Introduction
College website: http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/index.html
Studies in the College of Sciences and Health Professions will prepare individuals to meet challenges throughout their lifetime. The college encompasses a wide spectrum of fields in the sciences, mathematics, and the health professions. By completing course work in a major field of interest, as well as in a variety of other subject areas, students acquire the analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills vital to critical thinking. Furthermore, students are exposed to diverse points of view and academic disciplines. These can help form values and outlooks conducive to a meaningful life, a rewarding career, and learning and intellectual growth in the future.
Academic Philosophy
In the College of Sciences and Health Professions, degree programs are designed to prepare students thoroughly for careers in a variety of scientific and health related disciplines. Each degree has its own set of required course work in addition to the General Education Requirements. Students are encouraged to seek advising from both a professional adviser in the College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center as well as a faculty adviser within their academic department. First-year students and sophomores are especially encouraged to seek information from advisers in each area in order to assure that degree requirements can be met in a timely manner.
Classroom instruction, laboratory experience, field placements, clinical supervision, and major/career advising duties within the College of Sciences and Health Professions are assumed by more than 100 full-time faculty members who comprise the college. Students are assured a high-quality educational experience while working with a distinguished faculty that is interested in, and committed to, helping students achieve their educational and career goals.
Academic Procedures
Advising
General Education Advising – All students are strongly encouraged to consult with an adviser early and often in their academic career. Advising related to the General Education Requirements is available at the College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center (MC 218B, 216-687-9321). The Advising Center staff provides a wide range of services including information on college and university graduation requirements, information on academic regulations, evaluation of transfer credit, assistance in planning a course schedule and help in preparing student petitions. Additional useful advising information may be found on the Advising Center website.
Major-Field Advising – Major programs differ in the number and nature of credit hours required. Students should consider their own interests, aptitudes, and professional aspirations in selecting a major. Also, students should pay close attention to university, college, and major-field requirements and plan a schedule to ensure that they do not unnecessarily extend the period of time it takes to complete a degree. Students are expected to consult with faculty advisers within academic departments to discuss the course requirements within a particular major. A list of advising contacts for each department may be found on the Advising Center website.
Declaring a Major
Any student in good academic standing is eligible to declare a major in the College of Sciences and Health Professions. All students should declare a major as soon as possible after admission to the university and must declare a major by the end of their second year (or before the completion of 60 credit hours). By declaring a major early, students will have more opportunities to work with faculty members and to participate in the research or creative activities of their academic department. Students who declare a major are also able to take advantage of the Degree Audit feature in CampusNet, which provides a preliminary evaluation of a student’s progress toward a degree.
To declare or change a major (or minor), please contact the College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center. Through CampusNet, students may also use the ―Ask a Question‖ feature in Degree Audit to initiate the declaration or change of major process.
Evening Majors
The College of Sciences and Health Professions offers all programs in the daytime. Several departments also offer courses for evening students to complete a major, including: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Psychology. Additionally, most other departments also offer evening courses, although these departments do not offer all the courses required for a major. Requirements for these majors, which are the same as those of the daytime majors, can be found under the heading of each individual department. A student should consult with the major-field adviser to determine the pattern and frequency of offerings of evening courses. In addition, regular meetings with the adviser should be held to discuss course selections, prepare a timetable for completing degree requirements, and receive advising on educational and career goals.
Academic Policies
Earning an Additional Degree
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, either from Cleveland State University or from another institution, and are interested in pursuing an additional degree are subject to the policies regarding post-baccalaureate students.
Students pursuing both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts curriculum simultaneously are considered to be earning two baccalaureate degrees. A student who wants to earn two degrees must meet all requirements of the university, college(s), and department(s) for both degrees. A student must be admitted into both colleges and must meet all of the requirements and follow all of the regulations of each college. The student may receive both degrees by listing both on their graduation application (if each degree originates from the same college), or by filing one graduation application for each degree (if the degrees originate from separate colleges).
A student may not earn the same baccalaureate degree twice; e.g., two B.A. degrees with different major fields (see Earning a Second Major.). Also, a student majoring in Geological Sciences, Mathematics, or Physics cannot be awarded both the B.A. and B.S. degrees in these fields.
Earning a Second Major
Students may elect to complete the requirements for two major fields, provided that both majors lead to a Bachelor of Arts, or that both majors lead to a Bachelor of Science degree.
In order to have both majors recorded on the transcript, they must be listed on the student’s Graduation Application. Only one baccalaureate degree will be conferred.
Students who wish to pursue a major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as a major leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, should refer to the above section regarding earning an additional degree (see Earning a Second Degree).
Special Course Prerequisites
Courses at the 300- and 400-level in the College of Sciences and Health Professions may not be taken by first-year students except with the permission of the course instructor.
