboration and teamwork experience
• Ethical reasoning in health-related contexts

Participate in undergraduate research

U of I medical sciences majors have opportunities to work alongside faculty on research projects, complete internships or participate in capstone experiences that connect classroom learning to active investigation.

“Hands-on experience with research projects helps students apply their knowledge and reinforce critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” said Miura.  

Through research opportunities, you learn how studies are designed, how data is collected and how conclusions are drawn. Those experiences strengthen your professional school applications and also prepare you for laboratory-based careers after graduation.

Shape your degree around your goals

Not every student enters the medical sciences program with the same destination in mind.  

“The degree is organized into several elective categories that give students flexibility to take the courses and research or internship opportunities that best match their interests and career goals,” said Miura.  

Through your elective courses, you can deepen your preparation for professional school, gain additional research experience or explore specialized areas within biomedical science.

Complete the program at two U of I locations

You can earn your B.S. in medical sciences at our Moscow campus or through U of I’s four-year Coeur d’Alene pathway. Both options follow the same academic standards and curriculum, giving you flexibility in location without compromising quality.

Start your path in medical sciences

Whether you imagine yourself in medical school, a research lab or a health-driven industry, a medical sciences degree from University of Idaho can help you get there.  

Request information or apply today to take the next step toward your future.