New Degree Expands Skills, Flexibility for Future Doctors

A new undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas is preparing graduates for success in health professions and scientific careers by combining elements of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics and mathematical sciences.

The Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) prepares students for graduate school and industry; it also meets course requirements for graduates to apply to seven health-related professional schools: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, physical therapy and physician assistant.

"Our pre-health students were previously placed in the same degree programs as those who want to pursue careers as scientists, educators or academics, but they had to carefully tailor their courses," said Dr. Duane Winkler, associate professor and department head of biological sciences. "The priorities of these students are different. This new bachelor's degree program allows us to cater to a large swath of student interests."

The biomedical sciences curriculum offers two tracks: a professional track that focuses on comprehensive preparation for professional schools, including research, and a data analytics track that emphasizes bioinformatics, machine learning, epidemiology and biostatistics.

"UT Dallas is a preeminent research institution with tremendous talent in multiple disciplines. We build on that with this new degree," said Dr. Michael Biewer, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and associate dean for undergraduate education in NSM. "We're also hiring more expert faculty across all of our school's departments who will teach courses and provide students with research opportunities in advanced biomedical fields. This is a distinct opportunity at UTD that will make our graduates more competitive, whether they apply to professional schools or go into industry."

For example, Dr. Zihao Ou, assistant professor of physics, and Dr. Tian Hong, associate professor of biological sciences, joined the faculty in August to be part of the biomedical sciences research and teaching focus. Ou is a pioneer in biomedical optics and imaging, an expanding field of study that is advancing technology for both biological research and medical science. Hong's research focuses on computational systems biology, bioinformatics and the application of mathematics to biological questions.

One of the hallmarks of the degree program is its flexibility, said Dr. Eberhard Voit, a clinical professor of biological sciences who led the committee that developed the degree program.

"In our program, students don't have to choose immediately which track they want to focus on; they can switch direction as needed," Voit said. "Incoming students might think they want to be doctors, but then find that research or data science is their true calling. They could start in the data analytics track and still decide to go to medical school. This flexible, smartly designed curriculum can save students time, effort and money."

"Bioinformatics, data analytics and advanced technology and treatments are increasingly informing modern medicine and opening up new career paths for graduates with interdisciplinary skills. This modern, flexible degree program will give UTD students the chance to explore multiple avenues."

Dr. David Hyndman, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

A new certificate in biomedical data analytics will also be available starting in fall 2025. The coursework for the certificate is embedded in the data analytics track within the biomedical sciences degree, so any student taking that track will also earn the certificate.

"Students who are pursuing other degrees at UTD also can take these courses to complete this undergraduate certificate to add to their training and employability," said Dr. Pankaj Choudhary, professor of mathematical sciences, associate dean of graduate studies in NSM and a member of the degree development committee.

Dr. Vladimir Dragovic, professor and department head of mathematical sciences, said his department will oversee the data analytics track. He and his colleagues worked closely with biological sciences faculty to create four new courses for the degree curriculum.

"Faculty in the mathematical sciences department have a wide range of research expertise," Dragovic said. "We are big believers in the importance of mathematical sciences and statistics in this new moment, where artificial intelligence and data analytics are contributing significantly to medical science and society."

NSM offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, mathematical sciences, physics, science/mathematics education and sustainable Earth systems sciences. This fall, nearly 10% of first-year students chose biology as their major, making it the second most-popular major among UTD freshmen.

Dr. David Hyndman, dean of NSM, said the new degree program provides exciting opportunities for students at a time when medical fields are becoming much more quantitative and dependent on knowledge that spans traditional disciplines.

"As a school, we recognize that health professions and biomedical sciences encompass multiple fields that span the expertise of our research and teaching," said Hyndman, the Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Distinguished University Chair. "Bioinformatics, data analytics and advanced technology and treatments are increasingly informing modern medicine and opening up new career paths for graduates with interdisciplinary skills. This modern, flexible degree program will give UTD students the chance to explore multiple avenues."