OCEANOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT INSTRUCTION 1531.47A

Subj: POLICY CONCERNING OCEANOGRAPHY PRE-MEDICAL MAJORS

Ref: (a) USNAINST 1531.47B

Encl: (1) Sample Oceanography Pre-Medical major matrix

(2) Request for Consideration as an Oceanography Pre-Medical

Major letter

1. Purpose. To establish departmental policy concerning oceanography majors desiring consideration as pre-medical candidates.

2. Cancellation. OCEANDEPTINST 1531.47. This directive is a complete revision and should be reviewed in its entirety; no special markings appear because revisions are extensive.

3. Background

a. As discussed in reference (a), a maximum of fifteen Naval Academy graduates each year may be permitted to attend medical school directly after graduation. A limited number of midshipmen in the Oceanography major may pursue the rigorous and highly selective pre-medical program within the Oceanography major matrix as defined in this instruction.

b. The requirements established herein apply to the Class of 2003 and future classes.

4. Requirements

a. The following requirements must be met prior to requesting consideration as an Oceanography pre-medical major student:

(1) No “D” or “F” grades in any Naval Academy course;

(2) A “B” or better in both SC111 and SC112; and

(3) A minimum CQPR of 3.4.

b. The Oceanography pre-medical major will be limited to no more than 5% of each class enrolled in the Oceanography major.

c. Upon admission to the program, the student must receive a grade of “B” or better in SC225 and SC226 for these two courses to count as Oceanography major electives. Failure to do so will result in the student’s immediate withdrawal from the Oceanography pre-medical major.

d. The student must also complete SC263, SC262, SB251, and SB252 to meet medical school requirements. None of these four courses will count toward Oceanography major electives and only a maximum of three credit hours may be applied in the student’s matrix as the free elective. All other credit hours will be taken as overloads or in summer school. Enclosure (1) summarizes the modifications to the oceanography matrix for Oceanography pre-medical candidates. No special curriculum will be established for Oceanography majors to complete this program. The program must be schedulable so as to meet all graduation requirements for the Oceanography degree.

5. Action

a. Midshipmen

(1) Meet with your academic advisor to ensure all requirements to apply for the program are met. This should occur no later than April of the 3/C year in time to pre-register for summer school and the fall semester of the 2/C year.

(2) Complete the Request for Consideration as an Oceanography Pre-Medical Major letter [enclosure (2)].

(3) If approved, complete all non-Oceanography requirements outlined in reference (a), e.g. apply for Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), submit application to USNA Pre-Medical Advising Committee, submit application with Association of American Medical Colleges, etc.

b. Academic Advisors

(1) Counsel interested midshipmen on the requirements for applying to this program, including the potential of summer school, overloading and/or use of 7^th periods.

(2) Assist midshipmen in completing enclosure (2).

c. Senior Academic Advisor

(1) Review letter of consideration from midshipmen, ensuring proposed matrix is complete and realistic. Make recommendation to the Department Chair.

(2) Monitor all Oceanography pre-medical students’ progress.

(3) Maintain liaison with the Chair, Pre-Medical Advising Committee to ensure all Oceanography pre-medical majors have met criteria for application to medical school.

D. J. WHITFORD

Date:___________

From: Midshipman _____________________

To: Chair, Oceanography Department

Via: (1) Senior Academic Advisor, Oceanography Department

(2) Chair, Pre-Medical Advising Committee

(3) Academic Advisor, Oceanography Department

Subj: REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION AS AN OCEANOGRAPHY PRE-MEDICAL MAJOR

Ref: (a) USNAINST 1531.47B

(b) OCEANODEPTINST 1531.47A

Encl: (1) Matrix with grades to date

(2) Proposed sequence of courses

1. Having read and understood references (a) and (b), I request to be considered as an oceanography pre-medical major.

2. I have had an interview with the Chair or the Assistant Chair of the Pre-Medical Advising Committee and understand the rigor and requirements of this highly selective program.

3. I meet the following entrance requirements: (1) No “D” or “F” grades on my transcript; (2) A “B” or better in both SC111 and SC112; and (3) A CQPR of 3.4 or better. A copy of my matrix with grades is provided in enclosure (1).

4. I understand that the two organic chemistry courses (Organic Chemistry I, SC225; Organic Chemistry II, SC226) will count towards a maximum of six major elective credits only if I receive a grade of “B” or better. If I receive a “C” or below in either of these courses, I will be withdrawn from the Oceanography pre-medical program and will not receive Oceanography major elective credit for that course.

5. I realize that both biology courses (SB251 and SB252) and that both Integrated Laboratory courses (SC263 and SC262) will not count as Oceanography major electives. Additionally, I may apply only a maximum of three credit hours from these four courses as my free elective.

6. I understand that with a rigorous lab schedule, it may be difficult and possibly impossible to schedule within the Oceanography matrix, and that I may need to use 7^th period, summer school and/or an overload to meet all my academic requirements. A proposed sequence of courses is provided in enclosure (2).

Very respectfully,

MIDSHIPMAN NAME