Program Contact: Robert Cottrell 203-582-8676

This unique dual-degree program prepares students for the study of pathology and laboratory medicine with direct exposure to the clinical elements, providing an easy transition to graduate-level study. The BS in Biomedical Sciences grounds students in such subjects as biology, chemistry and microbiology, with a focus on human health and disease and the development of lab skills and research acumen. This positions students for direct entry into our highly competitive, NAACLS-accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program, one of only 15 of its kind in the U.S. and Canada.

The graduate PA program blends the classroom and laboratory dynamic for a collaborative and hands-on learning experience. Students will learn to examine, process and prepare tissue specimens for a variety of clinical tests and procedures, such as light microscopy, biomedical imaging and tumor triage. The 12-month rotation places students in both community and university hospitals, where they will apply their skills in settings for both surgical and autopsy pathology. Graduates will be positioned for a range of high-demand careers in hospitals, clinical laboratories, research and medical teaching facilities.

Students begin taking PA courses as early as junior year, not only cutting down time for degree completion and easing the graduate-level course load, but saving costs on graduate education as well. Additionally, as a 4+2 undergraduate, students will still have opportunities to participate in faculty-mentored research, either during the semester as part of an independent study or over the summer as part of the Quinnipiac Interdisciplinary Program for Research and Scholarship (QUIP-RS).

Dual-Degree BS in Biomedical Sciences/MHS Pathologists' Assistant (4+2)

Undergraduate Curriculum

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
BIO 150 General Biology for Majors 4
CHE 110
110L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
EN 101 Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing 3
FYS 101 First-Year Seminar 3
MA 140
Pre-Calculus
or Calculus of a Single Variable
3
 Credits17
Spring Semester
BIO 151 Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics 4
CHE 111
111L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
EN 102 Academic Writing and Research 3
BMS 278 Research and Technology 3
UC Disciplinary Inquiry 3
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall Semester
BIO 211
211L
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I
4
CHE 210
210L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
MA 275 Biostatistics 3
UC Disciplinary Inquiry 3
 Credits14
Spring Semester
BIO 212
212L
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
4
CHE 211
211L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
4
BMS 370
370L
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab
4
UC Disciplinary Inquiry 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall Semester
CHE 315
315L
Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry I Lab
4
PHY 110
110L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
Science Elective 3
UC Personal Inquiry 3
 Credits14
Spring Semester
PHY 111
111L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
Choose one of the following 4
Biotechnology ( (Lecture & Lab Combined))  
Molecular Genetics
and Molecular Genetics Lab
 
PA 515 Human Physiology 1 4
UC Personal Inquiry 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
BMS 375
375L
Immunology
and Immunology Lab
4
PA 535 Disease Mechanisms 2 4
UC Personal Inquiry 3
Open Elective 3
 Credits14
Spring Semester
BMS 397 Biomedical Sciences Internship 3
BMS 572 Pathogenic Microbiology 1 4
SHS 420 Integrative Capstone 3
UC Personal Inquiry 3
Open Elective 3
 
 Credits16
 Total Credits122
1

Graduate course that also counts for an undergraduate science elective.

2

Graduate course that fulfills the undergraduate Pathophysiology (BMS 318) requirement.

Dual-Degree BS in Biomedical Sciences/MHS Pathologists' Assistant (4+2)

Graduate Curriculum

Plan of Study Grid
Fifth Year
Summer SemesterCredits
BMS 532 Histology and Lab 4
PA 502 Medical Terminology: Advanced 2
PA 505 Forensic Pathology 2
PA 506 Forensic Imaging 2
PA 512 Human Anatomy 4
PA 512L Human Anatomy Lab  
 Credits14
Fall Semester
BMS 504 Quality and Safety in Healthcare Organization 3
BMS 517 Human Embryology 3
PA 511 Human Microscopic Anatomy 4
PA 513 Basic Human Pathology I 3
 Credits13
Spring Semester
BMS 535 Histochemistry and Lab 3
PA 514 Basic Human Pathology II 3
PA 516 Clinical Pathology 4
PA 517 Applied Anatomic Pathology 4
 Credits14
Sixth Year
Summer Semester
PA 520 Autopsy Pathology I 6
PA 523 Surgical Pathology I 6
 Credits12
Fall Semester
PA 521 Autopsy Pathology II 6
PA 524 Surgical Pathology II 6
 Credits12
Spring Semester
PA 522 Autopsy Pathology III 6
PA 525 Surgical Pathology III 6
 Credits12
 Total Credits77

Mission Statement

The mission of Quinnipiac University’s Dual-Degree BS in Biomedical Sciences/MHS Pathologists' Assistant (4+2) program (with concentrations in Medical Sciences or Microbiology) is to provide students with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, microbiology and biomedical sciences. The curriculum will allow students to easily and effectively transition into the graduate Pathologists’ Assistant program. The graduate curriculum, leading to a Master of Health Science, will train candidates to be pathologists’ assistants. Upon successful completion of their training, graduates are employed by pathologists in hospital laboratories, private laboratories and medical research centers. Currently, there is a nationwide demand for pathologists’ assistants.

Admission to the Program

Candidates applying for admission into the Dual-Degree BS in Biomedical Sciences/MHS in Pathologists’ Assistant from high school are required to have no less than three years of high school college-preparatory mathematics (four years are preferred), one year of biology and one year of chemistry. Students are also encouraged to take advanced Biology electives. In addition, the scores of the Scholastic Assessment Test or the College Entrance Examination board of the American College Testing program are important considerations.

  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.20
  • Minimum SAT scores of 1200

Progression into the Graduate Program

In order to successfully progress into the Pathologists’ Assistant program, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete all requirements to fulfill a BS in Biomedical Sciences within four years
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.20
  • Maintain an overall Math and Science GPA of 3.20

Pre-Medical Studies Program

Students majoring in Health Science Studies, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or the pre-health track of Behavioral Neuroscience may fully participate in the pre-medical studies program. The curriculum in this degree program can fulfill the science prerequisites for most professional schools. Students should refer to Pre-Medical Studies for more information about the pre-medical studies program and contact the Health Professions Advisory Committee for further academic advising.