Books

Science (SCICA)

Associate Professor, Katherine Baker, Coordinator, khb4@psu.edu

School of Science, Engineering, and Technology - 717-948-6308
Penn State Harrisburg - 777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057

Recommended Plan of Study
General Science Option

Recommended Plan of Study
Life Science Option

The Science major is an integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program that aims to provide a broad, general education in science. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) curriculum is designed specifically for students who have education goals relating to scientific theory and practice and who require a high degree of flexibility to obtain their educational objectives. After completing foundation courses in calculus, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences, students will select additional science courses from designated areas. A large number of supporting credits permit students to readily include significant breadth or specialization into their undergraduate curriculum. Some examples include minors in business, computer and information science, education, kinesiology, or other fields. The degree allows students throughout the Commonwealth to become familiar with both the theory and the practice of science. It can help prepare students for various careers in pharmaceutical, biotechnical, chemical, medical, and agricultural industries. The degree can also be tailored to meet the specific requirements of professional programs such as medical, dental, or pharmacy schools. The General Science option of the B.S. Science degree allows for the most flexibility. Achievement in a more specialized set of goals can be met by selecting one of the other three B.S. options. The General Science and Life Sciences options are offered at Penn State Harrisburg.

In order to be eligible for entrance to the Science major, a student at any location must have:

  1. attained at least a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average
  2. completed MATH 140 (GQ) Calculus With Analytic Geometry I ( 4) [1] with a grade of C or better
  3. completed at least two of the following courses with a grade of C or better:

TWO-YEAR PREPROFESSIONAL PREPARATION:

The first two years of the Science major (62 credits) can meet the preprofessional needs of those interested in admission to some schools of pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry, nursing, and physician assistant training. Successful students can then transfer after two years of undergraduate study to the professional school to which they are admitted. Note, however, that no Penn State degree can be awarded after only two years (62 credits) of study in the Science major. Also, note that the abbreviated two-year curriculum alone does not prepare students for admission to professional schools of general medicine, veterinary medicine, or dental medicine. Consult with your college's health sciences professional adviser for additional information.

For the B.S. degree in Science, a minimum of 124 credits is required, with at least 15 credits at the 400 level.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits

(15 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:

(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection or SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:

(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection or SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:

(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection or REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR or SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 94 credits

(This includes 15 credits of General Education courses: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses.)

COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 29-37 credits

PRESCRIBED COURSES (20 credits):

(Sem: 1-2):

ADDITIONAL COURSES (3 credits)

(Sem: 3-4) Select 3 credits from:

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (6-14 credits)

Select 6 credits of 400-level courses (Sem: 5-8)
Select 0-8 credits in a foreign language (proficiency demonstrated by examination or course work to the level of the second semester; if fewer than 8 credits are needed to reach the required proficiency, students choose selections from program list to total 8 credits) (Sem: 1-8)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTION: 57-65 credits

GENERAL SCIENCE OPTION: (57-65 credits)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (11-16 credits)
(Sem: 3-4) Select 3-4 credits from: (Sem: 3-6) Take the following:

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (41-54 credits)
(A maximum of 12 credits of Independent Study [296, 496] may be applied toward credits for graduation.)
Select 3 credits from earth and mineral sciences (Sem: 3-8)
Select 18 credits in life, mathematical, or physical sciences, with at least 9 credits[1] at the 400 level[60] (Sem: 3-8)
Select 20-33 credits from program list (Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC.) (Sem: 1-8)

LIFE SCIENCE OPTION: (57-65 credits)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (21-27 credits)
(Sem: 3-4) Select 4 credits from:

(Sem: 3-4) Select 3 credits from: (Sem: 3-6) Take the following:

ACCELERATED SCIENCE B.S./M.B.A. PROGRAM:

Students admitted to this special cooperative program between the Eberly College of Science and The Smeal College of Business will be able to combine a Bachelor of Science degree in the Science major, with a Master of Business Administration degree. Highly motivated students, who enter the University with a sufficient number and proper distribution of AP credits, will have the opportunity to complete the requirements for both programs within five years. The B.S. degree in the Science major General Science option, will be conferred upon satisfactory completion of:

  1. A minimum of 112 acceptable undergraduate credits, which must include:
  2. The first semester of course work in The Smeal College of Business M.B.A. program (i.e., a minimum of 12 graduate credits).

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (30-44 credits)
(A maximum of 12 credits of Independent Study [296, 496] may be applied toward credits for graduation.)
Select 9 credits[1] of 400-level B M B, BIOL, BIOTC, or MICRB courses (Sem: 5-8)
Select 21-35 credits from program list (Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC.) (Sem: 1-8)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
[60] Physical sciences include ASTRO, CHEM, PHYS; mathematical sciences include CMPSC, CSE, MATH, STAT; life sciences include BIOL, BIOTC, B M B, MICRB.