Undergraduate students may be granted permission to take one or more (maximum of nine credit hours) graduate courses, at the 500 level only, if all of the following conditions are met:
The student must
- be within 30 semester credit hours of graduation
- maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.75 or better through the preceding semester
- have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in the major field of study
- submit, at the time of registration, a completed Permission for an Undergraduate Student to Take a Graduate Course form (i.e. must obtain permission from his or her adviser, the instructor of the course, and the department chair).
Postgraduate students should discuss the requirements for taking a graduate course with the College of Graduate Studies.
Student Responsibilities
Each student is solely responsible for meeting all curricular requirements and for knowing and following all academic regulations and policies of the College of Sciences and Health Professions, the university, and the major-field department. Students are urged to review all appropriate sections of this catalog, in particular the chapter on University Regulations as well as the chapters on Academic Procedures and Academic Policies for the College of Sciences and Health Professions.
Petitions for a waiver of a requirement or for an exception to a regulation (either for the college or university) can be obtained from the College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Office (MC 218B, 216-687-9321).
Although students must assume responsibility for knowing and fulfilling graduation requirements and for knowing and following policies and regulations, advisers are available to assist them. Whenever in doubt, a student should consult with an academic adviser for assistance.
General Requirements
Introduction
The faculty of the College of Sciences and Health Professions awards its degrees to students who meet the following general requirements:
- Successful completion of a minimum of 128 semester credit hours, of which 42 semester credit hours must be earned in 300- and/or 400-level courses. Credit toward the degree must be earned in courses acceptable to the departments and curricula of the College of Sciences and Health Professions, which includes those courses included in official articulation agreements and other courses taken through accredited institutions.
- Fulfillment of all of the General Education Requirements of the university and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 as set forth in the section on University Regulations. Students must also achieve a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in a major program in the College of Sciences and Health Professions. (Note: A minimum grade-point average higher than 2.00 may be required by a department. Students must meet the requirements as specified by their major department.)
Foreign Language or Foreign Culture Requirement
The College of Sciences and Health Professions requires all students who graduated from high school in 1987 or later to have completed two years of a foreign language in high school (with passing grades). Students who did not complete the courses in high school are considered deficient in foreign language and must successfully complete a first-year foreign language sequence, or successfully complete two semesters of American Sign Language and one approved foreign culture course (see list). The deficiency must be corrected prior to the completion of 60 credits at Cleveland State. Transfer students should promptly submit a high school transcript to Cleveland State to verify that the foreign language deficiency has been fulfilled.
Other Requirements
Total Minimum Number of Semester Credit Hours Required: All students must successfully complete a minimum of 128 academic semester credit hours. However, some degree programs may require more than the college minimum. Students must comply with the requirements of their major program.
Upper-Division Requirement: All students must successfully complete a minimum of 42 semester credit hours at the 300- and/or 400-level. Some degree programs, however, may require more than the college minimum.
Introduction to University Life: This one-credit course must be successfully completed by all newly admitted first year students; it is not required for transfer students. It is highly recommended that this course be taken during the first semester of enrollment.
College of Sciences and Health Professions
Accelerated 4+1 Programs
High-achieving undergraduates in select College of Sciences and Health Professions programs have the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree with one extra year of study. 4+1 programs are available for the Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Biology; Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Chemistry; Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Health Sciences; Bachelor of Science/Master of Science OR Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science in Mathematics; Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Physics; and the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Psychology. Students must meet eligibility criteria set by the academic department. Interested students should contact their faculty adviser.
Choose Ohio 1st Scholarship Programs
Choose Ohio 1st scholarships are competitive scholarships available to Cleveland State students who plan to pursue a major in one of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) disciplines. As part of the scholarship, all Choose Ohio 1st Scholars will engage in research, internships and entrepreneurial experiences in Northeast Ohio’s growing health science and biomedical community. In addition, the program will offer networking opportunities with peers, mentors and employers. For more information including application deadlines, please visit the Scholarships & Awards section of the College of Sciences and Health Professions website.
Co-ops and Internships
Co-op and internship opportunities are available for many of the College of Sciences and Health Professions programs, placing students in actual work settings that may be related to a student’s educational and career interests. Knowledge and skills learned in the classroom setting are often applied in these co-op and internship experiences. Likewise, the experience gained in hands-on activities may be brought back into the classroom and complement the academic component of course work. Contact the Career Services Center at 216-687-2233 for information on co-ops. Contact both the Career Services Center and the chairperson of the appropriate academic department for information on internships.
