About the Pre-Physician Assistant Program
A physician assistant is a licensed health care professional who works under the supervision of M.D. or D.O. to perform many of the tasks that were once carried out solely by doctors. Physician assistants can perform physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel patients on preventative health care, assist in surgery, and in most states, even write prescriptions. As a student you can expect to spend 27 months training both in the clinic and in the classroom once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree. Requirements beyond core classes include: BIOL 205: Human Anatomy, BIOL 206: Human Physiology, BIOL 208: Microbiology, BIOL 324: Molecular Biology, BIOL/CHEM 336: Biochemistry, PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology and medical terminology.
Program Curriculum:
Prerequisite or Co-Requisite: DAY-CHEM 115 or CHEM 208 or CHEM 238. CCPS-BIOL 102.
This course examines the structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins. The molecular mechanisms of replication, transcription, mRNA processing and translation will be emphasized. In addition, regulation of these processes will be explored. Lecture and laboratory. Intended for students majoring in biology or related disciplines.
Prerequisite: Day-BIOL 172. CCPS-Co-requisite: BIOL 181-L.
This course will apply the knowledge acquired in BIOL 172 to the inheritance patterns of genetic traits between individuals and within populations. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite or Co-requisite: DAY- BIOL 181. CCPS-BIOL 172.
An introduction to the principles of evolutionary biology, including the history, processes and patterns of evolution as well as systematic biology.
A lecture course that covers analytical methods of chemical analysis. Topics include statistical analysis, quantitative chemical analysis, chemical equilibria, eletroanalytical techniques and fundamentals of spectroscopy.
A laboratory course designed to give students experiences with analytical methods of chemical analysis. Topics include data analysis, chemical equilibria (acid-base and complexation), redox titrations and spectroscopy.
A fundamental course in the study of inorganic chemistry. Topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, nomenclature of inorganic compounds, fundamentals of inorganic complexes and an introduction to the chemistry of main group elements.
A fundamental laboratory course in the study of inorganic chemistry. Topics include the preparation of inorganic complexes, resolution of chiral transition metal compounds, ion conductivity and a preparation of a main group inorganic compound.
Prerequisite: CHEM 238.
This lecture course is an in-depth study of organic functional group chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, aromatics and alcohols. Topics include nomenclature, stereochemistry, mechanisms, and theory.
Prerequisite: CHEM 238-L.
This laboratory course introduces the organic lab skills and techniques with extensive hands?on experience and organic application of spectroscopy and instrumentation.
Prerequisite: CHEM 315 or CHEM 312. Recommended prerequisite: CHEM 327.
A lecture course that studies the structure and function of biological molecules. Topics include enzyme kinetics, synthesis and degradation of biological molecules, and energy production. Emphasis will be placed on enzyme mechanisms and regulation.
Prerequisite: CHEM 315.
This lecture course continues in-depth study of organic functional group chemistry of carbonyl containing compounds and amines. Topics include spectroscopy, mechanisms, theory and an introduction to biochemistry and metabolic pathways.
Prerequisite: CHEM 315-L or CHEM 312-L.
A laboratory course that continues development of organic lab skills and techniques. Topics covered will include multi-step synthesis, open- ended projects involving experimental design and an introduction to enzyme catalysis and stereochemical control.
This course introduces students to the expectations of academic work at the collegiate level. Particular emphasis lies on developing students’ skills in writing, critical thinking and information literacy. Each course section has its own theme, developed by faculty members from a wide variety of disciplines.
Prerequisite: DAY-None.
CCPS-ENGL 150.
Expository writing provides students with valuable opportunities to write in a wide variety of modes of nonfiction, including narrative essays, film and book reviews, cultural analyses and journalistic essays. Students read and discuss published nonfiction and participate in workshops where they respond to one another’s writing in small groups. The workshop format enables students to respond to issues of form, purpose, voice and audience.
Prerequisite: One year of high school algebra.
A course to acquaint the student with the basic ideas and language of statistics including such topics such as descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, basic experimental design, elementary probability, binomial and normal distributions, estimation and test of hypotheses, and analysis of variance.
Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra and one semester of high school trigonometry.
A study of the fundamental principles of analytic geometry and calculus with an emphasis on differentiation.
Co-requisite: MATH 231.
The principles of Newtonian mechanics including motion, energy, and force. Calculus with extensive use of vector analysis. Intended for science majors. The modeling-centered, inquiry-based workshop format — integrated laboratory and lecture — emphasizes experiment, data collection and analysis, problem solving, and cooperative learning in both small and large groups. Three two-hour sessions per week. Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: PHYS 211.
Continuation of Newtonian mechanics, including working, 2-d motion, impulse-momentum, and circular motion. Also electrical and magnetic properties of matter, fields and forces, and DC circuits. Calculus with extensive use of vector analysis. Intended for science majors. The modeling-centered, inquiry-based workshop format — integrated laboratory and lecture — emphasizes experiment, data collection and analysis, problem solving, and cooperative learning in both small and large groups. Three two-hour sessions per week. Offered spring semester.
Physician Assistant
Undergraduate students interested in becoming a physician assistant often major in biology, chemistry, or both. Physician assistant is a program and is not considered a major. A Bachelor's degree is required prior to matriculation into physical assistant school.
GRE
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test designed to assess academic ability and understanding of general scientific concepts. The test is broken down into three section: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The GRE is administered throughout the year, and it provides professional schools with a quick way to compare students from schools all across the world.
Internships and Clinical Experience
Drury also strongly recommends that students spend time in a clinical setting. The experience that the student gains will not only give them a better understanding of the physician assistant profession, but these experiences let physician assistant schools know that an applicant has firsthand knowledge of the profession. A Drury University student has the advantage of contacts with local alumni, who can provide students with both shadowing opportunities and, in some cases, internships. Other internships can be arranged through the Office of Career Planning and Development.
Selected Schools
Missouri State University seeks to create physician assistants that are both knowledgeable in medicine but also possess a strong commitment to helping areas in need. Students participate in a rigorous curriculum that is coupled with clinical rotations to provide students with a strong basis for a career in this eld. During the clinical rotation experience, students are expected to do one clinical rotation in an under-served or rural area.
The program begins in January and 30 students are accepted into the program on average every year. The program lasts for 24 months and is divided into a didactic and clinical component. Missouri State University is located in Springfield, Missouri.
Saint Louis University has maintained one of the first physician assistant programs in the United States. In fact, SLU has had a successful first time pass rate of 99% for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam over the last five years. Students attending SLU are provided individual attention from professors because of a limited class size of 34 students. This personal attention offered to students helps them gain both knowledge in this field as well as professional development.
One unique aspect of SLU's program is an optional post-graduate mini-residency that allows students to gain further experience in this field. Saint Louis University is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine provides a seven-semester physician assistant program beginning in the spring. This program offers access to various medical education resources present at the school of medicine, such as the Youngblood Skills lab, the Health Science Library, and the Medical Education Media Center. The location in the city gives students access to community health centers, academic medical affiliates, surrounding rural locations, and a diverse population of patients.