King Saud University
College of Nursing
Undergraduate Nursing Program
1430 -1431 H
Course Syllabus
Course Title: Medical Terminology
Course Code : NUR 116
Credits Hours : (3 + 0)
Student Level : 1st level
Prerequisite: None
Corerequisite: None
Faculty: Lecturer . Mona Al-Aseeri
Email address: malaseeri@ksu.edu.sa
Office Hours: Sunday (11.30-12.30)
Course Overview:
The course is designed to help the student acquire knowledge necessary for
basic understanding of medical terminology. The rules of construction of terms are
emphasized, and analysis of complex terms is presented to give their meaning, and
to aid in learning to define and spell medical words correctly. The course content is
arranged by body system to allow students to master the component parts of
medical words as they directly relate to terminology of a body system, basic
anatomical terminology, diseases and procedures of the various body systems will
be attempted.
Course Description:
This course provides students with the building blocks of medical terminology.
prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining forms,
pronunciation, spelling, and the
definitions of medical terms related to different body systems required for future
nursing practice . Accurate pronunciation and spelling
of terms will be
emphasized throughout the class sessions .
Course requirements:
The course is divided into three modules as outlined in the syllabus. The class
learning activities, case studies and student assignment assigned in connection with
each unit .
A CD Rom with interactive exercises and audio CDs that contain
pronunciation of key terms will be used to facilitate student learning .Group work
will be required to carry out class activities and internet access will be required to
carry out student assignments .
Course General Objectives:
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Appreciate importance of recognizing
medical terminology for future
nursing professional practice
2. Differentiate between four word parts that forming medical terms ; word
root combining forms prefixes and suffixes.
3. Demonstrate the knowledge of medical terms regarding basic body
anatomical structure and organization.
4. Acquire a basic foundation , pronunciation and abbreviations of medical
terminology related to body systems including
medical terms , diagnostic
, procedural , pathological, and surgical terms.
Specific Course Objectives \ Competencies.
Each unit has specific learning objectives stated at the beginning of the unit.
Internet access required to complete student assignments.
Utilization of critical thinking skills during class sessions through medical
terminology in action exercises including case studies, Interactive learning
exercises at the end of each unit.
Group dynamics skills through group work to complete exercises or specific
assignment.
Course evaluation:
Evaluation is based on the quality of student’s participation and involvement
throughout the class working sessions. The grades will be distributed as follows:
Mid-term exams (1) & (2)
30%
Quizzes (1) & (2)
10 %
Assignment
10 %
Class Group work participation
10 %
Final Written Examination
40 %
Required Bibliography:
1. Thierer.N Medical Terminology ,Language for health Care (2005) .MC
Graw Hill higher Education.
2. Chabner, D-E. (2003) Medical Terminology: A short course 3rd ed. Saunders,
China
3. Pelmar. Medical Terminology For Health professional (2001).
Course Timetable
Class Date
Course Content
Week (1)
Introduction to the course, course syllabus
30\2\1431
14\2\2010
 Objectives , Units
 Class activities , Assignments
 Evaluation method
Introduction to the medical terminology
 Rational for studying medical terminology
 Spelling and pronunciation of medical terms
 New trends in medical terminology (SNOMED)
Week (2)
Unit (1)
Forming medical terms
7\3\1431
21\2\2010
Week (3)
14\3\1431
28\2\2010
 Word root
 Combining forms
 Prefix
 Suffix
Unit (2)
Anatomical Body Structure




Directional Terms
Planes of The Body
Region of The Body
Terms & Combining Form
Quiz (1)
Week (4)
21\3\1431
7\3\2010
Unit (3)
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Integumentary System
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Week (5)
28\3\1431
14\3\2010
Unit (4)
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Musculoskeletal System
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Digestive System
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical Terms
Week (6)
5\4\1431
21\3\2010
Week (7)
12\4\1431
Midterm I
Unit (5)
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Cardio Vascular System
28\3\2010
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Week (8)
19\4\1431
Unit (6)
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Respiratory System
4\4\2010
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Quiz (2)
Week (9)
26\4\1431
11\4\2010
Week (10)
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Nervous System
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Unit (8)
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Urinary System
4\5\1431
18\4\2010
Week (11)
Week (12)
11\5\1431
25\4\2010
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Midterm II
Unit (9)
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Female Reproductive System
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Week (13)
18\5\1431
2\5\2010
Week (14)
25\5\1431
9\5\2010
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Lymphatic System
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms
Medical Terminology related to body systems
Endocrine System
a) Medical Terms & Abbreviations
b) Diagnostic & Procedural Terms
c) Pathological & Surgical terms.
Week (15)
2\6\1431
Common Medication Terms
16\5\2010
Assignment Policy: All assignments must be completed at the designated times assigned by the
instructor. No late work will be accepted. All assignments should be completed in a Word Document
and sent to the email address provided. All assignments should be written in Standard English with
proper spelling and punctuation. Student participation on on-line discussions is required.