Credit by Examination
Departments within the College of Sciences and Health Professions may accept credit by examination for specific courses. The subject material to be covered, the method of examination, the minimal acceptable score/grade for passing, and the number of semester credit hours to be granted will be determined by the academic departments. Contact the faculty adviser for further information. Credit may also be earned through CLEP examinations, administered through the Department of Counseling and Testing.
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Partnership Program
The Partnership Program provides students an opportunity to seamlessly continue their education from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree. Students who intend to obtain an associate’s degree at Cuyahoga Community College and then move into a bachelor’s degree at Cleveland State University are dually admitted to both institutions, thereby allowing partnership students access to the services of both institutions simultaneously. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions.
eLearning Courses
The College of Sciences and Health Professions offers some of its courses as eLearning courses, meaning that they are offered online or via interactive video distance learning (IVDL). There are two categories of online courses: those that can be completed entirely online (referred to as online courses) and those that have some on-campus component to them (referred to as blended courses). These courses are listed on CampusNet and are designated by “e”. All courses delivered in such a manner are part of the college’s regular course offerings and will fulfill the appropriate university, college, or major-field requirement.
Health Sciences Articulation Agreements with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) and Lakeland Community College (LCC)
The College of Sciences and Health Professions has articulation agreements with Cuyahoga Community College and Lakeland Community College for those students who have completed or have been accepted to and intend to complete an associate degree in one of the eligibile allied health programs. The articulation agreements enable the associate-degree holder to complete the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in two years of additional full-time study beyond the associate degree, and will facilitate the transfer of credits from the associate degree to the baccalaureate degree. Interested Cuyahoga or Lakeland Community College students should contact their counselor/adviser or the College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center at 216-687-9321. Cuyahoga Community College students who have not yet completed their associate degree are also encouraged to participate in the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Partnership Program.
Independent Study/Research
Most departments of the College of Sciences and Health Professions offer credit for independent study conducted under the supervision of a member of the college’s faculty. A student should contact the faculty adviser or a specific faculty member to inquire about independent study/research.
Independent study/research is arranged with a specific professor who will determine the quantity and quality of work expected and semester credit hours to be granted. In general, an independent study is intended for scholarly work not included in a department’s formal course offerings, and should be offered only when a formal course is not available.
Although neither the university nor the College of Sciences and Health Professions has a limit on the number of independent study courses that may be applied toward graduation, individual academic departments can limit the number that may be applied toward the major and/or minor.
McNair Scholars Program
The goal of the CSU McNair Scholars Program is to prepare talented and eligible undergraduates for doctoral studies through involvement in research, seminars, advising, preparation for the Graduate Record Examination, and other intensive scholarly activities. Students who participate in the program come from disadvantaged backgrounds, show strong academic potential in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) disciplines, and are committed to pursuing the Ph.D. degree. The program is named after the late Dr. Ronald E. McNair, an African American physicist and NASA astronaut, who died in the Challenger explosion in 1986. This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.
Off-Campus Course Offerings
Depending upon course offerings, students may have the opportunity to complete course work toward the General Education Requirements or even the major field of study through courses offered at a variety of off-campus locations such as CSU’s West Center (Westlake). The locations of courses are noted in CampusNet. All courses delivered in such a manner are part of the college’s regular course offerings and will fulfill the appropriate university, college, or major-field requirement.
Podiatric Medicine Partnership with the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM)
This program consists of 3 years of pre-professional study at CSU and 4 years of study (for qualified students) at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM). Students who successfully complete the seven-year program will receive a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. Students may also apply for a B.S. in Biology or Health Sciences upon completion of required course work during their first year of study at OCPM. Additional details and contact information may be found at the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences and the School of Health Sciences websites.
Pre-Medicine/MD Partnership with the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM)
Undergraduate and post baccalaureate students interested in pursuing medical education in Northeast Ohio can take advantage of the CSU/NEOUCOM MD Partnership.
Pre-Pharmacy/PharmD Partnership with the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Pharmacy (NEOUCOP)
Cleveland State is a member of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Pharmacy (NEOUCOP) consortium. As a member institution, Cleveland State students enjoy preferential admissions to the Doctor of Pharmacy program, with NEOUCOP annually reserving a set number of seats for qualified Cleveland State students. For the purposes of this program, a Cleveland State student is defined as a student who has accumulated a minimum of 30 semester credit hours at Cleveland State.
Students interested in this program take a recommended sequence of undergraduate pre-pharmacy courses that is designed to fulfill the prerequisites set by NEOUCOP. This pre-pharmacy curriculum will also meet the prerequisite requirements of most other Doctor of Pharmacy programs. Cleveland State students apply to the NEOUCOP Doctor of Pharmacy program approximately one year in advance of when they intend to begin study at NEOUCOP. Admission to the NEOUCOP program is competitive and is not guaranteed. Cleveland State, however, does have an annual allotment of seats in the Doctor of Pharmacy program, reserved for those students who are highly qualified based on the NEOUCOP admission criteria and apply early (prior to October). The pre-pharmacy program is administered by the Department of Chemistry. Additional details and contact information may be found on the College of Sciences and Health Professions website.
