College Catalog: 2013-2014

(Note: Program Information Subject to Change)

The Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professional Studies Programs at Ramapo College are not academic majors, but support structures created to maximize students’ capacities to secure admission to medical, dental, and other health-related graduate schools. They offer an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for entry into the health professions. For advisement, students planning to pursue a career in the health sciences should contact:

• The School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS), (201) 684-7734 or
• Dr. Rena Bacon, Professor of Biology, (201) 684-7727, e-mail: rbacon@ramapo.edu

The courses listed above make up a substantial part of the Biology and Chemistry majors although students who plan professional health careers are free to major in any area. The General Education graduation requirements at Ramapo College are such that they provide both science and non-science majors the kind of broad base of knowledge sought by professional schools. Since the standardized entry exams, e.g., MCAT, DAT, etc., are usually taken either in the spring or late summer of the Junior year, students are advised to complete these courses before their Senior year to be adequately prepared for these exams.

The Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professional Studies Programs at Ramapo College are not academic majors, but support structures created to maximize students’ capacities to secure admission to medical, dental, and other health-related graduate schools. They offer an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for entry into the health professions. For advisement, students planning to pursue a career in the health sciences should contact:

• The School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS), (201) 684-7734 or
• Dr. Rena Bacon, Professor of Biology, (201) 684-7727, e-mail: rbacon@ramapo.edu

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
(Note:  Program Information Subject to Change)

Among Ramapo College’s numerous articulation agreements with area professional and graduate schools are several in the health professions field.

Students accepted into our articulated programs must complete all prerequisites, the Ramapo College General Education requirements, and the Biology major before they are eligible to proceed to complete their education at our partner programs.  Upon the successful completion of their first year of studies in the post graduate school, students can file for graduation to receive their Ramapo College Bachelor of Science degree.  At the completion of their course of studies in the graduate program, students are awarded their professional or other post graduate degree.

Articulated programs, unlike joint programs, require students to apply separately to the participating school and to meet all conditions for admission before acceptance.  This is normally done after the sophomore year.  Please consult the catalog of the partner institution for admissions requirements.

MASTERS OF SCIENCE (MS) – PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Rutgers – SHRP
Eligible students must apply to Rutgers-SHRP for admission to the Physician Assistant program no later than June 1 of their sophomore year.  Acceptance in the program in contingent on the student maintaining the required GPA and successful completion of coursework before the end of the junior year.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT INTO MS PROGRAM
Articulation of BS degree in Bioinformatics with MS degree in Biomedical Informatics at Rutgers – SHRP
This articulated program allows selected Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) BS Bioinformatics students to complete MS degree in Biomedical Informatics at Rutgers-SHRP (School of Health Related Professions) at an accelerated pace.  This process will significantly reduce the normal time required to complete an MS degree in Biomedical Informatics at Rutgers-SHRP.

Qualified students enrolled in the Bioinformatics major at Ramapo College can take graduate courses (up to 9 credits) in Biomedical Informatics at Rutgers-SHRP, which could be used towards the required electives for the BS in Bioinformatics degree at Ramapo College.  These Biomedical Informatics courses can be used towards the course requirements for the MS degree in Biomedical Informatics at Rutgers-SHRP upon successful admission into that program.  In addition, selected Ramapo College Bioinformatics curriculum courses (equivalent up to 6 Rutgers-SHRP credits) can be used towards the course requirements for the MS degree in Biomedical Informatics at Rutgers-SHRP.

Refer to the Convener of Bioinformatics (http://bioinformatics.ramapo.edu/) for more details of this articulation program and the lists of courses at Rutgers-SHRP AND RCNJ that double count.

CLINICAL DOCTORATE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY (DPT)
Rutgers – SHRP
Students are accepted into the “track” of  this 3+3 program upon admission to Ramapo College.  Students complete 3 years of undergraduate education at Ramapo College and then may continue in the DPT program at Rutgers-SHRP provided that they have completed all Ramapo College and program requirements and prerequisites, and have successfully applied to the Rutgers-SHRP-DPT program no later than October 1 of the student’s junior year.  Please see the catalog of the partner institution for admission detail

CHIROPRACTIC DOCTOR (DC)
New York Chiropractic College
Students may apply for admission to the Chiropractic College program during their junior year.  The chiropractic curriculum at NYCC is a ten trimester program of approximately 3 years and 4 months duration.

DENTISTRY
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Students apply to this articulated Baccalaureate D.M.D. degree program during their fourth semester at Ramapo College. For admission into the program, applicants must have completed at least one term of College English, Calculus I and II or Statistics, Fundamentals of Biology I and II, Fundamentals of Chemistry I and II, and Organic Chemistry I and II with cumulative science grade point average of 3.50 or better. Admission to the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine is contingent on student completing all Ramapo College general education requirements and meeting Rutgers-SDM admission standards. Please see catalog of the partner school for more specific requirements.

