Ƶ currently has cooperative programs with four highly ranked graduate and professional schools. In general, the student spends three years at Ƶ, and must complete the general education program and at least 50% of the Biology major in order to be released for the cooperative program during their senior year. Ƶ's financial aid package does not follow the student into the cooperative program, but students can apply for financial aid at their target institution. We encourage students to visit the websites of these schools directly because occasionally prerequisites change. With one-on-one advising, students work closely with our faculty to select appropriate courses, arrange internships, and assess their strengths and weaknesses. While we enjoy extremely high acceptance rates into these programs for qualified students, admission is not guaranteed.
Ƶ Requirements for Graduation if Participate
Students must fulfill the following requirements during their 3 years at Ƶ in order to be eligible to graduate. Some of these courses are prerequisites for the cooperative program, but all of these must be met in order to graduate from Ƶ after transfer to another school:
University requirements:
- Must complete all general education requirements, including writing intensive courses
- Must take at least 50% of courses required for a Biology major (met by requirements listed below)
Departmental requirements:
- Biology 170 and 180
- Either a botanical or zoological course
- One course from 3 out of 4 groups
Required cognates:
- Chemistry 121 and 162
- One Math course at the 120 level or above
Environmental Science or Forestry
Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
Ƶ has a 3-2 program with the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment for students to earn either a Masters of Environmental Management or a Masters of Forestry. Students participating in this program spend their first three years at Ƶ completing the general education program and at least 50% of courses in the Biology major, including the prerequisite courses for admission to Duke University. Students apply during their third or fourth year for admission to the cooperative program with Duke. Both degrees train students to be broadly based natural resource managers and environmental problem solvers using a multidisciplinary approach. Students in these degree programs learn to both analyze and manage natural environments, and those in the Masters of Environmental Management program choose to concentrate in one of the following areas: Coastal Environment Management, Ecosystem Science and Conservation, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health, Energy and Environment, Environmental Economics and Policy, Forest Resource Management, Global Environmental Change, or Water and Air Resources. Ƶ offers all courses required for admission to this program. For more information visit
Prerequisite courses taken at Ƶ:
- 1 semester of Calculus (Math 131 or 201)
- 1 semester of Statistics (Math 127 or 227)
- Introduction to Economics (with emphasis of Microeconomics)
- Ecology (Biology 347)
- 1 semester of General Biology (Biology 180)
- 1 semester of General Chemistry (Chemistry 121)
Nursing
Case Western Reserve University Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Ƶ has a cooperative program with Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing where the student spends 3 years at Ƶ and then completes the coursework necessary for the Doctorate of Nursing at Case Western Reserve. Case Western Reserve University's School of Nursing has been consistently ranked in the top 10 nursing schools in the country. At Ƶ, students complete the general education program and at least 50% of courses in the Biology major, including the prerequisite courses for Case Western Reserve University's School of Nursing. Ƶ offers all courses required for admission to this program. Students apply to Case during their junior year. After the first two years at Case, students must pass the national licensing exam for nursing (NLEX-RN). Upon completing four years of nursing courses at Case, students receive their Doctor of Nursing (ND). An interesting feature of this program is the required research component, involving clinical research. Students use their research findings to complete their doctoral thesis.
Prerequisite courses taken at Ƶ:
- 1 year of General Biology (Biology 170 and 180)
- 1 year of General Chemistry (Chemistry 121 and 162)
- 1 year of Human Anatomy and Physiology (Biology 325, 326, and 327)
- 1 year of English (English 101 and another English A course)
- 1 semester of Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology
Additional requirements:
- General GRE
Occupational Therapy
Washington University School of Occupational Therapy
Ƶ has a 3-2 program in occupational therapy with Washington University in St. Louis (currently ranked in the top 5 nationally). Students participating in this program spend their first three years at Ƶ completing the general education program and a significant number of courses in the Biology major, including the prerequisite courses for admission to Washington University. Students then apply for admission to the Occupational Therapy program at Washington University. Upon acceptance, students begin work on a Masters degree after their third year at Ƶ. After completing the first year at Washington University School of Medicine in the occupational therapy program, students receive the Bachelor of Arts degree from Ƶ. Ƶ offers all courses required for admission to Washington University. For more information, visit
Prerequisite courses: (You must earn at least a B- in each course. Pass/Fail is not accepted.)
- 1 year of General Biology (Biology 170 and 180)
- 1 upper level biology course from: Neurobiology, Vertebrate Zoology, Genetics/Molecular Genetics, and Electron Microscopy
- 1 year of Human Anatomy and Physiology (Biology 325, 326, and 327)
- Psychology proseminars:
- Abnormal psychology (2 credits)
- Developmental psychology (2 credits)
- Physiological psychology (2 credits)
- 1 semester of social science from any of the following areas: Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Urban Studies, Geography, or other Psychology courses.
- 1 semester of Statistics (Math 127, 227 or Psychology 107)
Proficiencies:
- Medical Terminology. Most Ƶ students complete this requirement via an independent study. Washington University recommends Medical Terminology, a Programmed Text by Smith et al. From Delmar Thomson Learning (1-800-347-7707)
- Computer competency. You are expected to be computer literate (word processing, spread sheets, email) upon enrollment (completed by past experience as documented or course in computer science).
- CPR certification
- General GRE