Biochemistry BS Osteopathic Medicine DO – Rowan University

FDU partners with Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (RVSOM) to offer an eight-year program (or 4 plus 4 years) : BS in Biochemistry from the FDU Olsen College of Engineering and Science, and DO Osteopathic Medicine from Rowan University.

This combined degree program provides qualified students the opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree in eight years.

The 4 Plus 4 track is composed of two phases. Phase I consists of four years of undergraduate education at Fairleigh Dickinson University and completion of the B.S. in Biochemistry or Biology degree. Phase II consists of four years of medical school education at RVSOM and its associated clinical training sites.

The bachelor’s degree (BS in Biochemistry) is awarded by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the doctoral degree (DO) by Rowan Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (RVSOM). Through these Early Acceptance Programs, Fairleigh Dickinson University undergraduate students are enrolled jointly by FDU and by RVSOM. Once recommended by FDU, RVSOM will interview the students prior to their enrollment at Fairleigh Dickinson University or within the first two years of being properly enrolled in the program. Students must apply with Rowan to interview (generally due by November 1 of the year prior to FDU matriculation).

Students interviewing successfully will be offered a provisional acceptance to the BS/DO combined degree program.

High School admission Criteria:

  1. Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
  2. Minimum 1350 SAT score
  3. Completed application (due November 1st)
  4. Supplemental application (if invited, due December 1st)

Each academic year, a combined total of maximum twenty qualifying FDU students may be accepted by RVSOM to participate (ten in the 4+4 pathway). Provisionally accepted students are required to meet the following criteria while enrolled at FDU:

  1. Science GPA = 3.50+
  2. MCAT score = 505+
  3. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBFL) score = 126+

Curriculum

**Accuplacer reading/writing scores and math assessment scores will determine which reading/writing and math courses first time, first year students will take.  Those with reading/writing placement scores below the standards must complete courses in prerequisite skills (e.g., WRIT 1000, WRIT 1001, READ 1000). Those with math placement scores below the standards must complete courses in prerequisite skills (e.g., MATH 0298, MATH 1100).  These courses are applied toward free electives or are non-credit-bearing.

Degree Plan

NOTE: All students are required to complete the General Education Requirements in fulfillment of their bachelor’s degree requirements.

  • Students are required to take SPCH 1155 Public Speaking or COMM 2099 Professional Communications.
  • Florham students are required to take PHIL1440 Bio-Medical Ethics while Metro students are required to take BIOL4405 Ethics in Science as part of their general education requirements.
  • During semesters 4 and 5 the Florham students will take Molecular Cell Biology before Genetics and during semesters 3 and 4 Metro students will take Genetics before Molecular Cell Biology] 
  • Students take MATH 2202 Calculus II or Florham campus students take Applied Statistics (MATH 1133) and Metropolitan campus students take Experimental Design (BIOL 2300)
  • Students take University Physics I and II as cognate requirements.
  • Students take CHEM 4233 Instrumental Analysis to satisfy their Information and Technological Literacy general education requirement.
  • Accelerated and combined degree programs for pharmacy may have different degree requirements.  Please see those webpages for more details.

Semesters 1 and 2

Semester 3 and 4

Semesters 5 and 6 or 7 and 8

Semesters 7 and 8 or 5 and 6

  • CHEM2221 / CHEM2223 Analytical Chemistry Lecture / Laboratory (Metro)
  • CHEM4401 or BIOL4950 Seminar
  • Major Elective II: See recommended courses for Science Electives below
  • Major Elective III: See recommended courses for Science Electives below

Cognate Requirements

Semesters 1 and 2

Semesters 3 and 4

Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement

Information and Technological Literacy General Education Requirement

Major Requirements

Free Electives

May be chosen from any courses offered at the University after consultation with an advisor. Students may not take for free electives any course that is listed above as a requirement for the major.

Science Electives

Any upper-level undergraduate or graduate science course or Independent Study.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. Students must also take 220 hours of chemistry laboratory and 350 hours of laboratory in total above the introductory laboratory experiences to graduate.

Recommended Courses for Major Elective: