Harpur College strives to provide its students with a sound liberal
education as well as specialization in some area of the humanities, social
sciences, arts, or sciences.
Prospective applicants should see the general section on Admissions in
this Bulletin.
The program fosters development of knowledge, skills and interpretive abilities and offers other opportunities for growth outside the classroom.
1. Substantive knowledge. The quantity of substantive knowledge that a student can assimilate in four years is limited. Harpur deems no single body of knowledge indispensable. Each student, however, is encouraged, and given the opportunity, to acquire understanding of the physical and biological world in which we live; of humankind as individuals, creators and philosophers; and of human relations and arrangements in past and contemporary societies.
2. Skills. Students of the liberal arts are expected to master a number of academic skills necessary for rational discourse. The most essential of these are logical argument and clear expression. Such skills are normally supplemented by particular kinds of competence — mathematic, linguistic and the like — as required by individual fields of study.
3. Interpretive ability. In the application of learned skills to subject matter, it is assumed that students acquire theoretical understanding and the power of interpretation. The premise here is that theory provides a means of comprehending and extending fundamental knowledge and perspective.
4. Supplementary opportunities. Since students do not now and will not in years to come exclusively inhabit classrooms, libraries or laboratories, Harpur encourages and provides for a wide range of extracurricular and credit-bearing activities to aid in the continued growth of individual talents, social competency and participatory government among its students.
Most departments of Harpur College are contained administratively within three principal divisions: humanities (including fine arts), science and mathematics, and social sciences. For most matters, the principal academic and administrative unit is the department. Several interdisciplinary major programs are not attached to any division. Students ordinarily pursue academic major programs supervised by departments, although several interdepartmental majors are available.
The all-college distribution requirements, determined by the faculty, provide for exposure to broad areas of learning. Usually, students complete the distribution requirements as early as possible, both because they provide a general introduction to the Harpur College curriculum and because they provide a basis for choosing a major program.
During the first few semesters at Harpur College, students may seek academic advice on planning a program of study from several sources: the academic advising office, relevant academic departments and/or individual faculty members. These academic advisers help to guide students toward a planned and organized program, rather than a random selection of courses.
Normally, students declare a major program by their fifth semester of residence. Those students who receive state financial aid are encouraged to read in the "Financial Information" section of this Bulletin about the academic progress required to maintain state or federal aid. Timely declaration of the major is an important consideration for such students. Students initiate the declaration of major process in the academic advising office. When this is done, students are assigned to a faculty academic adviser within the major department program for information about and guidance in the major. The academic advising office remains available to all students throughout their education for information about all-college requirements and other aspects of the undergraduate degree.
BA, BFA, BMUS, BS Degrees
In addition to the bachelor of arts (BA) degree,
Harpur College offers a bachelor of fine arts (BFA), bachelor of music (BMus)
and bachelor of science (BS) degree in some fields. The general requirements and
the all-college distribution requirements for these degrees are the same, but
more courses are specified for major requirements for a BS degree than for a BA
degree. Whereas no more than 15 courses may be required for a major program
leading to the BA, a minimum of 16 courses is required for a major program
leading to the BS. Except for interdisciplinary programs, such as biochemistry
and psychobiology, every department that offers the BS also offers the BA. More
courses are also required for the BFA and BMus degrees. Students must choose
whether to earn a BA, BFA, BMus or BS degree, since two degrees may not be
earned simultaneously. Note that although students may receive only one degree
from Harpur College, they may have two majors or more.
To qualify for a bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts,
bachelor of music or bachelor of science degree from Harpur College, the
following conditions must
be met:
1. Students must complete the General Education Requirement. This is described in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this Bulletin under the heading "Undergraduate General Education Program." Certain General Education courses may also satisfy Harpur all-college and major requirements.
2. Students must have credit for a minimum of 31 1/2 academic courses (126 credits). (Note: In Harpur College a course is defined as four credits. Students may apply a maximum of 32 external examination credits toward the Harpur College degree. See "Advanced Placement" and "Credit by Examination" in this Bulletin.)
