Suggested Schedule for students interested in
Physician Assistant careers following the

CURRICULUM FOR THE B.S. IN BIOLOGY

This is a rigorous schedule created to help motivated, career-oriented students get into a P.A. program in the earliest time.  It differs from the biology curriculum schedule because most of your elective credit has been assigned to specific courses.  In a perfect academic schedule, students should have freedom to explore any new coursework they desire.  If you have expressed an interest in P.A., then you need to worry about both your graduation requirements in the biology department and the admissions requirements of the school you hope to attend (not necessarily the same!).  The courses listed here will fulfill both requirements in most cases while staying within the 120 hour semester curriculum of the University System of Georgia.

Special Note:  The PA programs are extremely competitive.  At MCG, despite being designed as a "2 + 2" program (where students are supposed to accomplish their core studies in the first two years, transfer to MCG and then complete their undergraduate degree in P.A.in the next two years), approximately 85% of applicants admitted already have an undergraduate degree from a four-year school.  On average students admitted have SAT scores greater than 1050 and a G.P.A. greater than 3.5 (on a four point scale).  Students wishing to extend their stay at VSU before applying to a P.A. program can follow the same general sequence of courses below but may shuffle some of the work concentrated in the first year (particularly the summer schedule) to later semesters.  You will probably be ready to apply to MCG or other programs at the beginning of your Junior year in these cases.  MCG accepts applications only in the fall, generally with a deadline around October 15. 


 
FRESHMAN YEAR

Semester 1 (14 hrs):

  • ENGL 1101 Composition I (3 hrs)
  • MATH 1113 Pre-calculus (3 hrs)
  • CHEM 1211 General Chemistry I (4 hrs)[2]
  • BIOL 2010 Introductory Biology  (4 hrs)[1]
  • Start Volunteer Work Experience! [4]
Semester 2 (16 hrs):
  • ENGL 1102 Composition II (3 hrs)
  • CHEM 1212 General Chemistry II (4 hrs)
  • MCL 1001, 02, or 1111 Foreign language I (Area C) (3 hrs)
  • POLS 1101 American Goverment I (3 hrs)
  • HIST 2111 OR 2112 US History (3 hrs)
Semester 3; Summer (11 hrs)[4]
  • ENGL 2110, 2120, 2130 OR 2140 World Literature (3 hrs)
  • RGTR 0196 Regent's Test Reading (0 hrs)
  • RGTE 0197 Regent's Test Essay (0 hrs)
  • PERS #### elective (Area B) (2 hrs)
  • BIOL 2651 Human A&P I (4 hrs) free elec.
  • KSPE 2150 (CPR & First Aid;2 hr. elec. credit)
SOPHOMORE YEAR

Semester 3 (15 hrs)

  • First opportunity to apply to PA programs
  • CHEM 3401 Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs)
  • BIOL 3100 (Microbiology) (4 hrs)
  • PSYC 2500 (Area E elective) (3 hrs)
  • PERS #### elective (Area B) (2 hrs)
  • SOCI 1101 (Area E elective) (3 hrs)
 Semester 4 (15-16 hrs):
  • MATH 2261 (4 hrs) or MATH 2620 (3 hrs)
  • BIOL 2652 Human A&P I (4 hrs) free elec.
  • BIOL 2270 General Zoology (4 hrs)[1]
  • CHEM 3402 Organic Chemistry II (4 hrs)


Completing all of the preceding courses will complete the coursework needed or suggested for application and admission to MCG and some other undergraduate PA programs.  Although MCG does not require it, some other programs require a Human Growth and Development course such as PSYC 2700.  A few programs will also require Biochemistry or other courses.  Students should check with individual programs for specific requirements.
 
JUNIOR YEAR

Semester 5 (14 hrs):

  • BIOL 2230 General Botany (4 hrs)[1]
  • CHEM 3601 Biochemistry (3 hrs)
  • PHYS 1111  Physics I (4 hrs)
  • MCL 1002 or 2001 Foreign language II (3 hrs)
Semester 6 (15 hrs):
  • BIOL 3200 Genetics (4 hrs)
  • PHYS 1112  Physics II (4 hrs)
  • MCL 2001 or 2002 Foreign language III (3 hrs)
  • BIOL 3### OR 4### elective (4 hrs)
 
SENIOR YEAR

Semester 7 (14-15 hrs)

  • BIOL 3300 Ecology (4 hrs)
  • BIOL  3450 Vertebrate Physiology (4 hrs)
  • BIOL 3### OR 4### elective (4 hrs)
  • Free Elective (2-3 hrs)
  • Apply for graduation at Registrar's Office
Semester 8 (4-18 hrs):
  • BIOL 3### OR 4### electives (3-4 hrs)
  • BIOL 4900 Biology Seminar (1 hr)
This semester can be used to fill any remaining courses previously listed but not taken for the student to complete all graduation requirements.
[1] The VSU biology department passed in 2003, a requirement that all students must take as prerequisite for ALL upper level biology courses, BIOL 2010, BIOL 2230, and BIOL 2270 with a C or better before taking any 3 or 4000 level biology course.  Students are advised that they may have to alter the above optimal "PA" schedule to accommodate this requirement.
[2] In order to have any chance of being admitted to a PA program after 2 years, it is extremely important to start the chemistry immediately.  You will need to take 1.5 years of chemistry before you can even apply! If you do not get into a chemistry class in the first semester, you must have it by the second semester.  Above all, keep trying if you fail to get in to a class! (Click here to read what to do if the courses you need are filled!)
[3] Previous medical experience, especially with a practicing PA,  is looked upon VERY favorably by admission boards.  Applicants to MCG's program have on average 4-4.5 years experience at the time of their admission.  Additionally, PA schools will want at least one of your recommendation letters to be from a practicing PA.  How will a student get this if not for volunteering and shadowing a PA?  Students should find a P.A. to shadow as soon as possible - even before they enter college.  Volunteer on a regular basis as much as you can and you will increase your chances of acceptance to a PA program.
[4] Students who wish to have a chance of being accepted into the PA program at the end of their sophomore year really must take courses this summer.  Otherwise these courses can be delayed until later semesters.