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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
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
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Introductory Biology I with Lab | BISC208 |
Introductory Biology II with Lab |
CHEM103 OR 107 |
General Chemistry I with Lab
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CHEM104 or 108
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General Chemistry II with Lab |
MATH
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Mathematics course | MMSC200 |
Language of Medicine |
UNIV101 |
First Year Experience
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ENG110 | Seminar in Composition |
Breadth Requirement
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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 |
Introduction to Microbiology |
NTDT200 |
Nutrition Concepts |
MMSC270 | Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases |
KAAP309 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I
|
CHEM214/216 OR |
Elementary Biochemistry with Lab |
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 |
MMSC402 |
Body Fluid Analysis |
MMSC407 |
Clinical Physiological |
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 | ||
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**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
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BISC403 | Genetics OR |
MMSC433 | Hematology II
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MMSC491 | Human Molecular Genetics |
MMSC420 | Immunohematology II
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MMSC462 | Interdisciplinary Healthcare Perspectives |
MMSC438 |
Diagnostic Bacteriology & Medical Mycology
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HLTH241 |
Ethical Aspects of Healthcare |
Breadth Requirements | English (at 200+ level) | ||
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Students can take MMSC490 and 491 OR BISC401 and 403 |