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Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant

BS Pre-Professional On-Campus Main Campus
DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

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Turn your passion into practice.

The Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant major prepares students for the next step toward a career as a physician assistant. The curriculum combines foundational science courses with supporting coursework commonly required for admission to physician assistant programs.

Where Bold Ideas Take Shape

The Pre-Physician Assistant curriculum provides a strong foundation in the sciences and health-related subjects. Students can choose electives in areas such as virology, immunology, pathogenic bacteriology, epidemiology, health physics and toxicology to explore areas of interest.

Through the program, students:

  • Gain hands-on experience through an 80-hour experiential learning requirement, which may include shadowing physician assistants, physicians or nurses or working in a hospital setting.
  • Build knowledge through coursework in medical terminology, psychology, chemistry and mathematics.
  • Prepare for graduate-level study with coursework in anatomy, physiology and molecular genetics.
  • Gain experience that can help prepare for the application process and future work in health care.

What Can You Do as a Pre-Physician Assistant Major?

Physician assistant programs typically lead to a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree. Admission requirements vary by program, so students should review the requirements for the programs they plan to attend and work with their advisors to plan their undergraduate coursework and experiences accordingly.

Some physician assistant programs require significant patient-care or health-care experience before admission. Students can build this experience through roles such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician or other allied health positions.

SEMO’s Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant option provides a strong foundation for students preparing for graduate study in physician assistant programs. Students build the scientific knowledge and academic preparation needed for the next step while completing their undergraduate coursework at SEMO, where they can benefit from affordable tuition.

Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Biology PA Graduates

  • Southern Illinois University
  • University of Missouri School of Medicine Springfield Clinical Campus
  • University of Kentucky
  • Saint Louis University
  • Missouri State University

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Pre-Physician Assistant (BS) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your Pre-Physician Assistant Major.

View the Degree Map

Pre-Physician Assistant Major Salaries

  • $136k

    Physician Assistant

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a physician assistant is $136,900.

  • $132k

    Nurse Practitioner

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $132,000.

  • $44k

    Medical Assistants

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a medical assistant is $44,720.

Turn Ambition Into Action

The biology pre-physician assistant option prepares students for any area of biology, but primarily prepares you for MMS school. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have
completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most
likely to complete this program of study.

Required Courses:

  • BY163 Evolution & Ecology (4)
  • BY173 Cell & Organismal Biology (4)
  • BY283 Genetics (4)
  • BY389 Career Development in Biology (2)
  • CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
  • MI101 Introduction to Microcomputer Applications (3)
Choose one math course:
  • MA116 Precalculus A (3)
  • MA137 Precalculus (5)
  • MA139 Applied Calculus (3)
  • MA140 Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (5)
Experiential Learning Requirement: 2 hours
  • BY580 Development of Instructional Materials (3)
  • BY582 Internship in Biology (1-3)
  • BY585 Biology Field Studies (1-6)
  • BY587 Experience in Museum Curation (1-3)
  • BY591 Biological Research (1-6)
Pre-Physician Assistant Option Required Courses:
  • BS113 Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab (4)
  • BS114 Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab (4)
Biology Electives - choose 12 Hours
  • BY prefix course with at least 9 hours at the 300 level (12) OR
  • BS340 Microorganisms and Their Human Hosts (4) AND
  • BY prefix with at least 8 hours at the 300 level (8)
Choose 12 hours:
  • BYxxx, EVxxx, GTxxx 300 level and above (12)
Non-Biology Requirements:
  • CH186 General Chemistry II (3)
  • CH187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • CH341 Foundations of Organic Chemistry (4)
  • HL113 Medical Terminology (3)
  • MAxxx Additional math (for which MA116 is a prerequisite) (3)
  • PY220 Psychological Development Across the Lifespan (3)

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

First Year    

Fall Semester (15-17 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1) 
  • BY163/063 (4) 
  • CH184/CH185 (5) 
  • MA116/137/139/140 (3-5) 
  • MI101 (3) 
Spring Semester (17 Hours)     
  • BY173/073 (4)
  • EN100 (3)
  • CH186 (3) 
  • CH187 (1)
  • Additional Math (3)
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

Second Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)  
  • BY283/083 (4) 
  • BS113/013 (4) 
  • CH341 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)    
  • BY389 (2) 
  • BS113/014 (4)
  • HL113 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

Third Year    

Fall Semester (15-16 Hours)    
  •  Biology Elective or BS340/040 (3-4) 
  • PY220(3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (14 Hours)     
  • Experiential Learning Crs (2) 
  • Biology elective (3) 
  • Biology elective (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

Fourth Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)     
  • Biology Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)  
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (2)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion
of a degree.

 *Recommended for program; consult advisor

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What will it cost?

Hands-on Learning

You’ll gain hands-on real-world experience through a required 80 hours outside the classroom experiential learning opportunity working at hospitals or with PAs and doctors.
Experiential Learning
A medical professional meets with a patient at the Campus Health Clinic.

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Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

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Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. SEMO's Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. Our boldly supportive team will provide the expertise and support you need, so you're landing your dream job.
Career Services

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Biological and Environmental Sciences

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Location

Office

Rhodes Hall 224

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 6200
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
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Take the Next Step

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Take the Next Step

Biological and Environmental Sciences

Contact Us

Location

Office

Rhodes Hall 224

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 6200
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701