Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (BS) / Pre-Physician Assistant (SRU) (3+2)

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the main disciplines of chemistry, namely Organic, Analytical, Biological, Physical, and Inorganic chemistry. (SRU UG 2, 3, 4)
  • Students will demonstrate development of technical skills for practical applications of chemistry. (SRU UG 2, 3, 4, 5)
  • Students will present collected experimental data in written and oral reports. (SRU UG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10)
  • Students and faculty will participate in faculty-led research projects. Students are expected to be actively working in the laboratory under the supervision and guidance of a faculty mentor. (SRU UG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)

What are your options?

Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2: Earn a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies in five years rather than six. In the first three years, you complete your major courses and prerequisites for the SRU PA program. At the end of your second year, you apply for admission into the SRU PA program. If accepted, your first year in the SRU PA program meets the remaining requirements for your undergraduate degree. If not accepted, you continue to complete your undergraduate degree and can reapply to the program. The accelerated option is for incoming freshmen only.

Pre-Physician Assistant (SRU Traditional): Complete the requirements for your major and the prerequisites for the SRU PA program and apply to the SRU PA program in your senior year.

Related Links

Chemistry - Pre-Physician Assistant, BS Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

1st Major: Chemistry

  • Overall GPA: 2.00 or higher
  • Major GPA (includes Major Requirements and College Wide Requirements): 2.00 or higher

2nd Major: Pre-PA SRU 3+2 Chemistry

  • Overall GPA: 3.00 or higher (before Fall 2018)
  • Overall GPA: 3.25 or higher (Fall 2018 and after)

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements45
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements48
Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements12
Electives27

* 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 225Calculus I4
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 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab 2
4
Physical Sciences Inquiry
PHYS 216University Physics 1 with Lab 24
Subtotal17
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 312
Total Hours45
1

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

2

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

3

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

  • 24 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 24 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
  • If you choose to pursue Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2 Chemistry and are not accepted into the PA program, then CHEM 302,CHEM 425,CHEM 426, andCHEM 460 are required to complete a first major in Chemistry. In this case,CHEM 425/CHEM 426 cannot count towards the Additional Required-In-Depth Course Requirement. Please refer to the Chemistry Curriculum Guide.
Required Introductory Chemistry Courses
CHEM 108General Chemistry II 13
CHEM 112General Chemistry II Lab 11
Subtotal4
Required Foundation Chemistry Courses
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I 13
CHEM 211Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 11
CHEM 301Physical Chemistry 1 13
CHEM 321Physical Chemistry Laboratory I 11
CHEM 335Biochemistry I 13
CHEM 336Biochemistry Laboratory I 11
CHEM 350Analytical Chemistry 13
CHEM 351Analytical Chemistry Lab 11
CHEM 442Inorganic Chemistry 13
CHEM 452Physical Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 11
Subtotal20
Required In-Depth Chemistry Courses
CHEM 202Organic Chemistry II 13
CHEM 212Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 11
CHEM 337Biochemistry II 13
CHEM 338Biochemistry Laboratory II 11
Subtotal8
Additional Required In-Depth Chemistry Courses
Select four credits (must include one lecture and one lab):4
Air Quality Assessment 1
Water Quality Assessment 1
Forensic Analysis 1
Forensic Analysis Lab 1
Instrumental Analysis
Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 1
Advanced Organic Synthesis 1
Subtotal4
Cognate Courses
BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 14
MATH 230Calculus II 14
PHYS 217University Physics 2 with Lab 14
Subtotal12
Total Hours48
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements

CHEM 107General Chemistry I 13
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab 11
MATH 225Calculus I 14
PHYS 216University Physics 1 with Lab 14
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

Additional Physician Assistant Prerequisite Courses

BIOL 250Genetics with Lab4
BIOL 330Microbiology/Lab3
EXSC 250Medical Terminology3
or HCAM 250 Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 309Human Anatomy and Physiology II4

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. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes (e.g., Organic Chemistry II Lab)
  2. Student-faculty research
  3. Student leadership development (Chemistry Club)
  4. Career education and development
  5. Internships
  6. Student teaching (serve as Lab Assistants and tutors)
  7. Volunteering

Physician Assistant Studies (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies)
Prerequisite Admission Requirements – Pre- Physician Assistant 3+2

For Application Requirements

Please refer to Slippery Rock University’s Physician Assistant Studies (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies) website for requirements:http://www.sru.edu/pa

Rock Studies 2

Prerequisite Courses - SRU Physician Assistant
BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab4
BIOL 210Medical Microbiology with Lab3
or BIOL 330 Microbiology/Lab
BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 309Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
BIOL 250Genetics with Lab4
CHEM 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 108
CHEM 112
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I3
EXSC 250Medical Terminology3
or HCAM 250 Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology3
Inferential Statistics Course 3
Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab
Elementary Statistics I
Total Hours39

Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2 Requirements

If any of these requirements are not met, the 3+2 designation will be removed from the student’s record:

  1. A 3.25 or higher overall GPA must be maintained by the student.
  2. The student can only be enrolled in the Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2 program for a maximum of three (3) years, full-time continuous enrollment (fall/spring).

Provision

Should a Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2 student be unsuccessful in completing the 1st two semesters (summer or fall) of the Physician Assistant Program and wants to complete the original undergraduate degree, it is solely up to the discretion of the undergraduate program Department Chair to determine which, if any, Physician Assistant courses will count toward the completion of his/her undergraduate degree. In addition, students must complete any unfulfilled requirements of their undergraduate major. Students may still apply to the Physician Assistant Studies Program with an earned Bachelor’s degree.

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

CHEMISTRY - BS (6118)
PRE-PA 3+2 (6SPC)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 07.06.2022
UCC 03.22.2022

RECOMMENDED THREE-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
CHEM 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
BIOL 114 Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 4
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar 2 1
Select one of the following: 3-4
Intermediate Algebra
Precalculus
Calculus I
Calculus II
 Hours15-16
Spring
CHEM 108
CHEM 112
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
BIOL 250 Genetics with Lab 4
PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 3
Select one of the following: 4
Precalculus
Calculus I
Calculus II
 Hours18
Second Year
Fall
CHEM 201
CHEM 211
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
4
BIOL 216 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
PHYS 216 University Physics 1 with Lab 4
Select one of the following: 4
Calculus I
Calculus II
 Hours18
Spring
CHEM 202
CHEM 212
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
4
BIOL 217 Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab 3
MATH 230 Calculus II 4
PHYS 217 University Physics 2 with Lab 4
Select one of the following (Civil Discourse Requirement): 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
 Hours18
Third Year
Fall
Select one of the following: 7-8
In even years, select:
Inorganic Chemistry
In odd years, select:
Physical Chemistry 1
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Lab
CHEM 335
CHEM 336
Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry Laboratory I
4
EXSC 250 Medical Terminology 3
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
 Hours17-18
Spring
Select one of the following: 7
In odd years, select:
Physical Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
Materials Chemistry
In even years, select:
Physical Chemistry II
Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
BIOL 330 Microbiology/Lab 3
CHEM 337
CHEM 338
Biochemistry II
and Biochemistry Laboratory II
4
Inquiry/Thread/Elective 3
 Hours17
 Total Hours**103-105
1

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

2

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

*

Prepare to take PCAT by October, Fall of Sophomore Year.

** 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 Code: 6SPC
UCC 02.02.2021
Revised: 07.10.2023