3. Freshmen should consult the General Education Requirement in the Academic Policies section of this Bulletin for a description of their foreign language requirement. Transfer students must complete either a third-level course in one foreign language or a second-level course in each of two foreign languages. This requirement may be fulfilled prior to entry into Harpur College and while in high school by having taken and passed three units of one language or two units each of two different languages. American Sign Language is acceptable toward the foreign language requirement.
4. Students must complete the all-college distribution requirements and the requirements of their major field.
5. Students must complete the all-college writing requirement described later in this section.
6. Students must complete at least 30 Harpur credits in residence.
7. Students must be in residence at Harpur College during the last seven and one-half courses (30 credits) immediately preceding graduation, unless specifically exempted from this requirement by the Harpur College Academic Standards Committee.
8. Students must be in good academic standing, i.e., must present a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0.
9. Students must pay or satisfactorily adjust all fees and bills.
10. Students must not be under any disciplinary action.
11. Students must be duly recommended by the faculty.
12. Finally, the State University Trustees by formal action must admit the student to the degree.
Harpur College reserves the right to make changes in the requirements for graduation, except that no increase in total courses required for graduation shall retroactively affect any student already matriculated when the change is made.
The following distribution among courses is required of all students for the BA, BFA, BMus or BS degree from Harpur College. Courses counted as part of an academic major may also be used to fulfill the all-college distribution requirements.
1. Two courses in the Division of Humanities.
2. Two courses in the Division of Science and Mathematics.
3. Two courses in the Division of Social Sciences.
4. An additional four liberal arts courses chosen from the two divisions other than the division of the student’s major department. Interdisciplinary courses may be included among these four courses if they are cross-listed with a division not encompassing the student’s major. (See section on interdisciplinary courses.) Specified non-Harpur General Education courses may also be used. Physical education courses may not be included among these four courses.
5. Students may apply a maximum of six physical education activity credits toward the 126 required for graduation.
6. The following courses are ineligible for fulfillment of the all-college distribution requirements:
a. Developmental courses, as designated by the Educational Planning and Policies Committee (currently, HARP 104, 105, 106, 107, 116, 117; MATH 101, 102, 103, 104; RHET 100, 101; CHEM 100; ESL 110, 205, 210, 215). No student may apply more than 16 credit hours of developmental courses toward a Harpur College degree;
b. Independent studies, internships and teaching practica, as well as honors theses courses (-91, -95,
-97, -98, -99).c. Innovational Projects Board (IPB) courses and courses labeled "HARP" or "OCC."
d. Other courses as designated by departments and then recommended by the curriculum committee and approved by the Harpur College Council.
7. There is an overall limit of 20 credits on independent study, teaching practica, internship and PENR credits that may count toward the graduation requirement of 126 credits. Students may count no more than 16 credits of independent study (typically course numbers ending in -97, -98 or -99), no more than eight credits of teaching practica (-91), no more than eight credits of internship (typically -95) and no more than eight credits of theoretical physical education courses (listed as PENR) toward the 126 required for graduation.
Note: Four credit hours in one division will be counted as one course.
To ensure that all students obtain considerable experience and receive significant guidance or instruction in writing during their baccalaureate studies, Harpur College establishes the following requirements relating to enrollment in composition (C) and writing (W) courses:
All candidates for a baccalaureate degree from Harpur College must present one of the following combinations of C and W courses for completion of the writing requirement:
• two C and three W; or
• three C and one W; or
• four C.
Transfer credit in English expository writing (composition, rhetoric or literature) may be applied to this requirement up to a maximum of three courses, of which only one may count as a C course.
Harpur College believes that writing is central to a liberal arts education. The labels C (composition) and W (writing) guide students in the selection of courses designed to help them develop their writing skills. These labels also appear on transcripts and they document the extent of students’ structured experience in college-level writing. Students are strongly urged to take at least one four-credit C course within their first two semesters (32 credits) at Harpur College.
Composition (C) courses provide substantial experience in writing as well as guidance or explicit instruction designed to develop writing expertise sufficient to the demands of college-level thinking and learning in the particular discipline in which the course is offered. Written assignments in C courses constitute 60-100 percent of the basis for the grade in the course and typically comprise a minimum of 20 pages (5,000 words) of writing.
