The first year of the PA curriculum is spent primarily in the classroom and the laboratory, with selected patient encounters toward the end of the first year. A total of 40 semester hours constitutes the credit earned during the academic year.
Courses
Semester 1 – Summer B
- Gross & Radiographic Anatomy — 4 cr.hrs.
- Medical Communications — 2 cr.hrs.
Semester 2 – Fall
- Behavioral & Community Medicine I — 1 cr.hr.
- Human Physiology — 4 cr.hrs.
- Introduction to Medicine I — 6 cr.hrs.
- Pharmacotherapeutics — 4 cr.hrs.
- Physical Diagnosis — 2 cr.hrs.
Semester 3 – Spring
- Behavioral & Community Medicine II — 1 cr.hr.
- Clinical Problem Solving/Differential Diagnosis — 1 cr.hr.
- Clinical Procedures — 1 cr.hr.
- EKG/Lab Medicine — 1 cr.hr.
- Introduction to Medicine II — 6 cr.hrs.
- Patient Evaluation & Hospital Practicum — 2 cr.hrs.
Semester 4 – Summer A
- Advanced Clinical Practicum — 2 cr.hrs.
- Evidence-Based Medicine — 3 cr.hrs.
TOTAL ACADEMIC YEAR SEMESTER HOURS = 40
Academic Faculty
- Director of Didactic Education- The role of the Director of Didactic Education is to oversee the planning and implementation of the academic year. The Director of Didactic Education develops the course and lecturer schedules, oversees the instructional methodologies and manages resources that students will in encounter during the first year of the PA curriculum. Concerns related to the academic year are addressed to the Director of Didactic Education in an effort to resolve issues.
- PA faculty teach a number of the courses in the PA curriculum, depending on their areas of specialty and their academic and professional interests. In addition to PA faculty, the PA courses are also taught by more than 300 physicians and basic science faculty in the College of Medicine who prepare and deliver classroom lectures in their areas of expertise. The oversight of each course is provided by a Course Director. The Course Director attends the lectures, takes notes, and writes the exam questions directed toward the desired knowledge base of physician assistants. The Course Director concept ensures that the classroom education and testing provided to PA students remains at the level expected of physician assistants and also ensures continuity of coverage for all evaluation methodologies.
Academic Coordinator
- The role of the Academic Coordinator in the School of Physician Assistant Studies is to develop the master teaching schedule for each semester of the academic year, to schedule lecturers both within and outside the PA faculty, and to oversee instructional methodologies and resources that students will encounter during the first year of the PA curriculum. Concerns related to the academic year are addressed to the Academic Coordinator in an effort to resolve problems and issues.
Educational Resources and Support
Academic Advising
Each incoming PA student is assigned a faculty advisor who monitors the performance of that student carefully and regularly, in order to identify any academic or other concerns and to provide direction and resources that will assist the student in improving his/her performance. The School also provides an academic support program under the direction of the Professional Standards and Promotions Committee, to assist students in need of remediation or independent study. This academic support program has proved very successful in identifying areas that need strengthening and in providing the resources and direction students may need in order to improve their performance.
Study Groups
Although not required, study groups are frequently formed by PA students in an effort to minimize study hours and to share individual students’ knowledge acquired from the various clinical backgrounds in the PA class. Because of the diversity in backgrounds in an entering class, there are numerous opportunities for each student to assist his/her classmates in understanding certain topics and in gaining insights into a given topic.
Tutoring
As part of the PA program’s commitment to the success and well-being of every student, tutoring services are available through the UF College of Medicine.
Additional Services
The Office of Student Counseling & Development provides confidential, short-term, personal counseling to the graduate, medical, and physician assistant students in the College of Medicine.