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PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS PROGRAM IN NATURAL SCIENCE

Students who are eligible to earn an "Honors Program Certificate" are also eligible to participate in the Natural Science Department Honors Program. Students with a GPA in their major of 3.25 or greater will engage in an approved research project on or off campus, participate in a departmental seminar course, and complete an additional seven honors credits in science at level 200 or above.

PREPARATION FOR TEACHING SCIENCE AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL

Students interested in seeking certification to teach high school biology or certification to teach chemistry should consider a Major in Biology or Chemistry and a Concentration in Secondary Education. Application to the Concentration in Education Program in the Education Department must be made by the Spring of sophomore year. The Massachusetts Department of Education requires the successful completion of course work or other experience, which addresses the field of knowledge competency areas listed below.
Suggested courses are shown in parentheses. Students must also meet the Professional Standards for Teaching, which are addressed in the appropriate education courses, as well as in the student teaching experience. To ensure that all of these areas are covered, a student should carefully plan a course of study in conjunction with advisors in both departments (Education and Natural Science).

Biology: Field of Knowledge Competencies

BIO 230: Botany
BIO 220: Zoology
BIO 240: Mammalian Anatomy
BIO 370: Human Biology
BIO 210: Genetics
BIO 360: Ecology
CHE 131 and CHE 132: Chemistry

Chemistry: Field of Knowledge Competencies
CHE 201 and CHE 202: Organic Chemistry,
CHE 316: Inorganic Chemistry, CHE 315:
Analytical Chemistry, CHE 311 and CHE 312:

Physical Chemistry
PHY 201 and
PHY 202: Physics, MAT 117 and MAT 118 or
MAT 131 and MAT 132: Mathematics

HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS

Students interested in a career in one of the health professions (Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, Podiatry, Physician's Assistant, etc.) may undertake a major in any discipline. Those who follow one of the science majors at Assumption will automatically complete the science prerequisites for professional schools in the health sciences. Students who major in other disciplines must fulfill a professional school's admission requirements by careful selection of electives in consultation with their advisors. Students with an interest in the health professions should consult with their advisors and Dr. Heather Wilkins, Chair of the Health Sciences Committee, early in their undergraduate careers.

In order to meet the entrance requirements for professional schools in the most timely manner, and to be prepared for admissions exams in the junior year, students interested in the health professions are strongly advised to take both CHE 131 and BIO 160 in the Fall semester of the first year. Upon request, the Health Sciences Committee can compose a letter of reference for students interested in pursuing degrees in the health professions. The committee meets in the second week of October, the second week of February, and the third week of May. Individuals who would like a letter of reference must contact Dr. Wilkins at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting times. Letters of reference will usually be ready within four to five weeks of the committee meeting.

Assumption College/Barry University B.A./D.P.M. Program

Assumption College and Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine have agreed to cooperate in providing an accelerated, seven-year curriculum of undergraduate and professional education leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Biology from Assumption College, and the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Barry University, School of Podiatric Medicine.
The program consists of a three-year curriculum at Assumption College, including the required pre-podiatry courses, followed by a four-year curriculum of podiatric medicine at Barry University. Students with an interest in this accelerated program should contact the Advisor for the Health Professions, Dr. Heather Wilkins, early in their first year.

Assumption College/New England College of Optometry B.A./O.D. Program

Assumption College and the New England School of Optometry have agreed to cooperate in providing an accelerated, seven-year curriculum of undergraduate and professional education leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Biology from Assumption College, and the Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry. The program consists of a three-year curriculum at Assumption College followed by a four-year curriculum in Optometry at the New England School of Optometry.
Students with an interest in this accelerated program should contact the Advisor for the Health Professions, Dr. Heather Wilkins, early in their first year.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Prerequisites for Professional Schools in Health Fields

The Program is designed for men and women who hold Bachelor's degrees, who have not previously made application to Professional Schools in the Health Professions, and who are seeking to complete prerequisites before making such application.
Participants will have "non-matriculating" status, and will be charged tuition and fees at the rate listed in the catalog. All courses will be taken with undergraduate students. Programs will be planned in consultation with the College's Advisor for the Health Professions, Dr. Heather Wilkins. A participant must complete at least four courses with three different faculty members in the Department of Natural Sciences at Assumption in order to earn a certificate and a recommendation from the Recommendation Committee for the Health Professions.
Applicants need to submit a completed application form (available from Dr. Wilkins), a written statement describing their motivation for the chosen health career, and official undergraduate transcripts.

Completion of this certificate does not guarantee admission to any professional school.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY OPTION (BIOLOGY MAJOR)

The Medical Technology Option is designed to offer the student the background necessary to apply for admission to a hospital-affiliated school of Medical Technology. The Option can be completed in three or four years at Assumption before entering a school of Medical Technology; the three-year program is described here.
During the first three years while the student is at Assumption College, he/she should complete:

* Four courses in Chemistry (including Organic Chemistry)
* Two courses in Physics
* Seven courses in Biology (including Microbiology and Immunology)
* One course in Mathematics (at the level of MAT 114 or above)

In addition, other curriculum requirements to fulfill the Bachelor of Arts program at Assumption must be taken during the first three years of the program when planned in conjunction with a faculty advisor in the Department of Natural Sciences. It is important for a student interested in this option to indicate his/her interest in the first year and to plan the program carefully.
Three years of study (30 courses) as a Biology major at Assumption are followed by one year of training and study in an approved hospital school of Medical Technology. Upon completion of the hospital year, the student will receive a Bachelor's degree from Assumption and will be eligible to take the National Registry Exam in Medical Technology.
Participation in Assumption's undergraduate Medical Technology Option does not guarantee admission to a School of Medical Technology.

PREPARATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT) AND
PHYSICAL THERAPY (PT)

Students may complete the courses required for admission to graduate programs in OT and PT by taking the courses listed below. It is recommended that interested students consult with the Pre-Professional Advisor in the Health Sciences at the beginning of their first year.

Occupational Therapy

Required Courses:
BIO 160: Concepts in Biology with lab*
BIO 240: Mammalian Anatomy with lab
BIO 370: Physiology with lab
CHE 131- 132: General Chemistry with lab
PSY 101: Introduction to General Psychology*
PSY 116: Abnormal Psychology
PSY 190: Psychology of Development
PSY 265: Statistics
SOC 121: Principles of Sociology*

Work and/or personal experience that contributes to maturity of career choice and demonstrates knowledge of occupational therapy. A suitable placement in SRS 300/400 (The Individual in the Community) may satisfy this requirement.

Recommended Courses:
CSC 113: Computer Science*
MAT 114: Elementary Functions*
PHY 201- 202: College Physics I and II with lab
SRS 119: Introduction to Social and Rehabilitation Services*
SRS 121: Psychological, Social, and Developmental Aspects of Disability

* These courses are appropriate for first-semester first-year. At least three of them should be completed in the first year. BIO 160 is a prerequisite for BIO 240 and BIO 370. Biology, Psychology, or Social Rehabilitation Services are appropriate majors. The rest of the prerequisites are of a much more general nature and are satisfied by completing the General Education Requirements.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Required Courses:
BIO 160: Concepts in Biology with lab**
BIO 240: Mammalian Anatomy with lab**
BIO 370: Physiology with lab
CHE 131-132: General Chemistry with lab
MAT 114: Elementary Functions (MAT 117 Calculus preferred)**
PHY 201-202: College Physics with lab
PSY 101: Introduction to General Psychology*
PSY 116: Abnormal Psychology
PSY 265: Statistics
PSY 190: Psychology of Development

Some graduate programs require all or some of the following: an additional six credits in biology, and a course in introductory sociology or anthropology, as well as a course in exercise physiology and/or kinesiology. (Exercise physiology and kinesiology can be taken through the Worcester Consortium for Higher Education.)

In addition, a significant number of hours (as many as 1,000) in field work related to health care is usually required. Since most of the required courses are in the Natural Sciences, a Biology Major is appropriate, and should first enroll in BIO 160, CHE 131, and the appropriate level math course. A Major in Psychology or Social and Rehabilitation Services is also possible, but the required courses in the Natural Sciences should begin in the first year.

INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND BIOSPHERE 2

Assumption College has a partnership agreement with Columbia University to offer well-qualified students a semester away at Biosphere 2. The Biosphere is a 250-acre campus managed by Columbia University that serves as a research facility and home to our study away programs in Environmental Science, Earth Studies, and Astronomy. They offer semester and summer programs for undergraduates, high school students, and graduate students. The structure of the program is particularly unique: students learn in a team-oriented, interdisciplinary environment. The students choose from among three semester long course offerings: Earth Semester (which focuses on earth systems science, and ecology), Universe Semester (which focuses on astronomy), and Research Semester (which is a new, elite program that gives students an opportunity to do focused research with a Columbia Professor). The course-offerings strive to be intedisciplinary in nature, such that environmental issues are not merely examined from a scientific point of view, but also take into account the legal, sociological, political, and economic ramifications. Some programs apply to both science AND non-science majors, as they offer a variety of courses that are appropriate for students with different levels of science backgrounds.

PLEASE NOTE: A graduate program may have an atypical course requirement. Students who are considering applying to graduate school should write to the schools they are considering applying to by the beginning of their junior year in order to be certain they will have completed all of the necessary course work before graduation.

Consult the directory of Physical Therapy Education Programs published by the American Physical Therapy Association and the Directory of Occupational Therapy Educational Programs published by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. for a list of programs with addresses.

Did you Know?

Through volunteer, community service learning, student teaching and internship placements, students are contributing about 93,000 hours per year to our local communities.