Gwynedd Mercy University
AY2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Catalog prospective Biology majors , but also for students interested in earning an associate degree prior to entering programs in medical technology , physical and occupational therapy , pharmacy , and cytotechnology . It is also meant for individuals employed at local pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies who require a degree credential to achieve promotion . The associate degree is based in the first two years of coursework in the Biology Program ; as such , it serves as an integrated course of study in biology , chemistry , and mathematics , with an emphasis on molecular and cellular biology .
Program Student Learning Outcomes : PLO1 : Communicate scientific information in a variety of formats to audiences of varying scientific sophistication in an appropriate scientific style . PLO2 : Recognize , articulate , analyze , and synthesize the fundamental principles of molecular , cellular , and organismal biology , including genetics , biochemistry , ecology , etc ., and relate to them the foundational principles of chemistry , physics , and mathematics . PLO3 : Plan and implement a strategy to answer a scientific question ; Collect data using appropriate laboratory and field techniques , instrumentation , and methodology and to retrieve data from the scientific literature and from on-line databases ; Analyze and interpret data to produce meaningful conclusions . PLO4 : Apply ethical judgment in the review of experimental design , implementation , presentation , and collaboration as well as in the application of scientific technologies and to recognize ethical conflicts when they occur .
NOTE : For Major Requirements , see Program Handbook and Curriculum Sheets . For Curriculum Sequence , see Program Handbook .
Academic Criteria for Admission , Progression and Retention
Program Admissions Requirements and Procedures : Natural Science applicants are required to have units in biology , chemistry , algebra I , algebra II and geometry or equivalent within the required 16 high school units . Natural Science students who opt to submit SAT scores are required to have an SAT score of 530 or higher in Math .
Internal / External Transfers : Students transferring to the Natural Science program at GMercyU from outside the institution must apply to the University and meet the minimum program requirements . To receive credit for courses taken elsewhere , submission of a transcript must be submitted , and the program may request a course syllabus to appropriately evaluate course equivalency . Once accepted , students will meet with the program coordinator to determine the appropriate time expected to graduation given the student ’ s prior coursework . Students transferring into the Biology Program from another program at GMercyU must meet with the coordinator of the program to discuss the program and determine whether they qualify for acceptance into the program and , if so , what the timeline to degree completion would be . If accepted , the student must submit a change-of-major form . At that time , they will be assigned an academic advisor who will work with the student to plan their degree progress .
Academic Standards / Grade Requirements : Grades of “ C ” or higher are required in each major course in the Natural Sciences Department . A student may achieve less than a “ C ” grade in only two major courses , including mathematics requirements , and their prerequisites , and they may repeat these courses only once . If a student , regardless of cumulative grade point average , achieves less than a “ C ” grade on the third major course , or fails to bring all grades up to a “ C ” with one repeat , the student
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