Pre-Physician Assistant Studies at Maine's Leading University for the Health Professions

Are you passionate about health care and excited to become a physician assistant? In the Pre-Physician Assistant track of the Medical Biology major, your curriculum is tailored to meet all academic requirements for admittance into a physician assistant graduate program, including our own Master of Science Physician Assistant (M.S.P.A.) at UNE — the only PA program in Maine. Get the education and experiences that will take you one step closer to making a difference in patients’ lives.

A student peers into a microscope
A student sits over their biology textbook that is surrounded by didactic skull models

Why UNE for Medical Biology Pre-Physician Assistant Track

You will work side-by-side with faculty and graduate students in our medical, dental, and pharmacy schools as well as our many graduate health programs — just one of the benefits of attending a comprehensive health professions university.

  • Up-close interaction with graduate health programs
  • Research opportunities across the health care fields
  • Early exposure to interdisciplinary, team-based care
  • GradVantage program for streamlined acceptance to UNE’s PA or other graduate programs
Olivia Scott stands smiling at the camera holding her handmade ceramics

Olivia Scott ’20

Biological Sciences, Environmental Science

Experiential Learning

At UNE, you get a lot of different opportunities to do research, work in labs, and gain experience that you need for after you graduate and move on to the real world.

In [Sustainability and Ecological Restoration], we were growing chestnut trees from seeds because we're trying to restore the American chestnut population, which was decimated by a foreign blight. This process was cool because we got to watch over the plants. We started them from seeds and watched them grow. Then we ended up being able to transfer them to the ground outside and continue to care for them. It made me feel like I can make change — like I am part of a much bigger purpose.

Aside from science, I love art. Any free moment that I have, I'm doing pottery. I've been involved with ceramics in the art department since I got to UNE. I love it. Ceramics is my passion. As much as I love science, I may love ceramics even more. This semester, I'm a Teaching Assistant for the throwing class. Throwing is using the pottery wheel.

Ceramics is part of who I am. It’s not what I’m majoring in, but it helps me with school because it helps me relax. People need to have outlets, and ceramics is mine. I can go to the art studio, get into the flow, and lose track of time and worries.

Why UNE

UNE’s size is not too big and not too small. The professors are able to gain a close relationship to students, so as a student, I feel listened to. My questions are answered. In a larger university, you may not have that as much because the class sizes are too large to really be able to connect to the professor or to feel comfortable seeing a professor outside of class and asking questions.

I’d say definitely check UNE out. If you're in love with the sciences, it’s the place to be, and we also have a great art department. If you love the sciences, you like the ocean, and you want to be in a smaller school, I think UNE is the perfect fit.

[The research I participated in] made me feel like I can make change — like I am part of a much bigger purpose.

Biological Sciences, Environmental Science

What will you study? Medical Biology Degree Curriculum Overview

There are many ways you can navigate this major. UNE’s academic advising team will help you chart your course.

B.S. in Medical Biology Courses

The following are some examples of the courses that the Medical Biology major offers:

  • Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
  • Genetics
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

We offer our GradVantage program for admission into our medical and dental colleges as well as our Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy programs.

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.

Academic Advising

Careers for Medical Biology Majors

With the knowledge you gain from your coursework, the critical thinking skills you develop through research, and the life skills you acquire from close working relationships with faculty and peers, you will be on track to excel in a physician assistant master’s degree program. And there are many other rewarding professions that you may wish to explore with your Medical Biology degree, including:

  • Medical Researcher
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Drug Development Scientist
  • Genetic Counselor
  • Medical Editor
  • Instrument Technician

Career Advising for B.S. in Medical Biology Students

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

100%

of first-time UNE candidates who passed the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam.

B.S. in Medical Biology Degree Facilities

In addition to the typical resources found on a college campus, we also offer extensive computer resources, laboratories, and classroom facilities.

Harold Alfond Center

Sitting at the center of campus, facilities within the Harold Alfond Center for the Health Sciences include numerous lecture halls and teaching labs used by all majors within the School of Biological Sciences.

It is also the primary hub for undergraduate research within the School, housing the majority of faculty research labs and our indoor-access greenhouse.

Take a virtual tour of the Alfond Center for the Health Sciences

Peter and Cécile Morgane Hall

Morgane Hall contains the administrative offices of the School of Biological Sciences and most of its faculty. There are two lecture classrooms, two multi-purpose biology labs, and a genetics and microbiology lab.  

The building also houses chemistry and physics labs with models and computer simulators for in-depth study of both biological and physical science concepts.

Take a virtual tour of Biddeford Campus Labs and Learning Spaces

Experiential Learning in the Bachelor's Degree in Medical Biology Program

Internships and Shadowing for Pre-Physician Assistant Students

You will need to acquire a minimum of 500 patient contact hours through a wide array of enriching internship opportunities. In addition, you will need to spend at least 20 hours shadowing a working physician assistant.

Sites include:

  • Southern Maine Health Care
  • Maine Medical Center
  • UNE Petts Health Center

Research for Medical Biology Majors

  • Opportunities for undergraduates to participate in cutting-edge research across health care fields
  • Mentorship from faculty at a university categorized as having “High Research Activity” by Carnegie Classification
  • Paid research positions available

Research Opportunities

Travel Courses for Medical Biology Majors

UNE's travel courses allow you to stay on track with your lab sciences and College of Arts and Sciences core curriculum while gaining enriching international experience.

The below travel courses are taught by Biology faculty.

To enroll in these courses, you must submit an application to the Global Education Program. You can also apply for a Global Education scholarship when applying to these courses.