A new Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in biomedical sciences will debut in Georgia Southern University’s College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) Fall 2025 roster following degree approval at the University System of Georgia’s (USG) Board of Regents meeting in Atlanta on Oct. 8.  The new program is the first of its kind offered by a USG institution.

“The College of Science and Mathematics is a leader in producing graduates to meet tomorrow’s challenges,” said COSM Dean Michael T. Huggins, Ph.D. “The biomedical sciences degree will further our mission by producing graduates who have direct entry into a number of cutting-edge career opportunities in the biomedical sciences, including preparation for admission into medical school.”

Offering a broad education in biomedical sciences, the new program will include the study of human anatomy and physiology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition and kinesiology. Students may go on to pursue jobs in education, research, sales and hospital and institutional work, or continue with graduate studies to become a medical doctor, dentist or pharmacist, among other professions. The program is also designed to provide a streamlined curriculum to support students interested in pursuing medical school at the new Medical College of Georgia on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah. 

“An exciting aspect of the new program is how it has been tailored to prepare students for a wide breadth of jobs in the biomedical sciences while providing flexibility in their career paths,” continued Huggins. “Students take courses that will satisfy requirements necessary to advance immediately from the bachelor’s degree to programs in medical, dental, physician assistant, pharmacy or veterinary schools. For those students not seeking to advance beyond the B.S., there are great opportunities as well, with a large number of active job ads in Georgia requiring only a B.S. level of education.”  

This newest degree adds to the College’s already robust offering of undergraduate and graduate degree programs on the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses through the Departments of Biology; Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics; Mathematical Sciences; and Military Science as well as the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability. The College is also home to the James H. Oliver Jr. Institute for Coastal Plain Science, which hosts the U.S. National Tick Collection that is on permanent loan from the Smithsonian Institution, the Georgia Southern Botanic Garden, and the Center for Advanced Material Science.

The Armstrong campus additionally houses the Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center, an innovative facility where faculty and students draw upon best practices to improve the sustainability and profitability of soilless farming. 

“Advancing student success is our primary mission,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D. “With the addition of each new degree program, Georgia Southern prepares its students to excel and pursue their curiosity while guided by world-class scholars who are creating significant research and scholarship that align with our campus-wide academic initiatives. Our faculty and students are at the forefront of ingenuity across disciplines and we remain committed to fostering creative ecosystems that create jobs, fuel economic growth and enhance quality of life for all.”

COSM boasts state-of-the-art teaching and research labs, including geospatial technology labs, an aquatics lab, microscopy suites, mass spectrometry suites and additional instrumentation necessary to support faculty members’ diverse research interests and collaborations. Animal care spaces, greenhouses, an herbaria and an insectary, as well as the COSM Core Research Laboratory, enhance the University’s extensive research capabilities. The division also has an active office of undergraduate research, which promotes collaborative research between faculty and undergraduate students and encourages participation in grant competitions and research symposia.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 140 different degree programs serving more than 25,500 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.