College of Health and Human Services
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
PHA 510 Human Physiology and Pathology Course Syllabus
Fall 2012
4 Credits, 64 Clock hours
4 credits of lecture (4 hours of contact time/week)
Instructor of Record: Cynthia Standley, Ph.D., Physiology
Mark Fischione, M.D., Pathology
Office Address: TBD
Office Hours: TBD
Course Time and Location: Class will meet for lecture on X. Please see the attached weekly calendar
for more details. Lecture is from X-X time.
Course Prerequisites: Admittance into the Department of PA Studies Program
Course Description:
This lecture based course will present a comprehensive and advanced review of cellular, organ system
and whole body physiology while simultaneously presenting the corresponding general pathophysiology
of organ systems. The combined approach will allow the student to appreciate the mechanisms and
manifestations of inflammation, cellular response, neoplastic formation as they relate to disease
formation in the body.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course:
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, through written examination, class
participation and course readings/assignments the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the mechanisms for homeostasis in the human body and changes related
to infection, injury, inflammation and repair, cellular death, wound healing processes, and neoplastic
diseases for all organ systems.
2. Identify and recognize the components of the human nervous system including the autonomic
nervous system, synapses and neurotransmitters, the cerebral cortex, reticular system, limbic system,
motor system, sensory system, and vestibular system and apply this knowledge to recognition and
explanation of the pathophysiology of some common abnormalities of these systems which results in
disease states.
Created: 8/2011
3. Recognize the physiological process of vision, hearing, smell, and taste and demonstrate an
understanding of those processes to the recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some
common abnormalities of these functions which results in disease states.
4. Identify and recognize the components of the respiratory system and apply this knowledge to the
recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common abnormalities of this system
which results in disease states.
5. Identify and recognize the components of the cardiovascular system and apply this knowledge to the
recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common abnormalities of this system
which results in disease states.
6. Identify and recognize the components of the hematologic and immunologic system and apply this
knowledge to the recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common
abnormalities of this system which results in disease states.
7. Identify and recognize the components of the digestive system including the mouth, esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, large intestine, liver and pancreas and apply
this knowledge to the recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common
abnormalities of this system which results in disease states.
8. Identify and recognize the components of the musculoskeletal system and apply this knowledge to
the recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common abnormalities of this
system which results in disease states.
9. Identify and recognize the components of the renal system and apply this knowledge to the
recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common abnormalities of this system
which results in disease states.
10. Identify and recognize the components of the endocrine system and apply this knowledge to the
recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common abnormalities of this system
which results in disease states.
11. Identify and recognize the components of the male and female reproductive system and apply this
knowledge to the recognition and explanation of the pathophysiology of some common
abnormalities of this system which results in disease states.
12. Develop a working knowledge of physiology and pathology concepts and the ability to apply
those concepts in the recognition of disease states.
Course structure/approach:
Weekly lectures will cover physiology and pathology as they relate to normal and abnormal organ
function and disease states.
