Student Testimonial: Josef Mohammed Ali
Online Medical Physiology and Pharmacology Master’s Degree Graduate
“I did look into other universities that had similar online programs, but the University of Florida just made it seem like it was doable and easy.”
When we spoke to Josef Mohammed Ali, he’d taken the MCAT less than two weeks earlier and was eagerly awaiting his results. But the recent graduate of UF’s online medical physiology and pharmacology master’s program was feeling pretty confident.
“I think I did well,” Mohammed Ali said. “It felt easier than when I did my practice exam, so that’s reassuring.” With plans to become a physician, earning this graduate degree was a crucial step in his career path. That path began with a biology bachelor’s degree at the UF campus a few years earlier.
Mohammed Ali has worked for five years in the UF Health Shands Burn Center, where his master’s program professors are familiar faces. The program’s 24/7 flexibility enabled him to maintain a full-time schedule tackling wound care and burn registrar duties while completing his degree.
Here, Mohammed Ali shares why he chose to study medical physiology and pharmacology and what UF’s program had to offer.
A Career-Advancing Medical Physiology and Pharmacology Degree
Mohammed Ali finds satisfaction in his burn unit responsibilities, but his ultimate goal is to become an intensivist — a critical care specialist. His undergraduate studies were a good start, but the medical school hopeful wanted a deeper physiology and pharmacology foundation.
“This master’s program goes into a lot more depth — [it’s] systems-based, organ-based,” Mohammed Ali explained. He was especially drawn to the pharmacology coursework. “The pharmacology aspect is […] applicable to medical school and even my job right now. I do wound care, and we use a lot of medications and dialysis machines for our chronic burn patients to help with that. Learning the physiology of the kidneys and all those things was really, really beneficial.”
Why Choose UF’s Online Medical Physiology and Pharmacology Program?
Mohammed Ali explored online programs from other universities but ultimately decided on UF. Why? Reputation and familiarity.
“The University of Florida has a strong affiliation with the Board of Medicine, and it’s a well-renowned university,” Mohammed Ali said. The University’s commitment to excellence was important to him.
“The University of Florida just made it seem like it was doable and easy,” he continued. “I was comfortable with the university already because I understood how it works. And being here in Gainesville, I just thought it was the best choice for me.”
Making Real Connections With Online Classmates and Faculty
Mohammed Ali stayed connected with classmates throughout his program without meeting any of them face-to-face. “For most of my classes, someone created a GroupMe (group messaging app) chat and we’d ask each other questions and send each other study materials,” he explained.
His professors were equally accessible. “The professors were very quick to respond to emails and happy to answer any questions,” he said. “I tried to build a relationship, even though it’s virtual. I’d ask them questions related to my field and to what we’re learning in class so that they could see I’m applying what I’m learning.”
Coursework Primed for Medical School and Healthcare Careers
Mohammed Ali was happy to find the coursework relevant to both his current job and his future goals.
Courses like Medical Renal Physiology had direct applications in the burn unit. “We have patients on continuous dialysis because of their burn injury,” he said. “Understanding how the kidneys work and what happens when they don’t — and ways to treat it — was relevant in my career.”
Cardiology courses were a highlight, too. “That’s what I ultimately see myself doing as a physician,” he said of Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology and Medical Pharmacology & Therapeutics II: Cardiovascular, Renal and Respiratory Systems. “I want to work in a cardiac ICU.”
Next Stop: Medical School
Mohammed Ali is determined in his career ambitions. Soon he’ll see his MCAT scores. Then what?
“I’m going to apply to MD programs and also DO programs,” he explained. “I want to increase my opportunities just in case, because med school’s getting extremely competitive nowadays.” His top target? The UF College of Medicine.
Advice for Prospective Medical Physiology and Pharmacology Students
Would Mohammed Ali recommend this program? Absolutely — and he already has.
“I’ve actually recommended it to a couple of my coworkers that were in the same position as me,” he said. “They’ve enrolled and are in the program right now in their second semester.”
His advice to anyone considering the degree: “Don’t take any shortcuts. Work hard on it and learn as much as you can, because it’s a great learning experience.”
Prep for Medical School With UF’s Online Master’s Degree
Mohammed Ali understood that a master’s degree isn’t required for medical school — but it can make an application stand out. And medical pharmacology and physiology knowledge will be crucial once he’s admitted.
Whether you’ve taken the MCAT or not, this flexible degree program will put you in a better position for medical school or other health-profession schools.
Ready to get started? Apply today.
Or explore UF’s other online medical sciences degrees and certificates.
