Pre-Professional and Interdisciplinary Programs

Pre-Chiropractic

Thompson Complex North Wing
Office 225, Phone: (270) 745-6013 (or 3696)
Advisor: Mr. Wayne Mason

WKU has a 3-year (90 semester hours) curriculum designed to prepare potential candidates for entry into a professional chiropractic college. Prior to application at a chiropractic college, candidates must have earned a minimum of 90 semester hours (including at least 48 semester hours in the courses listed below. The candidate is responsible for ensuring that he or she has met those specific and elective requirements of the school(s) to which they are applying. WKU has an articulation agreement with Palmer College, Davenport, Iowa for preferred admission pending:

1. Application six months in advance of the intended start date
2. Maintenance of a minimum GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
3. Completion of at least eight courses at WKU and
4. Satisfaction of all other requirements for admission as prescribed in the Palmer College of Chiropractic catalog.

Although the following requirements will meet current admission guidelines for Palmer, most chiropractic programs possess uniform pre-requisites that mirror these requirements. Completion of these pre-requisites will allow you to compete for available spaces in chiropractic programs, but will not guarantee admission into a professional chiropractic college:

• ENG 100 and 300
• BIOL 120/121; and 122/123 or 131
• CHEM 120/121; and CHEM 222/223
• CHEM 340/341; and CHEM 342/343
• MATH 118 (or MATH 116 and 117)
• PSY 100
• PHYS 231/232; II 332/233 [or PHYS 201; PHYS 202/208]

Humanities and Social Sciences: 15 hours of electives selected from literature, sociology, psychology, art, theatre, etc…, in conjunction with your advisor.

Pre-Dentistry

Thompson Complex, North Wing
Office 211, Phone: (270) 745-6005 or 745-3696
Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Crawford
Website: http://bioweb.wku.edu/preprof.htm

Students planning a career in dentistry should follow the pre-dentistry curriculum at WKU that is basically the same as that outlined for pre-medicine students. All applicants to dental school must take the Dental Admission Test.

It is recommended that students planning a dental career complete the entire four-year curriculum and receive the baccalaureate degree before entering a dental college. A few dental schools will accept students after three years of undergraduate work. One year of satisfactory work in dental school can then be transferred to WKU in order to receive the Bachelor of Science degree.

Students accepted after three years who entered WKU as degree-seeking students prior to the 2005 fall semester or who are pursuing a second baccalaureate degree should file an undergraduate degree program before leaving WKU. All requirements for general education and the core courses for a major and minor must be completed. Courses taken in dental school may then (at the discretion of the department head) be accepted by the major and/or minor departments at WKU allowing the student to receive the bachelor’s degree.

Pre-Forestry

Environmental Sciences & Technology Building
Office 258, Phone: (270) 745-5963
Advisor: Dr. Martin Stone

Students interested in forestry as a career may enter Western Kentucky University and complete a plan of study comparable to the first two years of a four-year forestry degree program. The program outlined is designed to qualify students to transfer into the forestry program at the University of Kentucky. This program will permit students with grades of “C” or better to transfer to the degree program of Bachelor of Science in Forestry without loss of credits. Students desiring to attend schools other than the University of Kentucky should contact the pre-forestry advisor for specific requirements.

Required courses are: CHEM 105/106, 107/108 or 120/121, 222/223; ENG 100, 300, BIOL 120/121, 222/223, 348; PHYS 101; MATH 116, 117, 119; COMM 145; AGRO 110, 350; SFTY 171; SPAN 101, GEOG 210; CE 160/161; AGEC 360; AGRI 291 and restricted electives.

Pre-Medicine

Thompson Complex, North Wing
Office 211, Phone: (270) 745-6005 or 745-3696
Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Crawford
Website: http://bioweb.wku.edu/preprof.htm

The pre-medicine curriculum has been developed with two objectives in mind. The first objective is to provide the undergraduate student with an academic background that will enable him/her to succeed in the medical school of his/her choice. The second objective is to provide the academic credits to earn the Bachelor of Science degree after four years of study.

During the first two years of undergraduate work, the pre-medicine student should complete the majority of the basic science courses that constitute the minimal prerequisites for entrance into medical school. All science courses require laboratories and are as follows: BIOL 120, 122, 224; CHEM 120, 222, 340, 342; MATH 118 (or MATH 116 and 117), 142; PHYS 231 and 332, or 255 and 265. In addition to the basic science courses, classes should be taken from the University general education requirements.

