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  • Health Professions Advisory Programs

    Through a partnership between Worcester State University and MCPHS University, Worcester State offers a pathway to a pharmacy degree from MCPHS through several 3+3 programs for qualified students majoring in biology, biotechnology, or chemistry. Dr. Daron Barnard (Biology) is the liaison for the MCPHS 3+3 Pharmacy programs. For questions about these programs, please contact him at dbarnard@worcester.edu.

    Pharmacy Program Requirements

    Below is a general list of requirements for students interested in applying to pharmacy school. Prerequisite courses may be taken during the summer; taking community college courses is not encouraged.

    Interested students are encouraged to gain experience in pharmacy by working as pharmacy technicians.

    The PCAT is not required for admission to MCPHS University, but may be for other pharmacy programs. Applications are typically rolling, with a hard deadline of February 1 for a fall matriculation.

    MCPHS University will accept CLEP courses.

    Students with any AP credits should be aware that MCPHS will only accept AP scores of 4 or above. Worcester State accepts credits with an AP score of 3 or higher, so pay attention to your scores. You may need to repeat a course if you received a 3.

    Pharmacy Science Prerequisite Courses

    (Based on MCPHS requirements. Students should check other schools of interest for specific requirements.)

    • CH 120 (General Chemistry 1, including lab)
    • CH 121 (General Chemistry 2, including lab)
    • BI 140 (Introduction to Organismal Biology, including lab)
    • BI 141 (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology, including lab)
    • BI 204 (Microbiology)
      CH 201 (Organic Chemistry 1 lecture)
    • CH 202 (Organic Chemistry 2 lecture)
    • CH 203 (Organic Chemistry 1 lab)
    • CH 204 (Organic Chemistry 2 lab)
    • PY 221 or PY 241 (Physics 1, including lab)
    • MA 200 (Calculus 1)
    • MA 150 (statistics)
    • Math elective (pre-calc, calculus 2)

    Find the requirements for each major in following curriculum guides:

  • 3+3 Curriculum Guide for Biology Majors

    First Year


    Semester I

    • EN 101 English Comp I (3 credits)
    • CH 120 Gen Chem I (4 credits)
    • BI 140 Intro Bio I (4 credits)
    • Freshman Seminar (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Semester II

    • EN 102 English Comp II (3 credits)
    • CH 121 Gen Chem II (4 credits)
    • BI 141 Intro Bio II (4 credits)
    • MA 150 Statistics (3 credits)
    • LASC elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Second Year


    Semester I

    • BI 203 Genetics (4 credits)
    • CH 201/203 Org Chem I w/ Lab (5 credits)
    • PY 221 General Physics I (4 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Semester II

    • BI 204 Microbiology (4 credits)
    • CH 202/204 Org Chem II w/ Lab (5 credits)
    • PY 221 General Physics II (4 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 16 Credits

    Third Year


    Semester I

    • BI 200 Human Biology (4 credits)
    • MA 200 Calculus I (4 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Semester II

    • BI 202 Ecology (4 credits)
    • BI 404 Biology Seminar (2 credits)
    • MA 201 Calculus II (4 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 16 Credits

    Winter session or summer session after the 1st and 2nd years: one course that meets LASC requirements (6 credits total)

    Total Credits taken at Worcester State University: 105. Remaining credits will be transferred from MCPHS University and fulfill upper level biology electives.

    Notes:

    • The 200-level biology courses may be taken in any order.
    • PY 241 and PY 242 can be taken in place of PY 221 and PY 222; however, these should be taken concurrently or after calculus.
    • LASC requirements should include Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, a course that fulfills the constitutions, economics, and an upper level (beyond first semester) behavioral science (psychology or sociology).
    3+3 Curriculum Guide for Biotechnology Majors

    First Year


    Semester I

    • EN 101 English Comp I (3 credits)
    • CH120 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits)
    • MA 180 or MA 190 (4 credits)
    • LASC First-Year Seminar (3 credits)
    • LASC Requirement (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Semester II

    • EN 102 English Comp II (3 credits)
    • CH 121 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
    • BI 141 Intro to Cell Molecular Biology (4 credits)
    • MA 190 or MA 200 (4 credits)
    • LASC Requirement (3 credits)
    • Total: 18 Credits

    Winter session or summer session: 2 courses, 1 that meets humanities criteria at Worcester State University and a behavioral science course at MCPHS University (a psychology 100-level course or higher), are recommended.

