1. Pre-medical Studies at Fresno State
Larry G. Riley, MSc, PhD
Professor – Comparative Endocrinology
Pre-Med Advisor
Biology Department
California State University, Fresno
Science 1, room 212
Appointments are made with the Biology

2. Plan B Options Postbaccalaurate Programs Physician Assistant (PA)
Clinical Lab Scientist (CLS)

3. Postbaccalaurate Programs
The University of California Schools of Medicine offer comprehensive postbaccalaureate programs designed to assist students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in gaining admission to medical school. The programs seek students who are committed to practicing in underserved communities of California
Programs are located at
UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Riverside, UCSF
Each program provides
An intensive MCAT preparation and learning skills component
Enrollment in upper division science courses during the academic year either at a UC, UC extension
Guidance throughout the medical school application process
Consortium website

4. Physician Assistant (PA)

5. What is a Physician Assistant?
A physician assistant (PA) is a medical professional who works as part of a team with a doctor. A PA is a graduate of an accredited PA educational program who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician.
What can PAs do?  
PAs perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, perform procedures, assist in surgery, provide patient education and counseling and make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes. All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow PAs to practice and prescribe medications.

6. Difference Between Physician Assistant (PA) & Nurse Practitioner (NP)
At the practical level, there are likely more similarities than differences between PAs and NPs. However, there are 2 key differences:
PAs are educated in general medicine, which offers a comprehensive view of all aspects of medicine. NPs must choose a “population focus,” e.g. pediatric, nurse practitioner or women’s health nurse practitioner.
PAs are trained to practice medicine using a curriculum modeled on medical school education. NPs are trained in the advanced practice of nursing

7. Pre-req’s for Physician Assistant
Sciences:
1-year sequential coursework
General Biology w/labs (BIOL 1A/1B)
General Chemistry w/labs (CHEM 1A/1B or CHEM 3A/3B)
3 semester units or 4 quarter units each of the following
General Microbiology w/lab (BIOL 20 or BIOL 120)
Human Anatomy w/lab (BIOL 67A)
Human Physiology w/lab (BIOL 67B)

8. Pre-req’s for PA 2. Non-Sciences:
3 semester units or 4 quarter units each of the following
Statistics
Introductory/General Psychology
All pre-requisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better and must be taken w/in 5 or 10 years of applying
**There may be additional requirements depending on school**
1 year of Spanish
1 year of Organic Chemistry
1 semester of Cell Biology
Check with each individual school to know what their required courses are.

9. Additional Pre-req’s for PA
GRE or MCAT – depends on school (taken w/in 5-years of application)
AP Credit – depends on school
Clinical Experience – amount depends on school. The more experience the better. Plan to have 2 years of experience
Examples: EMT, radiologic technician, nursing assistant, respiratory therapist, etc…
Hands-on experience
Helpful website:

10. Additional Pre-req’s for PA
Demonstration of community service is expected of all applicants
Examples: Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club, homeless shelters, Big Brother/Sister Clubs, etc…
Letters of Reference
3-5 letters
Examples: Physician Assistant, Science Professor, Physician , nurse, mentor
Essay
CASPA (Central Application Service for PAs)

11. Clinical Lab Science (CLS)

12. Clinical Lab Science (CLS)
Clinical laboratory scientist, aka medical laboratory scientist, aka medical technologist, aka med tech.
Performs testing on blood, body fluids and other samples for the purposes of diagnosing disease and monitoring patient treatment.
Current job market is very good. Most graduates have been able to find jobs within 3 months of completing the program.
Highly competitive!!!!
California Association for Medical Laboratory Technology

13. Application Process for CLS
Must complete Bachelors Degree and essential course work prior to application
Minimum GPA 2.75 – 3.0
Highly competitive, higher GPA better chance of being accepted
Applied for Trainee License
Resume/CV
Application Essay
Three letters of recommendation
Official copies of college transcripts

14. Typical Courses Req’d for CLS Programs
16 semester units of chemistry that must include quantitative analysis and biochemistry (not a requirement for all programs)
18 semester units of biological sciences that must include specific classes in immunology, hematology, and medical microbiology
3 semester units of physics
Prefer at least 4 units of upper division biology laboratory and at least one, preferably all, of the following courses: physiology, genetics, biostatistics
Each program requirements vary.

15. Courses Req’d for CLS License
Course CSUF
Course Title
Units
BIOL 1A, 1B/1BL
Introductory Biology 8
BIOL 102
Genetics 3
BIOL 103
Cell Biology
BIOL 120
Microbiology 4
BIOL 157 (157L optional)
Immunology
3/6
BIOL 121
Medical Microbiology
BIOL 164
Hematology
CHEM 1A/1B with labs
General Chemistry 10
or CHEM 128A/B & 129A
Organic Chemistry (better option)
CHEM 8 & 129A
Organic Chemistry (will work, not preferred) 5
CHEM 105
Quantitative Analysis Lab
PHYS 2A/2B
General Physics
MATH 75
Calculus

16. CLS License Most Fresno State students major in Biology
After you graduate with your B.S. degree you will need to apply to the state for a CLS trainee license.
This license allows you to apply to the hospitals of your choice for admission to the one-year internship
You’ll need the license in order to be admitted to a CLS program
License allows you to train, not work, as a licensed CLS
Manual on how to apply for a CLS License:

17. California CLS Licenses
There are different types of CLS Trainee Licenses
Clinical Chemist
Clinical Cytogeneticist
Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist
Clinical Hematologist
Clinical Histocompatibility
Clinical Immunohematologist
Clinical Microbiologist
Clinical Toxicologists
More information at:
Approved CLD training programs:

18. CLS Programs Example of a CLS program (SFSU)
Post-baccalaureate certificate program
2 cohorts/year; students/cohort
14 month program
16 weeks (1 semester) campus phase
Intense didactic presentation with labs for all 7 rotations: Hematology, Hemostasis, Microbiology, Serology, Immunohematology, Urinalysis, Chemistry
40 weeks (10 months) onsite clinical training
National Certification (ASCP)
California Licensure (LFS)