Health & Scientific Research Sector

The science of chemistry lies at the intersection of Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. Thus, exploration of the material encompassed by this scientific discipline has the capacity to prepare students for wide variety of future professional endeavors. The Applied Chemical & Biomedical Sciences (BA) major has been intentionally crafted to allow the course of study to be tuned to compliment the specific academic or professional goals of the student.

The Biochemistry major is an interdisciplinary program with foundational studies in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics.  This major is ideal for students with interest in pursuing graduate studies in biochemistry or related fields such as drug development; pursuing careers or graduate studies in medical, dental, veterinary, or related fields; or pursuing a career in research or laboratory work.

Our alumni include the co-discoverer of vitamin B12 and many successful doctors, physician assistants/associates (PAs), nurses, dentists, physical therapists, veterinarians, pharmacists, researchers, botanists, zoologists, professors, and scientists. Graduates enjoy a high placement rate into graduate school, and many undergraduates get a head start on their research careers through grant-funded faculty-student research programs such as INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) and SWITCH (Southwest Idaho: The Comprehensive Herbaria).

The College of Idaho offers a BA (Bachelor of Arts) and a BS (Bachelor of Science) in Biology.  Our Biology major offers a research-focused curriculum taught by faculty who are committed to mentoring and engaging students in the process and interpretation of science. Consistent with the liberal arts tradition, our faculty's objectives are to give students a strong foundation in the natural and biological sciences. 

Through our BA curriculum, we aim to prepare students for science-based careers—including medical, dental, veterinary, or related professional pursuits like careers in wildlife, fisheries, and plant biology. Ultimately, the major is designed to enhance student appreciation and understanding of life on earth.

Through our BS curriculum, we aim to prepare students for science-based careers—including careers in research and laboratory work, plant and wildlife management, conservation, and agriculture, as well as medical, dental, veterinary, or related professional pursuits—and to enhance their appreciation and understanding of life on earth. The Bachelor of Science degree is excellent preparation for post-graduate studies (i.e., M.S., Ph.D., and M.D.).

Our alumni include the co-discoverer of vitamin B12 and many successful doctors, physician assistants/associates (PAs), nurses, dentists, physical therapists, veterinarians, pharmacists, researchers, botanists, zoologists, professors, and scientists. Graduates enjoy a high placement rate into graduate school, and many undergraduates get a head start on their research careers through grant-funded faculty-student research programs such as INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) and SWITCH (Southwest Idaho: The Comprehensive Herbaria).

The College of Idaho’s Biomedical Science major is designed for students interested in careers in health professions, such as doctors, physician assistants/associates (PAs), dentists, physical therapists, optometrists and more as well as students interested in research in biomedical sciences.

Our alumni include many successful doctors, PAs, nurses, dentists, physical therapists, veterinarians, pharmacists, researchers, botanists, zoologists, professors, and scientists. Graduates enjoy a high placement rate into graduate school, and many undergraduates get a head start on their research careers through grant-funded faculty-student research programs such as INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) and SWITCH (Southwest Idaho: The Comprehensive Herbaria).

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry major offers study in the core areas of general, analytical, organic and physical chemistry as well as further study in mathematics and physics. The major is designed for students with a serious interest in a rigorous and challenging program, especially for those students who plan to continue to medical, dental and veterinary school and PhD and Masters programs.

Chemistry majors are encouraged to join faculty-led research teams involved in the analysis of bioactive compounds, toxicity studies, chemical synthesis, computer simulations, chemical kinetics, and electrochemical measurements in biological systems. Or, pursue an independent study project in chemistry.  Whatever path you choose, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with some of the latest technology used in chemistry labs, including an infrared spectroscope, gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

Ours is an age when both non-human and human well-being depend on reframing conventional questions and developing ourselves as agents of intellectual change. Through the Environmental Studies major, we seek to understand the complex and influential interactions between the conceptual and the material aspects of human-environment relations. Students majoring in Environmental Studies and planning to go on to professional or graduate school are advised to pursue a minor, specialization or double major in an accompanying, complementary field of study, such as conservation biology, geography and geoscience, history, law, philosophy, international political economy, or political economy.

