Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2021 - 2022 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2021 - 2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Sciences and Health Professions


At-a-Glance

College web-page: http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/

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, University Requirements, and College Requirements. Students are encouraged to seek advising from both a professional staff advisor as well as a faculty advisor within their academic department. Students are encouraged to seek information from advisors 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 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

Professional Staff Advising - All students are strongly encouraged to consult with an advisor early and often in their academic career. Advising related to the General Education Requirements, University Requirements, and College Requirements is available through professional staff advisors. Professional staff advisors provide 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 assistance in preparing petitions. Students should utilize the Starfish feature in CampusNet in order to determine their staff advisor and/or to schedule appointments.

Faculty 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 requirements, and then 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 advisors within academic departments to discuss the course requirements within a particular major.

Declaring a Major

Any student in good academic standing is eligible to declare a major in the College of Sciences and Health Professions, with the exception of the Pre-Therapy track in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (see below).

All students should declare a major as soon as possible after admission to the university, but they 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, and have an individualized graduation plan prepared by an advisor.

To declare or change a major (or minor), please contact your professional staff advisor. Through CampusNet, students may also use the “Ask a Question” feature in Degree Audit to initiate the declaration or change of major process.

Although they are not considered majors, students can add a “Pre-Medicine”, “Pre-Pharmacy”, “Pre-Dentistry”, “Pre-Optometry” or “Pre-Veterinary” designation to their academic record, in addition to a declared major, to denote their intent to pursue admission to a professional school. For these and all students with clinical healthcare intentions, the Office of Pre-Professional Health Programs also provides resources, application assistance, mock interviews, and supports individual student goals. 

Admission to the Pre-Therapy Track: Students who meet one of the following criteria may declare the Health Sciences Pre-­Therapy Track as their major.

  1. Freshman who meet the following requirements may declare the Health Sciences Pre-Therapy Track (pre-­OT or pre-­PT) as their major upon admission to CSU
  • ACT 24 or SAT of 1180 or
  • Accepted into CSU’s Honors or Scholars Programs OR 
  1. Students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of postsecondary education at CSU may declare the Health Sciences Pre-­Therapy Track (pre-­OT or pre-PT) as their major if they have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at CSU, OR
  2. Transfer students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of postsecondary education at another accredited institution may declare Health Sciences Pre‐Therapy Track as their major upon admission if they have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Registrar’s Office calculates cumulative GPAs as part of the admission’s process.

Earning an Second Major/Second Degree

A student majoring in Mathematics or Physics cannot be awarded both the B.A. and B.S. degrees in these fields. Also, a student may not earn the same baccalaureate degree twice (e.g. two B.A. degrees with different major fields). In this case, only one baccalaureate degree will be conferred, indicating the completion of a double major. Students who complete the major requirements of one degree leading to a B.A. as well as the major requirements of an additional degree leading to a B.S. will be awarded both degrees.

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.

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, and Psychology. Additionally, most other departments also offer evening courses, although these departments do not offer all the courses required for completion of the major. A student should consult with a faculty advisor to determine the pattern and frequency of offerings of evening courses. In addition, regular meetings with the advisor should be held to discuss course selections, prepare a timetable for completing degree requirements, and receive advising on educational and career goals.

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. 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 a professional staff advisor.

Although students must assume responsibility for knowing and fulfilling graduation requirements and for knowing and following policies and regulations, advisors are available to assist them. Whenever in doubt, a student should consult with an academic advisor for assistance.

Requirements for Degree Completion

The College of Sciences and Health Professions awards degrees to students who meet the following general requirements:

  • Successful completion of a minimum of 120 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.
    • All students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. However, some degree programs may require more than the college minimum. Students must comply with the requirements of their major program.
    • 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.
  • 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.)

Special Opportunities

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 (non-thesis option); Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Chemistry; Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Health Sciences; Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health; 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 - Psychological Science. Students must meet eligibility criteria set by the academic department. Interested students should contact their faculty advisor, and should refer to the additional links provided below.

