Medical Biology (Pre-Physician Assistant Track - MPA)

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology - Pre-Physician Assistant Track
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Biological Sciences

Contact

Dr. Steven Travis
stravis@une.edu

Dr. Kristin Burkholder
kburkholder@une.edu

Mission

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.

Students who major in biology programs become familiar with all levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems and gain practical experience in both laboratory and field studies. Small classes enable the faculty to adopt an approach to learning that stresses how different subjects are related to each other, facilitates critical thinking, and encourages a collaborative approach to learning between students and faculty. Professors want students to experience the excitement and to see the applications of biology as well as appreciate science as a way of knowing about the world around them. In addition, the medical biology program stresses the importance of field opportunities, research experience, and experiential learning. The School of Biological Sciences also offers a graduate degree in Biological Sciences (master level) which is detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog. The School of Biological Sciences medically related programs benefit from interaction with the College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as UNE's graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant. Visit our graduate programs page for details.

Major Description

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 or (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 a hospital, clinical, or laboratory setting).

Curricular Requirements

CAS Core Requirements Credits
Total 42–46
Program Required Courses Credits
BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution (included in core requirements) 4
BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular 4
BIO 214/214L – Genetics 4
BIO 245/245L – Gen Prin Anat/Phys/Pathophys I 4
BIO 232/232L – Microbiology 4
BIO 345/345L – Gen Prin Anat/Phys/PathophysII 5
BIO 370 – Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BIO 400 or higher capstone course (not satisfied by Internship/Research/Speaker Series) 3–4
Total 31–32
Program Required Science and Mathematics Courses Credits
CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I or CHE 150/150L - University General Chemistry I 4
CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II or CHE 151/151L - University General Chemistry II 4
CHE 210/210L/210S or 210G/210LG/210SG – Organic Chemistry I or CHE 250/250L/250S – University Organic Chemistry I 5
CHE 310/310L – Fundamentals of Biochemistry 4–5
MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences 3
MAT 190 – Calculus I 4
PHY 110 – Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I 4
PHY 111 – Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II 4
Total 32–33
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) Variable
Minimum Required Total Credits 120

Additional Guidelines

BIO 410 and BIO 495 research and internship courses do not meet 200- and 400-level course requirements.

Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) consists of professional staff and faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences. The major function of this committee is to draft letters of evaluation for students applying to health professions programs such as Medical, Dental, and Veterinary schools. Interested students should view our web page for information regarding the protocol for obtaining a PHPAC letter of evaluation.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the School of Biological Sciences. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the School of Biological Sciences.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes for students graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Department of Biology include:

  • Knowledge of fundamental principles in biology, relevant concepts in mathematics and the physical sciences, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the critical analysis of new biological information, in the following areas:
    • Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life, including cell structure, metabolism, heredity, and reproduction.
    • Organismal Diversity, including organismal structure and function, hierarchy of organization, and the evolution of life.
    • Interrelations of Organisms and their Environment, including abiotic and biotic interactions, biogeochemical cycles; ecosystems and their dynamics, and human actions and interventions.
  • Understanding of the process of science, as well as demonstrated competency in biological research, with a particular emphasis on:
    • The scientific method, including observational, comparative, and experimental approaches and the tools utilized.
    • A critical reading of the primary scientific literature.
    • Data analysis, interpretation, and the communication of scientific results (including oral presentations and scientific report writing).
  • Appreciation for the relevance of the biological sciences to real-world issues, including:
    • Familiarity with avenues and applications of current and future research as well as the careers that use them.
    • Bioethical issues and their biological and social basis.
    • Recognition of the civic responsibility to share knowledge and to apply expertise to the improvement of human and environmental health.

Minor

A medical biology minor requires six (6) biology courses, including the introductory biology series. In particular, School of Biological Science majors who wish to take a biology minor must select four (4) additional courses beyond those required for their major. No biology courses can satisfy both the major and minor requirements except for the introductory 100-level courses.

Medical Biology Minor Required Courses Credits
BIO 105/150L – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution and BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular or BIO 104/104L – General Biology and BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular 8
BIO 214/214L – Genetics 4
BIO 245/245L – Gen Prin Anat/Phys/Pathophys I 4
BIO 345/345L – Gen Prin Anat/Phys/PathophysII 5
BIO 370 – Cell and Molecular Biology 3

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their major advisor.

Transfer Credit

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 Science/Math courses previously completed must be no older than five years.

Other options and restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2023–2024 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of the date of publication April 28, 2023.

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.