Undergraduate students at Harpur College are constantly immersed in new challenges, new ideas and new courses - theatre to cinema, sustainable energy to art and design. Our academic offerings encompass many majors, minors, certificates, concentrations, emphases, tracks and specializations.
Harpur College offers a broad scope of rigorous and prestigious graduate programs as well. Our research, scholarship and creative exploration have earned an international reputation, and our teaching opportunities, internships and leadership experiences will help students master the skills needed to succeed.
The college also houses several active interdisciplinary research centers and institutes, such as the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, the Human Rights Institute and the Center for Israel Studies. Additionally, the College features programs that provide support and opportunities to our student body, including Harpur Edge, the Writing Initiative, the Critical Thinking Lab and Harpur Academic Advising.
Harpur College strives to provide its students with a sound, liberal arts education as well as specialization in some areas of the humanities, social sciences, fine arts or sciences.
Prospective applicants should see the general section on Admission in this publication.
The Liberal Arts Program Basis
The program fosters development of knowledge, skills and interpretive abilities and offers other opportunities for growth outside the classroom.
- Substantive Knowledge: The quantity of substantive knowledge that a student can assimilate in four years is limited. Harpur deems no single body of knowledge indispensable. Each student, however, is encouraged and given the opportunity to acquire understanding of the physical and biological world in which we live; of humankind as individuals, creators and philosophers; and of human relations and arrangements in past and contemporary societies.
- Skills: Students of the liberal arts are expected to master a number of academic skills necessary for rational discourse. The most essential of these are logical arguments and clear expression.
- Such skills are normally supplemented by particular kinds of competence - mathematics, linguistics and the like - as required by individual fields of study.
- Interpretive Ability: In the application of learned skills to subject matter, it is assumed that students acquire theoretical understanding and the power of interpretation. The premise here is that theory provides a means of comprehending and extending fundamental knowledge and perspective.
- Supplementary Opportunities: Since students do not exclusively inhabit classrooms, libraries or laboratories, Harpur encourages and provides for a wide range of extracurricular and creditbearing activities to aid in the continued growth of individual talents, social competency and participatory government among its students.
Academic Organization
Most departments of Harpur College are contained administratively within four principal divisions: humanities, School of the Arts, science and mathematics, and social sciences. For most matters, the principal academic and administrative unit is the department. Several interdisciplinary major programs are not attached to any division. Students ordinarily pursue academic major programs supervised by departments, although several interdepartmental majors are available.
Planning a Program of Study
The General Education Program provides exposure to broad areas of learning. The program provides a general introduction to the Harpur College curriculum and provides a basis for choosing a major program.
Harpur College students may seek academic advice on planning a program of study from several sources: Harpur Academic Advising, relevant academic departments and/or individual faculty members. These academic advisors help guide students toward a planned and organized program, rather than a random selection of courses.
Students must declare a major program by the time they have junior standing (56 credits). Students who receive financial aid are encouraged to read the Financial Information section of this publication regarding the academic progress required to maintain state or federal aid. Timely declaration of the major is an important consideration for such students. When this is done, students are assigned to a departmental advisor, generally a faculty academic advisor within the major program, for information about and guidance in the major. Harpur Academic Advising remains available to all students throughout their education for information about the General Education requirements, the All-College Writing requirement, degree planning and other aspects of the undergraduate academic experience.
Academic Requirements
BA, MUSB, BFA AND BS DEGREES
In addition to the bachelor of arts (BA) degree, Harpur College offers a bachelor of music (MusB), bachelor of fine arts (BFA) and bachelor of science (BS) degree in some fields. The general requirements and the Harpur College requirements for these degrees are the same, but the college specifies more major requirements for a BS degree than for a BA degree. More courses are also required for MusB and BFA degree programs. The college encourages students to meet with a departmental advisor to discuss which degree is most appropriate for them, given their academic and career plans. Whereas no more than 15 courses may be required for a major program leading to the BA, a minimum of 16 courses are required for a major program leading to the BS. Except for interdisciplinary programs, such as biochemistry and integrative neuroscience, every department that offers the BS also offers the BA.