Textbook and Resources:
Required physiology text:
Costanzo, L.S. (2010). (4th Ed.) Physiology. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders
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Required pathology text:
Robbins & Cotran. (2010). Review of pathology, 3rd Ed. Klatt, E.C. & Kumar, V. (Eds.). Philadelphia:
Elsevier Saunders
Course Outline:
Content/Module
Assigned Reading
Week 1 Intro to Pathophysiology
Cell Injury and Necrosis
Inflammation and Wound Healing
Neoplasms
Week 2 Nervous System Physiology
Chemical Senses Physiology
Hearing and Vision Physiology
Physiology of Aging
Week 3 Neurovascular Diseases
Infections
Trauma and Tumors
Degenerative and Demyelinating Diseases
Week 4 EXAM 1
Cardiac Physiology
EKG
Dysrhythmias
Week 5 Coronary Artery Disease and Myocardial Infarctions
Myocardial Dysfunctional Disease
Cardiac Infections
Atherogenesis and Valvular Heart Diseases
Week 6 Respiratory Physiology and Pulmonary Function Tests
Respiratory Pathology-Obstructive and Restrictive Diseases
Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Pulmonary Infections
Week 7 Pulmonary Neoplasms
Renal Physiology
Fluid and Electrolytes
Acid-Base Physiology
Week 8 Renal Pathology-Infections
Renal Failure
Glomerulonephritides/Neoplasms
Bladder Diseases/Tumors
Week 9 EXAM 2
GI Physiology: Motor Control Reflexes
GI Physiology: Digestion and Absorption
GI Physiology: Fluids and Electrolytes
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Content/Module
Week 10 Gastrointestinal Disorders-Esophageal
Gastrointestinal Disorders-Gastric, Intestinal
Gastrointestinal Disorders-Liver, Pancreas
Gastrointestinal Disorders-Gallbladder
Assigned Reading
Week 11 Hematology Disorders-Blood Production and Breakdown
Anemias, Leukemias
Lymphomas and Myelomas
Coagulation Disorders
Week 12 Pathology: Skin
Pathology: Bone
Pathology: Muscle
Pathology: Joint
Week 13 EXAM 3
Endocrine Disorders I
Endocrine Disorders II
Endocrine Disorders III
Week 14 Male Reproduction
Female Reproduction
Pregnancy
Puberty and Menopause Physiology
Week 15 Female Reproductive Disorders I
Female Reproductive Disorders II
Male Reproductive Disorders
Disorders of Pregnancy
Week 16 EXAM 4
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be evaluated through the following methods:
Written examinations utilizing multiple choice format
Written Exams: 25% each
Students will take the exams on the NAU Phoenix Bio-Medical Campus.
Participation:
Attendance and class participation will account for the participation grade.
Grading System:
The following grading scale will be used:
A
B
C
F
90-100
80-89
70-79
≤69
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Course policy:
Retests/make-up exams: Make-up exams will not be offered unless you can demonstrate (e.g., with a
doctor’s letter) that your absence on the exam day was unavoidable.
Attendance: Attendance in lecture and laboratory is mandatory due to the material presented. Please
refer to the NAU DPAS Student Handbook on policies on attendance.
Student Responsibilities:
Students are expected to attend all classes and to read assigned readings as stated on the instructional
objectives prior to class. This will facilitate comprehension of the material presented in lecture.
All assignments are to be fully completed, handed in by the designated due date and follow the outlined
criteria.
Student are expected to consistently conduct themselves in a professional manner, to demonstrate
respect, compassion and integrity, sensitivity to differences in all interaction and to demonstrate
emotional resiliency, stability, flexibility and tolerance of ambiguity and anxiety.
All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off and out of sight during exams. If a student is
found with a cell phone out during an exam, the student will receive an immediate grade of zero for the
exam, and potentially further disciplinary action.
NAU Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY is a form of misconduct that is subject to disciplinary action under the
Student Code of Conduct and includes the following: cheating, fabrication, fraud, facilitating academic
dishonesty and plagiarism.
Plagiarism: any attempt to knowingly or deliberately pass off other's work as your own.
Cheating: any attempt to gain an unfair advantage over one's fellow students.
Fabrication: any attempt to present information that is not true when the author knows the information
presented is false.
Fraud: any attempt to deceive an instructor or administrative officer of the university.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: any attempt to assist an act of academic dishonesty by another
individual.
If you are charged with academic dishonesty, you are subject to the Arizona Board of Regents’ Student
Code of Conduct and procedures established by NAU, specifically the Academic Dishonesty policy,
outlined in the http://www4.nau.edu/stulife/handbook.htm.
University policy:
SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY NAU’s Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy seeks to
prohibit discrimination and promote the safety of all individuals within the university. The goal of this
policy is to prevent the occurrence of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin,
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religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status and to prevent sexual harassment, sexual assault
or retaliation by anyone at this university.
