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Medical Diagnostics-Pre Physician Assistant

Medical Diagnostics Pre-Physicians Assistants students conduct research

Why Major in Medical Diagnostics Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration?

Access to quality healthcare for all is one of the most significant grand challenges of the 21st century. The demand for Physician Assistants (PAs) has increased tremendously and the "US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment to grow 31% for 2020-2030 much faster than the average of all occupations. About 12,000 openings for PAs are projected each year, on average, over that time period". Medical Diagnostics is a clinically-oriented science program that incorporates the basic science courses required for admission to PA School complemented by medically-related courses that encompass the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Students learn the pathophysiology of disease in 5 major areas of study: Clinical Chemistry, Hematology/Hemostasis, Immunology, Immunohematology, and Medical Microbiology. Students study detailed information about laboratory analysis and how laboratory data correlate to human disease. 

Uniqueness of Our Program

The Medical Diagnostics Pre-PA major studies a wide range of disease processes and patient diagnostic patterns, and applies this information to patient case studies in order to evaluate hematological, microbiological and biochemical disease states. The program is enhanced by excellent faculty working at the frontiers of their field. Faculty are noted researchers who are making fundamental contributions to their respective fields including cancer, diabetes, nanomedicine, immunology and infectious disease. Students often participate in faculty research through independent study.

Capstone experience includes opportunities to interact with healthcare providers in areas such as mental health, emergency medicine, pediatrics and others.

Areas of Study

  • Clinical Chemistry 
  • Hematology
  • Hemostasis/Coagulation
  • Medical Microbiology 
  • Diagnostic Bacteriology
  • Immunohematology
    (Transfusion Medicine)
  • Immunology
  • Body Fluids

 

What’s special about this program?

The Medical Diagnostics Pre-PA curriculum is designed to meet the prerequisite requirements for physician assistant studies. Medical Diagnostics Pre-PA students take most of the Medical Laboratory Science lecture courses but do not take the accompanying laboratory courses; this schedule allows students to pursue minors that capture their interest and work on acquiring patient contact hours and shadowing experience. Completion of the concentration does not guarantee entry into a physician assistant program. Students should familiarize themselves with the requirements of physician assistant programs to which they will apply.

Sample curriculum

FALL   SPRING  
       

BISC207

 

Introductory Biology I with Lab BISC208

Introductory Biology II with Lab

 

CHEM103 OR 107 

 

General Chemistry I with Lab

 

 

CHEM104 or 108

 

 

General Chemistry II with Lab

MATH

 

Mathematics course

MMSC200

Language of Medicine 

UNIV101

First Year Experience

 

ENG110 Seminar in Composition
 

Breadth Requirement

 

MMSC100 Intro to Medical and Molecular Sciences
FALL   SPRING  
       
CHEM213/215 OR   Elementary Organic Chemistry   with Lab OR  KAAP 310  Human Anatomy &   Physiology II

 

CHEM321/325

 

 Organic Chemistry I with Lab

 

BISC300
OR 

 

 Introduction to Microbiology
 OR

 

NTDT200

 

 Nutrition Concepts

MMSC270 Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

 

KAAP309

 

 Human Anatomy & Physiology I

 

 

CHEM214/216 OR

 

Elementary Biochemistry with Lab
OR

 

PSYC100

 

 General Psychology

 

CHEM322/326  Organic Chemistry II with Lab
     

 

Breadth Requirement

FALL   SPRING  
       
CHEM214 Elementary Biochemistry ** BISC401 
OR
  Molecular Biology of the Cell
  OR

 

MMSC360 

 

Clinical Immunology and Medical Virology

 

MMSC490

 

  Clinical and Molecular Cell
  Biology 

 

MMSC402

 

Body Fluid Analysis

 

MMSC407

 

  Clinical Physiological
  Chemistry I

 

STAT200

 

Basic Statistical Practice OR

 

MMSC423

 

  Hematology I

 

STAT408

 

Statistical Research Methods I

 

MMSC428

 

  Medical Microbiology

 

 

 

Second Writing Course

 

MMSC409

 

  Immunohematology I

 

 

Breadth Requirement

    Breadth Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Only needed if CHEM321/325

and CHEM 322/326 sequence is

taken in sophomore year  

 

 Students can take MMSC490 and 491 OR

 BISC401 and 403

FALL   SPRING  
       
MMSC436

 Clinical Physiological Chemistry II

 

BISC403

 Genetics

 OR

MMSC433

 Hematology II

 

MMSC491  Human Molecular Genetics
MMSC420

 Immunohematology II

 

MMSC462

 Interdisciplinary Healthcare

 Perspectives

 

MMSC438

 

 Diagnostic Bacteriology & Medical

 Mycology

 

 

HLTH241

 

Ethical Aspects of

Healthcare

   Breadth Requirements    English (at 200+ level)

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

 Students can take MMSC490 and 491 OR

 BISC401 and 403

Go Global at UD

This major is eligible for the following programs:

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