Students may not earn two Harpur BA or BS degrees simultaneously nor may students earn a BA and BS degree in combination. However, the MusB and the BFA are considered professional degrees, so students may earn a MusB or BFA degree and a BA or BS degree, which is considered a double degree. Double-degree students are required to complete at least 156 credits. Note that students who complete two BA majors, two BS majors or a combination of BA or BS majors in Harpur College will receive only one Harpur degree. Note that although BA and BS students may receive only one degree from Harpur College, they may have two majors or more.
Requirements for Graduation
To qualify for a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of fine arts or bachelor of music degree from Harpur College, students must meet the following conditions:
- They must complete the General Education requirements. These are described in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this publication under the heading Undergraduate General Education Program. Courses used to satisfy General Education requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.
- They must have a minimum of 126 credits. (Note: In Harpur College a course is defined as four credits. Students may apply a maximum of 32 external examination credits toward the Harpur College degree. See Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination in this publication.)
- They must complete a minimum of 94 credits for BAs, 63 credits for BSs, and 31 credits for BFA/MusBs in liberal arts and sciences.
- They must complete a minimum of 46 upper-level credits, that is, credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
- They must complete the requirements of their major field.
- They must complete the All-College Writing requirement described later in this section.
- They must complete at least 44 Harpur credits in residence.
- They must be in residence at Harpur College during the last seven and one-half courses (30 credits) immediately preceding graduation, unless specifically exempted from this requirement by the Harpur College Academic Standards Committee.
- They must be in good academic standing, i.e., must present a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0.
- They must pay or satisfactorily adjust all fees and bills.
- They must not be under any disciplinary action.
- They must be duly recommended by the faculty.
- Finally, the State University Trustees by formal action must admit a student to the degree.
Harpur College reserves the right to make changes in the requirements for graduation, except that no increase in total courses required for graduation shall retroactively affect any student already matriculated when the change is made.
Harpur College students are limited to a maximum of 18 credits of graduate coursework (courses numbered 500 and higher) while they are undergraduates. Exceptional undergraduate students not pursuing a 4+1 program may exceed the 18 credit limit by petition.
There is an overall limit of 20-credits combined of independent study, internship, HWS, OUT and teaching practica. Credits taken beyond this limit will not count toward the Harpur graduation requirement of 126 credits. Students may exceed one or more of these limits after they earn 126 credits. The following limits apply and are included in the 20 credit limit:
- 10 combined credits of HWS and/or OUT courses (limit of two OUT credits),
- 16 credits of independent study (typically course numbers ending in -97, -98 or -99),
- 8 credits of internship (typically -95), and
- 8 credits of teaching practica (typically -91).
All-College Writing Requirement
To ensure that all students obtain considerable experience and receive significant guidance or instruction in writing during their baccalaureate studies, Harpur College establishes the following requirements relating to enrollment in composition (C)* and writing (W) courses:
All candidates for a baccalaureate degree from Harpur College must present one of the following combinations of C and W courses for completion of the writing requirement:
- two C and three W; or
- three C and one W; or
- four C.
*Courses tagged with the General Education designator of J also count as C courses.
Transfer credit in English expository writing (composition, rhetoric or literature) may be applied to this requirement up to a maximum of three courses, of which only one may count as a C course.
Harpur College believes that writing is central to a liberal arts education. The labels C (composition) and W (writing) guide students in the selection of courses designed to help them develop their writing skills. Students are strongly urged to take at least one four-credit C course within their first two semesters (32 credits) at Harpur College.
Composition (C) courses emphasize writing as a process of revision and require a minimum of 20 pages of expository prose. At least 50% of the course grade is based on student writing. Writing (W) courses provide considerable experience in, and feedback on, writing as a tool of college-level teaching and learning. Written assignments in W courses constitute 30 to 100% of the basis for the grade in the course and typically consist of a minimum of 10 pages of writing.
