University of Montana 2000-2001 Catalog

Paramedical Arts

George L. Card (Professor of Biological Sciences), Advisor

The paramedical arts refer to the special qualifications and competencies required in individuals who, because of their academic and clinical training, aid and assist physicians, surgeons and other medical professionals in providing quality health care services. Not all persons in allied health occupations must have academic training at the university level, and a few clinical training programs are open to applicants with only secondary school diplomas. But the most rewarding and responsible careers are those based on one or more years of post-secondary education.

Training programs are available at many academic and medical institutions leading to such occupations as medical assistant, ophthalmic assistant, histologic technician, medical laboratory technician, physician's assistant, radiologic technologist, radiation therapy technologist, respiratory therapy technician and respiratory therapist. These training programs include both a classroom or didactic component and an in-service or clinical training component. Some or all of the courses listed in the suggested curriculum in paramedical arts may be applicable toward the didactic component of a particular program. However, any student contemplating transfer to one of the above programs should consult the catalog of the receiving institution in order to plan a program which the receiving institution agrees will satisfy its requirements.

The curriculum suggested below meets the University requirements for the Associate of Arts degree. (See the Associate of Arts section of this catalog.) It includes the fundamental courses in human biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, and communications skills important for the allied health professional, and also satisfies many of the lower-division course requirements for majors in the biological sciences. Consequently, students in the paramedical arts curriculum have considerable latitude for mobility to and from baccalaureate degree programs.

Suggested Course of Study

Curriculum in Paramedical Arts

First Year A S

BIOL 106N-107N Elementary

Medical Microbiology and Laboratory - 4

CHEM 151N-152N, 154N General

Chemistry and Laboratory 3 5

COMM 110S Introduction to Communication 3 -

ENEX 101 Composition 3 -

PSYC 100S Introduction to Psychology 3 -

SOC 110S Principles of Sociology 3 -

SOC 208 Social Psychology - 3

Electives and General Education 2 4

17 16

Second Year

BIOL 212N-213N Anatomy and Physiology 4 4

BIOL 221-222 Cell and Molecular Biology and

Laboratory 5 -

BIOL 223 Genetics and Evolution - 4

MATH 117 Probability and Linear Mathematics 3 -

PHAR 110N Use and Abuse of Drugs - 3

Electives and General Education 4 5

16 16