COURSE SYLLABUS
HSC 3550 – PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Summer Term Online / 2009
Instructor: J. Steve Smith M.D.
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Biology Department
Building 58, Room 077
Phone 474-3061 (2747)
Office Hours: 9:00-12:00 MWF
Email: jsmith1@uwf.edu
Prerequisites:
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Anatomy and Physiology I and II, highly recommended
Course Description:
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Pathophysiology involves the study of functional or physiologic changes in the body that result from
disease processes (or the reverse definition, how individual disease processes cause alterations in cellular
function).
Divided into basic concepts and processes in pathology and pathophysiology (chapters1-7) followed by the
application of these basic concepts in studying specific disorders (or disease states) traditionally organized
by body system (chapters 17-28).
Provides a medical foundation and resource for students in a variety of biomedical and healthcare
professional programs.
Student Learning Outcomes:
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Introduction: Students will be able to use common terminology used in pathophysiology and recognize the
basic cell changes associated with disease processes.
Inflammation and Healing: Students will be able to describe the local and systemic effects of inflammation
and apply the suffix –itis to various disease processes.
Abnormal Immune Response: Students will be able to describe the development of the immune response
and the abnormalities that occur in allergies, autoimmune disorders, transplants, and immunodeficiency.
Infection: Students will be able to describe various bacterial and viral classifications and explain the effects
of these organisms on cells and tissues in producing disease states.
Neoplasms: Students will be able to describe the differences between benign and malignant neoplasms and
discuss the local and system effects of malignant neoplasms.
Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Imbalances: Students will be able to describe the causes and clinical
effects of fluid excess (edema) and fluid deficit (dehydration), electrolyte excesses and deficits, and
acidosis and alkalosis.
Congenital and Genetic Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe the common genetic and
developmental disorders and discuss mechanisms that alter chromosomes and genes and the fetal
environment.
Blood and Lymphatic Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe common blood dyscrasias
such as anemias, clotting disorders, leukemia, and lymphoma.
Cardiovascular Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe common cardiac disorders
associated with the myocardium (myocardial infarction and heart failure), endocardium, and the
pericardium, as well as hypertension, dysrhythmias, and shock.
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Respiratory Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe the common upper and lower
respiratory tract infections and other disorders that may lead to respiratory distress, respiratory acidosis,
and respiratory failure.
Digestive System Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe the common upper and lower
digestive tract infections and other disorders that may lead to liver or pancreatic failure and other
combinations of problems such as appendicitis and peritonitis or cancer and bowel obstruction.
Urinary Tract Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe the common upper and lower
urinary tract infections and other disorders that may lead to acute or chronic renal failure.
Neurologic Disorders: Students will be able to discuss the integration of the central nervous system, the
autonomic nervous system, and the peripheral nervous and describe the common disorders (stroke,
traumatic brain injury, meningitis, and tumor / congenital abnormalities, degenerative diseases, m) that may
result in acute or chronic disease states leading to morbidity and mortality.
Endocrine: Students will be able to classify and describe the diseases resulting from hormone excesses or
deficiencies (diabetes mellitus, growth hormone, thyroid and adrenal disorders).
Reproductive: Students will be able to classify and describe the disorders associated with congenital
defects, infertility, menstrual disorders, tumors, and infections, including sexually transmitted diseases and
their complications.
Musculoskeletal Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe the disorders associated with
bone, muscles, and joints (especially osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin Disorders: Students will be able to classify and describe the disorders associated with infectious
lesions, allergic reactions, and tumors
Text:
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Pathophysiology for the Health Professions, Barbara Gould, 3rd Ed 2006
Study Guide for Pathophysiology for the Health Professions, Barbara Gould, 3rd Ed 2006
Grading Policy and Examinations:
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There will be an examination after each module for a total of 13 examinations (each worth 25 points and
consisting of multiple choice questions) for a total of 300 points. Note: Each student will be allowed to
drop one examination at the end of the semester.
There are 13 homework assignments (each worth 5 points) for a total of 65 points. Plus there are 7 case
study assignments (each worth 5 points) for a total of 35 points. These 20 assignments together will be
worth a total of 100 points.
There will be a comprehensive final examination (100 multiple choice questions each worth one point)
for a total of 100 points
Final letter grade will be earned as a percentage of the 500 possible points.
o A 92-100%
o A- 90-91
o B+ 88-89
o B 82-87%
o B- 80-81
o C+ 78-79%
o C 72-78%
o C- 70-71
o D 60-69%
o F 59% or less
Course Requirements:
Each student will be required to have Internet access on a regular basis at home or work or be able to complete
assignments in the campus computer labs.
