What Mathematics do I have to take?
Calculus (MAC2311 & MAC 2312) - 8 hours,OR
Life Sciences Calculus (MAC 2241 & MAC 2242) - 8
hours, OR
Engineering Calculus (MAC 2281 & MAC 2282) - 6 hours
OR
Introductory Statistics I (STA 2023) - 4 hours - can substitute for
the Calculus II requirement of any of the sequences above.
Any combination will satisfy the requirement as long as you take a
Calculus I & II (i.e., you cannot take Calculus I & Life Sciences Calculus
I).
Who can be a Biology Major?
Biology is a restricted major. You must complete the following courses
with a GPA of 2.75 to gain access to Biology major: Biology I and
II with corresponding laboratories, Chemistry I and II with appropriate
laboratories and either Physics I or II with l ab or any college-level
mathematics course.
Can I major in Marine Biology?
No. However, you can major in biology with concentration in Marine
Biology.
Whom do I see if I have academic problems?
Talk with both your professor and laboratory instructor on how to improve
your study skills. Find out if tutors are available for your specific
class. Seminars are available through the USF Counseling Center on
reading and study skills, as well as stress management.
Whom do I see about biology transfer credit?
The Biology department will evaluate of your biology transfer work.
Keep in mind that previous course catalogs, syllabi, and other documentation
may be requested for a proper evaluation. To make an appointment,
call (813) 974-3250.
What happens if I get a D or F in my major coursework?
Only grades of C or better can be used. These courses will have to
be repeated.
Can I take a higher level course if I have not passed the
prerequisite?
NO
Can I audit a Biology course?
Audit forms are only processed during the first week of a semester.
Once an Audit is processed, you may attend class as an observer only
- you may not take any exams nor change from an audit at a later
date.
Is there an Honors Program for Biology Majors?
Yes, but it is by Invitation Only. Invitations to the program are made
during the spring semester following completion of the first biology
course for majors. Criteria for selection includes, but is not limited
to: Freshman/Sophomore status, A/B in Biology I, and recommendation
from laboratory instructor. Successful completion of the program
requires a GPA of 3.5 in major coursework, an overall GPA of 3.0
at USF, and completion of 40 hours in Biology, not including the
four Honors courses.
Do I have to attend the First Class/Lab?
You must attend the first lecture and/or laboratory in every course
for which you are registered. The Department of Biology WILL drop
you from the class or laboratory if you do not attend the first session.
If illness or emergency prevents your attendance at the first session,
notify your instructor or the Undergraduate Office at 974-6218 prior
to the class meeting so your place can be reserved. HINT!! - Do not
count on any Department or instructor to drop you --Ultimately it
is YOUR responsibility to telephone drop from your classes or YOU
are fee liable.
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What is the difference between the B.S. degree in chemistry
and the B.A. degrees in chemistry?
The B.S. degree is for students who want to take a job as a chemist
after their undergraduate studies or plan to pursue a graduate
degree in chemistry. The B.A. degrees are suitable for students
preparing for careers in other fields such as health professions
(medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine),
business, law or education.
How do I declare a major in chemistry?
If you are a student in College of Arts and Sciences, and you want
to change your major to chemistry, you need to fill out the Change
of Major Request Form that is available in BEH 201 the College
of Arts and Sciences Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Office.
Can I minor in chemistry?
The Chemistry Department will offer a minor in chemistry effective
Fall 2001. You can pick up a course requirements sheet for a
minor in chemistry in SCA 400.
Does the Chemistry Department offer a chemistry teacher education program?
No, the College of Education offers undergraduate programs for
secondary school teachers and graduate degree program for junior
college teachers.
Are MAC 2233, 2234 (Life Science Calculus I and II) acceptable for the
B.S. degree, or the B.A. degrees in Chemistry?
No, they are not. Only MAC 2311, 2312 (Calculus I and II), and
MAC 2281, 2282 (Engineering Calculus I and II) are acceptable.
What physics courses are accepted for B.S. or B.A. in Chemistry?
PHY 2053, 2053L and PHY 2054, 2054L, or PHY 2048, 2048L and PHY
2049, 2049L are acceptable for all B.A. degrees in chemistry.
Only PHY 2048, 2048L and PHY 2049, 2049L are acceptable for the
B.S. degree in chemistry.
Is there an introductory chemistry course that can help me prepare for
my general chemistry course (CHM 2045)?
