The American International College of Arts and Sciences – Antigua (AICASA) offers a concentrated Pre-Medical program. The program leads to an Associate in Health Sciences (AS) degree focused on achieving the pre-requisites required for the MD degree (conferred by AUA College of Medicine). The program incorporates college level science and humanities courses with pre-medical school courses in a two-year AS program. This track is ideal for highly motivated graduating high school students who are committed to medicine and are ready to begin their medical studies immediately after completing high school. It is also the path for non-traditional students seeking the outstanding prerequisite courses necessary for entrance into the AUA MD program.
The AICASA program permits students to accelerate their career plans by offering all medical pre-requisite courses in a span of four semesters.
Students with undergraduate degrees can also take individual courses in this program to complete their basic requirements or improve their grades to qualify for the M.D. program. The Pre-Medical program is offered at both the Antigua or Manipal campuses.
Semester I
| Introductory Biology I with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| General Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| Pre-Calculus | 4 Credits |
| English Composition I | 3 Credits |
Semester II
| Introductory Biology II with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| General Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| Calculus | 4 Credits |
| English Composition II | 3 Credits |
Semester III
| Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| General Physics I with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 Credits |
| Cell Biology | 3 Credits |
Semester IV
| Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| General Physics II with Laboratory | 4 Credits |
| Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 5 Credits |
| Genetics and Microbiology | 4 Credits |
Note: Genetics and Microbiology are also offered as separate courses, and both may be required in the future.
Course Descriptions
Courses Offered are Introductory Biology I and II with laboratory, General Chemistry I and II with laboratory, English and Composition I and II, Psychology, Genetics and Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Cell Biology, General Physics I and II with laboratory, Organic Chemistry I and II with laboratory, Pre-Calculus and Calculus, and Independent Research. Introductory Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Organic Chemistry are also offered as separate laboratory and lecture courses
Introductory Biology I
This course begins our exploration of the basic principles of biology, with an emphasis on those topics that are required for a successful performance on the MCAT and related exams. The first semester introduces the student to the scientific method, chemical and physical science basics for biologists, cell structure, biochemical pathways, and finishes with a rigorous survey of genetics. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions.
Introductory Biology II
This course continues our exploration of the basic principles of biology, with an emphasis on those topics that are required for a successful performance on the MCAT and related exams. The second semester covers evolution, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, and ecology. The course will consist of lecture and laboratory portions.
General Chemistry I
This course begins our exploration of the basic principles of general chemistry. It covers the structure of atoms, the periodic table, and the types of bonding and their consequences. We conclude with a discussion of the states of matter. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions.
General Chemistry II
This course continues our exploration of the basic principles of general chemistry. The course begins with an examination of the general properties of solutions, and then provides a substantial introduction to chemical kinetics with applications to acid-base reactions and solubility. The laws of thermodynamics are then discussed. The course concludes with an introduction to electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions.
Pre-Calculus
This course develops techniques and concepts prerequisite to calculus through the study of trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, and other functions and their applications. This course is intended for students with one year of high-school algebra. The course consists of lectures and a recitation.
Calculus
This course serves as an introduction to the fundamental concepts of calculus and their applications. It covers limits, derivatives of algebraic and trigonometric functions, applications of the derivative, integration and application of the definite integral. The course consists of lectures and a recitation.
English Composition I
This course fosters the development of fluent, effective and confident writers, it expands the a student’s abilities and versatility in reading, language awareness, and composing for a range of purposes, audiences, and situations, including academic research writing. The course consists of lectures and a recitation.
English Composition II
This course continues the development of fluent, effective and confident writers. The course consists of lectures and a recitation.
Introduction to Psychology
This course serves as an introduction to the science of psychology. This course has been designed to permit an intensive analysis of experimental and applied psychology in addition to surveying the entire field. This will be accomplished through participation in individually-directed learning activities.
Introductory Physics I
This course begins the exploration of the basic principles of algebra-based physics. The course covers classical mechanics, fluids, waves, and heat. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions.
Introductory Physics II
This course continues the exploration of the basic principles of algebra-based physics. The course covers basics of electrical physics, power, electromagnetism, optics, quantum theory, relativity, radioactivity and nuclear physics. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions
Cell Biology
This course will introduce the student to the molecular and biochemical bases for cell structure and function. Topics that are covered include cell types, membrane organization, solute translocation, endocytosis and exocytosis, the mechanisms of signal transduction, organellar structure and function, replication, transcription and translation, certain biochemical pathways, growth control and oncogenesis. Examples used will include descriptions of medical conditions induced by cellular malfunctioning.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
A one-semester course offering a survey of human anatomy and physiology at the cellular, tissue, and organ system levels of organization. Topics to be discussed include: anatomical terminology, aspects of physiological function, and the integumentary, digestive, excretory, circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, and endocrine systems, Dissection of human cadavers is required. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions.
Organic Chemistry I
This course begins the exploration of organic chemistry. Topics covered include nomenclature, structure and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, and aromatics, stereochemistry and mechanisms and dynamics of organic reactions. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions.
Organic Chemistry II
This course continues the exploration of organic chemistry. Topics covered include nomenclature, structure and reactions of alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, arnines, heterocycles, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Synthesis and reaction techniques are emphasized. The course consists of lecture and laboratory portions.
Genetics and Microbiology
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the sciences of genetics and microbiology. Topics to be covered in the genetics portion include basic Mendelian genetics, probability, extensions to Mendelian genetics, pedigree analysis, molecular genetics [structure of nucleic acids and proteins, the central dogma, replication, transcription and translation), the genetics of bacteria and viruses, the control of gene expression, the genetics of development, population genetics and quantitative genetics.
The microbiology portion is an in-depth study of the distinguishing characteristics of microorganisms based on structural-functional relationships, taxonomy, growth, and physical-chemical agents of control including antibiotics, metabolism, and genetics. Introduces applied microbiology emphasizing infectious diseases, microbial physiology, basic concepts of immunology, mechanisms of resistance, and microbial ecology. The course will consist of lectures and a demonstration.
Genetics and Microbiology will also be offered as separate 4 credit courses.
Independent Research
This course provides the student with an in-depth exploration of a particular topic of interest. It offers an opportunity to pursue a subject that interests the student but which is not adequately covered in a typical pre-medical course. It is expected that the student will develop critical thinking skills, gain experience in scientific methodology, learn more about a particular topic and appreciate the relevance of research to a medical education.
The following courses may be offered as either lecture or laboratory courses, designed to accommodate transfer students with a passing grade in the laboratory but not the lecture, and vice-versa: Introductory Biology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, and Introductory Physics I and II.