About

Biomedical foundations provides students with a strong foundation of multidisciplinary training in biomedical science while providing flexibility for initial specialization within a particular biomedical science.


Quick facts
  • Three-year degree
  • Full- or part-time program
  • You can enter this program directly from high school
  • You can begin this program off-campus

What you will learn

This program includes necessary courses to prepare you for entry into health-related professional schools not requiring a four-year degree, such as dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy. You will also learn essential skills for careers in broad aspects of biotechnology, as well as employment in academic/research institutions and related industries.

A first-year schedule sample

This degree program is flexible and offers you the opportunity to take courses in many different subject areas. Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:

Course Description

Fall Term
BIOL 120a The Nature of Life
CHEM 112a General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
PHYS 115a Physics and the Universe
MATH 125b Mathematics for the Life Sciences
HIST 165c History Matters Health and Society

Winter Term
CHEM 115a General Chemistry II Chemical Processes
PHYS 117a Physics for the Life Sciences
PHIL 140a Critical Thinking
INDG 107d Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
BMSC 200a Biomolecules

a Required course for the major
b One of the course options to complete the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
c One of the course options to complete the English Language Writing Requirement
d One of the course options to complete the Indigenous Learning Requirement

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

PSY 120: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
This course focuses on the study of behavior dealing with the essential problems of psychology, the methods of investigation, and the advances that have been made in the fields of neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, memory, learning, language, and motivation and emotion.

BMSC 320: Nucleic Acids From Central Dogma to Human Disease
This course deals with the role of nucleic acids as the information storage molecule of living things, from bacteria to humans. Nucleic acid structure, DNA replication, recombination and repair, transcription of genes, and translation of mRNA in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes are covered along with a diversity of methods used in living things for regulation of expression.

HLST 210: Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods in Health Studies
This course introduces students to the research methods and approaches used to investigate health issues. The course will expand students' research skills across a broad range of approaches to studying health sciences; consequently, students will also quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches. Finally, students will learn to be a critical consumer of health sciences research.

Opportunities
This program provides an excellent foundation of knowledge in biomedical sciences if you are seeking subsequent admission into health-related professional schools, such as dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy.

This program also prepares you to be well-qualified to progress into more advanced biomedical research training at the master's and Ph.D. levels at various academic institutions worldwide.

Hands-on experience
You will receive a broad education in a variety of topics including biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, physiology, and pharmacology along with hands-on experience in experimental techniques.

Careers

Preparation for professional health science programs and graduate studies: The biomedical foundations program provides an excellent foundation in the biomedical sciences for students seeking subsequent admission into professional health science schools such as dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy. Biomedical foundations program graduates are also well qualified to progress into more advanced biomedical research training at the master's and Ph.D. levels at various academic institutions worldwide.

Other careers:
(Note that some of the following positions may require further education or qualifications, depending on the hiring institution and the jurisdiction in which the position is found.)

Research and lab positions: A variety of technical positions are available in academia (e.g. universities and colleges), industry (e.g. biotechnology, private research firms, biomedical supply, and pharmaceutical companies), government (e.g. agricultural and food agencies and police forensic laboratories) and the healthcare system (e.g. medical labs).

Communications: Biomedical foundations studies may lead to a career in technical writing for textbooks and/or government and industry reports.

Business: Biomedical foundations graduates may obtain sales, consulting or management positions in science-related private sector companies, such as pharmaceutical and biomedical supply firms.

Tuition estimates

Canadian students International students
Tuition $7,615 $31,983
Student fees $1,089 $1,089
Books $1,500 $1,500
Total $10,204 $34,572

Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2023-2024 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.

Program options

This degree is offered jointly by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science and College of Medicine:

You should consult with an academic advisor in the college when you begin your studies.

Admission requirements and deadlines

Deadlines

Start term Application DeadlineInternational Deadline
Winter
January 2024
Dec 1, 2023
Documents due: Dec 15, 2023
Sep 1, 2023
Documents due: Oct 1, 2023
Spring
May 2024
Apr 1, 2024
Documents due: May 1, 2024
Feb 1, 2024
Documents due: Mar 1, 2024
Summer
July 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Mar 1, 2024
Documents due: Apr 1, 2024
Fall
September 2024
Aug 15, 2024
Documents due: Aug 15, 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Winter
January 2025
Dec 1, 2024
Documents due: Dec 15, 2024
Sep 1, 2024
Documents due: Oct 1, 2024

Ready to apply?

A non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD is required before your application will be processed.

Explore related programs

If you are looking for graduate level (Master or Ph.D.) programs please consult our graduate students' website.

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