    Second Year


    Semester I

    • CH 201/203 Organic Chemistry I with Lab (5 credits)
    • BI 201 Cell Biology (4 credits)
    • MA 150 Statistics (3 credits)
    • MA 200 Calculus (4 credits)
    • Total: 16 Credits

    Semester II

    • CH 202/204 Organic Chemistry II with Lab (5 credits)
    • BI 204 Microbiology (4 credits)
    • CS 120 Microcomputer Apps (3 credits)
    • MA 201 Calculus II (4 credits)
    • Total: 16 Credits
    • Winter session or summer session: 2 courses, 1 that meets humanities criteria at Worcester State University and a social science course at MCPHS University

    Third Year


    Semester I

    • EN 252 or 253 Tech Writing Business Communications (3 credits)
    • BT 375 Biotechnology (4 credits)
    • PY 221 General Physics 1 (4 credits)
    • Constitutions History (3 credits)
    • EC 110 Microeconomics (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Semester II

    • BT 375 Tissue Culture (4 credits)
    • CH210 Chem Analysis (4 credits)
    • PY 222 Gen Physics II (4 credits)
    • Fine Art Elective (3 credits)
    • Biotech Seminar (1 credit)
    • Total: 16 Credits

    Winter session or summer session: 1 course that meets the fine art criteria at Worcester State University

    Total credits taken at Worcester State University: 114

    Transferred to Worcester State University from MCPHS: 18 credits

    3 Electives (12 Credits)

    • PSW 323 Immunology
    • PSW 300 Biochemistry I
    • PSW 314 Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics I
    • PSW 315 Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics II
    • PSW 320 Human Physiology
    • Health Studies: WPS 301 Biochemistry II/Nutrition
    • PSW 340 U.S. Health Care & Public Health Systems

    LASC requirements should include an introduction to psychology, introduction to sociology, introduction to history or political science, economics, humanities elective, social science elective, and an upper level (beyond first semester) psychology or sociology course.

    3+3 Curriculum Guide for Chemistry Majors

    First Year


    Semester I

    • EN 101 English Comp I (3 credits)
    • CH120 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits)
    • BI 140 Introduction to Organismal Biology (4 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Freshman Seminar (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Semester II

    • EN 102 English Comp II (3 credits)
    • CH 121 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
    • BI 141 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • MA 150 Statistics 1 (3 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Second Year


    Semester I

    • CH 201 Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
    • BI 203 Organic Chemistry Lab (2 credits)
    • CH 210 Chemical Analysis (4 credits)
    • PY 241 Physics I - Mechanics (4 credits)
    • MA 200 Calculus (4 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Semester II

    • BI 204 Microbiology (4 credits)
    • CH 202 Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
    • CH 204 Organic Chemistry II Lab (2 credits)
    • PY 242 Physics II - Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics (4 credits)
    • MA 201 Calculus II (4 credits)
    • Total: 17 Credits

    Third Year


    Semester I

    • CH 301 Physical Chemistry (4 credits)
    • CH 303 Physical Chemistry Lab (2 credits)
    • CH 475 Chemistry Seminar (2 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 14 Credits

    Semester II

    • CH 302 Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • LASC Elective (3 credits)
    • Total: 15 Credits

    Total credits taken at Worcester State University: 97

    Remaining credits transferred from MCPHS University. These fulfill the chemistry major upper level electives.

    PY 241 and 242 satisfy LASC NSP requirements. MA 200 and 201 satisfy LASC QR requirements. CH 210 satisfies LASC WAC requirement. PY 241 satisfies LASC QLAC requirement.

    LASC requirements should include an introduction to psychology, introduction to sociology, introduction to history or political science, economics, humanities elective, social science elective, and an upper level (beyond first semester) psychology or sociology course.

    3+3 Curriculum Guide for Natural Science Majors
    Download the 3+3 Curriculum Guide

  • Pathways to Other Health Professions Programs

    Worcester State also has articulation agreements with MCPHS University that provide pathways for qualified biology, biotechnology, or chemistry majors to enter the physician’s assistant, physical therapy, or optometry program at MCPHS. Upon earning a bachelor’s degree at Worcester State, students then matriculate into one of these programs at MCPHS.

  • Physician’s Assistant Program

    The Worcester State University/MCPHS University articulation agreement states that there will be 2 seats held for qualified applicants. The student must be a first-time college degree recipient with an expected degree in biology, biotechnology, or chemistry. The GPA must be a 3.4 or higher with no grades below a C. This two-year program is for students who have completed (or will complete) a B.S./B.A. degree prior to matriculation. The prerequisite courses can be taken during the summer.

