Apr 29, 2024  
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology/Pre-Optometry B.S.

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The Biology/Pre-Optometry major is designed for students interested in a career in optometry. The curriculum   provides a strong foundation and good preparation for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). Students may choose to apply for an accelerated 3 + 4 program, completing their final year of undergraduate work at Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry while simultaneously completing the first year of their Optometry program or to complete their four-year undergraduate degree at Saint Joseph’s College.

Optometry Affiliation Agreement: Saint Joseph’s College has an affiliation agreement with Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (Salus/PCO) for an accelerated 3 + 4 Doctor of Optometry degree program. Under this agreement select undergraduate students, who complete specific course requirements at Saint Joseph’s College, may continue their education in optometry at Salus/PCO and earn a Doctor of Optometry degree in seven years. Students are awarded a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s College upon successful completion of their first year at Salus/PCO.  Students may apply for the 3 + 4 program after the completion of their first undergraduate year, but before the commencement of their second undergraduate year at Saint Joseph’s. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required at the time of application and thereafter, a GPA of 3.3 or higher must be maintained. In addition, students must also submit their SAT scores for consideration.  Any student interested in the accelerated program should speak with their faculty advisor for specifics about the application process.

4 Year Degree Program: Students completing their degree program at Saint Joseph’s College should work closely with their faculty advisor as admission requirements for other non-affiliated optometry programs might have additional requirements.  

Note: The average cumulative GPA of applicants to Doctor of Optometry degree programs is 3.3.

Program Outcomes:

  1. Students will be able to explain biological phenomena and concepts in oral, written and visual formats that reflect standards and professionalism.
  2. Students will be able to independently propose scientific question, design and execute experimental procedures, and collect and organize data sets.
  3. Students will be able to search and evaluate the scientific literature.
  4. Students will be able to critically analyze and solve quantitative and conceptual questions.
  5. Students will be able to apply scientific method to answer hypothesis-driven questions.
  6. Students will be able to methodically interpret scientific data sets and propose conclusions clearly and effectively.

Courses required for the Four Year Major:

Courses required for the 3 + 4 Transfer Program

Core Curriculum

In addition, all students must fulfill the college’s core curriculum  requirements and meet the 120 credit graduation requirement.  The First Year Experience (FYE) Seminar  is a requirement for all first-year students.

Core Curriculum Requirements

Theological/Religious Inquiry (4 credits)

Choose one:

Philosophical Inquiry (4 credit)

Quantitative Reasoning (4 credit) *Appendix 1

Choose one:

Written Communication (3 credit)

Human Foundations and Multicultural Inquiry (3 credit)

Inquiry into the Natural World (3 credit) *Appendix 2

Choose one:

Inquiry into Society (3 credit) *Appendix 3

Choose one:

Literacy in Environmental Science (4 credit)

Historic and Civic Literacy for Effective Citizenship (3 credit) *Appendix 4

Leadership and Building JEDI (3 credit) *Appendix 5

Choose one:

Artistic Exploration and Expression (3 credit)

  • Any Fine Arts (AT) course

Literary Exploration and Expression (3 credit)

  • Any 200, 300, or 400 level English (EH) course

Wellness (3 credit) *Appendix 6

Choose one:

First-Year Experience (1 credit)

Appendix

One option (Mode #3) to meet core curriculum outcomes is to actively and intentionally engage in experiences that allow for careful reflection and assessment. This is designed to encourage and increase flexibility in the new LSC Core. Mode #3 is optional. It can use to to fulfill a maximum of two Mode #1 Categories.

Three to four credits may be earned by way of an approved experiential equivalency for a maximum of two Mode #1 Categories. Students are required to seek out a faculty sponsor with expertise in the subject matter to assist them in navigating the experiential equivalency process, along with approval from the Office of Academic Affairs. 

Guidelines for establishing credit weight: Depending on the nature and extent of the experience, students can gain three or four credits. Students who provide supporting documentation (letters from community partners, organizations or agencies where the experience took place), complete the experiential equivalency benchmarks and the portfolio can earn credit. The narrative and reflection within the portfolio will vary along with the nature of other deliverables (art projects, brochures, podcasts, blog postings, video presentations, etc.).

PRIOR EXPERIENCE: For those seeking credit for a prior learning experience, students will need to complete a screening questionnaire. This questionnaire allows a faculty sponsor and the Office of Academic Affairs to properly evaluate the experience, the amount of credits that may be applied and provides insights as to what core outcome(s) may be fulfilled. Once the questionnaire has been reviewed, the faculty sponsor and Associate Dean will meet with the student to discuss the project plan moving forward. Once the project plan is approved and benchmarks are provided, the student will be enrolled in the Brightspace course. The student will then have 15 weeks to complete the portfolio.

PLANNED EXPERIENCE: This process needs to be planned in consultation with a faculty sponsor. The faculty sponsor and student must complete an experiential equivalency project plan which will then be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs for review. This project plan will be mapped out for the upcoming semester. The project plan must include benchmarks to assess progress throughout the time frame agreed upon. Once the project plan is approved and benchmarks are provided, the student will be enrolled in the Brightspace course. The student will then have 15 weeks to complete the portfolio.

EE 100 Core Experiential Equivalency (3-4 Credits): This course allows students to use prior or planned experiences to meet Mode #1 core curriculum outcomes. A faculty sponsor is required along with approval from the Office of Academic Affairs. 

EE 101 Core Experiential Equivalency (3-4 Credits): This course allows students to use prior or planned experiences to meet Mode #1 core curriculum outcomes. A faculty sponsor is required along with approval from the Office of Academic Affairs.

Note:

 For students in the 4 Year Pre-Optometry Program with transfer to schools other than the Pennsylvania College of Optometry of Salus University:

MA 202 - Calculus II  is strongly recommended.

Some optometry schools may require additional courses.

All majors should discuss the program with the Pre-Optometry advisor.

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