Optometry (OD)
SUNY State College of Optometry.
Students applying for this program may be interviewed before starting college and are granted provisional admission to SUNY-Optometry contingent on completing all requirements for graduation and meeting admission standards.

Upon successful completion of the first year of Optometry school, students receive their Bachelor of Science degree from Ramapo College.  Upon completion of the remainder of the program at SUNY-Optometry, students receive their OD degree from SUNY.

PODIATRIC MEDICINE (DPM)
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
Application to this program can be made in the student’s junior year.  Upon successful completion of the first year at NYCPM, students are eligible to receive their Bachelor of Science degree from Ramapo College.  Upon completion of the remainder of the program at NYCPM students receive their DPM degree.

For additional information and specific requirements for admission to these programs, contact Dr. Rena Bacon, School of Theoretical and Applied Science, Ramapo College of New Jersey, at (201) 684-7727 (rbacon@ramapo.edu)

The Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professional Studies Programs at Ramapo College are not academic majors, but support structures created to maximize students’ capacities to secure admission to medical, dental, and other health-related graduate schools. They offer an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for entry into the health professions. For advisement, students planning to pursue a career in the health sciences should contact:

• The School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS), (201) 684-7734 or
• Dr. Rena Bacon, Professor of Biology, (201) 684-7727, e-mail: rbacon@ramapo.edu

Joint Degree Programs
(Note: Program Information Subject to Change)

The School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS) of Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) and the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences offer the following joint programs:

• a joint Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health Technologies (AHT) – Respiratory Therapy and minor in Biology.
• a joint Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Imaging Science (BSMIS) with a specialization in Cardiac Sonography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine or Vascular Sonography.
• a joint Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (Cytotechnology, Medical Lab Science). See Clinical Laboratory Science in the majors section of this catalog.

Each program has specific requirements which are subject to change by the participating partner institutions. Check the particular requirements for each program, as specified in that institution’s college catalog, for more details.  Note that successful participation in these articulation programs requires planning and proper advisement. The science curriculum is sequential. The three years at Ramapo will be intense. However students admitted into these programs by the participating partner institution can save a year and enter their professional schools early. Students may also choose to defer entry and complete their four years and earn their Bachelors degree at Ramapo in the traditional fashion before entering professional school.

Physical Therapy
Students apply to this 6 year articulated degree program during their senior year in high school.  The application deadline is December 15 for the following fall semester.  Students should apply as Biology majors with a concentration in Physical Therapy.  Applications will be evaluated individually by Ramapo College and Rutgers-SHRP.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  A minimum of 1200 in critical reading and math on the SAT or a composite score of 27 on the ACT is also recommended.

Students are notified of their admission to the joint program during the spring of their senior year in high school.  Students who are admitted to the joint 6 year program spend their first three years at Ramapo College as Biology majors and their fourth year at the Rutgers-SHRP.  Upon completion of the fourth year students receive their B.S. Degree in Biology from Ramapo College.  After two more years students receive the DPT degree from Rutgers Biomedical and Health Science-School of Health Related Professions.  Students who do not qualify for the 6 year program may be admitted to Ramapo College as Biology majors, obtain advisement from the pre-professional advisor, and apply to DPT programs independently.

Physician Assistant
Students apply to the Ramapo College portion of this 6 year articulated program during their senior year in high school.  The application deadline is December 15 for the following fall semester.  Students should apply as Biology majors with a concentration in Physician Assistant.  Students are notified of acceptance to the Biology major in the spring of their senior year in high school.  *There is no guarantee of acceptance to the PA program at Rutgers-SHRP while in high school.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.3 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  A minimum of 1150 in critical reading and math on the SAT or a composite score of 26 on the ACT is also recommended.

Students must apply to the Physician Assistant Program at Rutgers-SHRP by June 1 of their sophomore year at Ramapo College.  Students will be informed of a decision by Rutgers-SHRP in August before the beginning of their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average while attending Ramapo College as well as participate in an evaluative interview as part of admission to the PA program at Rutgers-SHRP.

Students who are admitted to the PA program at Rutgers-SHRP will attend Rutgers-SHRP for their senior year.  Upon the completion of the fourth year students receive their B.S. Degree in Biology from Ramapo College.  After two more years students receive the Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree from Rutgers-Biomedical and Health Sciences.  Students who do not qualify for the 6 year program may be admitted to Ramapo College as Biology majors, obtain advisement from the pre-professional advisor and apply to the PA programs independently.