During the junior and senior years students, with direction from their pre-medicine advisor, should complete courses to constitute a major and a minor in addition to completing the general education requirements for a degree. All applicants to medical school must take the Medical College Admission Test.

It is required that students planning a medical career complete the entire four-year curriculum and receive the Bachelor of Science degree before entering a medical college.

Pre-Optometry

Thompson Complex, North Wing
Office 211, Phone: (270) 745-6005 or 745-3696
Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Crawford
Web: http://bioweb.wku.edu/preprof.htm

Students may fulfill pre-optometry requirements at Western Kentucky University and become eligible to submit applications for admission to any of the nineteen optometry schools within the United States. These schools vary slightly in their pre-optometry requirements. Students should decide on the college(s) of optometry to which they plan to submit an application for admission and arrange their schedules in accordance with the requirements of that particular school. This information is available from the pre-optometry curriculum advisor. The professional optometric program requires four years of study in a school of optometry. This is in addition to the three or more years of pre-optometry requirements. Applicants to all of the optometry schools are required to take the Optometry Admission Test.

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, through an agreement with the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) sponsors a contractual optometric training program at the School of Optometry, Indiana University; the School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee. The program is open only to students who are legal residents of Kentucky and have completed the pre-optometry curriculum. The financial aid to students consists of the approximate difference in the cost of in-state and out-of-state tuition at the optometry schools for not more than four academic years. Once approved, the student must exhibit satisfactory progress toward completion of the prescribed four-year curriculum and apply to the Council each year for continuation in the SREB program. However, an approved student making normal academic progress is re-certified annually upon application. This program provides for not more than three new students each year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, three at the Indiana University and eight at Southern College of Optometry.

At the time they apply to optometry school, students should also file an application with the Council on Postsecondary Education for certification to participate in the SREB program. Both acceptance for admission by the college of optometry and certification by the Council are required for Kentucky student aid in the program. The optometry schools reserve the right to select students acceptable to the program. Since the program is designed to provide funds (or financial support) for a limited number of students each year at the three schools of optometry and is funded accordingly by the General Assembly, Kentucky students planning careers in optometry should not limit their plans for training to these institutions. Kentucky students in optometry are presently enrolled and will continue to enroll at several excellent schools and colleges other than Indiana University, the University of Alabama and Southern College of Optometry. This program of student assistance, however, is limited to these three institutions.

The courses listed below are required as prerequisites for all optometry schools. Each science course must be accompanied by its appropriate laboratory: BIOL 120, 122, 224; CHEM 120, 222, 340; PHYS 231, 332 or 255, 265; MATH 118 (or MATH 116 and 117), 142; ENG 100, 300; PSY 100 and a course in statistics. There are additional course requirements that vary with each optometry school. All students in the curriculum are strongly encouraged to work toward a Bachelor of Science degree, even though a degree is not required for admission to most optometry schools.

Pre-Pharmacy

Thompson Complex, North Wing
Office 309, Phone: (270) 745-5074/3457, Fax: (270) 745-6293
Advisor: Dr. Darwin Dahl
e-mail: Darwin.Dahl@wku.edu

Students planning a career in pharmacy may follow a pre-pharmacy curriculum at WKU for two years, then transfer to a school of pharmacy for the remaining four years of training.

The following curriculum contains courses required for admission to the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. The courses required by other schools of pharmacy are much the same; however, the student should investigate the requirements of the school to which that student plans to transfer in order that every requirement may be included in the pre-pharmacy program.

Freshman year: BIOL 120, 121, 131; CHEM 120, 121, 222, 223; ENG 100; MATH 126; electives.

Sophomore year: BIOL 207, 208; CHEM 340, 341, 342, 343; ECON 202; ENG 300; PHYS 231, 232, 332, 233; MATH 203; electives.

Electives should include one course in either geography, psychology or sociology. COMM 145, HIST 119 or 120 is also recommended.

The Carpenter-Dent Trust Fund offers scholarships to eligible pre-pharmacy students who are residents of Allen, Simpson or Warren County.

Pre-Podiatric Medicine

Thompson Complex, North Wing
Office 211, Phone: (270) 745-6005 or 745-3696
Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Crawford
Website: http://bioweb.wku.edu/preprof.htm

Students planning a career in podiatry should follow the pre-podiatric curriculum at Western Kentucky University that is basically the same as that outlined for pre-medicine students. All applicants to podiatry school must take the Medical College Admission Test.

