Biology BS, Chiropractic DC combined degree

This accelerated, combined degree program enables students to earn both baccalaureate and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees in just six years and four months – a full year less than the normal study time of seven years and four months. Students can choose to attend undergraduate classes on either the Metropolitan Campus or Florham Campus.

The bachelor’s degree is awarded by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Doctor of Chiropractic degree is awarded by a participating Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)-accredited College of Chiropractic. To date, the University has affiliations with:

Logan University
Northeast College of Health Sciences

Students are admitted into FDU’s combined degree program as incoming freshmen or qualified transfer students. The B.S. degree is awarded after the students completes six semesters (three years) at FDU (including the courses listed below or their approved equivalent), completes the first two trimesters of study at a participating chiropractic college with grades of C or better and is accepted into the third trimester. Up to 32 credits accepted in transfer toward completion of BS degree requirements will be selected from appropriate graduate-level courses offered by a participating chiropractic college.

Program Outcomes

Students majoring in Biology develop the following skills and abilities:

Ability to use the scientific method and understand its strengths and weaknesses: Clearly states a hypothesis; Identifies not only the basics of the issue, but recognizes the nuances of the issue.

Ability to research a biological topic using traditional and computer technology: Provides a thorough and relevant literature review; Considers alternate ways to approach the questions; Ability to read and evaluate professional scientific literature; Demonstrates understanding of the relationship between experiment and theory.

Ability to write and communicate science: Writing enhances the presentation; Writing is consistently well written; Writing communicates clearly using the language of biology; Writing displays an excellent command of writing mechanics; Topics are clearly organized; Topics are covered in-depth; Topics display an abundance of original ideas; APA style is used consistently and accurately without any errors.

Ability to utilize mathematical reasoning and quantitative skills in biology: Analyzes data via graphs, statistics and curve fitting as appropriate; Possess observational and technical skills; Carries out controlled experiments using the proper equipment and safety measurements; Identifies relevant constraints; Collects data carefully and with appropriate precision; Uses initial data to refine the experiment.

Possess major field knowledge: Identifies an appropriate question by using prior knowledge; Ability to successfully compete in biologically related fields; Obtains acceptance into graduate/professional schools or employment in the field.

Degree Plan

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

Florham Campus students are required to take SPCH 1107 Fundamentals of Speech and PHIL1440 Bio-Medical Ethics as part of their general education requirements.
During semesters 4 and 5 the Florham students will take Molecular Cell Biology before Genetics and Metro students will take Genetics before Molecular Cell Biology]
Florham campus students take Applied Statistics (MATH 1133) and Metropolitan campus students take Experimental Design (BIOL 2300)
General Physics I and II can be taken with Calculus, as University Physics (Metro campus only) or without calculus on ~~both New Jersey~~ the Florham campuses
Marine Biology can satisfy Ecology requirement on the Metropolitan campus only
Biochemistry lecture (without lab) can count towards a chemistry minor as an elective and may be a requirement in certain tracks on both New Jersey campuses
Ethics in Science can count for the Moral/Ethics requirement on the Metropolitan campus only
Concentrations are offered in Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology (Metro only), Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Envronmental Biology, Forensic Biology (Florham only), Marine Biology minor (Metro only), Neuroscience (Florham only), Pre-Pharmacy (Florham only), and Quest/Education.
Accelerated and combined degree programs for chiropractic, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine may have different degree requirements. Please see those webpages for more details.