Accelerated Dual Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

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The Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences and the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine offer a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, respectively. This accelerated program allows high-achieving Biological Sciences majors to obtain the Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in a seven-year period, rather than the traditional period of eight years if both degrees were completed separately. The program is a 3 + 4 arrangement where students begin Doctor of Medicine courses in their 4th year at Rowan University. Individuals are eligible to apply during the early fall semester of their senior year of high school and this program is not open to current Rowan University students.

3 + 4 Undergraduate Program Requirements:

General Education

All students starting before Fall 2018 and transfer students must complete the University General Education Requirements as described in the Undergraduate Program Requirements .

Rowan Core

All first-time Freshmen starting in Fall 2018 or after must complete the University Rowan Core Requirements as described in Undergraduate Program Requirements .

Rowan Experience

All students must complete the Rowan Experience requirements as described in Undergraduate Program Requirements .

Program Requirements

Required Courses

In addition to the Rowan Core and Experience requirements, as stated above, the following courses are required by the program. Some courses count towards the completion of specific Core and Experience requirements.

BIOL 01104 - Introduction to Evolution and Scientific Inquiry Credits: 4
BIOL 01106 - Introduction to Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 01203 - Introduction to Cell Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 01204 - Introduction to Ecology Credits: 4
CHEM 06100 - Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 06101 - Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHEM 07200 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 07201 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4
MATH 01130 - Calculus I Credits: 4
PHYS 00210 - Physics I Without Calculus Credits: 4
PHYS 00211 - Physics II Without Calculus Credits: 4
SOC 08120 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 (counts towards free electives, required prerequisite for medical school)
PHIL 09261 - Philosophical Perspectives on Science-WI Credits: 3
or
PHIL 09341 - Biomedical Ethics-WI Credits: 3
or
PHIL 09376 - Philosophy of Medicine - WI Credits: 3
STAT 02280 - Biometry Credits: 4
BIOL 01445 - Special Topics In Biological Sciences - WI Credits: 3
or
BIOL 01475 - Biology Lab/Field Research Credits: 3

Restricted Program Electives:

3 Upper level biology lab electives (300+ level):
BIOL 11330 - Microbiology Credits: 4
MCB 22450 - Molecular Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 01430 - Advanced Cell Biology Credits: 4
Upper level biology elective (may be lecture based):
BIOL 14440 - Introduction to Biochemistry - Lecture Only Credits: 3
or
CHEM 07348 - Biochemistry (Lecture And Lab) Credits: 4
Biology lab elective (200+ level): transfers back after successful completion of the first professional year coursework at the Medical School

Free Electives

Remaining 120 credits of the program are free electives and will transfer back after successful completion of the first professional Medical School year

Total Baccalaureate Program Credits: 120 s.h.

3+4 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program Requirements

Requirements for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree are set forth in the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Student Handbook.

Additional Program Requirements:

Students are expected to maintain specific academic, experiential, and admission test requirements as detailed below. Experiences are to be aligned with the mission of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. Experiences can include but are not restricted to community service, clinical engagement, and/or research.

Students accepted into the 3+4 Program will be admitted to Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine contingent upon the following:

Completion of all general curriculum requirements at Rowan University.
Completion of all coursework specified in the Rowan University catalog before beginning the medical school phase of the Program, including all prerequisite courses required for admission to Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.6 in all course work and a minimum grade point average of 3.6 in the science courses required for admission to Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine.
No final grade of “D”, “F”, or “I” in any prerequisite course required for admission to Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
All students will be required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and obtain an acceptable score and subscores. Deadlines for exam completion and score requirements are provided by the Medical School one year before students must sit for the exam.
Engagement in experiences that resonate with the mission of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Recommendation by the Rowan University Director of Pre-Health Programs, based on approval of the Rowan University Advisory Committee
Successful interview with the Rowan-Virtua Admissions Committee after submission of application to AACOMAS

Eligibility and Admissions:

High school seniors who qualify for admission to Rowan University are eligible for admission to the 3+4 program. There are no restrictions on State of residency or citizenship. Permanent residents and international students may apply. The high school grade point average and rank-in-class, along with letters of recommendation from high school teachers and evidence of experiences aligned with Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine will be of primary importance in evaluating an applicant’s credentials. Applicants are required to submit scores of the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) Verbal and Mathematical components or the American College Testing (ACT). Applicants are expected to demonstrate knowledge of, and activity resonant with, the mission of Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine

Interested individuals apply during their primary application to Rowan University, selecting an eligible major. All directions are found on the Office of Pre-Health Programs website. Qualified applicants will be scheduled for interview by members of a subcommittee of the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Admissions Committee. These interviews will be held on the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine campus and at a date and time that will allow student notification prior to any final decision date for matriculation to Rowan University.

Student Status:

Tuition for the first three (3) years of study at Rowan University, including summer courses, if any, will be the same tuition as charged to undergraduate Rowan University students. Tuition during the four (4) years of study at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine will be the same as the tuition charged to students enrolled in the regular curriculum at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine .

Students who satisfactorily complete the appropriate courses in the first year at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, in addition to all other Rowan University requirements, will receive a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree.

If, after the first semester of the medical first year, the student fails to meet the required Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine standards of performance and competency, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine shall notify Rowan University. Representatives from Rowan University and Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine will meet with the student. If, after meeting with the student, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine concludes that the student should not continue in the medical school, the student shall be dismissed from the Medical program and the student will work with their advising team at Rowan University towards fulfilling the requirements of the Baccalaureate degree.