Three years of undergraduate academic study are required; however, it is recommended that students planning a career in podiatry complete the entire four-year curriculum and receive the Bachelor of Science degree before entering a college of podiatric medicine.

Pre-Physical Therapy

Thompson Complex, North Wing
Advisor: Mr. Wayne Mason
Office 225, Phone: (270) 745-6013 (or 3696)

The pre-physical therapy program at Western Kentucky University is designed to prepare students for application to other institutions where accredited programs in physical therapy exist. Currently, the program consists of a minimum of 3 years (90 hrs.) of prerequisite coursework designed to satisfy the requirements of most physical therapy programs. It should be noted that many physical therapy schools are switching to Doctorate/PhD level programs, and as a result, the pre-requisites may be slightly different from what is listed below. Although the program was originally established to follow the prerequisite guidelines for physical therapy schools in Kentucky, enough flexibility exists to allow modification of the curriculum to meet the requirements of physical therapy programs in other states. Completion of the following prerequisites does not guarantee admission into a physical therapy school; it merely places the candidate into a competitive pool of applicants from which the successful candidates will be selected and interviewed.

Application to the physical therapy schools at the University of Kentucky (currently a master’s level program) and Bellarmine University (a doctorate level program) requires applicants to have earned at least 90 semester credit hours (for the University of Kentucky’s program), or a bachelor’s degree (for Bellarmine’s program) by the time they enter the program. A grade of “C” or better is required in all prerequisite courses. Applicants must also show evidence of having completed at least 50 hours of physical therapy observation and/or volunteer experience at 2 or more health care facilities. The following requirements must be completed by the time the successful applicant enters the professional program:

I. General Education Requirements

• 2 semesters of English composition: ENG 100 & 300
• 1 semester of Literature: ENG 200
• 1 semester of Humanities (fine or performing arts): ART 100; or THEA 151; or MUS 120
• 1 semester of Speech Communication (COMM 145 or 161)
• 2 semesters of Psychology: PSY 100 & PSY 199
• 1 semester of History (Western Civilization): HIST 119 or 120
• 1 semester of cross-cultural studies (ANTH 120 or 200; FLK 350; or HIST 110 or 360; or RELS 320)
• 1 semester of introductory philosophy; PHIL 110
• 1 semester of ethics: PHIL 320 or 322
• 1 semester of health and safety: SFTY 171
• 2 semesters of Foreign Language

II. Math/Science requirements

• BIOL 120/121; 122/123; [BIOL 224/225; 321 and 330/331 are strongly recommended for UK applicants)
• BIOL 131 and 231 (recommended for Bellarmine University, but not required for UK)
• CHEM 120/121; 222/223
• PHYS 231/232; 332/233 [or 201/207; 202/208]
• MATH 118 or (116 and 117) (MATH 126 is recommended for the University of Kentucky)
• Statistics: BIOL 283 or [any one of the following: PH 383 or MATH 203]
• Medical terminology: AH 290

The GRE is also required and should be completed by mid-April of the application year for UK; by mid-October for Bellarmine. It is also strongly recommended that professional certification in first aid by the American Red Cross and in CPR by the American Heart Association be completed prior to entrance into the program. The community CPR course offered by the American Red Cross is NOT acceptable.

Minimum overall GPA should be 2.75; minimum science core GPA should be 3.0 (4.0 scale). However, the competitive nature of the application process over the last several years indicates that overall and science GPA’s should both be 3.4 or higher to seriously contend for entrance.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Environmental Sciences & Technology Building
Office 235, Phone: (270) 745-5960
Advisor: Dr. Gordon Jones

Kentucky students have the opportunity to enter veterinary medical school at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama or Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has made this possible through its participation in the Southern Regional Education Program. The State of Kentucky pays approximately $22,400 annually for each student at Auburn or Tuskegee. Each year the School of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn reserves 34-40 positions for entering students from Kentucky who meet admission requirements of the school. If admitted, Kentucky students do not pay out-of-state tuition, but pay the same fees as Alabama residents. Two to six positions may also be available each year at Tuskegee Institute on the same basis. The positions at both Auburn and Tuskegee are awarded by the selection committees of the two respective universities.