    Students interested in this program must also have some type of clinical experience, preferably as a CNA or EMT or something similar. Additionally, prospective students need to shadow a PA for a recommended 50 to100 hours.

    Students who wish to apply to the MCPHS PA program through the articulation agreement should notify Dr. Hood-DeGrenier of that intention and must have their applications completed and verified by the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (“CASPA”) by October 1 of their 4th year at Worcester State. The application review period ends in January for matriculation into the program the following January.

    Physician’s Assistant Prerequisite Courses

    (Based on MCPHS requirements. Students should check other schools of interest for specific requirements.)

    • CH 120 (General Chemistry 1, including lab)
    • CH 121 (General Chemistry 2, including lab)
    • BI 161 (Anatomy and Physiology 1)
    • BI 162 (Anatomy and Physiology 2)
    • CH 201 (Organic Chemistry 1 lecture)
    • CH 203 (Organic Chemistry 1 lab)
    • BI 204 (Microbiology)
    • CH 410 (Biochemistry, including lab)
    • MA 150 (statistics)

    *Note: MCPHS does not allow substitution of BI 200 (human biology) for BI 161/162.

    Physical Therapy Program

    The Worcester State University/MCPHS University articulation agreement states that there will be 2 seats in the physical therapy (doctorate, DPT) held for qualified applicants. The student must be a first-time college-degree recipient with an expected bachelor’s of science degree in biology or a related field. The GPA must be 3.0 or higher. All prerequisite courses must have been completed at Worcester State or at another regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better. GRE scores must be submitted for admission.

    Please notify Dr. Hood-DeGrenier if you intend to apply to this program through the articulation agreement. The application process typically opens on August 1 with a final deadline for students applying through the articulation program of January 1. You need to notify Dr. Hood-DeGrenier of your intent to participate in this program prior to the end of the spring semester of the year you are applying.

    Physical Therapy Prerequisite Science Courses

    • CH 120 (General Chemistry 1, including lab)
    • CH 121 (General Chemistry 2, including lab)
    • BI 161 (Anatomy and Physiology 1)
    • BI 162 (Anatomy and Physiology 2)
    • BI 140 (Introduction to Organismal Biology, including lab)
    • BI 141 (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology, including lab)
    • PY 221 or PY 241 (Physics 1, including lab)
    • PY 222 or PY 242 (Physics 2, including lab)
    • MA 200 (Calculus 1)
    • MA 150 (statistics)
    • Psychology (general)
    • Exercise Physiology (This course is not offered at Worcester State. MCPHS offers an online version.)

    Required: 10 hours of PT shadowing

    *Note: MCPHS does not allow substitution of BI 200 (human biology) for BI 161/162.

    Optometry Program

    The Worcester State University/MCPHS University agreement states that there will be 5 seats in the optometry program held for qualified applicants. The student must be a first-time college-degree recipient with an expected degree biology, biotechnology, or chemistry. The GPA must be a 3.4 or higher with no grades below a C.

    This is a 4-year doctorate program and admits only students who have completed their B.S./B.A.. The OAT exam is necessary for this program.

    Please notify Dr. Hood-DeGrenier if you intend to apply to this program through the articulation agreement. The application process for this program opens at the end of each June. Final applications for those participating in the articulation agreement are due January 1. You should notify Dr. Hood-DeGrenier of your intent to participate in this program prior to the application opening date.

    Optometry Prerequisite Science Courses

    • CH 120 (General Chemistry 1, including lab)
    • CH 121 (General Chemistry 2, including lab)
    • BI 140 (Introduction to Organismal Biology, including lab)
    • BI 141 (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology, including lab)
    • BI 204 (Microbiology, including lab)
    • CH 201 (Organic Chemistry 1 lecture)
    • CH 203 (Organic Chemistry 1 lab)
    • PY 221 or PY 241 (Physics 1, including lab)
    • PY 222 or PY 242 (Physics 2, including lab)
    • MA 200 (Calculus 1)
    • MA 150 (statistics)
    • CH 410 (Biochemistry, including lab)—highly recommended but not required

  • CONTACT US

    Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier
    Program Advisory Committee Chair
    Ghosh Science and Technology Center
    ST-310A
    508-929-8307
    premed@worcester.edu (for fastest response)

  • Advisory Committee

    Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier (Biology), Chair
    Margaret E. Kerr (Chemistry)
    Daron C. Barnard (Biology)
    Steven Oliver (Biology)
    Susan Mitroka (Chemistry)
    Jeffry Nichols (Chemistry)
    Francisco Lamelas (Physics)
    Roger Greenwell (Biology)
    Emily Soltano (Psychology)