Course Descriptions

This is an integrated, interdisciplinary course in which students learn to identify and describe the basic structural components and corresponding functions of the human nervous system. Emphasis is given to correlating underlying lesions involving these structures with neurologic deficits and dysfunctions likely to be encountered in clinical practice. Integrated lectures are given by faculty in the Departments of Anatomy and Physiology, and the Physician Assistant Program.

Credits: 4

This course provides a foundation for basic science courses concerned with normal and pathologic human physiology, biochemistry, cytology, histology, pharmacology, and nutrition. Topics include cellular energy metabolism, signal transduction, neurotransmitter synthesis and degradation, cellular energetics, foundations of molecular biology, nutrition, and metabolism in differentiated tissues and organs.

Credits: 3

This course is devoted to introducing the foundations of human genetics. Topics include normal transmission of dominant and recessive genetic traits, sex-linked/autosomal-linked inheritance, common genetic defects and diseases, inheritance patterns and probabilities, genetic mapping, common risk factors in inherited/acquired genetic diseases, family counseling, and family planning issues.

Credits: 1

This course presents the biopsychosocial model to normal and abnormal growth and development concepts, patient interview techniques, mental status examination, and the origins of clinical reasoning.

Credits: 2

This didactic course covers infectious diseases, their etiologic agents, differential diagnoses and disease management. Through the use of patient cases, diagnostic algorithms and integrative self-studies, students learn problem-solving skills. The course includes hands-on experiential laboratory sessions and laboratory-based patient cases which augment didactic material and provide insight into clinical microbiological laboratory procedures and an evidence-based approach to diagnoses in the infectious diseases context.

Credits: 4

Medical interviewing skills will be introduced through formal lectures and developed through small case groups and patient interviews. The skills, knowledge, and sensitivity needed to communicate and intervene effectively in a variety of psychosocial situations are presented. Communication and improving patient rapport will also be discussed in relationship to the various life cycles.

Credits: 4

A systems-oriented approach will introduce common diseases and syndromes, their underlying pathophysiology (including signs and symptoms), patient evaluation (history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies), differential diagnosis, and basic therapeutic concepts. Acute exacerbations of chronic diseases and emergency care will be integrated as appropriate. Formal lectures, case group discussions, and problem-based learning techniques will all be utilized.

Credits: 6

This course presents and discusses the clinical practice, role, and responsibilities of physician assistants. Professional behavior, cultural and social awareness, and the future of the physician assistant profession will be discussed. The interaction of healthcare providers within various clinical settings will also be examined.

Credits: 1

This course is designed to help the student create the conceptual framework and medical literature review that will lead to the development of the Capstone Project. Students will research a medical topic of interest to them and complete a comprehensive literature review. This literature review will serve as the foundation for the completion of the other components of the Capstone Project which include evidence-based medicine projects, a patient education project and the design and implementation of a Power Point of the entire Capstone portfolio.

Credits: 1

This course is designed to allow the physician assistant student to obtain the knowledge and skills required to physically assess a patient's medical and health status as part of the focused adult history and problem-oriented physical examination. In addition, students will develop patient-management skills by ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic studies and appropriate therapeutics. The course is designed to build upon the medical history knowledge gained in Clinical Medicine I and the screening adult physical exam skills learned in Physical Diagnosis.

Credits: 2

Six-week clinical rotation in an Internal Medicine setting.

Credits: 6

Six-week clinical rotation in a General Surgery setting.

Credits: 6

Six-week clinical rotation in a Family Medicine setting.

Credits: 6

Six-week clinical rotation in an Obstetrics/Gynecology setting.

Credits: 6

This course is designed to facilitate the completion of an independent medical research project as the culmination of the master's degree for the physician assistant student. The project entails scholarly inquiry into a clinical medicine topic, application of evidence-based medicine techniques, creation of effective patient and community education materials, and a final presentation/dissemination of the materials collected.

Credits: 0.5

This course is designed to facilitate the completion of an independent medical research project as the culmination of the master's degree for the physician assistant student. The project entails scholarly inquiry into a clinical medicine topic, application of evidence-based medicine techniques, creation of effective patient and community education materials, and a final presentation/dissemination of the materials collected.

Credits: 0.5

This course is designed to build upon the student's foundation of clinical medicine knowledge and to continue to develop critical thinking and medical decision making skills. Lectures will provide advanced information and instruction covering a range of medical topics, and students will build upon their physical examination skills in small group practical and discussion sessions.

Credits: 3

Four-week clinical rotation in a discipline of the student's choosing (subject to approval by the Program).

Credits: 4

This course is designed to build upon the student's foundation of clinical medicine knowledge. Guest lecturers with clinical expertise in a variety of fields will provide advanced information and instruction. In addition, students will receive updates on clinical practice issues. During the course, students will receive an intensive week of lecture topics to help them prepare for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Students will also focus on professional issues in preparation for graduation and clinical practice.

Credits: 4

Students are introduced to the physiological principles and regulatory processes that underlie the normal function of the human body, and develop an understanding of the physiologic responses to perturbations of homeostasis and of pathophysiologic alterations that occur in disease. Didactic lectures are supplemented with workshops that focus on application of physiological concepts. Topics include the properties of excitable cells and the function of the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems.

Credits: 3.5 credits per quarter