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Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing 3-2 Accelerated Pre-Physician Assistant Track General Information for Biological Sciences Department Majors |
Degree: Bachelor of Science with a major in Medical Biology - Pre-Physician Assistant Track
College: Arts and Sciences
Department: Biological Sciences
Contact: Dr. Stephan Zeeman (Interim Chair) szeeman@une.edu
Biology is an exploration of the living world that underscores and explains the unity and diversity of life. But it is also a truly human endeavor in that it affects us all. Because we live at this time in human history – at the beginning of what many believe to be a biological age – students must be able to apply biological concepts to the wide array of problems and choices they inevitably face.
The medical biology major is designed to provide a strong foundation in the biological sciences for students who ultimately pursue careers in human medicine, dentistry, other health professions (e.g. physical therapy), biomedical research, or the biotechnology industry. Students in the medical biology major can choose one of two possible tracks: (1) medical sciences track and (2) pre-physician assistant track.
The pre-physician assistant track is designed for students who wish to eventually enroll in a physician assistant program. This track provides students with a solid foundation in the biological sciences at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal levels. In addition to the comprehensive introduction to general biology, the courses offered in this track introduce the student to the fields of physiology, biochemistry, cellular biology, and genetics. This track includes those courses that are prerequisite courses for entrance into physician assistant schools. In addition, students in this track have the opportunity to complete off-campus internships for college credit (e.g. in the hospital, clinical, or laboratory setting).
Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred biology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives. All Biology courses previously completed must be no older than eight years. Other options and restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions also.
| Credits | ||||
| University Core Requirements. |
42-43 |
|||
| Program Required Courses |
26-29 |
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| BIO 100 or 105 - Biology I (included in core requirements) |
|
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| BIO 101 or 106 - Biology II |
5-4 |
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| BIO 200 - Genetics or BIO 207 Organismal Genetics |
5 |
|||
| BIO 245 - Gen Prin of Human Anat, Phys, and Patho I |
4 |
|||
| BIO 345 - Gen Prin of Human Anat, Phys, and Patho II |
5 |
|||
| BIO 370 - Cell Biology |
3 |
|||
| BIO 200 or higher elective (not satisfied by Internship/Research) |
3-4 |
|||
| BIO 400 or higher elective (not satisfied by Internship/Research) |
3-4 |
|||
| Program Required Science and Mathematics Courses | 31-32 | |||
| Chemistry | ||||
| CHE 110 - General Chemistry I |
4 |
|||
| CHE 111 - General Chemistry II |
4 |
|||
| CHE 210 - Organic Chemistry I |
5 |
|||
| CHE 310 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry or CHE 211 - Organic Chemistry |
4 5 |
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| Mathematics | ||||
| MAT 150 - Statistics for Life Sciences |
3 |
|||
| MAT 180 - Precalculus |
3 |
|||
| Physics | ||||
| PHY 110 - Physics I |
4 |
|||
| PHY 111 - Physics II |
4 |
|||
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | variable | |||
| Minimum Required Total Credits |
120 |
An accelerated version of this track offers selected students the opportunity to enroll in the University of New England's master-level Physician Assistant Program one year early (i.e. after their third undergraduate year). This five-year educational track is designed to combine a medical biology-pre-physician assistant track baccalaureate degree, master of science degree, and physician assistant certificate. The program has two components.
The undergraduate baccalaureate phase of this program includes: general biology (8 credits), general chemistry (8 credits), organic chemistry (5 credits), genetics (5 credits), biochemistry (4 credits), anatomy/physiology/pathophysiology (9 credits), cell biology (3 credits), physics (8 credits), pre-calculus (3 credits), statistics (3 credits), and other science and core curriculum courses.
Pre-PA students are expected to earn and maintain a current Certificate in Basic Life Support. During the first three years of study students must obtain a minimum of 250 hours of direct patient experience (through paid or volunteer work) in a health/human services setting.
In the second phase students will begin their application for admission into the Master of Science - Physician Assistant Program. Candidates must submit an application to the MSPA program by October 1st of their third year. Students are guaranteed an interview if they meet all prerequisite requirements. An interview does not guarantee admission into the MSPA program. A completed application to this graduate program consists of the following:
| 1. | Completed Physician Assistant Program application form including a personal statement which describes: | ||
| a. | Your understanding of the role of the physician assistant and the key issues in your life which have influenced your decision to become a PA. | ||
| b. | Your perception of the major health care issues facing our society today and how, as a PA, you intend to contribute to their resolution. | ||
| c. | How these contributions relate to the UNE Physician Assistant Program's mission. | ||
| 2. | A completed academic self-report form. | ||
| 3. | Student copies of applicant's transcript(s) indicating completion of undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s) from accredited colleges or universities (if applicable), or satisfactory completion of at least 90 credits that include the necessary prerequisite course work. | ||
| 4. | Three letters of reference on University of New England Physician Assistant Program reference forms submitted by the evaluator to the Graduate Admissions Office. | ||
| 5. | Official transcript(s) must be sent directly from issuing institution(s) to UNE's Graduate Admissions Office. |
Students must have maintained a GPA of 3.30 in all natural science courses(any biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics courses, excluding internships and research) and an overall GPA of 3.00. The overall GPA and natural science GPA for students who transfer into the accelerated pre-physician assistant 3-2 track is calculated by all college-level courses taken both at UNE and other institutions. This is inclusive of course work that does not transfer into UNE. Transfer students enrolling in the accelerated pre-physician assistant 3-2 track must be in residence as a full-time matriculated undergraduate student for four semesters at UNE.
Enrollment in the accelerated pre-physician assistant 3-2 track does not guarantee admission into the Master of Science - Physician Assistant Program. In the event a student does not proceed into the master's level program, it is the student's responsibility to plan for timely completion of the medical biology-pre-physician assistant track baccalaureate program.
Students from the accelerated pre-physician assistant 3-2 track who are admitted into the Master of Science - Physician Assistant Program will receive a bachelor's degree upon successful completion of the first-year of graduate PA studies. After successful completion of the second year of the graduate PA curriculum, a Physician Assistant Certificate, and a master of science - physician assistant degree will be awarded. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional information regarding the program.
Additional Information
See General Information for Biological Sciences Department Majors for details concerning curriculum topic areas, minors, honors program, internships, and general information on UNE's largest department. Please visit our Department Homepage also.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2008-2009 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2008.
The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.