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/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 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 help in preparing student petitions. Students should utilize the Starfish feature in CampusNet in order to determine their staff advisor and/or to schedule appointments.

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 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.

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.

Cleveland State also offers comprehensive programs providing the courses required for application to schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry 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”, “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.

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.

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 1170 or
Accepted into CSU’s Honors or Scholars Programs OR

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
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 a major. A student should consult with the major-field 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-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 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 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 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 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.
- 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; 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 advisor.

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.

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 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. 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 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-CSU Partnership for Urban Health

Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and Cleveland State University have partnered to offer two paths to medical education. Collaborating on their strengths in urban health, primary care medicine and inter-professional education, Cleveland State and NEOMED strive to meet the changing healthcare needs within urban communities. A total of up to 35 seats at NEOMED’s College of Medicine will be available to CSU students in the pathways. The goal of this unique partnership is to recruit a diverse group of future physicians with an expressed interest in serving NE Ohio.

Students in this program complete a specific set of designated courses and experiences to fulfill the prerequisites set by NEOMED. Cleveland State students apply to the M.D. Partnership program approximately one year in advance of beginning the program. Admission to the program is competitive and is not guaranteed.

Post Baccalaureate/M.D.
Qualified students with a bachelor’s degree can apply for this two-year program that includes pre-medicine science courses and urban health courses. The undergraduate curriculum of the PostBacc/M.D. program is administered by the School of Health Sciences. Upon acceptance into the program and subsequent successful completion of the post bacc curriculum at Cleveland State, Post Bacc/M.D. students will begin their medical school education at NEOMED in Rootstown, Ohio.

Baccalaureate/M.D.
Qualified sophomores at Cleveland State can apply for this two-year program. Undergraduates can complete their bachelor’s degrees in most majors while taking pre-medicine science courses and urban health courses, all while knowing they have a seat reserved for them at the NEOMED College of Medicine. Upon acceptance into the program and subsequent completion of the Bacc/M.D. curriculum at Cleveland State, students will begin their medical school education at NEOMED in Rootstown, Ohio.

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, with a set number of seats reserved 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 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. 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 admission criteria and apply early (prior to October). The pre-pharmacy program is administered by the Department of Chemistry.

Additional Information on the NEOMED partnership program can be found here: http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/neomed/neomed

Office of Pre-Professional Health Programs

Cleveland State University offers comprehensive programs providing the courses required for application to schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry 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. Specialized advising, workshops, and other resources specific to pre-professional students are also offered. Although they are not considered degree-granting programs, 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.

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.

The Office of Pre-Professional Health Programs oversees the pre-professional preparation programs, and provides dedicated assistance and supplemental resources to students in these programs. Additional information can be found here: http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/preprof/pre-professional-health-programs

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 advisor at either the Lorain or Lakeland campus.

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 Science and Health Professions students interested in secondary education are encouraged to promptly declare an Education minor and to inquire about the CSUteach Program.

Urban Health Fellows

The Urban Health Fellows Program was designed to assist freshmen students at CSU in transitioning to university life, succeeding in their academic pursuits, and learning more about careers in the health professions. It is open to students interested in any of the wide range of health professional careers (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and hearing, physician assisting, nursing, etc.). The ultimate goal of the program is to help students develop the skills that will enable them to be successful candidates for health-related professional programs.

The Urban Health Fellows program will offer academic and personal support as well as enrichment. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities; some are required, some are optional, but all are designed to help the student make the university experience both more successful and more enjoyable. Required activities include one-on-one academic advising and tutoring with a designated tutor for the program who will focus on the important sciences needed for the health professions. In addition, the students will be paired with a mentor. Every semester, students will also be provided opportunities to attend special workshops and seminars hosted by University professionals and professional health care providers. Students can also expect to participate in service learning activities, and other health-related programming designed to help them become familiar with the range of professions from which they might choose, and to acquire the academic and personal attributes that are required for success in a health-related professional program.

Additional information can be found: http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/urbanhealth/.

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 a waiver of the application fee, 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 Technology
- 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, Associate Degree/Bachelor of Science Completion, Pre- Physician Assistant, Pre-Therapy (Physical Therapy or Occupational 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:
- 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
- Speech and Hearing