Writing (W) courses provide considerable experience in and feedback on writing as a tool of college-level teaching and learning. Written assignments in W courses constitute 30-100 percent of the basis for the grade in the course and typically comprise a minimum of 10 pages (2,500 words) of writing.
All students must pursue an approved academic major. Because it is often
difficult to complete all requirements for an academic major by the end
of the senior year unless a concrete plan is developed early in the academic
career, students normally declare a major program before their fifth semester
of residence. Although the declaration of major is initiated by students
in the Academic Advising Office, students should contact appropriate persons
in individual departments or programs for advice prior to declaring.
The following major programs are available:
Within the Division of Humanities,
the BA degree in:
| Africana Studies | German | ||||||||||||||||
| Arabic | Hebrew
| Art | Italian |
Art History | Judaic Studies |
Cinema | Music |
Classical Studies | Philosophy |
Comparative Literature | Spanish |
English | Theater |
English and Rhetoric |
| French |
| |
Students taking Harpur College courses are graded in one of two ways:
• normal option using grades of A, A–, B+, B, B–, C+, C, C–, D, F; or
• Pass/Fail option using grades of P for Pass and F for Fail. In the Pass/Fail option, P is defined as the equivalent of D or better.
1. For each course in which they enroll, students choose (with some limited exceptions; see points 2 and 3 below) one of the two grading options at registration. The decision may be changed (either from normal to P/F or vice versa) at any time up to the last day to drop courses, usually during the ninth week of the semester. The registrar informs the course instructor of the students’ grading choices, and the instructor submits grades accordingly.
2. Students not on probation may elect to use the Pass/Fail option in a maximum of 24 credits of coursework. Mandatory P/F courses are not included in this 24-credit limit.
3. The instructor of any course may choose to limit the grading option of any course exclusively to the Pass/Fail system. Such a limitation must have approval of the appropriate department and of the Harpur College Curriculum Committee, and must be noted in the pre-registration schedule given to students. An indication that P is the only available grade in the course is noted on the student’s transcript.
4. All transcripts are complete, semester-by-semester records of courses carried beyond the drop deadline. The explanatory notes that accompany the transcripts contain a clear description of the system used in recording grades.
5. A notation of Incomplete, rather than a grade, may be reported by the instructor when a student has not been able to complete a course for what, in the instructor’s judgment, is a compelling reason. Students should request an Incomplete in a timely fashion so that the instructor can evaluate the circumstance before grades are due to the registrar. The submission of an Incomplete means that a student has made a substantial commitment to the course, that is, has completed more than half of the work required in the course, but some remainder of the work — less than half — must still be accomplished before an evaluation can be made.
Students may not retake a course in order to complete an Incomplete. See the "Repeating Courses" section of this Bulletin.
Students must determine with the instructor, consistent with the provisions of the policy stated above, what work is necessary for completion of the course and when the work must be submitted.
Ordinarily all Incomplete notations must be replaced with grades by the end of the next semester, whether or not the student is in college. Incomplete notations change to an F grade at the end of the next semester unless an official extension has been filed with the Registrar’s Office. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate a request for an extension, having reached agreement with the instructor for an alternate completion date. The appropriate form, Request for Extension of Incomplete, may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office. An Incomplete may be extended for only a limited time. See point 7 below.
6. No change may be made in a grade unless one of the following situations occurs:
(a) cheating is discovered;
(b) the instructor testifies that a mechanical error occurred; or
(c) the instructor receives satisfactory evidence that events beyond control prevented the submission of the student’s required work, and so changes the grade to Incomplete.
7. No changes from one letter grade to another and no extensions of an Incomplete are permitted after 18 months from the date of the last day of class in the semester in which a course was offered. However, faculty are required to keep graded work not returned to students for only one semester following the end of the course.
8. Harpur College students taking courses offered by other schools at the University are graded according to the grading system of the school offering the course.
Academic progress is determined by grade-point average (GPA) calculation,
in which:
A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
GPA is based on all Binghamton University courses taken for credit, except for courses with the grade of P or notations of W, I, MG and AU. Physical education activity courses are not included in the GPA calculation.
