Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions / Pre-Chiropractic (Palmer) (3+3)

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Competence in Laboratory and Research Skills: To conduct, assess, and communicate research investigations using established scientific practices. (SRU UG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 10)
  • Core Concepts for Biological Literacy:  (SRU UG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9)
    • Knowledge/Content
      • Evolution
      • Structure and function across all levels of biological organization
      • Diversity and interactions of life
      • Information flow, exchange and storage in biological systems
    • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
      • Connect information from cognate science courses and liberal arts courses to biological concepts
      • Apply scientific information to current and future societal problems
  • Participation in Diverse, Enriching Scientific Activities:   Apply technical and professional skills in hands-on laboratory, clinical or field experiences.  (SRU UG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
  • Professional Attitude: Graduates demonstrate professional attitude, behavior, and ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.  (SRU UG 1, 5, 7, 8, 9)

Related Links

Biology - Pre-Health Professions/Palmer Pre-Chiropractic Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Overall GPA: 3.0 or higher
Major GPA: 2.0 of higher
Core GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements45
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements41
Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements12
Electives34

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate. However, because this is a pre-professional program, credits taken during the 1st year of the graduate program are applied toward the undergraduate credit hours to meet the 120 credits required for your undergraduate degree.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 125Precalculus4
or MATH 225 Calculus I
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal16
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
CHEM 107General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab1
Physical Sciences Inquiry
PHYS 201Elements of Physics I with Lab4
or PHYS 216 University Physics 1 with Lab
Subtotal17
Thematic Thread
Select 3 Credits 212
Total Hours45
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major/Concentration Requirements

  • Students desiring a Biology Major must maintain at least a 2.000 average in Biology.
  • Students must earn a "C" or better in both Biology I with Lab (BIOL 113) and Biology II with Lab (BIOL 114) before proceeding to their next biology course.
  • Students must earn a "C" or better in both Genetics with Lab (BIOL 250) and Biometry with Lab (BIOL 325) prior to graduating.
  • To view the SRU policy on senior undergraduate students earning graduate credit, click here.
Biology Core Requirements
BIOL 113Biology I: Foundations of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity with Lab 14
BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 14
BIOL 250Genetics with Lab 14
BIOL 325Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab 13
Subtotal15
Required Upper-Level Biology
BIOL 330Microbiology/Lab 13
BIOL 340Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab 13
or BIOL 410 Animal Physiology with Lab
BIOL 492Biology Seminar 11
Subtotal7
Required Chemistry Courses
CHEM 108General Chemistry II 2,33
CHEM 112General Chemistry II Lab 31
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I 33
CHEM 202Organic Chemistry II 33
CHEM 211Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 31
CHEM 212Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 31
CHEM 335Biochemistry I 33
Subtotal15
Required Physics Courses
PHYS 202Elements of Physics II/ Lab 34
or PHYS 217 University Physics 2 with Lab
Total Hours41
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

2

Course can be counted as a Rock Studies 2 Requirement, but earns credit only once toward your 120-credits total.

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

3

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements but not for Major GPA

Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements

CHEM 107General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab1
MATH 125Precalculus4
or MATH 225 Calculus I
PHYS 201Elements of Physics I with Lab4
or PHYS 216 University Physics 1 with Lab
Total Hours12

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. Volunteering
  2. Job Shadowing

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

BIOLOGY - PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS BS
Palmer Chiropractic (3+3.3) (61PC)
This program is effective as of Summer 2023
Revised 05.15.2023
UCC 11.29.2022

RECOMMENDED THREE-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
BIOL 113 Biology I: Foundations of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity with Lab 4
CHEM 107 General Chemistry I 3
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I Lab 1
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar 1 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery * 3
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
BIOL 114 Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 4
CHEM 108 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II Lab 1
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 250 Genetics with Lab 4
CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Social Science Inquiry 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours14
Spring
BIOL 325 Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab 3
CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1
MATH 225
Calculus I
or Precalculus
4
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours14
Third Year
Fall
CHEM 335 Biochemistry I 3
BIOL 340
Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
or Animal Physiology with Lab
3
PHYS 201
Elements of Physics I with Lab
or University Physics 1 with Lab
4
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours13
Spring
BIOL 330 Microbiology/Lab 3
BIOL 492 Biology Seminar 1
PHYS 202
Elements of Physics II/ Lab
or University Physics 2 with Lab
4
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours17
Fourth Year
Fall
Palmer Chiropractic School 15
 Hours15
Spring
Palmer Chiropractic School 15
 Hours15
 Total Hours**120
*

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

1

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101​ as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major/Concentration: 6108/PHLT
2nd Major: 61PC
Revised date: 06.14.2023