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Biomedical Sciences

Internships

Internships in the Biomedical Sciences

Internships in the biomedical sciences are a work experience providing professional training in the biomedical sciences, microbiology, and related careers. Students gain hands-on professional skills in a workplace setting while exploring career options and earning course credit (BMS 492) that counts toward their degree.

Why do an Internship?

  • Explore careers within your major.
  • Gain professional experience that provides a leg up when applying for jobs after graduation.
  • Get feedback on professional skills in a safe learning environment. Why wait to build your work skills until after graduation? Hone these skills now to impress employers!
  • BMS 492 counts toward the required elective credits for the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) and Microbiology (MIC) majors (three credits maximum).
  • Build your network for work references, letters of recommendation, and job opportunities.
Summer Scholars student Derek Tonello works on his research project which focuses on trace amine associated receptor 1 and vulnerability to methamphetamine use disorders while in Kindschi Hall of Science on July 15, 2021. Tonello is studying biomedical...

How do I set up an internship?

Arranging a position can take time, so start early!

3-4 Months Before Internship Semester:

2 Months Before Internship Semester:

1 Month Before Internship Semester:

Start looking for internship sites and opportunities. Some internships may require more advanced planning.
  • Discuss the BMS 492 course with your host organization, determine work hours, start date, etc.
  • Collaborate with your site supervisor to draft learning objectives for the internship.
  • Meet with BMS internship coordinator, Dr. Cynthia Thompson ([email protected]) to finalize learning objectives and begin the application process.
  • Once you receive approval from the internship coordinator, submit an online internship agreement form.
  • If required, apply for curricular practical training (CPT) or health compliance approval.
  • Students will receive a permit to register for BMS 492 once all approvals have been obtained.

BMS 492 Criteria

Prerequisites & Credit Hours

Gaining Course Credit

Course Grading
  • Students must be BMS or MIC majors and have their internship approved by the Biomedical Sciences department. 
  • Different experiences will require different background knowledge. Students are encouraged to meet with the BMS internship coordinator early to discuss their proposed experience. 
  • Typically, 50 hours of work per semester equates to one credit hour. You may sign up for 1-4 credits, but only three credits can count toward your required BMS or MIC major electives.

To receive BMS 492 credit for your work experience, the following criteria should be met:

  • The experience must be a learning experience that applies knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
  • There are clearly defined learning objectives related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
  • There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of experience.
  • BMS 492 can only be taken for credit/no credit. No letter grades will be assigned. 
  • Feedback on your performance is provided by your site supervisor.
  • In addition to working at your internship site, BMS 492 students complete biweekly reflections, a midterm evaluation, and a final evaluation as part of the course.

     

Finding Internship Sites & Opportunities

Students are encouraged to arrange opportunities with employers, non-profits or government agencies that match their career goals. Don’t be afraid to reach out to organizations to propose an internship- this is a great way to find an experience that fits your professional goals.

Helpful Resources:

Potential opportunities, employers, and job boards for internships are below. Students are not limited to this list, but it provides a starting point to explore options.

Explore Internship Hosts by Industry

  • Perrigo Laboratory Quality Analyst - Internship working in the pharmaceutical industry in Allegan, MI. Senior status preferred. Internships during the academic year and summer. Contact Dr. Cynthia Thompson ([email protected]) for more information.
  • Pfizer Futures Program - Summer internship in the pharmaceutical industry. Positions in Michigan and nationwide. Applications for 2026 must be submitted October-December 2025.
  • Charles River Laboratories - Internship opportunities in the life science research industry. Locations vary.
  • Amway - Health and wellness company based in Ada, MI. U.S. Internship opportunities are posted in late September.
  • Grand Rapids Aseptic Manufacturing - Medical manufacturing company that partners with pharmaceutical and biotech clients to produce sterile injectable drugs for clinical use.
  • Northern Bio - Biotech company specializing in targeted drug delivery, molecular biology, and bioanalysis to develop safe and effective treatments for diseases.
  • Zoetis - A Fortune 500 company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and other technologies for companion animals and livestock.

FAQ

As soon as possible! Ideally, students should start arrangements at the beginning of the semester before the intended coursework. Note that some programs may have earlier application deadlines.

  • Fall internships: Begin arrangements in May
  • Winter internships: Begin arrangements in August
  • Spring/Summer Internships: Begin arrangements in January

Students are encouraged to reach out to the internship coordinator (Dr. Cynthia Thompson, [email protected]) early to discuss ideas. Obtaining all necessary approvals can take time, and last-minute applications for course credit may be difficult to obtain prior to course registration deadlines.

No. Internships must demonstrate that they go beyond what a regular employee would routinely perform. On their own, scribing, nurse tech positions, patient care assistants, or similar roles do not qualify for course credit. However, these positions can be built upon to provide application of classroom knowledge equivalent to a 400-level BMS course.

Job shadowing does not qualify for BMS 492 credit, as students are passive observers rather than active participants. However, shadowing can be one component of a more comprehensive internship experience.

Check out GVSU’s Internships Abroad website as well as the BMS Study Abroad Page.

Curricular practical training (CPT) provides work authorization for F-1 visa students. Details on CPT are provided through the Padnos International Center.

We recognize that BMS and MIC students have broad interests and that fulfilling careers can be in a variety of areas. Please visit the What can I do with my BMS degree website for examples of relevant professional fields.

No. Students are welcome to pursue internships without course credit.

Please reach out to the BMS Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Kristen Renkema ([email protected]), to discuss graduate internships.

Contacts

Dr. Cynthia L. Thompson
Internship Coordinator
Biomedical Sciences
[email protected]
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Rachel Becklin
Senior Associate Director & Internship Specialist
Career Center
[email protected]
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Kristen Cloutier
International Programs Coordinator
Padnos International Center
[email protected]
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Page last modified March 2, 2026