Major Requirements
All students must pursue an approved academic major. Because it is often difficult to complete all requirements for an academic major by the end of the senior year unless a concrete plan is developed early in the academic career, students must declare a major program by the time they have junior standing (56 credits). The declaration of major is processed in individual departments or programs.
Note: As a result of overlapping requirements within specific academic disciplines, students are restricted from pursuing double majors in certain areas. For instance, students enrolled in the biochemistry major are precluded from pursuing a double major in biology, chemistry, or integrative neuroscience. Additionally, a minor in biology is not permissible for biochemistry majors. Similarly, students pursuing a major in integrative neuroscience are prohibited from double majoring in psychology, biology, biochemistry and the global public health: future healthcare providers track.
Grading System
Students taking Harpur College courses are graded in one of two ways:
- Standard letter grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F; or
- Pass/Fail option using grades of P for Pass and F for Fail. In the Pass/Fail option, P is defined as the equivalent of D or better.
Grading Option Policy
For each course in which they enroll, students choose, with some limited exceptions, one of two grading options at registration. The decision may be changed (either from standard letter grade to Pass/Fail or vice versa) at any time up to the end of the course-withdrawal period, more than halfway through the semester. See the University Calendar for published dates. The Financial Aid and Student Records Office informs the course instructor of the students’ grading choices, and the instructor submits grades accordingly.
Students not on probation may elect to use the Pass/Fail option in a maximum of 24 credits of coursework. Mandatory Pass/Fail courses are not included in this 24-credit limit.
The instructor of any course may choose to limit the grading option of any course exclusively to the Pass/Fail system. Such a limitation must have approval of the appropriate department and of the Harpur College Curriculum Committee and must be noted in the online pre-registration schedule available to students. An indication that Pass/Fail is the only available grade in the course is noted on the student’s transcript.
All transcripts are complete semester-by-semester records of courses carried beyond the drop deadline. The explanatory notes that accompany transcripts contain a clear description of the system used in recording grades.
Incompletes
The instructor may report a notation of Incomplete, rather than a grade, when a student has not been able to complete a course for what, in the instructor’s judgment, is a compelling reason. The student is responsible for requesting an incomplete in a timely fashion so that the instructor may evaluate the circumstance before grades are due to the Financial Aid and Student Records Office. The submission of an Incomplete means that a student has made a substantial commitment to the course - that is, has completed more than half of the work required - but less than half of the work must still be accomplished before an evaluation may be made.
Students may not re-register for a course in order to complete an Incomplete. See the Repeating Courses section of the Harpur College portion of the University Bulletin.
Students must determine with the instructor, consistent with the provisions of the policy stated above, what work is necessary for completion of the course and when the work must be submitted. Harpur College recommends that instructors and students use the Incomplete Grade Contract available on the Harpur College website.
Ordinarily all Incomplete notations must be replaced with grades by the end of the next major semester (fall, spring), whether or not the student is enrolled. Incomplete notations change to an F grade at the end of the next semester unless the student files an official extension with the Financial Aid and Student Records Office. The student is responsible for initiating a request for an extension, having reached agreement with the instructor for an alternate completion date. The student is responsible for obtaining appropriate signatures on a Request for Extension of Incomplete Form, which is available on the Student Records Office website. An Incomplete may be extended for only a limited time. The instructor must submit the grade for the Incomplete course within 18 months of the last class day of the semester in which he or she offered the original class. Students must clear all Incompletes within 30 days of their intended graduation semester.
Change of Grade
Instructors may not change a grade, unless one of the following situations occurs:
- cheating is discovered
- the instructor testifies that a mechanical error occurred
- the instructor receives satisfactory evidence that events beyond the student’s control prevented the submission of the student’s required work, and so changes the grade to Incomplete.
The last day an instructor may change one letter grade to another is 18 months from the last class day of the semester in which he or she offered the original class. However, faculty are required to keep graded work not returned to students for only one year following the end of the course.
