Bio-Medical Science

[Bio-Medical Science] really is a pre-med program. When I eventually went to the University of Toronto for medical school, the first two years of classroom lectures mimicked my four years here, including the anatomy program. So, for me – not that it was easy – but it was a little bit of a reminder. I felt well-prepared. I don’t know if people realize that the anatomy program here at Guelph is the only one of its kind outside of medical schools across Canada. Where else are you going to get that?

Throughout my degree, I genuinely felt like I was being supported by the professors. I really appreciated how open so many professors were to research opportunities or connecting you to other professors. Especially when applying to post-grad programs in the health sciences, getting research experience is essential and I found there was so much opportunity to find it. I would advocate for anyone to come to U of G, especially if you are pre-pharmacy, medicine, dentistry or considering any other competitive post-grad program.

The University of Guelph shaped who I am as a person and scholar. The Bio-Medical Science program gave me the foundation to be a critical thinker and to ask tough questions. It has helped me both in my previous career in public health and as a doctor. When you become a Gryphon, you truly embody the saying of “changing lives and improving life.” You start to see how your knowledge can help the world around you. I feel so grateful for my time at the University of Guelph and what it has done to shape me.

The knowledge I gained at U of G was invaluable to getting me where I am now. The diversity of courses I took helped me establish a strong foundation to continue my education in medicine. The curriculum applies to many healthcare fields, whether you hope to continue your studies in a master’s program, pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, or veterinary.

What I loved most about the Bio-Medical Science program was how well it prepared me for various healthcare professions. Different graduate schools have specific prerequisites, and many of those were built into the curriculum, making it easier to tailor my studies. A lot of Bio-Med graduates rave about the Human Anatomy Lab, and for good reason. It was such a unique experience to explore human anatomy in a hands-on environment in small groups.

The Bio-Medical Science program prepares you for many different fields of science, creating a broad interdisciplinary range of knowledge. It teaches you how to be a scientist, starting with basic, essential knowledge and slowly allowing you to dive into specific aspects of interest. Although I came into this program wanting to be a veterinarian, I still took a lot of courses in human medicine, in order to have a fuller understanding. The Human Anatomy program profoundly impacted my life and learning, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of such an incredible experience that is so rare in undergrad. After three years of university at Guelph, I got into veterinary school and can now reflect on how helpful this program was in preparing me for my future career.

Joining the Bio-Medical Science program has been one of the best decisions I've made. The diverse course options and labs have greatly enriched my academics. I love the program's flexibility, allowing students to explore different paths. My favourite experience was taking a comparative mammalian anatomy course, where I got to study the anatomy and later dissect species like horses, sheep, dogs, and cats!

As an international student from China, I chose the University of Guelph for its top-ranked veterinary school. In my second year, I discovered a profound interest in utilizing biological processes to restore health. This realization led me to pivot from animal health to human health, a transition that was seamlessly supported by program counselors. My degree has been filled with opportunities to gain hands-on experience, including working as a summer lab assistant and undergraduate thesis student. As I prepare to embark on the next phase of my academic journey, I am confident that the skills I've cultivated at U of G will continue to propel me toward a future marked by innovation and impactful contributions to my chosen field.