Premedical studies
All students accepted into any of the premedical programs will receive ongoing assistance, advice and consultation by all School of Health Professions, Behavioral and Life Sciences and New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) faculty. In some cases students will take courses in the medical school and participate in interdisciplinary training programs.
Students should meet with the departmental chairperson in order to discuss the complete requirements of the program most suited to their needs. The life sciences department has a special relationship with NYCOM. Students who graduate within the life sciences premedicine and other preprofessional option will be given preferential treatment in the admissions process at NYCOM. The premedical program provides thorough training in all required subjects for medical school or other health professional school admission, and general preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is required for admission to almost all medical schools. The premedical program is a four year program designed for talented and motivated students who are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. The premedical training program requires that students submit SAT or ACT results and their high school transcripts. To qualify for preferential treatment for admission to NYCOM, students must meet all of the following requirements:
1) have a 3.30 overall cumulative average and a 3.0 in the sciences;
2) have a combined MCAT score of 24 and at least an N on the writing sample; and
3)obtain favorable letters of recommendation from the departmental preprofessional committee.
B.S./D.O.—Combined Bachelor of Science in Life Science/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
The Combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program (B.S./D.O.) is an accredited program for talented, highly motivated students. Students in this program complete their baccalaureate preparation in three years and may then be admitted directly into the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, which requires four years for the D.O. degree. To be admitted into this special program, students must submit SAT and/or ACT results with a combined SAT score of 1200 or above or an ACT total of at least 28. In addition, they must have a high school average of 90 or above and a high class standing. Following the completion of three years at the undergraduate school, students may qualify for admission into NYCOM only if they have maintained a 3.30 overall cumulative average and a 3.0 in the sciences, received a combined MCAT score of 24 and at least an N on the writing sample, obtained favorable letters of recommendation from the departmental premedicine committee and received a supportive interview from NYCOM’s admissions committee. The bachelor's degree will be conferred upon successful completion of the first year at NYCOM.
Admission Requirements for high school graduates and transfer students without a bachelor’s degree
The combined B.S./M.S. occupational therapy degree program provides preparation for students entering the professional program. To be eligible for admission into the combined B.S./M.S. program, applicants must possess a high school degree or equivalency. To be competitive, students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Preference is given to applicants with a three to four year sequence in high school math and science regents courses. In addition, students are required to provide the following:
1. Documentation of 100 hours of volunteer or paid employment under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
2. An essay (350-500 words) detailing the desire to pursue occupational therapy as a career.
3. A second professional letter of reference (the first letter is the letter from the licensed occupational therapist documenting the volunteer hours).
4. Official transcripts from high school and all post-secondary schools attended.
5. A personal interview (for qualifying candidates).
6. An on-site essay on an assigned topic.
7. Competence in written and spoken English and computer skills (preparation of documents, spreadsheets, graphs, databases, research and presentations).
8. To be competitive, applicants should have an overall GPA of at least 2.5, with no science or math grade below C and a combined SAT score of 850.
9. The Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee will review completed applications and render the final admission decision for review by the NYIT Office of Admissions.
B.S./D.P.T.—Combined Bachelor of Science in life science, /Doctor of Physical Therapy
The Combined Bachelor of Science in Life Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy is a six-year long program (three years of pre-professional courses and a three-year professional phase). The physical therapy doctorate program, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE), provides entry-level professional education. This combined degree program is designed for freshman who wish to be admitted to the physical therapy program following the completion of three years of undergraduate work. Students may qualify for admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program (professional phase) if they have maintained a 3.0 overall cumulative average, received no science grade lower than C+, and received a recommendation from the NYIT Physical Therapy Admissions Committee. The B.S. in Life Science will be conferred upon successful completion of the first professional year of the Physical Therapy master’s degree program. See NYIT's Graduate Catalog for details of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
Students in this option who are not passed into the professional phase of the physical therapy program will be required to complete the requirements for another Life Science option in order to receive a bachelor's degree. Students are advised that two semesters of Organic Chemistry with lab are required for admission to medical schools and most other professional and graduate programs in the health professions, behavioral and life sciences fields. In addition, employment in the life sciences usually requires knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry at a level greater than that offered by the single semester of bioorganic chemistry (CHEM 215). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students who do not complete the B.S./M.S. in Physical Therapy take CHEM 210/250 and BIO 340.
B.S./M.S.—Combined Bachelor of Science in Life Science, Health Professions—Occupational Therapy Option/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
The combined Bachelor of Science in Life Science/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is a five-and a half-year program, three years of pre-professional courses and a two-and a half- year professional phase). The master’s degree program provides entry-level professional education in occupational therapy. For details on the professional phase of the program, please consult the NYIT Graduate Catalog. The occupational therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824 1220; (301) 652-AOTA; www.aota.org. The program is approved by the New York State Education Department. Graduates of the master’s degree program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an occupational therapist registered (OTR). Most states also require licensure in order to practice; however, eligibility for state licenses is usually based on the results of the NBCOT examination as well as on other requirements.
In order to enter the professional phase of the program, applicants must have completed the following undergraduate courses:
8 credits in chemistry with lab
8 credits in physics with lab
8 credits in biology with a lab
4 credits in human physiology with lab
3 credits in general or introduction to psychology
3 credits in developmental or child psychology
3 credits in abnormal psychology
College algebra and trigonometry or introduction to calculus
One course in statistics
One course in anthropology or sociology
One course in ethics
This combined program is designed for undergraduates, freshmen or transfer students who wish to be admitted to the Master of Science program in occupational therapy following three years of undergraduate work. Students may apply for admission into the master’s program (professional phase) after completion of all prerequisite courses, if they have maintained an overall GPA of 2.5, received no science or math grade below a C and received the recommendation of the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee after a personal interview. The bachelor's in life science will be conferred after successful completion of the first professional year of the occupational therapy master’s degree program. See NYIT’s Graduate Catalog for details of the Master of Science in occupational therapy program.
Students in this option who are not accepted into the professional phase of the occupational therapy program must complete the requirements for another life science option in order to receive a bachelor's degree. Students are advised that two semesters of organic chemistry with lab are required for admission to medical schools and to most other professional and graduate programs in the health professions, behavorial and life science fields. In addition, employment in the l ife sciences usually requires knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry at a level greater than that offered by the single semester of bioorganic chemistry (CHEM 215). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students who do not complete the B.S./M.S. in occupational therapy take CHEM 210/250 and BIO 340.
Science programs
In addition to the premedical programs, the department of life sciences also offers programs that prepare graduates for immediate posts in the major new industries that have been created by contemporary environmental needs—careers in chemistry, health, ecology, industrial hygiene, and for graduate study. Facilities include biology and chemistry laboratories and modern instrumentation for advanced study and research. Full-time faculty include scientists holding doctorates in biology and chemistry and a range of interests that encompasses anatomy, biochemistry, biophysics, environmental and marine biology, ecology, immunology, microbiology, oceanography, pathology, physiology, and analytical, clinical, organic and physical chemistry. The flexible curriculum—comprising a required core of basic studies in pertinent sciences, the humanities, and advanced courses in chemistry and biology - includes a broad selection of electives wherever possible to fulfill the baccalaureate goals of each student.