The minimum education requirement for admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, is the satisfactory completion of an approved curriculum at an accredited college or university. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 is required overall and for the required courses.

Students may apply to one or both institutions as they near completion of the pre-veterinary requirements. The GRE is required for both Auburn University and Tuskegee.

The following courses have been approved by Auburn University; ENG 100, 200, and 300; MATH 116 and 117 or higher level; HIST 119 and 120; CHEM 120/121 and 222/223, 340 and 341, 342 and 343; PHYS 231 and 232, 332 and 233; BIOL 120 and 121, 122 and 123; ANSC 345; BIOL/CHEM 446; ART 100, MUS 120, or THEA 151; COMM 161; and 6 hours of 300-400 level science selectives; 6 hours social science elective; and 6 hours of humanities/fine arts electives. This curriculum is planned for completion in three years. It is possible to complete requirements in less time by attending summer school sessions, but due to difficulty of the curriculum, it is not normally advisable. By choosing the correct electives in the pre-veterinary program and transferring credits for the first year of veterinary school to Western Kentucky University, students may receive the bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Western Kentucky University. This is a suggested curriculum; the sequence of courses may be varied to suit individual situations. Every effort is made to advise each student based upon the individual’s background and academic capability.

Approved curricula for other Schools of Veterinary Medicine are also available.

Biochemistry

Thompson Complex, North Wing

Advisors:
Dr. Sigrid Jacobshagen, Department of Biology
Thompson Complex, North Wing, Office 111
Phone: (270) 745-5994

Dr. Kevin Williams, Department of Chemistry
Thompson Complex, North Wing, Office 329
Phone: (270) 745-8899

Faculty:
Department of Chemistry: L. Byrd, K. Williams
Department of Biology: S. Jacobshagen, N. Rice, C. Rinehart

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical basis of living organisms.   The subject includes the investigation of the various classes of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates) and their metabolic interactions.  

Training in biochemistry offers many exciting opportunities in teaching, research and public service.  It provides excellent preparation for students intending to enter professional programs such as Dentistry and Medicine as well as graduate study in Biochemistry, Chemistry or Biology.   The Biochemistry program is the only stand-alone degree program (B.S.) in Biochemistry at public institutions in the Commonwealth.  It is administered jointly through the Departments of Biology and Chemistry.  Students may enroll for biochemistry courses through either the Department of Biology or the Department of Chemistry depending upon their major emphasis. 

Biochemistry I (BIOL/CHEM 446) is strongly recommended for pre-medicine and pre-dentistry students as well as for chemistry and biology majors.

Major in Biochemistry
The major in biochemistry (reference number 519) requires a minimum of 60 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. This sequence of required chemistry and biology courses along with elective courses from chemistry, biology and agriculture offer the student a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary training.

Required courses are CHEM 120, 121, 222, 223, 330, 340, 341, 342, 343; BIOL 120, 121, 122, 123, 319, 322, 411;  BIOL/CHEM 446, 447, 467.

In addition to the required courses, students are expected to complete elective courses to total a minimum of 60 semester hours.

Electives: BIOL 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 327, 328, 330, 331, 350, 399, 400, 404, 407, 412, 420, 430, 440, 450, 475, 495, 496

Electives: CHEM 320, 399, 420, 430, 435, 412 or (450, 451, 452, 453), 462, 475.

Electives: Agriculture courses  320, 344, 345, 350, 351, 352, 399, 409, 410, 437, 438, 448, 452, 455, 456.

Electives: PHYS 335, 431

In addition to the above 60 semester hours, the student is required to take PHYS (231, 232, 233, 332) or (255, 256, 265, 266) and MATH 126.

Minor in Biochemistry
The minor in biochemistry (reference number 324) requires a minimum of 18 semester hours and a major in either chemistry or biology. Required courses are BIOL 411; BIOL/CHEM 446, 447, 467.

Electives: BIOL 120, 121, 226, 227, 319, 322, 327, 330, 331, 400; CHEM 120, 314 (or 340, 341, 342, 343), 420, 435; Agriculture 437, 438, 448.

Any course used in the student’s major cannot be counted toward the biochemistry minor.

