Health, Wellness and Medical | Office of Admissions and Scholarships
Background Image Alternative Text: Dharani Matharage, a biological sciences master's student from Sri Lanka, uses a microscope in a Harned Hall lab as part of an ongoing research project on nematodes and the evolution of meiotic recombination. Matharage is working under the direction of Amy Dapper, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Health, Wellness and Medical

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences provides several concentrations to meet individual career goals.

  • Business and Industry 
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine Technology 
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine 
  • Production Management
  • Science 

In the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology & Plant Pathology, we offer an array of concentrations or degree specialization within the department, from forensic sciences to pre-professional programs such as medicine, dental, veterinary, business and pharmacy to bioinformatics concentrations. Our core curriculum is well-grounded in the life sciences and is designed to offer you a comprehensive education toward a degree that can be leveraged into a variety of careers in medicine, biotechnology, agriculture and research. 

  • Bioinformatics 
  • Entomology 
  • Forensic Sciences 
  • Plant Pathology 
  • Science 
  • Pre-Dental 
  • Pre-Medicine 
  • Pre-Optometry 
  • Pre-Pharmacy 
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine 

In today's job market, most Professional Biologists need advanced degrees or specific training. The B.S. in Biological Sciences should be viewed as a pre-professional degree that prepares the student for either advanced study in the biological sciences or specific training in a profession (such as in medicine, therapy, law, education, engineering, or business). 

  • Botany 
  • Zoology 
  • Pre-Dental 
  • Pre-Health Administration 
  • Pre-Medicine 
  • Pre-Nursing
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy 
  • Pre-Optometry 
  • Pre-Physical Therapy 
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine 

Biomedical Engineering is a growing interdisciplinary field of engineering that integrates engineering and life sciences to solve problems associated with the human body and human health. The curriculum is built on a core of fundamental math/physics/engineering courses which is similar across all engineering disciplines. It is distinguished by a wide range of life science courses and specialized biomedical engineering courses such as computational modeling, biomechanics, biomaterials, and bioinstrumentation. The curriculum also includes a two-semester capstone design course. It is designed to comply with current requirements for ABET accreditation. Apart from preparing students to work in biomedical industry, the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is an excellent foundation for graduate study in many fields, including further study of biomedical engineering. It is also good preparation for entry into professional schools, including medical school, dental school, veterinary school, and law school. Although there are no concentrations, a student may emphasize in an area of interest through deliberate selection of engineering electives. 

Our Biosystems Engineering (BSE) program prepares students for careers involving the application of engineering design and problem-solving in the realm of biological systems including natural resources, the rural environment, and agricultural production and processing.  We have a solid base of traditional engineering courses mixed with significant exposure to physics, chemistry, and applied biological sciences.  The electives in the BSE program allow students to emphasize the study of natural resources and environment (for example, Non-Point Source Pollution) or autonomous agricultural systems (for example, Robotics for Biological Systems).  Upon graduation, our BSE students find employment in commercial engineering firms consulting in sustainable land development and environmental engineering, agricultural machinery manufacturers, government agencies involved in environmental regulatory activities, etc.  Some choose to pursue further education in graduate school or even professional schools such as law or business administration.  

Our Chemistry curriculum combines broad based training in the major areas of chemistry (Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical) with a firm foundation in mathematics and physics. 

  • American Chemical Society 
  • Pre-Medicine 
  • Pre-Pharmacy 

Educational Psychology is an undergraduate degree program in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Foundations. This is a non-teaching major that leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in educational psychology but not certification as a teacher. It is generally referred to as the EPY major.

Our department offers BS degree programs in several fields, including accredited programs in food science, food business/processing, food safety, pre-health, culinology (in conjunction with MS University for Women), and dietetics/nutrition. We offer MS degrees in food science, nutrition and health promotion, and a Ph.D. degree in food science and nutrition. Our Health Promotion master's program provides students with the capability to take the Certified Health Education Specialists tests. 

This program offers an interdisciplinary lifespan approach to the study of children, youth and families. It encompasses specialty areas in preschool teaching, childcare, administration, youth studies, family services, child life, consumer economics, human sciences teacher education and extension. Students develop an awareness of trends, issues, and public policy affecting families and analyze factors that influence cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development in the contexts of culture and family. 

  • Child Development 
  • Child Life 
  • Family and Consumer Science Teacher Education 
  • Family Science 
  • Youth Development 
  • Trauma Informed Advocacy
  • Gerontology Certificate

Kinesiology is an integrative discipline that focuses on the various components and processes of human movement related to physical activity and sport. It incorporates scientific, humanistic and professional research methodologies and concerns so as to better understand physical activity and its relationship to human well-being, health and culture. Scientific areas include anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, biochemistry, biomechanics, psychology, and epidemiology. Humanistic areas include history, philosophy and sociology.  Kinesiology also includes professional fields such as Clinical Exercise Physiology, Physical Education and Coaching, Athletic Training and Sport Management. 

Medical Technology is a vital part of the field of laboratory medicine. A medical technologist performs a myriad of laboratory tests to find the causes and cures for disease. These tests include the analysis of of blood, body fluids, cells, tissues, and also the isolation and identification of microorganisms which cause disease. 

The relevance of microbiology is more obvious than ever before. From the emergence of deadly infectious diseases to global climate change, to advances in biotechnology, to threats of bioterrorism, the impact of microorganisms on our very existence is stunning. 

  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine 

The Poultry curriculum provides for in-depth study of scientific principles important in the production, processing and marketing of poultry and poultry products. The curriculum is designed with academic and experiential components to ensure that graduates are prepared to manage people and resources vital to this important food industry. Poultry students should also expect to develop creative thinking skills that will allow them to develop solutions for complex real world problems as they develop their careers as managers. The strong science content of the curriculum also makes it an excellent fit for pre-vet students and students interested in graduate studies. The department provides one-on-one advising for all Poultry Science students. 

  • Applied Poultry Management 
  • Science 
  • Pre- Veterinary Medicine 

A degree in psychology provides training in the science of psychology, experimental design, statistics, critical thinking, as well as strong writing and interpersonal skills.  Majoring in psychology will help you to learn more about the emotions, motivations, and behaviors of others, as well as yourself. Additionally, a bachelor’s degree in psychology will prepare you for a variety of careers and for graduate education.

The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU CVM) was the third college of veterinary medicine in the United States to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree program in veterinary medical technology (VMT). Nationwide, there are only 22 four-year VMT programs.

The Department offers a major in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture designed to provide students with curricula that has foundation in biology, ecology, natural resources management, social sciences, mathematics, and other educational subjects needed by natural resource professionals. Over 40 undergraduate courses in ecology, organismal biology and taxonomy, habitat evaluation and management, wildlife and fisheries management, human dimensions, policy, biometrics, landscape ecology, and special topics are offered by over 20 departmental faculty and instructors. 

The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies is a university-wide degree coordinated through the College of Arts & Sciences by the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee. This multi-discipline academic program is appropriate for students motivated by specific interests not recognized in traditional majors and is not intended to compete with existing programs.