Medical Imaging Science
Students apply to the Ramapo College portion of this articulated program offered jointly with the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Science-School of Health Related Professions during their senior year in high school.  The application deadline is March 1 for the following fall semester.  Students should apply as Medical Imaging Science majors with a concentration in one of the following areas:  Allied Health Technologies, Cardiac Sonography, Diagnostic Medical Sonograhy, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Vascular Technology.  Applications will be evaluated individually by Ramapo College.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  A minimum of 1150 in critical reading and math on the SAT or a composite score of 26 on the ACT is also recommended.

Students must apply to the Rutgers-SHRP portion of the program in the winter of their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students will be informed of a decision by Rutgers/SHRP in the spring of their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students must maintain a minimum of 2.75 cumulative grade point average while attending Ramapo College as well as participate in an evaluative interview as part of admission to the Medical Imaging Science portion of the program.

Students who are admitted to the program at Rutgers-SHRP will attend Rutgers-SHRP for their senior year.  Upon the completion of the fourth year students receive their B.S. Degree in Medical Imaging Science from Ramapo College and Rutgers-Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Clinical Laboratory Science
Students apply to the Ramapo College portion of this articulated program offered jointly with Rutgers-Biomedical and Health Sciences during their senior year in high school.  The application deadline is March 1 for the following fall semester.  Students should apply as Clinical Laboratory Science majors with a concentration in either Cytotechnology or Medical Laboratory Science.  Applications will be evaluated individually by Ramapo College.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  A minimum of 1150 in critical reading and math on the SAT or a composite score of 26 on the ACT is also recommended.

Students apply to the Rutgers-SHRP portion of the program by October 15 of their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students will be informed of a decision by Rutgers-SHRP in the spring of their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average while attending Ramapo College with no grade below a “C” in a science course, as well as participate in an evaluative interview as part of admission to the Clinical Laboratory Science portion of the program.

Students who are admitted to the program at Rutgers-SHRP will attend Rutgers-SHRP  for their senior year.  Upon completion of the fourth year students receive their B.S. Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Ramapo College and Rutgers-Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Chiropractic
Students apply to the Ramapo College portion of this program offered with New York College of Chiropractic during their senior year in high school.  The application deadline is December 15 for the following fall semester.  Students should apply as Biology majors with a concentration in Chiropractic.  Applications will be evaluated individually by Ramapo College.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  A minimum of 1150 in critical reading and math on the SAT or a composite score of 26 on the ACT is also recommended.

Students apply to the New York College of Chiropractic (NYCC) portion of the program during their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students will be informed of a decision by NYCC in the spring of their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average while attending Ramapo College with no grade below a C in a science course, as well as participate in an evaluative interview as part of admission to the NYCC portion of the program.
Students who are admitted to the program at NYCC will attend NYCC for their senior year.  Upon the completion of the fourth year (first year at NYCC) students receive their B.S. Degree in Biology from Ramapo College. The chiropractic curriculum at NYCC is a ten trimester program of approximately 3 years and 4 months.  This program should allow students to complete their B.S. degree and the D.C. degree in one year less than normally would be required to complete each degree individually.

Optometry 
Students apply to this 7 year articulated degree program during their senior year in high school.  The application deadline is December 15 for the following fall semester.  Students should apply as Biology majors with a concentration in Optometry.  Applications will be evaluated individually by Ramapo College and SUNY Optometry.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.75 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  An SAT score of 1300 in critical reading and math with a minimum of 670 on the math portion is also recommended.

Students are notified of their admission to the joint program during the spring of their senior year in high school.  Students who are admitted to the joint 7 year program spend their first three years at Ramapo College as Biology majors and their fourth year at SUNY College of Optometry.  Upon the completion of the fourth year students receive their B.S. Degree in Biology from Ramapo College.  After three more years students receive the O.D. degree from SUNY-Optometry.   Students who do not qualify for the 7 year program may be admitted to Ramapo College as Biology majors, obtain advisement from the pre-professional advisor, and apply to O.D.   Students must also successfully complete all required courses at Ramapo College, maintain a minimum grade point average at Ramapo College of 3.3 and achieve a minimum OAT score of 330 in each category.

Podiatric Medicine
Students apply to the Ramapo College portion of this 7 year articulated program offered with New York College of Podiatric Medicine during their senior year in high school.  The application deadline is December 15 for the following fall semester.  Students should apply as Biology majors with a concentration in Podiatry.  Applications will be evaluated individually by Ramapo College.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  A minimum of 1150 in critical reading and math on the SAT or a composite score of 26 on the ACT is also recommended.