Biophysics

Thompson Complex, Center Wing
Office 227, Phone: (270) 745-6205

Advisor: Dr. Wieb van der Meer

Faculty:
Department of Physics and Astronomy: I. Novikov, E. Kintzel, W. Van der Meer
Department of Biology: K. Crawford, S. Jacobshagen
Department of Chemistry: K. Williams

Biophysics deals with the physics of life processes and treats various applications of physics to biology and medicine. It combines a working knowledge of physical theory with an appreciation of the complexities of biological processes. Although only recently established as a separate discipline, it has rapidly taken position alongside those fields that are advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge.

The minor in biophysics (reference number 329) serves students of the life sciences: agriculture, biology, environmental engineering, environmental health, medical technology, pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary and psychology.

Goals of the biophysics minor: The purpose of the biophysics minor is to prepare students to meet the career goals listed below. It is expected that a student completing this minor will be proficient in the use of biological instruments and will understand the underlying physical theory. In addition, the student will be exposed to two fundamental ways of looking at biology; first, from the point of view of the biologist who understands the complexity of life processes and second, from the point of view of the physicist who appreciates the basic simplicity of all the laws of nature.

Career Opportunities: The applicability of biophysics is so widespread that we can only outline some of the career opportunities. Medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, veterinarians, many researchers in the life sciences, physical therapists and nurses require an understanding of the principles and techniques involved in the use of modern instruments. Radiation treatment, CAT scanning, genetic engineering, laminar flow rooms, cryosurgery and artificial organs have all been made possible due to rapid advances in biophysics.

Biophysics provides a helpful background for students interested in professional training in health related fields. It is also a valuable area for students interested in teaching biology or health at any level. Industrial, government or university laboratory work requires a thorough knowledge of both the theory and application of modern instrumentation. The federal government is currently funding training programs that combine biology and physics. Job opportunities are available for students with such a background and these openings are expected to increase over the next few decades.

Requirements: Students will be admitted into the program by the biophysics advisor. Individual counseling will guide the students to a proper choice of courses consistent with previous experience. Introductory Biophysics (PHYS 231, 332) requires high school algebra and geometry. The more advanced courses will require knowledge of 231 and 332. Additional mathematical training is encouraged.

The biophysics minor consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours. Required courses are PHYS 231/232 Introduction to Physics and Biophysics I with laboratory, 4 hours; PHYS 332/233 Introduction to Physics and Biophysics II with laboratory, 4 hours; PHYS 335 General Biophysics, PHYS 337 Medical Imaging, or PHYS 431 Radiation Biophysics, 4 hours, or another upper level Biophysics course. Optional courses (minimum of 6 hours required) include but are not limited to the following: BIOL or PHYS 399 Research Problems, 1-3 hours; BIOL 330 Animal Physiology, 3 hours; BIOL 331 Animal Physiology Laboratory, 1 hour; BIOL 404 Electron Microscopy, 3 hours; BIOL 411 Cell Biology, 3 hours. Each student will meet with the biophysics advisor to determine which of these or additional courses should be taken to complete a minor. Descriptions of biology and physics courses are found elsewhere in this catalog.

Environmental Studies Minor (See also Environmental Science Major)

Advisors:
Dr. Scott Grubbs, Department of Biology
Thompson Complex North Wing, Office 107
Phone: (270) 745-5048

Dr. Ritchie Taylor, Department of Public Health
Science and Technology Hall, Office 410D
Phone: (270) 745-7985

Dr. Emmanuel Iyiegbuniwe, Department of Public Health
Science and Technology Hall, Office 226
Phone: (270) 745-5088

Dr. Albert Meier, Department of Biology
Thompson Complex, North Wing, Office 219
Phone: (270) 745-6525

The environmental studies minor (reference number 363) is designed to provide a broad-based intellectual foundation for students interested in pursuing careers in environmental management and related areas. The minor is intended for natural science majors, as well as for students majoring in business, psychology, journalism, and other social science and humanities disciplines.

Requirements: The environmental studies minor consists of 25 semester hours including a 13 hour core and 12 hours of electives.

1. The core of the curriculum is founded on the selection of one of the following courses intended to provide an overview of the environmental field: ENV 280, BIOL 280, PH 280, CHEM 280, GEOG 280, GEOL 280.
   
   These courses present a common body of basic environmental science and its applications but with different emphases, allowing a student to select that which most closely parallels his/her individual interests. The selected course should be taken during the fall semester of the second year and no later than the fall semester of the third year.
2. The following course illuminates the relationship of environmental issues to social science: ECON 202.
3. The capstone of the program is the senior environmental seminar to be taken in the spring semester of the final year. The senior seminar will be offered on a rotating basis by the several departments of Ogden College participating in the minor program. The course is cross-listed in each of those departments course listings as number 486.
4. The remainder of the core consists of these courses: ENV 495 and ENV 460. These courses should be   taken during the final year of the minor.

