DIVISION OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES

Inquiry into the nature of physical phenomena is among the most persistent of human concerns. During the past century, both the scope and pace of such inquiry have broadened and accelerated, and its influence on our civilization has become pervasive. The discoveries and consequences of scientific inquiry have profoundly affected the human race—both in daily life and in practically all domains of intellectual life.

The Division of Mathematics and Sciences believes that an understanding of mathematics and the sciences is an indispensable part of a sound education. Coursework in the Division provides students with instruction that addresses fundamental issues in the broad range of scientific inquiry. The Division seeks to instill in students an appreciation of critical thinking as well as knowledge of specific subjects. Students who decide to major in one of the disciplines of the Division undertake specialized study and research in their selected fields.

The Division offers majors in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The major in Biology includes three options: General Biology, Pre-Professional and Biology with Teaching Certification. The major in Mathematics includes three options: Applied Mathematics/Pre-Engineering, Pure Mathematics and Mathematics with Teaching Certification. The major in Mathematics leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree and the each of the others leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Minors are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. (See the School of Education sub-section of the College of Professional Studies section in this Catalogue for more details on the certification programs.)

Students majoring in Applied Mathematics/Pre-Engineering pursue a five-year curriculum leading to two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts degree in Engineering from the University of Kentucky, the University of Maryland at College Park, Vanderbilt University, or Florida A & M University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics from Kentucky State University. More information about this program may be found in the sub-section describing the Mathematics offerings or by contacting the Chairperson of the Division of Mathematics and Sciences.

The Division offers a curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in programs related to the health professions. Students interested in medicine, optometry, physical therapy, pharmacy, or other allied health fields should consult the chairperson of the Division of Mathematics and Sciences or the Pre-health professions advisors. The following section of this Catalogue describing allied health offerings also contains information relevant to these fields.

NOTE: Students must complete all prerequisite courses in the Division of Mathematics and Sciences with a grade of “C” or better before they may attempt the next course in a course sequence.

courses in the Division of Mathematics and Sciences with a grade of “C” or better before they may attempt the next course in a course sequence.

ALLIED HEALTH AND PRE-HEALTH PROGRAMS Allied Health

Allied Health offerings at Kentucky State University include pre-physical therapy, pre-cytotechnology, pre-nuclear medicine technology, pre-optometry, and pre-pharmacy. For these programs, the Division offers coursework that prepares students for admission to upper-level courses at a university with an accredited program toward the degree.

Medicine and Dentistry

The Division offers uniquely attractive programs for Kentucky's interested in entering medical or dental schools. The medical and dental schools of the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville offer admission each year to a number of qualified Kentucky State University graduates not exceeding three percent of the professional schools' entering classes. Kentucky State University students benefit from this arrangement because they compete for admission only with other qualified applicants from Kentucky State University. No other college or university in Kentucky has been given this opportunity to establish such an advantageous program for its students.

Students must fulfill specific requirements to qualify for admission to a medical or dental school under this program. They include the following:

  • Any major is acceptable, but students must complete at least one year of biology with laboratory, one year of general chemistry with laboratory, one year of organic chemistry with laboratory, one year of physics with laboratory, one year of college mathematics or one semester of calculus, one year of English, and other courses that will help assure success, such as those in advanced communication skills, logic, or computer science, and psychology.
  • A minimum grade-point average of 3.4 in all science courses and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.4 are required for medical school. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in all science courses and a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 are required for dental school.
  • At least 24 out of 40 points on the non-academic portion of the Total Performance Index are required. These points are determined by the medical schools in the following categories, each of which has 10 possible points: humanitarian, cultural, and service activities; letters of