To maintain satisfactory academic progress, students are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all Binghamton University courses taken for credit. Students who fail to meet this requirement are placed on probation and are expected to raise their average to a 2.0 level or better within a reasonable period of time. Students on probation may not elect to use the Pass/Fail grading option. Academic probation does not imply dismissal and does not preclude students from registering or from receiving financial aid. For further information about financial eligibility, see the "Financial Information" section of this Bulletin.
While students may carry an overall GPA slightly below a 2.0 and be allowed to continue their studies "on probation," those who fall considerably below a cumulative GPA of 2.0 are subject to dismissal. These decisions are made in accordance with the following guidelines:
| Minimum Hours Attempted* | Cumulative GPA |
| 1-34 | 1.440 |
| 35-51 | 1.625 |
| 52-68 | 1.715 |
| 69-85 | 1.800 |
| 86-102 | 1.875 |
| 103-119 | 1.950 |
| 120+ | 2.000 |
Students who have been dismissed by the college may apply for readmission in writing through the Admissions Office. Students are not eligible for readmission until at least two semesters have passed since their notification of dismissal. If readmitted, students continue on probation until their overall GPA is a 2.0 or better. Readmitted students who fail to achieve an overall 2.0 in a reasonable period of time are dismissed permanently.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a
passing grade by special petition to the faculty member teaching the course and
the Harpur College academic advising office. This is to allow a student to
demonstrate mastery of a given subject matter most notably (but not exclusively)
in foundation courses, on which successful performance in later courses may
depend. If approved, the repeated course does not count toward rate of progress.
That is, when a student repeats a course previously passed, both grades appear
on the transcript, but only the first grade is counted in the GPA calculations
for rate-of-progress purposes.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a
failing grade; they are not required to do so by Harpur College, although major
requirements may dictate otherwise. When a student repeats a course previously
failed, both grades appear on the transcript, and both are counted in the GPA.
Students are encouraged to speak with the academic advising office as they make
their decision about repeating any failed course.
When a student retakes a course whose content remains essentially the same,
on the transcript the first grade will bear a footnote reading "course
retaken."
Students may formally drop a course from their schedule
without penalty, if they do so by the announced drop deadline, i.e., five class
days past the midpoint of the semester. Students are permitted to drop courses
after the drop deadline only if they cite extraordinary extenuating
circumstances and successfully petition the Harpur College Academic Standards
Committee through the academic advising office. Courses dropped late by petition
have a W notation on the transcript.
By filing a Withdrawal Form, Harpur College students may withdraw entirely
from the University up to the last day of classes. If the Withdrawal Form is
submitted before the drop deadline, registered courses are deleted. If the
Withdrawal Form is submitted after the drop deadline, a W grade is assigned to
each course. In either case, withdrawal results in a notation on the transcript,
"withdrew from the University."
Specific course prerequisites are listed clearly in the
course descriptions of this Bulletin.
Instructors may waive prerequisites in particular cases if the student presents
appropriate qualifying evidence.
Harpur College courses with numbers 100 through 199 are
introductory courses that normally have no prerequisites and are open to all
students.
Courses with numbers 200 through 299 are intermediate-level courses that may or may not have prerequisites.
Courses with numbers 300 through 399 are intermediate courses, normally with prerequisites.
Courses with numbers 400 through 499 are advanced-level courses with specific course prerequisites.
Certain numbers indicate special learning situations. Courses noted -80 are intended for special topics, -91 for teaching practica, -95 for internships, -97 for independent study, and -98 or -99 for honors thesis.
Independent study accommodates advanced students who wish to
pursue individual research under the direct supervision of a faculty member, and
is normally reserved for students who cannot pursue their intellectual interests
through normal course offerings. Independent study registrations must be signed
by the sponsoring faculty member, the student and the appropriate department
representative.
First-semester freshmen may not register for independent study courses.
Independent study courses may not satisfy all-college distribution requirements.
In addition to the University-wide attendance policy explained in this Bulletin, note that individual instructors are free to set more stringent attendance requirements in accordance with the academic needs of their classes.
Students may register for up to 18 academic credits without review. Those wishing to register for more than 18 credits must petition through the academic advising office before exceeding the 18-credit limit. Physical education activity courses are not included in these provisions.