All students pursuing the environmental studies minor must complete at least three semester hours of chemistry with a separate laboratory course.              

The remaining hours of the minor are to be selected from the list of courses identified from the offerings of the several science departments. The specific courses to be taken will be determined after consultation with one of the environmental studies minor advisors. A sufficient number of offerings has been identified to allow the selection of a sequence which corresponds closely to the students interests.

Elective courses (selected from courses outside of the major department) 12-14 hours:

Department of Agriculture [AGRO 350 (4 hours); AGRO 454 (3 hours)]; Department of Biology [BIOL 315 (4 hours); BIOL 207/208 (3 hours & 1 hour lab); BIOL 420 (3 hours); BIOL 472 (4 hours)]; Department of Chemistry [CHEM 314 (5 hours); CHEM 330 (5 hours); CHEM 432 (3 hours)]; Department of Geography and Geology [GEOG 100 (3 hours); GEOL 102 or GEOL 111 (3 hours) with lab GEOL 113 (1 hour); GEOG 121 (3 hours); GEOG 328 (3 hours); GEOL 415 (3 hours); GEOL 310)]; Department of Public Health [PH 384 (3 hours); ENV 360 (3 hours) ENV 410 (3 hours); ENV 480 (3 hours) ENV 360 (3 hours).

Medical Technology

Thompson Complex, North Wing
Office 228C, Phone: (270) 745-6845
Advisor: Dr. Kerrie McDaniel

With the aging of our population, it is estimated that health care will be a major service industry in our country. An important part of health care is medical technology or clinical laboratory scientists, a profession that includes well-trained, highly educated individuals who are the fact-finders of the medical world. Medical technologists (Clinical Laboratory Scientists) typically analyze body fluids, examine tissues, and identify specific microorganisms to find evidence for and the cause of specific diseases such as AIDS, Diabetes, and Cancer. Some of the exciting new demands of the profession include tissue typing for organ transplantation, chromosomal studies as a basis for genetic counseling, identification of environmental pollutants, and screening tests for accidental poisoning and drug abuse. The demand for Medical Technologists is very high. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for 106,000 new Medical Technologists by 2010 to meet medical demands of an aging population.

Although two-thirds of medical technologists work in hospital laboratories, new sources of employment include laboratories in physician’s offices, research facilities in universities and industries, public health centers and in veterinary clinics.

The medical technology program (reference number 582) combines a minimum of three years (96 semester hours) of college courses at Western Kentucky University with a minimum of 12 calendar months (36 semester hours) of satisfactory clinical training in a school of medical technology. This school must be approved by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and by the medical technology coordinator at Western Kentucky University.

Coursework for this major requires a minimum of 59 hours in Biology ( 36 of which are completed at a Medical Technology school and transferred back to the Department of Biology), 20 hours of Chemistry, and 5 hours of Mathematics which leads to a B.S. degree in Medical Technology. No minor is required. A student must meet all of the general education requirements for the bachelor’s degree at Western Kentucky University before admission to the school of medical technology. Upon satisfactory completion of the course requirements in medical technology, the Bachelor of Science degree will be awarded by Western Kentucky University. Graduates of the medical technology program are eligible to take national credentialing examinations for medical technologists which result in membership in the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (A.S.C.P.).The program is affiliated with the following schools of medical technology: Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY; Owensboro-Daviess Co. Hospital, Owensboro, KY; Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN; and St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Covington, KY.

Course requirements at Western Kentucky University include BIOL 120-121, 122-123,  224-225, 226-227, 319-322, BIOL 328; CHEM 120-121, 222-223, 314, 330, CS 145 or 230 and MATH 118 or MATH 116 and 117.

More detailed information including general education requirements can be obtained from the coordinator. Students must consult the coordinator regarding applying for admission to the medical technology schools. Application is made 9 to 12 months in advance of the beginning date for the medical technology school. Admission to these schools is on a competitive basis, and maintenance of a good academic standing is required. Students are required to have liability insurance for their clinical years.