Harpur College students taking courses offered by other schools at the University are graded according to the grading system of the school offering the course.
Academic Progress
Academic progress is determined by grade point average (GPA) calculation, in which:
A = 4.0 A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 B = 3.0 B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3 C = 2.0 C- = 1.7 D = 1.0 F = 0.0
GPA is based on all Binghamton University courses taken for credit, except for courses with the grade of P or notations of W, I, MG and AU.
Academic Standing
Satisfactory progress toward a degree is determined by achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, which is required to graduate. At the end of each spring and fall semester, Harpur College assesses academic standing, the process used to determine satisfactory progress toward a degree for all enrolled students. Failure to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of a spring or fall semester at Binghamton will result in a probation notation being placed on the student’s internal transcript.
Students may not elect to use the Pass/Fail grading option for any classes while on probation.
Students who do not earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA in a subsequent semester while on probation at Binghamton will be subject to suspension from the University; upon return from suspension, failure to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA in future semesters may lead to dismissal from the University. However, a student will not be suspended or dismissed if the student’s semester GPA is greater than a 2.0.
Probation, suspension and dismissal notations are placed on a student’s internal transcript. Letter grades converted to Incomplete grades once grades are submitted will not be applied to a semester GPA recalculation for purposes of academic standing.
Academic Suspension
Academic suspension is an official notification that a student has earned a semester and cumulative grade-point average of less than 2.00 while on academic probation. A student who has been academically suspended may not enroll at the University or attend classes for at least one major semester (fall or spring).
Students seeking to return from academic suspension must first meet with an academic advisor and submit a formal written request to return from suspension, which includes an academic success statement. Additional information about returning from academic suspension can be found on the Harpur Academic Advising website. Students who receive permission to return from academic suspension are restricted to a maximum of 16 credits (including MUSP, THEP, and OUT courses) in the semester they return from suspension. Students who have been away from the University for three or more major academic semesters must also apply for readmission in writing with the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
If granted readmission, students continue on probation until they achieve an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Repeating Courses
Courses for which students previously received credit at Binghamton University or through AP, CLEP, Higher Level International Baccalaureate courses, A-Levels or through transfer credit at another institution are not counted as credit toward the degree nor is the second grade calculated into the GPA.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a passing grade. This is to allow a student to demonstrate mastery of a given subject matter upon which successful performance in later courses may depend. The repeated course does not count toward hours attempted, hours completed or the GPA.
When a student repeats a course previously passed, both grades appear on the transcript, but only the first grade is counted in the GPA calculations. The transcript will bear a footnote reading credit not applied toward degree for the repeated course. If the student repeats the course to meet a major or minor grade requirement, he/she must, upon completion of the course, submit a degree audit inquiry to the Harpur College degree audit coordinator through the Harpur Academic Advising website requesting that the degree audit coordinator update the student’s audit.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a failing grade; they are not required to do so by Harpur College, although major requirements may dictate otherwise. When a student repeats a course previously failed, both grades appear on the transcript, and both are counted in the GPA. As they make their decision about repeating any failed course, students are encouraged to speak with Harpur Academic Advising.
Dropping a Course and Withdrawing from the University
Course Drop
Students may drop from all but one course between the first day of classes and the announced drop deadline. No notation of any kind appears on the student’s transcript if the course is dropped by the drop deadline.
Course Withdraw
Students may withdraw from all but one course between the drop/delete deadline and the course withdrawal deadline. Courses dropped during this period receive a notation of W.
Students may be permitted to withdraw from courses after the course withdrawal deadline only if they cite extraordinary extenuating circumstances and successfully petition through BU BRAIN. Courses dropped late by petition result in a W notation on the student’s transcript.
University Withdrawal
Students who decide to withdraw from all courses for which they are registered at any time between the published first day of classes and the last day of classes must complete the Undergraduate Semester Withdrawal Form. For more information on this process, see the Academic Policies and Procedures for All Students section (see subsection entitled Full University Withdrawal).