Arts and sciences courses numbered 500 and above are graduate
courses, ordinarily open only to graduate students. Harpur College students,
however, may be permitted to count any course they are qualified to take in the
Graduate School toward the 31 1/2 courses required for the baccalaureate degree.
The procedure must be initiated by petition and approved by the instructor of
the course, the department chair and the academic advising office.
Undergraduate students at Harpur College who have completed all but two
courses required for graduation may register for up to two courses of graduate
credit to be recorded on a graduate transcript. Such students must be accepted
by the Graduate School prior to registration in these courses. Courses submitted
for graduate credit by such students may not be counted toward the undergraduate
degree. Interested students should consult the academic advising office for
details.
Harpur College students may count up to a total of 32 credit hours of non-liberal arts courses toward the 126 credit hours required for the baccalaureate degree. Within the 32-credit limit are included non-liberal arts courses taken at other institutions, courses in the Decker School of Nursing, the School of Education and Human Development, the School of Management, the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, and physical education non-activity (PENR) courses.
The School of Management has two programs of interest to
Harpur College students: an adjunct option in management science, as a
supplement to appropriate major programs in Harpur; and a master of business
administration program, with special provisions for Harpur undergraduates. See
the School of Management section of this Bulletin
for details of these programs.
Harpur students interested in a minor in computer science should consult the
Watson School section of this Bulletin.
Many of the departments and major programs of Harpur College offer qualified students the opportunity to pursue special studies that, if successfully completed, lead to a degree with honors in that field, e.g., "Honors in English" or "Distinguished Independent Work in Chemistry." Students interested in such special programs should check appropriate sections of this Bulletin and then consult their major advisers. Normally, consultation with the adviser takes place no later than during the student’s fourth semester of residence.
To qualify for the Harpur Dean’s List at the end of each regular semester, students must have a 3.5 or better semester grade-point average, at least 12 graded credits and no missing grades or Incompletes. Recognition is given for each semester in which students meet these criteria. The award is noted on the transcript.
Students with outstanding academic records receive college-wide honors upon graduation. To qualify students must meet the cumulative grade-point averages specified below, have at least 48 graded Binghamton University credits, and no missing grades or incompletes. Honors are awarded as follows:
An academic minor is an approved course sequence within an area of study,
providing a degree of specialization in that area, a specialty within a
discipline, or a specialty integrating more than one discipline. The area
in which a student takes a minor is recorded on the student's transcript
at graduation as certified by the minor department or program. Students
may not declare more than two minors. Students in Harpur College are not
required to take an academic minor. Departments are not required to offer
a minor.
Minors are declared in the Academic Advising Office. Minor requirements
are described in detail in this Bulletin under each departments listing.
The completed minor(s) will appear on the transcript when the degree is
certified. Students may not complete minors after graduation.
The Innovational Projects Board (IPB) is a standing committee of the
Harpur College Council composed of faculty, students, and administrative
personnel. The IPB has authority to grant credit for innovative and interdisciplinary
courses and group study projects. In addition, IPB may approve interdisciplinary
majors for programs of study not listed in the Bulletin, such as Chinese
studies, biological anthropology, human social interaction, and biophysics.
Courses sponsored by the IPB are labeled IPB, and students may earn up
to 32 IPB credits during their undergraduate careers. Although these credits
count toward the 126 credits required for a degree, they do not fulfill
all-college requirements; nor do they fulfill departmental requirements
unless specific arrangements have been made with the departments involved.
Students may register for IPB courses through standard registration procedures.
Interdisciplinary major programs approved by the IPB usually consist
of regular courses and independent study credits from Harpur College departments.
Students with approved IPB majors are not permitted to select the pass/fail
grading option in courses to fulfill their major requirements except with
permission of the Innovational Projects Board. Students who complete approved
IPB majors are eligible for the BA degree.
Proposals to the IPB must be sponsored by at least one Harpur College faculty
member and are reviewed initially by the IPB advisor in the Dean's Office
of Harpur College before submission to IPB for further consideration. Since
specific procedures and submission deadlines are established semester by
semester, students considering making an IPB proposal should consult early
in their planning with the IPB advisor. Copies of application forms, guidelines,
and procedures are available from the Academic Advising Office.
