Medical Biology (Pre-Physician Assistant Track - MPA)

Degree

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

Contact

Dr. Stine Brown
sbrown@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 department also offers a graduate degree in Biological Sciences (master level) which is detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog.  The department's medically related programs benefit from interaction with the College of Osteopathic medicine as well as 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í'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 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).

Curricular Requirements

  Credits
CAS Core Requirements 42 - 46
 

CREDITS

Program Required Courses 31 - 33
BIO 105/105L - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution (included in core requirements) 4
BIO 106/106L - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular 4

BIO 200/200L/200S - Genetics

5
BIO 245/245L - Gen Prin of Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I 4
BIO 345/345L - Gen Prin of Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology II 5
BIO 370 - Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BIO 200 or higher elective (not satisfied by Internship/Research/Speaker Series) 3 - 4
BIO 400 or higher capstone course (not satisfied by Internship/Research/Speaker Series) 3 - 4
   
Program Required Science and Mathematics Courses  32 - 33
Chemistry  

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 

OR

CHE 211/211L/211S or 211G/211LG/211SG- Organic Chemistry II

OR

CHE 251/251L/251S - University Organic Chemistry II

4-5
Mathematics  
 MAT 150 - Statistics for Life Sciences 3
 MAT 190 - Calculus I 4
Physics   
PHY 110 - Physics I and 4
PHY 111 - Physics II 4
Or  
PHY 210 - University Physics I and 4