Yes, CHM 2021, Chemistry for Today.
Can I begin my general chemistry sequence at a community college or another
state university and complete the sequence at USF?
Yes, you can, but Chemistry Department strongly advises students
to take the entire sequences of chemistry courses, such as general
and organic chemistry at one institution. This is because courses
may carry the same common course numbers, but their topics may
vary substantially from school to school.
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I am halfway through my degree program and now the classes
I need are not offered. What can I do?
Meet with Dr. Snow or Dr. Ryan, who will develop an individual
program for you. We are being pretty flexible in this cross-over
time.
How do I identify a field camp?
The Geology department has a file of current field camp information.
New information comes in beginning about November. Stop by and
look at it.
Can I go to any field camp?
The camp must be approved by the faculty, and you will need a Transient
Student form. Stop by the Geology department to pick up the form,
and Dr. Snow can sign it.
I want to go on one of the Field Trips,
but I have only taken Geology 1. Can I
go?
Sure. Students on the field trips range from beginning geologists,
like you, to graduate students. Your grade is based not on how
much you know, but on how much you learned.
How does a Geology major differ from
an Environmental Science And Policy major?
The geology degree is more focused on the geologic sciences, while
ESP has a strong policy component. Some students choose to major
in Geology and minor in Environmental Policy. That can be a strong
combination.
Are there any acceptable substitutes
for GLY 2010 or 2011?
Yes, but you should talk to your advisor first, especially because
not all substitutions are accepted for all majors. For the INS
degrees, GLY 3104 can substitute for either course. Also, GLY 2038
can substitute for GLY 2010, and GLY 2040 and OCE 2001 can substitute
for GLY 2100 (labs still must be taken).
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Interdisciplinary Natural Science FAQReturn to the top
What is Medical Technology?
Medical Technology is the application of laboratory methods to
the diagnosis of disease. The medical technologist performs a
wide range of diagnostic tests using sophisticated instrumentation.
Where do Medical Technologists work?
Medical Technologists usually work in hospital laboratories, private
diagnostic services such as Smith Kline and sometimes for pharmaceutical
companies, research organizations or public health facilities
such as the CDC.
What types of diagnostic tests are done?
The tests generally fall in the categories of chemistry, hematology,
immunology, immunohematology, microbiology and urine analysis.
How does one become a Medical Technologist?
At the University of South Florida, the Medical Technology degree
is a B.S. degree, requiring four years. The first three are spent
at USF with students taking the General Education courses, Exit
Courses and their science courses. Once these have been completed,
the student is eligible to apply for entrance into the internship
program, at one of our affiliated hospitals. In the fourth year
internship, students take coursework and work in the hospital
laboratory.
Can anyone who completes the basic science
course and other University requirements
enter an internship?
No. This is a limited access program. The required GPA is at least
2.5 and to be competitive for all of the programs, 3.0 is recommended.
Is admission to the internship dependent
only on the GPA?
No. There are three elements in the admission process: an application
including grades, an interview at the hospital, and three letters
of recommendation.
Which hospitals are affiliated with
the USF program?
Tampa General, Bayfront Medical Center (Clearwater), Florida Hospital
(Orlando), St. Vincent's Hospital (Jacksonville) and Shands Jacksonville.
When do the internships start?
All five hospitals have internships beginning in the summer. The
two hospitals in Jacksonville also accept students to start in
the winter.
How long does the internship last?
Approximately 11 months.
Are Medical Technologists licensed?
Yes. Licensing is obtained after successful completion of a national
exam administered by NAACLS and successful completion of the
internship year and awarding of the B.S. degree.
What are the job prospects?
The job placement from the USF program has been 100%. Often, students
are offered positions at the hospitals where they do their internship.
What is the starting salary?
About $30,000 per year
What do I do if I am not admitted to
an internship or if I change my mind about
being a medical technologist and do not
want to enter an internship?
All the Medical Technology courses parallel the INH degree (Interdisciplinary
Natural Sciences Degree - Health Profession Track), which is a
B.S. degree. In the fourth year, you stay at USF and take more
science courses and then graduate with a B.S. in INH. After completing
the INH degree, you are eligible to apply independently to some
hospital internships.
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What math courses are required as pre-requisites for the general
physics courses? Can I take Calculus at the same time as PHY
2048? Can I take algebra at the same time as PHY 2053?
