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Physical and Health Sciences - Programs

Biological Science

Application Code: 
1554
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department: 
Physical and Health Sciences
Description: 

The biological science program prepares graduates to function in various scientific laboratories or to continue their education in a number of science or pre-professional fields. The program provides a foundation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics as well as a common core of general studies in English and social sciences. Biological science is a flexible program that can be tailored to fit the educational requirements of a variety of laboratory-related occupations.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry (Math A and B), Biology, Chemistry

Technical Standards:

Students must possess fine motor skills which allow them to focus a microscope with fine adjustment and use forceps.

Graduation Requirements: 

A minimum of 63 credit hours is required for graduation, with an overall cumulative index of 2.0. In addition, the student must complete one credit hour of physical education. A grade of "C" or better is required in the core science courses (those which have BIOL or CHEM prefixes).

Program Activity Tags: 
biology
laboratory work
research

Coding & Reimbursement Specialist

Application Code: 
1671
Degree Received: 
Certificate (Cert)
Academic Department: 
Physical and Health Sciences
Description: 

Securing accurate and appropriate payment for health care services challenges health care providers, insurance companies, and patients. Today's complex health care insurance and governmental payment systems depend on medical coding to determine proper payment. The coding and reimbursement specialist program incorporates the knowledge and skills needed to assign the correct code for prompt and accurate reimbursement.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 
  • Required: High School Biology or equivalent
  • Must be able to visually read computer monitor; must be able to use keyboard and mouse.
  • Recommended: Keyboarding, MS Office Professional
  • Students are required to join the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The AHIMA offers many valuable resources and up-to-date information in this field.
Graduation Requirements: 

C&RS students are required to earn a grade of a least a "C" or better in each BIOL and MEDR prefix course prior to placement in the PPEs. Students must also earn a grade of at "C" in the MEDR courses to graduate from the C&RS program.

Should a student fail MEDR or BIOL courses a second time: Students may re-take MEDR and/or BIOL courses as a continuing education student, then upon successful completion with a "C" or better, apply for readmission to the C&RS program, or students may retake the BIOL/MEDR equivalent courses on-campus at Alfred State College or at another college, and transfer the credit back to Alfred State College, if the course has been pre-approved for transfer credit and the student earned a grade of "C" or better.

Program Activity Tags: 
business
health care
computers
coding

Forensic Science Technology

Application Code: 
2023
Degree Received: 
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Academic Department: 
Physical and Health Sciences
Description: 

The forensic science technology program is a technically rigorous four-year degree culminating in a bachelor of science in forensic science. Students in this on-campus program will have the choice of focusing on biological applications within forensics, e.g., DNA fingerprinting, genetic analysis, and microbiology, or can specialize in the chemical practicalities, notably: physicochemical analysis and identification of drugs, fibers, soils, glass, and other types of physical evidence.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry (Math A and B), Biology, Chemistry, SAT and/or ACT scores with a recommended combined SAT score of 1000 (critical reading and math) or a composite ACT score of 21.
Recommended: Physics

Technical Standards:

Students must be able to physically lift 25 lbs. and possess fine motor skills which allow them to focus a microscope with fine adjustment and use forceps

Graduation Requirements: 
  • Completion of courses listed below
  • Minimum of 124 total credit hours, a minimum of 45 which must be from upper division course work
  • Completion of either a minimum 120 hour-long internship in a working forensic laboratory setting OR a semester-long directed research/independent study project
  • Grade of "C" or higher in all chemistry, biology, and forensic science courses
  • Completion of a "mock trial" capstone experience
Program Activity Tags: 
biology
chemistry
criminal
justice
criminal justice

Health Information Technology

Application Code: 
1969
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department: 
Physical and Health Sciences
Description: 

Alfred State College offers an online associate of applied science in health information technology/medical records. Health information technology (HIT) combines a profession in health care with information technology.

Alfred State College has offered traditional HIT courses on-campus since 1968 and has offered Web-based online learning, or e-learning, courses since 1999.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Technical Standards:

  • Must be able to visually read computer monitor.
  • Must be able to use computer keyboard and mouse.
Program Activity Tags: 
business
technology
health
medical

Success Stories

  • Caroline Baker, class of '07

    Caroline M. Baker, RHIT, a 2007 graduate of Alfred State College's health information technology/medical records program, has found career nirvana at Duke University Hospital (Durham, NC) where she serves as HIM manager.

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