Physician Assistant
Northwestern’s pre-physician assistant program prepares students for entrance into a Physician Assistant (PA) professional program and an eventual career as a PA where you will practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Most students will attend Northwestern for four years, graduating with a B.A. degree before entering a 2-year PA graduate program. Students most typically pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Biology Health Professions. The pre-physician assistant specific courses are listed below.
The pre-physician assistant courses align with the pre-requisite courses for Northwestern's Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program which began in 2020. Admission to PA programs is competitive; Northwestern's program plans to enroll only 32 students per year. NWC graduates interested in Northwestern's MSPAS program will receive preference in the admissions process: Applicants who complete all the admissions materials and meet all admissions criteria will be granted an admission interview.
Visit the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies homepage
Recommended courses
Psychology elective (4 credits)
Medical Terminology (2 credits)
BIO 115SN - General Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Science and the Natural World) An introduction to molecular and cellular biology, with an examination of the processes common to living organisms and an introduction to the diversity of life, emphasizing unicellular organisms. This introduction will provide students with a basic understanding of macromolecules, cell structure and function, respiration and photosynthesis, the cell cycle, meiosis, genetics, mechanisms of evolutionary change, and Christian perspectives on evolutionary biology. Prerequisite: Combined Math + Science ACT of at least 44, sophomore standing, or permission of instructor.
Note: Three lectures and 3 hours of laboratory work per week. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO 116 - General Biology: Ecology and Organismal Biology
(4 credits) An introduction to organismal biology and ecology. Structure and function of representatives from the plant and animal kingdom are emphasized. In addition, students will be introduced to basic ecological concepts and Christian perspectives on stewardship.
Note: Three lectures and 3 hours of laboratory work per week. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO 202WI - Genetics and Genomics
(4 credits) (Writing intensive) An introduction to the principles of heredity and their practical applications. Prerequisites: BIO115 or 116.
Note: Includes 3 credits of lab per week. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO 203 - Microbiology
(4 credits) A study of the morphology and physiology of microorganisms with special emphasis on bacteria and viruses. Those organisms that have an economic or medical importance will be highlighted, and basic laboratory techniques will be stressed. Prerequisites: BIO115SN or BIO122 and CHE102 or CHE108SN or CHE112.
Note: Includes 3 hours of lab per week. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO 221 - Human Anatomy
(4 credits) A study of the gross structure of the systems of the human body. Prerequisite: BIO102SN, 115 or permission of instructor.
Note: Includes 3 hours of lab per week. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO 222 - Human Physiology
(4 credits) A study of the mechanisms by which the human body functions. Emphasis will be given to nerve and muscle function, and thereafter to hormonal control and the integrated systems that allow for respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive activities. Prerequisites: BIO102SN or 115 and CHE101SN, 102 or CHE111, 112 or permission of instructor.
Note: Includes 3 hours of lab per week. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO 326x - Biochemistry: Proteins and Metabolism
(4 credits) A fundamental course surveying biomolecules, catabolism, bioenergetics and biosynthesis. Prerequisites: CHE321 and 322. Cross-Referenced: Cross-referenced in chemistry.
Note: Includes 3 hours of lab per week. A fee is associated with this course.
CHE 321 - Organic Chemistry
(4 credits) The study of carbon compounds and their functional groups, including nomenclature, synthesis, reactions, structures, mechanisms and spectroscopic analysis. Prerequisites: CHE102 or 112 or permission of instructor.
Note: Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. A fee is associated with this course.
CHE 322 - Organic Chemistry
(4 credits) A continuation of the study of carbon compounds and their functional groups, including nomenclature, synthesis, reactions, structures, mechanisms and spectroscopic analysis.Prerequisite: CHE321.
PSY 100SS - Exploring Psychology
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Self and Society) In this course students learn how, using methodologies such as observation, survey and experimentation, psychological science explores the causes and consequences of human action. An overview of major findings from the field of psychology such as biological bases of behavior, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, human development, personality, intelligence, psychopathology and therapy, the effect of
others on individuals will be discussed and students will be encouraged to apply this knowledge to their own views and actions. Students will consider why the integration of faith and science in understanding humans is important and will explore ways of accomplishing this integration.
PSY 360 - Psychopathology
(4 credits) This course will provide a broad survey of what is considered to be disordered in behavior, emotional expression, and cognition in adults. Emphasis will be placed on a scientific view of psychopathology. The two main foci of the course are the (a) description of various behaviors, symptoms, syndromes and illnesses as described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association, and (b) research and theories concerning etiology including discussion of environmental, biological, social and interactive perspectives. While intervention and childhood disorders will be discussed, they are not the primary focus of this course. Prerequisite: 4 credits of psychology courses.
Choose one sequence:
CHE 101SN - College Chemistry
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Science and the Natural World) This course is an introduction to inorganic chemistry, with an emphasis on the health sciences. It is well suited for students whose programs require one year of chemistry.
Note: Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Open to all students. A fee is associated with this course.
CHE 102 - College Chemistry
(4 credits) An introductory course in organic and biological chemistry. The content is especially suited to meet the needs of students whose programs require only one year of chemistry. Prerequisite: CHE101SN.
Note: Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. A fee is associated with this course.
CHE 111 - General Chemistry
(4 credits) An introductory course in chemistry that emphasizes physical and inorganic concepts, problems and calculations. Topics include chemical reactions, stoichiometry, properties of gases, thermochemistry, theories of atomic structure, and chemical bonding. The general chemistry sequence (Chemistry 111 and Chemistry 112) is recommended for students with good math / science preparations who intend to proceed to advanced courses in chemistry, the biological sciences or engineering. Prerequisites: high school chemistry and ACT math score of at least 24 (SAT 570 or above).
Note: Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. A fee is associated with this course.
CHE 112 - General Chemistry
(4 credits) A continuation of Chemistry 111. Topics covered include kinetics, thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, acid-base chemistry and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisite: CHE111 or consent of the instructor.
Note: Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. A fee is associated with this course.
Choose one course:
MAT 116QR - Statistics for the Natural and Social Sciences
(3 credits) (NWCore option under Quantitative Reasoning) This course is designed to introduce topics in probability and statistics with an emphasis on problems in the sciences. We will study discrete and continuous distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing, p-values, correlation, and simple linear regression. There will be three main sections in this course, examining descriptive statistics (the nature of data and how to summarize it), basic probability concepts (the mathematical study of uncertainty), and inferential statistics (making claims or decisions based on one or more sets of data). Prerequisite: ACT math score of 20 or above (SAT 510 or above), ALEKS placement exam score of 46 or above, concurrent enrollment in MAT100, or permission of instructor.
Note: Students may receive credit for only one course among MAT116QR, MAT117QR and MAT208QR.
MAT 208QR - Biostatistics
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Quantitative Reasoning) This course is a study of statistical methodology commonly used in the biological and health sciences. Material includes basic descriptive methods in statistics, foundational concepts in probability, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests involving one or two samples, correlation and regression including multiple regression, contingency tables, and ANOVA. Students will also complete a substantial project. Prerequisite: ACT math score of 20 or above (SAT 510 or above), ALEKS placement exam score of 46 or above, or concurrent enrollment in MAT100.
Note: Students may receive credit for only one course among MAT116QR, MAT117QR and MAT208QR.