Pre-Professional Preparation Programs
Cleveland State University offers comprehensive programs providing the courses required for application to schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. The programs prepare students by prescribing the courses required for admissions consideration and for preparation for the required admissions tests in these fields. Although they are not considered degree-granting programs, students can add a “Pre-Medicine”, “Pre-Pharmacy”, “Pre-Dentistry”, or “Pre-Veterinary” designation to their academic record to denote their intent to pursue admission to a professional school.
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree but lack the minimal science requirements for the various kinds of professional schools have the opportunity to participate in this preparation program as post-baccalaureate students.
A website with additional information for pre-professional students is also available.
Psychology Partnership Programs at Lakeland Community College (LCC) and Lorain County Community College (LCCC)
Psychology courses leading to a B.A. degree in Psychology are offered at the Lorain County Community College and Lakeland Community College campuses. These agreements allow students admitted to the program to complete the psychology degree through a combination of courses offered on-line and on each community college campus (although partnership students can elect to take courses on the Cleveland State downtown campus as well). Students are also able to receive advising from a Cleveland State adviser at either the Lorain or Lakeland campus.
Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP)
PSEOP permits qualified high-school students to take college-level courses at Cleveland State. See the PSEOP website for more details.
Secondary Teacher Licensure
Students seeking secondary teacher licensure in a science/math field earn their degree from the College of Sciences and Health Professions. Students complete coursework in both the College of Sciences and Health Professions and the College of Education and Human Services. Secondary teacher licensure can be obtained in the fields of biology, chemistry, earth science (geology), physics, and mathematics. In addition to a College of Sciences and Health Professions General Education adviser, students have a faculty adviser for science/math courses in the department of their field of concentration and an adviser for education courses in the College of Education and Human Services. College of Sciences and Health Professions majors electing to pursue secondary teacher licensure are encouraged to promptly declare an Education minor, and to inquire about the CSUteach program.
Study Abroad
Study-abroad opportunities are available through various departments and programs within the College of Sciences and Health Professions and are coordinated by the Center for International Services and Programs (216-687-3910). The coordinator of the center can assist with financial-aid arrangements, recommend appropriate programs (generally those affiliated with American universities from which credit is transferable) and assist with arrangements. Students who wish to earn credits abroad must consult with and work through the coordinator. Approved courses taken as part of the study-abroad experience may, where appropriate and approved by the academic unit, apply toward university, college, and/or major-field requirements. The option of taking approved courses for graded credits and having these grades count in a student’s grade-point average is also available. A guide to study-abroad opportunities is available from the Coordinator of the Center for International Services and Programs.
Major Programs Leading to a Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelor of Science, including major programs offered during the day in the following fields:
- Biology
B.S. Tracks: General, Pre-Professional Studies, Honors, and Secondary Teacher Licensure (evening degree is available in all tracks except Secondary Teacher Licensure)
- Certificate: Biotechnology
- Biology - Medical Technology
- Biology (B.S.)/Podiatric Medicine (Doctorate) with Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
- Chemistry
B.S. Tracks: American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified (evening degree also available), Pre- Professional Studies (including a concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences), Honors, and Secondary Teacher Licensure
- Certificate: Forensic Chemistry; Science and Technology Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Science
B.S. Tracks: Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Geology, Environmental Planning, and Environmental Technology
- Geological Sciences
B.S. Tracks: General and Secondary Teacher Licensure
- Health Sciences
B.S. Tracks: General Interest, Associate Degree/Bachelor of Science Completion, Pre- Physician Assistant, Pre-Therapy (Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy), Pre-Podiatry, and Honors
- Certificates: Gerontological Studies; Culture, Communication, and Health (joint certificate with College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
- Health Sciences (B.S.)/Podiatric Medicine (Doctorate) with Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
- Mathematics
B.S. Tracks: General, Actuarial, Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Statistics,
Mathematics/Computer Science (double major), and Secondary Teacher Licensure Pharmaceutical Science
B.S. Tracks: Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis, Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, and
- Pharmacy Administration
- Physics (evening degree also available)
B.S. Tracks: General, Honors and Secondary Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Arts, including major programs offered during the day in the following fields:
- Geological Sciences
- Mathematics
B.A. Tracks: General, Actuarial, Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Statistics, and Secondary Teacher Licensure
- Physics (evening degree also available)
- Psychology (evening degree also available)
B.A. Tracks: General and Honors
- Speech and Hearing