Written By
Courtney Johnson
Digital Content Specialist,
Grand Canyon Education
Both health science and biology can prepare you for medical school. Biology gives a strong science foundation, while health science adds applied health knowledge. Choose based on your strengths and interests — either can be a good path if prerequisites are met.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Associate Dean of the College of Natural Science on Aug. 26, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
"Medical schools tend to require foundational coursework in science to understand a student’s readiness and preparedness for the rigors of medical school science coursework."
— Emily Zgurich, Science and Pre-Health Advisor, Grand Canyon University
"A biology degree will likely best prepare students for medical school, while a health sciences degree will likely best prepare them for post-medical school pathways."
— Emily Zgurich, Grand Canyon University
Both biology and health sciences bachelor’s degrees offer benefits for those looking to enter medical school. The main difference between the two lies in whether the student is looking to dive deep into math and the sciences or gain a broader knowledge set that may prove useful beyond medical school.
Zgurich supports this, sharing that a biology degree focuses on science and math with the goal of preparing students for the MCAT and rigorous science coursework, a critical and early component of medical school. She states that a health sciences bachelor’s covers similar foundational coursework with broader coverage, including healthcare systems and often public health as well. With this, she suggests that students with an interest in programmatic interventions, healthcare administration or public health may find a health sciences degree more suitable.
Choosing the right undergraduate major is one of many big decisions for pre-med students. While medical schools don’t require a specific major, biology and health science are two common undergraduate major options.1 Each offers valuable knowledge to help prepare you for advanced studies in medical school, while also differing in specific coursework and focus of study. Understanding these differences can help you choose the major that best aligns with your goals, interests and learning style.
If you’re looking to pursue medical school, GCU offers programs to help prepare you. Our Bachelor of Science in Biology: Pre-Med Emphasis includes a curriculum developed to instill you with a breadth of science knowledge and hands-on lab experiences that can help prepare you to take your medical school admission exam. GCU offers additional opportunities for our undergraduates to prepare for medical school, including undergraduate research, the Mastering Anatomy Program, comprehensive advising services and strong faculty support with office hours.
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While no single undergraduate major is required for admission, most medical schools expect applicants to complete prerequisites in biology, chemistry, physics and math.2
According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), more than half of pre-med graduates majored in biological sciences, making it the top choice. The remainder of students pursued physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, specialized health sciences or other fields.3 When trying to decide the best pre-med major for you, take into account not only the prerequisite requirements, but also your personal interests, academic strengths and career goals. To help guide you, we took an in-depth look at two potential pre-med degree options: biology and health sciences.
A biology major is a top choice for pre-med students.1 The curriculum typically includes courses in microbiology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, along with laboratory work, which can sharpen skills in scientific interpretation and data analysis. There may also be an option to choose a biology track with pre-med emphasis, specifically geared toward preparing you for medical school.
 | "A strong collection of science coursework, including rigorous upper division coursework in biology and chemistry, prepares students for the rigors of their graduate study.” She also adds that “a strong science program will align with the topical science coverage of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and provide a strong foundation for students as they prepare for that very rigorous exam.” — Emily Zgurich, science and pre-health advisor at GCU |
Choosing a health sciences bachelor’s degree provides you with a slightly different approach than a biology program. These programs typically blend science coursework with other classes that explore healthcare systems, ethics, risk management and quality and safety. While still based in the sciences, health science often emphasizes the practical application of knowledge in clinical and public health settings.
According to Zgurich, this creates a broader understanding of medical systems and public health. Zgurich adds that a health sciences major can help aspiring medical students complete a variety of required prerequisite courses, as long as they are included in the program. However, this major may not offer the extent of coverage for topics that help students prepare for the MCAT.
