School of Natural Sciences
Brian Teasdale, Associate Dean
C-123, (908) 737-3654
Dr. Kim Spaccarotella, Program Coordinator
C-138, (908) 737-3742
Degrees Offered:
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Biology, B.A.: General Option
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Biology, B.A.: Teacher Certification Option
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Biology, B.A.: Dual Certification for Teacher of Students with Disabilities and P-12
Biology Option
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Biology, B.S.: Cell and Molecular Biology Option
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Biology, B.S.: Health Professions Option
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Biology Minor
Content Area Options:
B.A in Elementary Education with a content area in Biology.
Additional certification requirements:
Students interested in obtaining a biology teaching certification upon degree conferral (Teacher Certification Option) must submit a separate application. Please visit the Office of Teacher Certification or College of Education for information regarding those instructions and the NJ Department of Education for information regarding the requirements specific to the respective certification.
Admissions Requirements:
Admissions requirements are dependent upon the university.
Students should have a 2.5 grade point average for the Biology- General Option major.
A higher grade point average required for admissions for Clinical Laboratory Science, which is 2.85 and the program of Health Information Management requires a 2.75.
Start terms:
This program offers admission in any academic term.
Declaration Requirements:.
A higher grade point average required for admissions for Clinical Laboratory Science, which is 2.85 and the program of Health Information Management requires a 2.75. For the Physician’s Assistant Program, a grade point average of 3.2 is required to apply to Rutgers for their Masters.
Graduation Requirements:
Students must have the minimum GPA in order to graduate from this program. Students enrolled in the biology teacher option must have 3.0 GPA and all other options must have a 2.5 GPA at the time of graduation. B.S in the Cell and Molecular program requires a 3.0 grade point average. Higher grade point averages are required to graduate for Clinical Laboratory Science, which is 2.85, and Health Information Management, which is 2.75. The Health Profession Option majors need at least a 2.5 grade point average to graduate.
Program Description-all options:
The Biological Sciences Program offers a B.A. degree with three options, and a B.S. Biology Degree with three options. A Minor in Biology is also available. Both majors The must obtain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) to be admitted into the Major and to graduate.
The B.A. options are traditional liberal arts degrees that prepare students for teaching in elementary or secondary schools and for life science positions in industry or government. The B.S. Biology Cell & Molecular option is a degree program in the biological sciences focused on students looking to pursue advanced graduate or professional degrees within the areas of biotechnology, molecular biology, biomedical research, microbiology, medicine, etc.
The choice of whether to pursue a B.A. or B.S. in Biology should be done in consultation with a faculty advisor. Kean University maintains articulation agreements with Rutgers University. The former allows Kean students in the appropriate B.A. track to apply at Rutgers University for admission to the Master of Science Physician Assistant program. The B.S Biology Health Professions Option offers science courses required for a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Students choose courses within a select specialization in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Physician Assistant, depending on their profession of interest. Such graduate programs have a unique set of admission requirements. The B.S. Biology program is a good choice for those pursuing a pre-medical or pre-dental path.
Kean also offers Medical Technology, also know as Clinical Lab Science, and Health Information Management programs. Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) and Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) and Medical Technologists (MTs) are clinical laboratory professionals and members of the health care team who participate in the diagnosis of disease through the use of sophisticated instruments and techniques. CLS and MTs are needed to fill positions in hospitals, clinics and research laboratories in New Jersey and across the country.
Kean University recognizes the need for qualified medical laboratory scientists in the region’s workforce, as well as a desire among its student population to pursue such careers. After three years at Kean students complete the clinical preceptor at one of our affiliate hospital programs:
The Valley Hospital School of MLS, Jersey Shore University Hospital’s Florence M. Cook School of MLS, or Monmouth Medical Center School of MLS. The University also recognizes that duplication of certain health education programs is costly and unnecessary. Thus, Kean has a joint degree with Rutgers University School of Health Professions (SHP). CLS students can apply to Rutgers to complete the clinical preceptor. After completion of the clinical preceptor, students are eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam for Certification.
For Health Information Management(HIM), students will also attend Rutgers. This four-year baccalaureate degree program with Kean and Rutgers is completed in two stages with the first stage completed at Kean University and the second stage to be completed at the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions (SHRP), which is part of Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences in Newark. In the first stage, students complete general education courses and all pre-professional courses at Kean University. The professional courses in Health Information Management are then completed at Rutgers-SHRP. Prior to the start of the professional phase of the program at Rutgers, students are required to submit a formal application to Rutgers-SHRP Admissions (not Rutgers-Newark) by May 1st immediately preceding the intended Fall Semester enrollment.
The Health Information Manager is a member of the health care team and is the professional responsible for management of health information systems consistent with medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements. Health Information professionals collect, analyze and utilize data to provide information critical to the healthcare industry. A Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) collects many kinds of data from a variety of sources, monitors the integrity of the information, ensures appropriate access to health records and manages the analysis and use of this data. This professional is an essential connection between physicians, patients, payers and other in the healthcare industry.
Course requirements include General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology and Statistics as well as undergraduate volunteer work or internship experience. The proposed option includes the courses and guidance to reach such expectations.
Each student majoring in Biology should consult with his/her departmental advisor to select the appropriate degree option, and major electives for his or her respective interests and goals. For information regarding College/ program mission and student learning outcomes please see https://www.kean.edu/academics/college-natural-applied-and-health-sciences/cnahs-mission-and-slos