Environmental Studies prepares skilled critical thinkers who are ready to provide leadership in a variety of career fields. Education, public policy, resource management, public health, public administration, international development, non-profit work, and the sciences are popular choices for our graduates. Many alumni also go on to graduate school to study environmental law and policy, economics, environmental literature, plant and animal biology, and other related sciences.

The College of Idaho offers both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science, which use exercise as the lens to analyze human performance and human health.

Through the Bachelor of Art degree in Exercise Science, students will be challenged to apply analytical, biological, chemical and physical principles to health and human performance. Students first take introductory biology, human anatomy and physiology, and health and wellness courses to build fundamental knowledge of the human body before moving into exercise-specific coursework that include exercise physiology and principles in biomechanics. Graduates of the Exercise Science program will understand how the structure and function of the human body respond to different exercise stimuli, appreciate the factors important for wellness as a basis for personal choice, be competent in data collection and analysis, and engage in experiential learning opportunities such as collaborative research or substantive internships.  The program prepares students for careers in the health professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, athletic training, physician's assistant, as well as cardiac rehab, exercise physiology, biomedical research, health promotion and education, coaching, personal fitness, sports psychology, motor development, and teaching. 

The Bachelor of Science program emphasizes the application of analytical, biological, chemical, and physical principles to understand the human body’s response to exercise. Students begin with foundational coursework in biology, human anatomy and physiology, and health and wellness to develop a strong understanding of human biology. They then progress to more specialized subjects in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and related fields. 

Graduates of the Exercise Science program will possess a comprehensive understanding of how the structure and function of the human body adapt to various exercise stimuli, recognize key factors influencing wellness, and develop proficiency in data collection and analysis. The program also includes opportunities for experiential learning, such as collaborative research or internships, allowing students to gain practical experience in the field. 

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science prepares students for careers in a wide range of health and human performance professions, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, athletic training, physician's assistant roles, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, biomedical research, health promotion, education, sports psychology, coaching, personal fitness, motor development, and teaching. The program’s rigorous scientific focus equips graduates with the technical knowledge and research skills necessary for success in these dynamic and interdisciplinary fields.

The Psychological Science major is designed for students to gain foundational knowledge and empirical skills and then progress to more advanced work. Students also experience growth in social and personal skills such as teamwork, ethical and social responsibility, self-regulation, and project management. Psychological Science majors complete a thesis project in their graduating year. Career exploration is an essential part of the psychology programs; students examine how to enter the workforce directly after graduation and how to continue their education through graduate and professional training. The Psychological Science major emphasizes depth in empirical knowledge and skills and requires a psychology research thesis project.

A psychology major enables students to acquire skills valued in a wide range of professions. For example, an understanding of psychology can help a business owner know how to deal with customer complaints, help teachers provide classroom experiences that maximize learning, train medical personnel to understand ways to help patients comply with prescriptive advice, and provide actors and writers with a better understanding of the foibles of human (mis)behavior. Additionally, our graduates have pursued graduate education in psychology as well as careers in research or applied psychology. 

The Psychology major is designed for students to gain foundational knowledge and empirical skills and then progress to more advanced work. Students also experience growth in social and personal skills such as teamwork, ethical and social responsibility, self-regulation, and project management. Psychology majors complete a thesis project in their graduating year. Career exploration is an essential part of the psychology programs; students examine how to enter the workforce directly after graduation and how to continue their education through graduate and professional training. The Psychology major emphasizes student choice in survey courses and focuses on an applied thesis experience.

A psychology major enables students to acquire skills valued in a wide range of professions. For example, an understanding of psychology can help a business owner know how to deal with customer complaints, help teachers provide classroom experiences that maximize learning, train medical personnel to understand ways to help patients comply with prescriptive advice, and provide actors and writers with a better understanding of the foibles of human (mis)behavior. Additionally, our graduates have pursued graduate education in psychology as well as careers in research or applied psychology.