Student responsibility for this course means you need to:
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Log on to eLearning and your university e-mail at least once daily to respond to emails and/or work
assignments.
Become familiar with the basics of computing and the Internet fairly quickly to be able to participate fully
in this course
Communicate problems and concerns with the Instructor immediately in order to continue moving forward
in the course with minimal time lost
Complete the assignments in a neat and timely manner. There is no extra credit.
Complete the examinations on-line.
Students will attend class on-line and must complete all reading and chapter assignments.
Reading the textbook provides much of the substance of the course and will be referred to during the class
sessions.
Reading Assignment and Homework Worksheet:
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Read and study your textbook.
The Homework Assignment will consist of defining Key Terms and then answering Study Questions.
Each chapter has an assignment to complete on a worksheet.
The worksheets are in a Rich Text File format. Save the worksheet to your computer. Then, open the
worksheet in your word processor. Complete the worksheet by answering everything that is highlighted in
RED and submit it to the Drop Box by the end of the week.
Access the Drop Box by selecting the blue Drop Box link from the menu bar above.
Then, select the folder and upload your completed worksheet.
This course is delivered completely online.
You must have consistent access to the Internet.
For “Tips for Distance Learning” refer to Important Course Information and Course Orientation for
Online Learning
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
As members of the University of West Florida, we commit ourselves to honesty. As we strive for
excellence in performance, integrity—personal and institutional—is our most precious asset. Honesty in
our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity. Accordingly,
we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. We pledge to share
community resources in ways that are responsible and that comply with established policies of fairness.
Cooperation and competition are means to high achievement and are encouraged. Indeed, cooperation is
expected unless our directive is to individual performance. We will compete constructively and
professionally for the purpose of stimulating high performance standards. Finally, we accept adherence to
this set of expectations for academic conduct as a condition of membership in the UWF academic
community.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
This course is reviewed during the semester and in an ongoing basis for quality by assessment personnel
within the School of Allied Health and Life Sciences (SAHLS) to meet national standards established by
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Council on Education for Public Health, and/or to
address quality enhancement initiatives of SAHLS. Student feedback is also vital to this process. When
reviewing our programs, our accrediting partners expect to see 100% participation in the State-of-Florida
mandated SUSSAI (State University System Student Assessment of Instruction) evaluations. Thus, at the
end of the semester, we need to hear from the folks that enjoyed the class and from the folks that have
suggestions for improvement (ok, and from the folks that want to fill out the survey as quickly as possible
with no comments to share!). BUT, we do need to hear from each and every student in this class, and we
value your input.
When SUSSAI evaluations are ready for you to complete, you will see a News posting in the course. Please
take a few minutes to complete this anonymous, brief web-based evaluation on this course, using these
directions:
Step 1: Log in to Argus (http://argus.uwf.edu).
Step 2: Click on the "My Info" tab.
Step 3: Click the link under the category "Personal Student Record Access" that says "Instruction
Assessment (Distance Learning)."
Need help? Contact Connie Works at (850) 474-3080 or cworks@uwf.edu
Please be assured that all evaluations that are completed online are of a confidential matter. Your name,
social security number, and e-mail address will not be revealed to your instructor, department, or college.
Only one evaluation per course per student can be submitted. Please do not delay completing the evaluation
when the time approaches. Due to the significance of this information, I will not be able to pre-release
grades in eLearning if we are not close to the 100% participation goal before finals week. Thank you!
ONLINE TEST TAKING GUIDELINES
Please do not begin any timed, online exam in the course that may overlap with the eLearning maintenance
window. The eLearning maintenance window runs 3:00-6:00 am CST (Central Standard Time) each day. If
you initiate an exam that overlaps with this time and experience any technical errors, your recorded score is
likely to be close to 0 for such an attempt. There are no exceptions to this policy.
If you experience any other technical problems or errors during any timed exam that does not overlap with
the eLearning maintenance window, you are required to notify the Helpdesk immediately at
helpdesk@uwf.edu or (850) 474-2075. Failure to contact the HelpDesk to report the problem will result in
a grade of 0 automatically being assigned. If you are unable to get immediate assistance from the HelpDesk
during the exam, but have documented the problem in an email or voice mail, you may attempt to restart
the exam using the same browser, or attempt to re-enter the exam with another browser. If you are still
unable to restart the exam and continue with saving, please note that for your final submitted score to be
recorded, you MUST still prove that you documented the original technical problem with the HelpDesk via
helpdesk@uwf.edu or (850) 474-2075. Failure to do so will result in an automatic grade of 0 being
assigned.
Assistance:
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related
accommodations should contact Barbara Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student Services (DSS),
dss@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify
any recommended accommodations.