Bachelor of Science - Biology
LECOM Osteopathic Medicine (3 + 4)
Under this joint agreement between Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and Slippery Rock University (SRU), select undergraduate students who have successfully completed specific course work at SRU may continue their education in Osteopathic Medicine at LECOM. This program is comprised of two phases: Phase I consists of the first three years of undergraduate education at SRU; Phase II consists of the remaining four years of medical school education at LECOM and its associated clinical sites. Slippery Rock University will confer the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology to Slippery Rock students who have successfully completed the Slippery Rock courses in Phase I at SRU and the first four semesters (preclinical) of LECOM’s Academic curriculum.
To be eligible for the "3+4" Program, SRU students must satisfy the requirements listed below for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at SRU for the "3+4" program, and indicate interest to enter into the "3+4" Program during their sophomore year. To gain final acceptance to Phase II of the "3+4" Program, students must apply through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOMAS) to LECOM by August 30 at the beginning of the third year. A LECOM Secondary application must also be completed prior to scheduling an Admissions Interview. Letters of recommendation and supporting documentation, including certified transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, must be submitted for review by LECOM.
Applicants must have completed the following specific course requirements while at SRU:
i. Biology: A minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work with a grade of C or better; no advanced pacement or CLEP credits. These eight hours may consist of general biology or zoology, or a combination of biology, zoology and botany.
ii. Inorganic Chemistry: A minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work.
iii. Organic Chemistry: A minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work.
iv. Physics: Two semester of Physics (Physics I and Physics III), including two semester hours of laboratory work.
v. English: A minimum of six semester hours of composition and literature.
vi. Behavioral Sciences: A minimum of six semester hours of courses in the behavioral sciences; i.e., psychology, sociology, anthropology, medical ethics, or philosophy.
Admission to LECOM is subject to the applicant’s meeting the following criteria:
i. SAT/ACT minimum 1170/26
ii. High School Grade Point Average 3.5 or better
iii. Slippery Rock University GPA 3.4 (minimally 3.2 in science courses) by the end of the junior year
v. MCAT (taken at the end of the junior year or earlier: 24 minimum total score; no lower than 7 in any category
vi. Consideration is also given to personal traits and demonstrated desire to become an osteopathic physician.
vii. Appropriate letters of recommendation
Students successful in Phase I will be interviewed by LECOM in the third year prior to admission to Phase II of the "3+4" program. Final acceptance of candidates to Phase II of the "3+4" Program will be determined by LECOM.
Students will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from SRU upon receipt of an official transcript from LECOM indicating successful completion (grade of "C" or better in each course) of the first year of LECOM’s curriculum. Students will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine by LECOM after successfully completing the complete four-year medical curriculum, successfully passing COMLEX I and COMLEX II of the National Board of Osteopathic Medicine Examiners, and otherwise satisfying all other requirements as identified by LECOM for graduation.