Course Information
Prerequisites and Course Numbering
Specific course prerequisites are listed clearly in the course descriptions of this publication. Harpur College expects students to know the prerequisites for the courses in which they enroll. Instructors may waive prerequisites in particular cases if the student presents appropriate qualifying evidence.
Harpur College:
- Courses with numbers 100 through 199 are introductory courses that normally have no prerequisites and are open to all students.
- Courses with numbers 200 through 299 are intermediate-level courses that may or may not have prerequisites.
- Courses with numbers 300 through 399 are intermediate courses, normally with prerequisites.
- Courses with numbers 400 through 499 are advanced-level courses with specific course prerequisites.
Certain numbers indicate special learning situations. Courses noted -80 are intended for special topics, -91 for teaching practica, -95 for internships, -97 for independent study and -98 or -99 for honors thesis.
Independent Study
Independent study accommodates advanced students who wish to pursue individual research under the direct supervision of a faculty member and is normally reserved for students who cannot pursue their intellectual interests through normal course offerings. Independent study registrations must be signed by the sponsoring faculty member, the student and the appropriate department representative. Refer to the section titled Requirements for Graduation for specific information regarding the number of independent study credits that can count towards the degree.
First-semester first-year students may not register for independent study courses.
Teaching Practica
Teaching assistants (TAs) must meet certain eligibility requirements. They must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have junior or senior standing. Instructors may petition for exceptions to the eligibility requirements in exceptional circumstances, subject to the approval of the Harpur College Dean’s Office. The goal of this policy is to ensure that TAs have the necessary academic background to support students in undergraduate courses effectively.
Attendance
In addition to the University-wide attendance policy explained in this publication, note that individual instructors are free to set more stringent attendance requirements in accordance with the academic needs of their classes. Attendance policies begin on the first day of class, regardless of when the student registers for the class.
After the first five full class days of the semester, an instructor can drop students who have not attended and who have not notified the instructor of their intention to remain in the class. To exercise this option, the instructor must make every effort to alert the student to their removal from the course.
Program Load
Fall and Spring Semesters
Binghamton University considers 12 credits a full-time course load. However, Harpur College students typically enroll in 16 credits per semester. Students may register for up to 18 academic credits without review.
On the first day of classes each semester, students with a Binghamton cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher may register for up to 22 academic credits. In addition, any student may register for two additional credits of OUT, MUSP or THEP. Double degree students in Harpur College and a professional college or school (Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Management, Decker School of Nursing, College of Community and Public Affairs) must submit an overload form with the professional school’s advising office.
Courses in the Graduate School
Courses numbered 500 and above are graduate courses, ordinarily open only to graduate students. With the exception of 4+1 students, Harpur College students are permitted to count any course they are qualified to take in the Graduate School toward the 126 credits required for the baccalaureate degree.
Undergraduate students pursuing a 4+1 program may double-count a maximum of 18 credits toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. If a 4+1 student exceeds this maximum, graduate course credit will not count toward the undergraduate degree. We cannot grant credit for partial courses. For example, if a student had 16 credits of graduate coursework and registered for a three-credit graduate course, the student would not receive the additional three credits.
Undergraduate students not in a 4+1 program who have completed all but two courses required for their undergraduate degree may register for up to two courses (maximum of 8 credits) of graduate credit to be recorded on a graduate transcript. When graduate courses are recorded on a graduate transcript, such graduate credit does not count toward full-time status for financial aid purposes; thus, undergraduates taking graduate courses may not be eligible for certain types of financial aid. To request graduate courses to be recorded on a graduate transcript the undergraduate student must complete the Undergraduate Receiving Graduate Credit: Transcript Notation Petition Form. The form needs to be reviewed and submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and Student Records and the Student Accounts Office before the beginning of the semester. All interested students should consult Harpur Academic Advising to discuss if this option is ideal for them. Harpur students enrolled in any 4+1 program are not eligible to pursue this petition option.