For admission to an IPB departmental honors program, a candidate must:
a. be an undergraduate IPB major who has completed sufficient course work to submit a prospectus for the integrative project;
b. have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 from all courses taken at Binghamton University;
c. have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all courses taken in the major;
d. be recommended for the honors program by the faculty member(s) who sponsor(s) the major and integrative project;
e. select a three person committee, (comprised of the student's sponsor (as chair), one member of the IPB, and one other reader drawn from the University faculty), acceptable to the student;
f. complete an honors project which represents work substantively in excess of that required by the integrative project.
Applications must be made to the Innovational Projects Board no later than
the end of the first week of classes of the penultimate semester. A candidate
whose project the Innovational Projects Board accepts and who successfully
completes an oral defense of the project before his or her honors committee
will be awarded "Honors in Interdisciplinary Studies."
Broome Area Community Studies is part of a larger program of field-study
opportunities. Off Campus College identifies internship opportunities in
the local community and in selected out-of-state areas and plans student
participation.
The internships give students direct experience in agencies and public
service organizations. Internships generally are one-semester, four-credit
learning and working experiences. Students work 8-12 hours a week in their
agencies under the day-to-day supervision of agency supervisors. Interns
also meet weekly with faculty mentors who encourage the synthesis of field
work and formal academic training.
Students interested in internships may fill out an application available
in the Off Campus College office. A complete list of internships and courses
is published each semester prior to registration and is available from
that office.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry four credits and are offered every year.
HARP 105. COLLEGE SKILLS
Instruction and laboratory in reading. Instruction and practice in
other developmental skills such as studying, notetaking, use of library,
preparing research papers. Not open to students without prior consent of
instructor. Does not satisfy major or all-college distribution requirements.
HARP 106. TEST-TAKING SKILLS 2 credits
Instruction, collaborative work, and practice in preparing for and taking quizzes/exams. The course emphasizes critical thinking and active learning in conjunction with other strategies. Not open to students without prior con
sent of instructor. Does not satisfy major or All-college distribution requirements.
HARP 107. READING STRATEGIES 2 credits
Instruction, collaborative work, and practice in reading strategies, including reading for different purposes, with particular emphasis on critical reading. Not open to students without prior consent of instructor. Does not satisfy major or All-college distribution requirements.
OCC 395. INTERNSHIP
Internships are supervised, experienced-based learning opportunities in
an office or agency setting. Local internships are community-service oriented.
Potomac Area internships benefit from the unique relationship between current
students and Binghamton alumni who work in our nation's capital. Various
assignments are directed by faculty mentors in conjunction with agency
supervisors, including research on public policy questions and participation
in agency operations. Students must apply to Off Campus College for internships.
Open to all students, regardless of collegiate residence. Does not satisfy
major or all-college distribution requirements. Sponsored by Off Campus
College.
IPB 497. INNOVATIVE INDEPENDENT STUDY 2 to 16 credits
Tutorial or group seminar study of a particular topic. Students must submit
a proposal to the Innovational Projects Board one semester in advance according
to the guidelines of the IPB; guidelines available from the IPB office
in Academic Advising. Study must be supervised by a member of the Binghamton
faculty. Open to all students; offered each semester.
IPB 499. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Independent research under the supervision of the IPB three member
honors committee. Must be taken as a one-semester project. Includes an
oral defense. Prerequisite: support of the faculty sponsor, eligibility
for honors, and approval of the IPB.
American professional training in engineering, law, teaching, medicine, dentistry, and the sciences is ordinarily built on a foundation of undergraduate education, usually including a program of four years leading to the bachelor's degree. Students contemplating graduate training for a profession should begin early to consult the bulletins of the graduate and professional schools. Students interested in preparing for a career in teaching and education at the primary and secondary levels should contact the School of Education and Human Development for information about graduate curricular options. Students eligible for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) should contact the pre-health or pre-law advisors for academic and career information. Additional assistance is available through the CSTEP office (777-2678).