College algebra and trigonometry are required before beginning
PHY 2053. Calculus I is required before beginning PHY 2048. The
pre-requisites should be completed before beginning the general
physics courses. Consult the undergraduate catalog for physics
course descriptions and other details.
I am a Pre-Health Professions student (This includes Pre-medical, Pre-Veterinary,
Pre-dentistry, Pre-optometry, Pre-chiropractic, Pre-podiatry and Pre-pharmacy).
Which general physics sequence should I take?
PHY 2053/PHY 2054. This sequence includes modern/nuclear physics
material, which may appear on the MCAT or equivalent examinations.
I am not Pre-Health Professions. Which general physics sequence should
I take?
Often this would depend on your chosen major. Engineering and other
science majors who are required to take a calculus based general
physics sequence should take PHY 2048 and PHY 2049. Many majors
have a choice of taking either sequence but may prefer to take
the non- calculus based sequence of PHY 2053/PHY 2054.
Why would most students who are not required to take a calculus based
general physics sequence prefer to take non-calculus or algebra based physics
sequence PHY 2053/PHY 2054? Is there any difference between the two sequences?
The material covered in the two sequences is not the same. The
PHY 2053/2054 sequence covers mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics,
wave motion/sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics
and modern and nuclear physics. The sequence of PHY 2048/2049 does
not include the modern /nuclear physics material and ends with
light and optics. Consequently students who take the PHY 2053/2054
sequence get a more general overview of physics with somewhat less
details than those taking the calculus based PHY2048/PHY 2049 sequence. The
problems solved are of similar difficulty in both the sequences.
If I start with PHY 2048 do I need to finish with PHY 2049
or is PHY 2054 acceptable? If I start with PHY 2053 can I finish
with PHY 2049? In other words, can I mix the physics courses
however I choose?
NO! Since the material covered in these courses is not the same,
you should stay with the sequence you chose to begin with. If you
are unsure which sequence is required for your major you should
look in the undergraduate catalog or see your advisor before you
sign up. If you are not planning to take calculus II for your degree
you should not start the PHY 2048/2049 sequence since PHY 2049
does require this level of calculus.
Can I take both halves of the sequence in the summer? When are the general
physics courses offered?
All of the general physics courses are offered in the Fall, Spring
and Summer. However, the courses are offered simultaneously in
the C session (ten-week) in the summer term. Hence the student
should not plan to take both semesters of physics over the summer.
When should I begin the physics course sequence?
You should begin your physics course sequence as soon as you have
completed your mathematics prerequisites.
Do I have to finish the physics sequence in consecutive terms?
You should always finish the sequence in consecutive terms if possible.
Physics is a cumulative subject. Therefore, it is advisable to
finish the sequence as soon as possible. Also, if you wait several
semesters you may need to buy a new textbook!
Can I take the lecture course without the lab?
Since physics lecture and lab are co-requisite courses, they must
be taken simultaneously. If you want to repeat one half of the
course to improve your grade but have earned a C or better in
the other half call the telephone number listed at the top of
the physics courses in the schedule to obtain a computer permit
to do so.
Can I drop the lecture and keep the lab or vice versa? Can I change to
audit to avoid poor grade?
Since the physics lecture and lab are co-requisite courses you
may not drop one and keep the other. A petition process described
in the laboratory manual outlines how qualifying students can drop
the lecture and keep the lab at the drop deadline. Non-qualifying
students must drop both the courses simultaneously. You can change
to audit status during thew first week of classes only. You cannot
change to audit to avoid bad grade.
I have never taken physics in high school. What can I do to prepare myself?
Buy the textbook a few weeks before the semester begins and start
reading and studying the material on your own. Make sure to read
ahead of where your professor is teaching and do not get behind.
The first few chapters are very important. During this time you
will establish study habits and problem solving skills that are
necessary throughout the sequence. Problem solving courses (PHZ
2102/PHZ 2103) are very helpful. They are listed near the end
of the physics courses in the schedule. Pay attention to the
notes in the schedule and sign up for the correct course.
I had general physics at another college/university. How can I get credit
for these courses?
If the college or university is in the Florida State University
System (SUS), just submit your transcript to the office of the
records and registration. If the college/university is outside
of the SUS you need to pick up a course evaluation checklist form
in PHY 142 or PHY 114 before trying to have your courses evaluated
by the physics undergraduate advisor.
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