Courses in Other Schools at Binghamton University
Harpur College students may count up to a total of 32 credit hours of non-liberal arts courses toward the 126 credit hours required for the baccalaureate degree. Within the 32-credit limit are included non-liberal arts courses taken at other institutions, courses in College of Community and Public Affairs, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Management, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Studies, Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, the Graduate School of Education and OUT courses. Students should refer to the Requirements for Graduation section above for specific limits on internships, independent studies, teaching practica, HWS and OUT courses.
The School of Management offers a program of particular interest to Harpur College students: a master of business administration program, with special provisions for Harpur undergraduates.
See the School of Management section of this publication for details about this program.
Harpur students interested in a minor in computer science should consult the Watson College section of this publication.
Harpur students interested in a minor in immigration studies should consult the College of Community and Public Affairs section of this publication.
Harpur students interested in minoring in genocide and mass atrocity prevention should consult the GMAP website.
Harpur students interested in minoring in speech and hearing science should consult the Decker College section of this publication.
Academic Honors
Departmental Honors
All of the departments and major programs of Harpur College offer qualified students the opportunity to pursue special studies that, if successfully completed, lead to a degree with honors in that field, e.g., Honors in English or Distinguished Independent Work in Chemistry. Students interested in such special programs should check appropriate sections of this publication and then consult their major advisors. Normally, consultation with the faculty advisor takes place no later than during the students fourth semester of residence.
Dean’s List
To qualify for the Harpur Dean’s List at the end of each regular semester, students must have a 3.5 or better semester grade point average, at least 12 graded credits and no missing grades or Incompletes. Recognition is given for each semester in which students meet these criteria. The award is noted on the transcript.
Harpur students enrolled in Binghamton University education-abroad programs are eligible for Harpur Dean’s List, as long as the conditions noted above are met.
College-wide Honors
Students with outstanding academic records receive college-wide honors upon graduation. To qualify, students must meet the cumulative grade point averages specified below, have at least 48 graded Binghamton University credits, and have no missing grades or Incompletes. Honors are awarded as follows:
- 3.50-3.69 GPA: cum laude
- 3.70-3.84 GPA: magna cum laude
- 3.85-4.00 GPA: summa cum laude
The appropriate graduation honors are indicated on the diploma and on the final transcript.
Optional Minors
An academic minor is an approved course sequence within an area of study, providing a degree of specialization in that area, a specialty within a discipline or a specialty integrating more than one discipline. The area in which a student takes a minor is recorded on the student’s transcript at graduation as certified by the minor department or program. Students in Harpur College are not required to take an academic minor. Departments are not required to offer a minor.
Students who have already declared a major and earned a minimum of 24 credits may declare a minor(s). Minor requirements are described in detail in this publication under each department’s listing. The completed minor(s) appear on the transcript when the degree is certified. Students may not complete minors after graduation.
General Requirements
The student must earn a minimum of 24 credits. Each department or program establishes requirements for its minor. A minor program must include not more than two introductory-level courses and at least two upper-level courses (numbered 300-499).
At least four of the courses in the students minor program must be in addition to those counted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the students major(s) and/or other minor(s).
If a student declares two minors, at least two divisions must be represented in the three fields of study (major and two minors).
If a student wishes to minor in a separate specialization or track within the department or program of the major, the proposal must be consistent with stated policies of that department or program.
Individualized Major Program
The Individualized Major Program provides Harpur College students an opportunity to design a program of study not presently available within the established University structure. These innovative majors must be academically sound, must show breadth and depth, and must provide a theoretical and conceptual framework for a particular course of study. Acceptable majors are interdisciplinary and combine courses from three or more liberal arts disciplines as determined by your committee. Students are advised to apply for the Individualized Major Program no later than the second semester of their sophomore year. Applications after this period may mean that additional semesters may be required.
Students interested in the Individualized Major Program should consult the program’s advisor in the Harpur College Academic Advising Office early in their planning.
