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Medical Diagnostics-Pre Physician Assistant

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
CAREER OPTIONS
- Medical Writing
- Teaching
- Medical Informatics
- Wellness Coach
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Biotech Companies
- Medical Device Companies
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
- Physician Assistant
- Pathologist Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
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
|
CHEM103/133
|
General Chemistry I with Lab
|
CHEM104/134
|
General Chemistry II with Lab
|
MATH114
|
College Math and Statistics
|
MMSC200
|
Language of Medicine
|
UNIV101
|
First Year Experience I
|
ENG110
|
First-Year Writing
|
MMSC100
|
Introduction to Medical and Molecular Sciences
|
||
Breadth Requirement
|
FALL | SPRING | ||
CHEM213/215 |
Elementary Organic Chemistry with Lab |
KAAP 310 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
NTDT200
|
Nutrition Concepts
|
BISC300 OR |
Introduction to Microbiology OR |
KAAP309
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology I
|
MMSC270
|
Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
|
PSYC100 | General Psychology | CHEM214/216
|
Elementary Biochemistry with Lab
|
|
|
Breadth Requirement | |
|
FALL | SPRING | ||
MMSC415 |
Clinical Immunology and Medical Virology |
HLTH241 |
Ethical Aspects of Healthcare |
MMSC402 |
Body Fluid Analysis |
MMSC407 |
Clinical Physiological |
STAT200 |
Basic Statistical Practice OR |
MMSC423 |
Hematology I |
STAT408 |
Statistical Research Methods I |
MMSC428 |
Medical Microbiology and Parasitology |
|
Second Writing Course |
MMSC409 |
Immunohematology I |
Breadth Requirement |
Breadth Requirements |
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
|
|
Multicultural Breadth
|
MMSC490 | Clinical & Molecular Cell Biology OR |
English (at 200+ level) | |
BISC401
|
Molecular Biology of the Cell
|
|
|
Breadth Requirements |