Case Western Reserve University Master of Science in Anesthesia Articulation Agreement 

Cleveland State students that meet requirements for the partnership will be assured an interview and preferential consideration, as well as early notification, into the Master of Science in Anesthesia Program at Case Western Reserve University. Students will need to meet the minimum requirements to be considered under the partnership, but all students from Cleveland State University that apply to the program will be strongly considered. 

Additional Information on Case Western Reserve University Master of Science in Anesthesia partnership program can be found here: https://sciences.csuohio.edu/preprof/pre-anesthesia-assistant  

Co-ops, Internships and Clinicals

Co-op, internship, and clinical opportunities are available and may be required in some programs. These experiences place students in actual work settings related to their educational and career interests. Students will be able (or may be required) to register in a corresponding course, thereby earning academic credit. (See also “Independent Study/Research”).

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 advisor for further information. Credit may also be earned through CLEP examinations, administered through the Testing Center.

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 eligible allied health programs. The articulation agreements enable the associate-degree holder to complete the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) in approximately 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/advisor or the College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center to inquire about the Bachelor’s Completion Program for Allied Health Associate Degree Holders track of the BSHS. Cuyahoga Community College students who have not yet completed their associate degree are also encouraged to participate in the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Dual Admission 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 advisor 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 the number of 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 it is 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 or underrepresented 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.

NEOMED Pharmacy Partnership

Cleveland State is a partner university of the NEOMED College of Pharmacy. As a partner university, Cleveland State students enjoy preferential admissions to the Doctor of Pharmacy program. 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 NEOMED. This pre-pharmacy curriculum will also meet the prerequisite requirements of most other Doctor of Pharmacy programs. Cleveland State students apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy program approximately one year in advance of when they intend to begin study at NEOMED. Admission to the program is competitive and is not guaranteed. Reserved seats are for those competitive students who are highly qualified based on the admission criteria and apply early (prior to October). 

Additional Information on the NEOMED partnership program can be found here: https://sciences.csuohio.edu/preprof/pre-pharmacy-program

 

Office of Pre-Professional Health Programs

The Office of Pre-Professional Health Programs provides comprehensive support for students pursuing dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, speech pathology and audiology, and veterinary medicine. Students looking to go into other programs such as Anesthesiology Assisting, Chiropractic education, Naturopathic Medicine, podiatry or additional clinical roles in healthcare also receive support.

The Office of Pre-Professional Health Programs serves all students, prospective through alumni and post baccalaureate, seeking entry into professional health schools by providing resources, application assistance, mock interviews, and by supporting individual student goals.

Cleveland State students have the opportunity to participate in partnership programs like the Pathways to Practice (Pipeline to Medicine), pharmacy partnerships at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and NEOMED, the Ross University veterinary medicine partnership, and the Case Western Reserve University graduate program for the Master of Science in Anesthesia.

Additional information can be found here: http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/preprof/pre-professional-health-programs

Operation Stem (OPSTEM)

Operation STEM targets primarily first generation, underrepresented STEM majors and provides them with a 2-week Summer Institute to help establish a community of peers. In addition, each semester STEM Peer Teachers (SPTs) provide the Scholars and fellow students 150 minutes of mandatory supplemental learning sessions known as SPT sessions in the Precalculus and Calculus courses. OpSTEM Scholars also receive mentoring and individualized attention needed to help ensure successful completion of their STEM degree. Additional information can be found here: https://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/operationstem/operation-stem

Pathways to Practice (Pipeline to Medicine)

Cleveland State University sponsors the Pathways to Practice program for students interested in practicing urban medicine. The goal of this unique program is to recruit a diverse group of future physicians with an expressed interest in serving NE Ohio. Three pathways are available. Students in all pathways complete needed medical school prerequisites, prepare for success on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and complete an urban health certificate.  Additional information can be found at: https://sciences.csuohio.edu/neomed/pathways-practice

EARLY ASSURANCE UNDERGRADUATE PATHWAY

Qualified undergraduate students, usually in their sophomore year, can apply for this partnership program with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Undergraduates can complete their bachelor’s degrees in most majors while taking pre-medicine science courses, urban health courses, and MCAT preparation courses, all while knowing they have a seat reserved for them at the NEOMED College of Medicine if they meet GPA and MCAT requirements.