The pre-health professions advising office is a key resource for students
who wish to continue their studies in the health professions. Students
may consult, as often as they wish, with a full-time advisor who is a specialist
in the health professions. The office has professional school bulletins,
brochures, application forms, reference and study guides, videos, testing
materials, and current information on the health fields. In addition, pre-health students may join discussions on
bing.prehealth, the Binghamton University pre-health newsgroup on Usenet. The newsgroup provides an Internet-based forum in which ideas and information can be exchanged with the pre-health professions adviser and among students themselves.
For more information about pre-medical education, see Medical School Admission
Requirements, published annually by the Association of American Medical
Colleges, 2450 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20037-1126. This book covers
all aspects of preparation for and admission to medical education, including
specific requirements of the individual schools. Although there is some
variation, most medical schools (allopathic and osteopathic) require the
following college-level courses: one year each of English, biology, inorganic
chemistry, organic chemistry, and general physics. Some medical schools
also require one year of calculus. These sciences must include laboratory
experience. With over twice as many applicants as there are positions available
in medical schools, it is unlikely that the above minimal requirements
will be sufficient.
Dental school requirements are similar. Students interested in dentistry
are referred to Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools,
published annually by the American Association of Dental Schools, 1619
Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. This book presents pertinent
information about preparation for dental education as well as information
about individual dental schools.
Requirements for optometry and veterinary medicine are considerably more
varied.
Binghamton University has entered into agreements with five health professional schools that make it easier for students to make a transition between Harpur College and professional school. Students interested in any of these programs should consult with the pre-health professions advisor in a timely fashion.
Medicine: rural primary care program.Dentistry.
Binghamton University has established agreements with two medical schools (the College of Medicine at SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse and the School of Medicine
at SUNY-Buffalo) that allow Binghamton students to participate in early assurance programs. Second-semester sophomores accepted into an early assurance program will be guaranteed admission into medical school upon satisfactory completion of their remaining two
years at Binghamton (i.e., receiving their bachelor's degree). Interested students should contact the pre-health professions adviser at the
beginning of their sophomore year.
Optometry.
Binghamton University and SUNY College of Optometry have a joint degree program leading to a BA in biology from Binghamton and an OD from the College of Optometry. This program takes seven years instead of the usual eight necessary to obtain both the liberal arts degree and the professional school degree. After three years at Binghamton, participants attend the optometry college, with the first year of professional school counting also as the fourth year at Binghamton. The BA is awarded at the end of the participant's first year of professional school. There are a limited number of spaces (for prospective or current freshmen only) in this program, and there are a number of steps to the admissions process after acceptance into Binghamton (Harpur College). Interested students are encouraged to contact the pre-health professions office or the Admissions Office.
Health-related professions.
Binghamton University and the College of Health-Related Professions at SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse have established an articulation agreement for a 2 + 2 program. Although this agreement does not guarantee admission to the College of Health-Related Professions, it does ensure that Binghamton students will be able to apply to the College of Health-Related Professions as transfer students without the loss of credit and/or status that usually accompanies transfer admissions. This program is available for the professions of cytotechnology, medical technology, physical therapy, and respiratory care. Interested students should contact the pre-health professions adviser and the College of Health-Related Professions as soon as possible, because this program is highly structured and precise scheduling is important.
Chemical engineering technology.
Binghamton University and Broome Community College have entered into a joint degree program that allows students to receive a bachelor's degree from Binghamton and an AAS degree in Chemical Engineering Technology from Broome in four years. Although open to all students, this program is of special interest to pre-health professions students because the pre-health courses comprise more than half the coursework necessary to obtain the chemical engineering technology degree. Interested students should consult with the pre-health professions adviser.
Unlike other graduate and professional schools, law schools do not require specific courses for admission. Students interested in legal careers may pursue a variety of majors. A well-rounded liberal arts education that develops disciplined habits of study, analytical thought, and expression skills is the best preparation for law school. The Pre-law Advising Office has services and materials available to help students interested in a legal career. The pre-law adviser is available to all students for individual counseling and assistance with the law school application process. The Pre-law Advising Office provides a resource library, law school admissions data, test preparation materials, and an annual law school recruitment program.
Additional information is available in the Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, prepared by the Law School Admission Council and Law School Admission Services, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940.