The IMP advisor will approve major titles and completion of degree. Upon completion, transcripts will reflect a short version of the student’s individualized major title as: “Individualized Major: <Title of Major>”
Professional Career Preparation
American professional training in engineering, law, teaching, medicine, dentistry and the sciences is ordinarily built on a foundation of undergraduate education, usually including a program of four years leading to the bachelor’s degree. Students contemplating graduate training for a profession should begin early to consult the Bulletins of the graduate and professional schools. Students interested in preparing for a career in teaching and education at the primary and secondary levels should contact the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership for information about graduate curricular options. Students eligible for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) should contact the pre-health or pre-law advisors for academic and career information. Additional assistance is available through the CSTEP Office (607-777-2678).
Health Professions
Pre-health professions advising is a key resource for students who wish to study for the health professions. The Pre-Health Advising Team, located in Harpur Academic Advising, are designated advisors for first-year/sophomore pre-health students. Junior and senior students may consult with the Director of Pre-Health Services, who is a specialist in the health professions. There is a cohort of peer advisors available to advise students as well. Pre-health students may join discussions on PREHLTH-L, the Binghamton University pre-health listserv. The listserv provides a forum in which ideas and information may be exchanged with the Director of PreHealth Services and among students themselves. In addition, a great deal of information is now housed on the Pre-Health webpage.
For more information about pre-medical education, see Medical School Admission Requirements, published annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges (https://aamc.org). This information covers all aspects of preparation for, and admission to, allopathic medical school, including specific requirements of the individual schools. Although there is some variation, most medical schools (allopathic and osteopathic) require the following college-level courses: one year each of English, biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and general physics. One semester of biochemistry, psychology and statistics is also required. Some medical schools also require a semester to one year of mathematics (calculus). Basic science courses must include laboratory experience. For further information about osteopathic medicine, see the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine website (https://www.aacom.org). As there are well over twice as many applicants as there are positions available in medical schools, it is unlikely that the above minimal requirements will be sufficient.
Dental school requirements are similar to medical school requirements. Students interested in dentistry are referred to the American Dental Education Association website(https://www.adea.org). This website presents pertinent information about preparation for dental education, as well as links to individual dental schools.
Requirements for optometry and veterinary medicine are varied.In addition to consulting the Pre-Health website, those interested in optometry may consult the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry website and those interested in veterinary medicine may consult the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges website.
Requirements for the health sciences professions are considerably more varied. Those interested in the professions for which we advise should consult the Pre-Health website for general information and links to sources which provide more detailed information, including the Freshman-Sophomore Pre-Health Handbook.
Early Assurance and Articulation Agreements
Binghamton University has entered into agreements with four health professional schools that make it easier for students to make a transition between the University and professional school. Students interested in these programs should review information available on the Pre-Health website and then consult with a member of the Pre-Health Advising Team or the Director of PreHealth Services.
Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a number of early acceptance programs to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. The school allows students the flexibility to choose a path of entry that is best for them. Students are able to enter the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and earn a PharmD in four years once they have completed all of the undergraduate prerequisite courses. Students should refer to the Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program website for more information.
Lake Erie Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM): Binghamton University and LECOM have developed an early acceptance program that grants qualified students provisional early acceptance to LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine or College of Osteopathic Medicine. Students may apply for early acceptance program consideration as a high school senior or within their first year at Binghamton. Additional information about LECOM’s Early Acceptance Programs can be found on the Pre-Health website and on the LECOM website (https://lecom.edu).
SUNY College of Optometry: Binghamton University and SUNY College of Optometry have a joint degree program leading to a BA in biology from Binghamton and a Doctor of Optometry from the College of Optometry. This program takes seven years instead of the usual eight necessary to obtain both the liberal arts degree and the professional school degree. After three years at Binghamton, participants attend the optometry college, with the first year of professional school counting also as the fourth year at Binghamton. The BA is awarded at the end of the participant’s first year of professional school. Spaces are reserved for prospective or current firstyear students only, and there are a number of steps to the admission process after acceptance into Binghamton. Interested students may obtain information from the Pre-Health website, and must contact the Admissions Office at SUNY Optometry (phone: 212-938-5500) if they are interested in this program.