Aerospace Studies (AFROTC)

Advisor: Andrew Ernest
e-mail: Andrew.Ernest@wku.edu

The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) provides precommission training for college men and women who desire to serve as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force. When combined with the academic disciplines offered at the college level, the program provides the student a broad-based knowledge of management, leadership, and technical skills required for a commission and subsequent active duty service in the Air Force. A minor in aerospace studies (reference number 304) is now available to students. Contact the aerospace studies advisor for course requirements.

Graduates are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and are called to active duty within 60 days. Educational delays may be granted for non-flying graduates who desire to pursue advanced degrees prior to entry on active duty. The main objectives of producing officers through the AFROTC program are:

1. To procure officers with a broad educational base.
2. To provide a basic military education for college students.
3. To teach fundamentals and techniques of leadership, management and decision-making.
4. To develop, in conjunction with other academic disciplines, individual character and attributes required of a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.

Air Force ROTC Program

How do I enroll?
In cooperation with Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, TN, an opportunity is available for Western Kentucky University (WKU) students to participate in the Air Force ROTC Program. Simply call the detachment (615.963.5931) and ask for a Cross-Town Application. Mail this short application and your unofficial transcripts with your immunization records back to Detachment 790. The program provides training and education that will develop skills and attitudes vital to the professional Air Force Officer. In this program students are eligible to compete for scholarships (2.5+ GPA) and receive the same benefits and privileges as full-time students enrolled at TSU. In addition to the above, Western Kentucky University grants two room and board scholarships each year to winners of four-year or three and one-half year AFROTC scholarships.

Curriculum - The General Military Course (GMC) is 1 credit hr and is composed of the first four semesters of aerospace studies (AERO) and is for freshmen and sophomores. The Professional Officer Course (POC) is 3 credit hrs and constitutes the final four semesters of AFROTC study and enrolls juniors and seniors.

Civil Air Patrol Squadron - A centralized flying program for AFROTC cadets conducted at any time while they are enrolled in AFROTC. Training consists of eight hours of flying instruction in a light, single-engine aircraft. Objectives of the program are to train and motivate qualified cadets toward a rated (flying) career, and to introduce the cadets to the aviation career field.

Students who participate in the Air Force ROTC program must be enrolled as a student at WKU (or other cross-town college). The student is also jointly enrolled as a TSU student and participates in Aerospace Studies at TSU. For more information, contact the Unit Admissions Officer at (615) 963-5977 or check the website at www.tnstate.edu/rotc or www.afrotc.com.

Field Training
Six-week Field Training Course: This course is designed to qualify the student who has not had GMC courses for enrollment into the POC (AERO 351). Primarily, it enables students who are unable to enroll in the GMC an opportunity to pursue the advanced course and thereby receive a commission in two years of study, coincident with the conferral of the baccalaureate degree.

Four-week Field Training Course: This course is designed for the cadet who has completed the entire GMC coursework and Leadership Lab. The four-week Field Training Course prepares the cadet for enrollment into the POC. This would include prior enlisted members.

Both: These courses constitute the cadets first extended exposure to an actual Air Force environment. Activities include survival training, junior officer training, aircraft and aircrew indoctrination, physical training, career orientation, small arms familiarization, first aid training and a first-hand look at the organization and functions of an active Air Force base.

POC Eligibility
The following are prerequisites for entry into the AFROTC Professional Officers Course (POC). The student must:

1. Have either completed the General Military Course (GMC) or the six-week Field Training Course. The GMC may be accredited for certain prior military service applicants who meet specific criteria.
2. Have two academic years of college remaining (either undergraduate, working on second degree, or graduate degree) as a full-time student.
3. Have achieved a qualifying score on the AFOQT.
4. Execute a written agreement to complete the program and successfully complete the applicable Field Training Course and accept an Air Force Reserve Commission, when tendered.
5. Be selected by the Professor of Aerospace Studies (PAS).
6. Meet certain specified age requirements.

General Benefits
All students enrolled in the AFROTC programs are provided textbooks and uniforms at no expense. POC students (juniors and seniors) and all scholarship students receive a monthly subsistence allowance of up to $400 tax-free. Those cadets who attend Field Training are also paid air travel to and from the encampment, plus a stipend based on current active duty pay scales (approximately $450-$650).

Sponsored Activities
Arnold Air Society - A national society of AFROTC cadets who excel in character, academics, and exhibit interests in the study of aerospace technology meets at TSU.