You may obtain a copy of this policy from the college dean’s office or from the NAU’s Affirmative
Action website http://home.nau.edu/diversity/. If you have concerns about this policy, it is important
that you contact the departmental chair, dean’s office, the Office of Student Life (928-523-5181), or
NAU’s Office of Affirmative Action (928-523-3312).
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES If you have a documented disability, you can arrange for
accommodations by contacting Disability Resources (DR) at 523-8773 (voice)or 523-6906 (TTY),
dr@nau.edu (e-mail)or 928-523-8747 (fax).Students needing academic accommodations are required to
register with DR and provide required disability related documentation. Although you may request an
accommodation at any time, in order for DR to best meet your individual needs, you are urged to
register and submit necessary documentation (www.nau.edu/dr) 8 weeks prior to the time you wish to
receive accommodations. DR is strongly committed to the needs of student with disabilities and the
promotion of Universal Design. Concerns or questions related to the accessibility of programs and
facilities at NAU may be brought to the attention of DR or the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal
Opportunity (523-3312).
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD Any study involving observation of or interaction with human
subjects that originates at NAU—including a course project, report, or research paper—must be
reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects in
research and research-related activities.
The IRB meets monthly. Proposals must be submitted for review at least fifteen working days before
the monthly meeting. You should consult with your course instructor early in the course to ascertain if
your project needs to be reviewed by the IRB and/or to secure information or appropriate forms and
procedures for the IRB review. Your instructor and department chair or college dean must sign the
application for approval by the IRB. The IRB categorizes projects into three levels depending on the
nature of the project: exempt from further review, expedited review, or full board review. If the IRB
certifies that a project is exempt from further review, you need not resubmit the project for continuing
IRB review as long as there are no modifications in the exempted procedures.
A copy of the IRB Policy and Procedures Manual is available in each department’s administrative office
and each college dean’s office or on their website: http://www.research.nau.edu/vpr/IRB/index.htm. If
you have questions, contact the IRB Coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Research at 928523-8288 or 523-4340.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY The university takes an extremely serious view of violations of academic
integrity. As members of the academic community, NAU’s administration, faculty, staff and students
are dedicated to promoting an atmosphere of honesty and are committed to maintaining the academic
integrity essential to the education process. Inherent in this commitment is the belief that academic
dishonesty in all forms violates the basic principles of integrity and impedes learning. Students are
therefore responsible for conducting themselves in an academically honest manner.
Individual students and faculty members are responsible for identifying instances of academic
dishonesty. Faculty members then recommend penalties to the department chair or college dean in
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keeping with the severity of the violation. The complete policy on academic integrity is in Appendix G
of NAU’s Student Handbook http://www4.nau.edu/stulife/handbookdishonesty.htm.
ACADEMIC CONTACT HOUR POLICY The Arizona Board of Regents Academic Contact Hour
Police (ABOR handbook, 20296, Academic Credit) states: “an hour of work is the equivalent of 50
minutes of class time . . . at least 15 contact hours of recitation, lecture, discussion, testing or evaluation,
seminar, or colloquium as well as a minimum of 30 hours of student homework is required for each unit
of credit.”
SENSITIVE COURSE MATERIALS If an instructor believes it is appropriate, the syllabus should
communicate to students that some course content may be considered sensitive by some students.
“University education aims to expand student understanding and awareness. Thus it necessarily involves
engagement with a wide range of information, ideas, and creative representations In the course of
college studies, students can expect to encounter – and critically appraise – materials that may differ
from and perhaps challenge familiar understandings, ideas, and beliefs. Students are encouraged to
discuss these matters with faculty.”
Other:
ARC-PA Standards met by this course:
B1.02
B1.05
B1.09
B2.02b
B2.02c
B2.03
NAU DPAS Graduate Competencies met by this course:
2.0
3.01
3.02
8.03
Specific Learning Objectives
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