Students apply to the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) portion of the program during their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students will be informed of a decision by NYCPM in the spring of their junior year at Ramapo College.  Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average while attending Ramapo College with no grade below a C in a science course, as well as participate in an evaluative interview as part of admission to the NYCPM portion of the program.  Satisfactory scores on the MCAT’s or DAT’s is also required.

Students who are admitted to the program at NYCPM will attend NYCPM for their senior year.  Upon the completion of the fourth year (first year at NYCPM) students receive their B.S. Degree in Biology from Ramapo College. After three additional years at NYCPM the student is awarded the D.P.M degree.  This program should allow students to complete their B.S. degree and the D.P.M. degree in seven years.

Dentistry – Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Students apply to this articulated Baccalaureate/D.M.D degree program during their fourth semester at Ramapo College.  There is no direct entry to the program during the senior year in high school.

High school seniors who wish to follow the D.M.D. track while attending Ramapo College should apply as Biology majors with a concentration in Dental.  The application deadline is December 15 for the following fall semester.   Applications will be evaluated individually by Ramapo College.  It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a 4 point scale with no science grade lower than a “B”.  A minimum of 1200 in critical reading and math on the SAT or a composite score of 27 on the ACT is also recommended.

Students who are in their fourth semester at Ramapo College may apply for admission into the D.M.D program.  Applicants will be evaluated by an executive committee formed by Ramapo/Rutgers.  For admission into the program, applicants must have completed at least one term of College English, Calculus I and II or Statistics, General Biology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, and Organic Chemistry I and II with a cumulative science grade point average of 3.50 or better.  In the event of advanced placement, particularly in the sciences, additional courses in the sciences at Ramapo College will form the basis of evaluation for admission into the articulated program.

Applications for admission into the Articulated Baccalaureate/D.M.D. Program shall include the submission of a completed application form, a personal statement, official college, at least three letters of recommendation and any other information required by the Executive Committee.

After preliminary evaluation of the applications by the Executive Committee, selected applicants will be invited for interviews.  Two separate interviews of the applicant will be conducted by a member of the Executive Committee from Rutgers-SDM and Ramapo College respectively.  Following these interviews, the Executive Committee will compile the evaluations of all interviews and make final selection of students to be admitted to the first phase of the Articulated Degree program.  Applicants will be notified of admission decisions in writing as early as possible after the interviews.

For admission into the Dental Phase of the Program, candidates must have completed their college/school general education requirements and those major electives required by Ramapo College. Final acceptance into Rutgers-SDM will be contingent upon recommendation by the Executive Committee, satisfactory completion of the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), and admission decision by Rutgers-SDM.  Rutgers-SDM reserves the right to make independent acceptance decisions and to require additional evaluations and interviews.

Prior to Rutgers-SDM matriculation, applicant must have completed three years of college;

All dental school applications must be submitted to AADSAS by December 1st of the year preceding enrollment;

All dental school pre-requisites must be completed at Ramapo College.

Minimum DAT scores: Academic Average, 20 and Total Science, 20. Subject to change;

DATs must be taken and submitted to the Rutgers-SDM Office of Admissions by
February 1st of entering year;

No withdrawals or incomplete grades in any dental school prerequisites;

Those applicants who meet the objective academic criteria noted above may be invited for an interview with Rutgers-SDM Admissions Committee, however, those applicants who are invited are advised that the invitation does not guarantee acceptance into the dental program.

Applicants not invited for interview, or not selected for admission to Rutgers-SDM, shall be notified of the decision as early as possible, and can reapply for regular admission the following year through AADSAS.

Students in the undergraduate phase of the Articulated Program are required to fulfill the curriculum of their undergraduate college/school and the prerequisites for entry into the Dental Phase of the Program and Dental School.  As applicable, each student must complete his/her major, minor distributional and general education requirements during the first three years of college and maintain a cumulative science grade point average of 3.50.  During the fourth year, selected students will take the first year of dental school courses, which may be applied towards elective credits for the undergraduate degree.  Selected Rutgers-SDM basic science courses will be used to satisfy the biological sciences major and/or undergraduate elective credits.  No more than four transfer credits will be awarded for any single Rutgers-SDM course.  These transfer credits may be used to satisfy requirements for the major in other areas as determined by the appropriate academic department(s).  The baccalaureate degree will be conferred at the end of four years or when a student has completed requirememnts for the degree.  It is the responsibility of the student to satisfy all requirements for their degree(s), including cross registration and submission of Rutgers-SDM transcripts to Ramapo College enabling transfer of grades.

The Ramapo College Co-Director of the Articulated Degree Program will meet regularly with students in the Program and inform the Program Executive Committee of any matters or recommendations concerning the Program or individual students.