POSTBACCALAUREATE EARLY ASSURANCE PATHWAY

Qualified students with a bachelor’s degree can apply for this partnership program with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Students take pre-medicine science courses, urban health courses, and MCAT preparation courses, all while knowing they have a seat reserved for them at the NEOMED College of Medicine if they meet GPA and MCAT requirements. Postbaccalaureate students who do not need to take or retake science prerequisites may be able to complete a Master of Science in Health Sciences or a Master of Public Health degree while in the program.

BERKMAN/JACKSON FELLOWS PATHWAY

Qualified students at either the undergraduate or postbaccalaurate level can apply for this program, which is designed to enhance student competitiveness for admission to medical school. Students take pre-medicine science courses, urban health courses, and MCAT preparation courses.

Psychology Partnership Programs at Lakeland Community College (LCC) and Lorain County Community College (LCCC)

Select psychology courses applicable to a B.A. degree in Psychology are offered at the Lorain County Community College and Lakeland Community College campuses. These partnership 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 advisor at either the Lorain or Lakeland campus.

Psychology Partnership with C|M Law 3+3

This partnership accelerates the completion of most of the Psychology degree requirements into 3 years of full-time study, ending with students earning 91 total credit hours. The fourth year, comprised of 29 credit hours taken in the first year of study at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, is then transferred back to meet the Bachelor of Arts total credit hour requirement of 120. More information can be found here: https://www.law.csuohio.edu/admission/3plus3

Secondary Teacher Licensure

The CSUteach Program offers secondary teaching licenses (7-12) in Integrated Mathematics, Integrated Mathematics plus single-field Physics and Integrated Sciences (with a focus in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics). All licensure programs require coursework from the College of Sciences and Health Professions and the College of Education and Human Services. Students will have a faculty advisor in their field of concentration as well as a CSUteach advisor. College of Sciences and Health Professions students interested in licensure are encouraged to promptly inquire about the CSUteach Program with the College of Education and Human Services.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Articulation Agreement

Cleveland State students enjoy preferential admissions to the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The agreement with RUSVM affords Cleveland State students numerous benefits including priority admissions consideration, a guaranteed interview, and priority consideration for scholarships. 

Major Programs Leading to a Bachelor’s Degree

  • Bachelor of Science, major programs offered in the following fields:
    • Biology
      ​General, Pre-Professional Studies, Honors, and Secondary Teacher Licensure (evening degree is available in all tracks except Secondary Teacher Licensure)
    • Biology - Medical Laboratory Science
    • Chemistry
      ​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
    • Environmental Science
      ​Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Geology, Environmental Planning, Environmental Technology, and Secondary Teacher Licensure
    • Health Sciences
      ​General Interest, Health Promotion, Bachelor’s Completion Program for Allied Health Associate Degree Holders, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Honors
      • Certificates: Gerontological Studies (cross-listed with the Department of Psychology); Culture, Communication, and Health.
    • Mathematics
      ​General, Actuarial, Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Mathematics/Computer Science (double major), and Secondary Teacher Licensure
    • Pharmaceutical Science
      ​Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis, and Medicinal and Biological Chemistry
    • Physics
      General and Honors 
  • Bachelor of Arts, major programs offered in the following fields:
    • Communication Sciences and Disorders
    • Mathematics
    • General, Actuarial, Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Statistics, and Secondary Teacher Licensure
    • Physics: General, Honors, and Secondary Teacher Licensure
    • Psychology (evening degree also available)
      • General and Honors

Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences

Go to information for this department.

Programs

Major

Minor

Accelerated 4+1

Certificate

Chemistry

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Programs

Major

Minor

Accelerated 4+1

Certificate

School of Health Sciences

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Programs

Major

Minor

Accelerated 4+1

Certificate

Mathematics and Statistics

Go to information for this department.

Programs

Major

Minor

Accelerated 4+1

Physics

Go to information for this department.

Programs

Major

Minor

Accelerated 4+1

Psychology

Go to information for this department.

Programs

Major

Minor

Accelerated 4+1

Certificate