Binghamton University-SUNY Upstate Medical: Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program: SUNY Upstate Medical University, College of Medicine, and Binghamton University are proud to announce their partnership in the Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program (UAS). This program allows recommended current Binghamton University undergraduate freshmen to be guaranteed acceptance into Upstate’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program upon completion of their degree at Binghamton University. In addition to waiving the MCAT, the program provides the selected students with a variety of enrichment and experiential programming during summer months. For more information, consult the Pre-Health website and the SUNY Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program website.
Legal Careers
The pre-law advisor in the Harpur College Academic Advising Office serves students and graduates from all Binghamton University schools who are interested in attending law school. Current students are encouraged to subscribe to the pre-law email list and to attend pre-law meetings, workshops and other law-related events held throughout the year. The pre-law advisor meets with students and alumni during scheduled and walk-in appointments to discuss degree and career planning, internships and other extracurricular opportunities, LSAT preparation and the law school application process.
Unlike other graduate and professional schools, law schools do not require specific courses or curriculum prior to admission. Students interested in law school may pursue a variety of majors. A well-rounded liberal arts curriculum that develops disciplined habits of study, analytical thought, and writing and oral expression skills is excellent preparation for law school.
The pre-law advisor encourages students interested in a legal career to pursue internships, summer employment and other opportunities to explore the legal profession before applying to law school.
For careers in patent law that involve practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), students must either obtain a bachelor’s degree in certain science or engineering fields or complete a requisite number of credit hours in specific disciplines. Students interested in patent law should consult with the pre-law advisor early in their college careers.
Additional information on law school and legal careers is available on the Pre-Law Advising website.
Transfer Credit
Credit is usually granted for liberal arts courses completed at other accredited institutions. In addition, up to 32 elective credits may be granted for the study of theoretically oriented courses of a non-liberal arts nature. Academic credit may be granted only if a grade of Pass or a C- or better was earned in the course.
Graduate Programs Information
Harpur College graduate students enjoy world-class facilities that feature stellar performance and arts spaces, outstanding research laboratories, comprehensive libraries, active multidisciplinary collaborations, and transformational cross-cultural activities. Experiential learning and rigorous coursework provide the basis for Harpur College graduates to establish rewarding careers in their areas of expertise. The strength of Harpur College’s graduate programs rests on the high quality of a faculty that is internationally distinguished for its scholarship as well as its teaching. Graduate students typically learn in small seminars and prepare their work under close supervision from faculty members. Faculty advisors help new graduate students choose courses appropriate to their program of study and interests; as students progress through coursework toward research for the master’s or doctoral degrees, their advisors serve as mentors in their fields of research.
As a selective University Center, Binghamton offers doctoral programs in disciplines that span the arts and sciences. These doctoral programs help fulfill one of the University’s crucial missions: to prepare a professional and capable workforce that is ready to think through the problems of the future and to contribute creativity and invention in a variety of disciplines. Most Harpur College programs offer master’s degrees as well, and many collaborate with the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership in the College of Community and Public Affairs to offer MAT and MSEd degrees for students who plan to teach at the elementary or secondary levels. Several advanced certificate programs, which may be pursued in addition to a degree program, emphasize interdisciplinary study in various fields. Master’s-level study prepares students for professional practice and fosters habits of analysis and reflection that lead some students to further study in the discipline.
Harpur College offers a variety of funding support across all disciplines. Eligibility for Harpur funding is governed by department policy, within these general guidelines:
- Graduate students may be supported by Harpur College funding through their sixth year of study. If there are exceptional circumstances for individual students or course coverage issues, departments and programs may request permission from the Harpur Dean’s Office to fund students in some fashion in their seventh or eighth year of study. Students in their ninth year of study or beyond are not eligible for funding.
For more information on graduate policies and procedures, see the “Academic Policies and Procedures - Graduate” section of the Binghamton University website.
Below you will find information on all of Harpur College’s academic programs.
Undergraduate Programs