BIOLOGY 33 – Medical Terminology
Spring 2006
Section 0399
Time: Sat 9:00 am – 12:10 pm
Location: Inst Rm 2020
Office Hours: Sat 12:10pm – 12:40pm
Instructor – Wakana Saeki, M.D.
Tel: 818-364-7744
Inst Rm 2020
Email: wsaeki@peakdocs.com
Lecture Website: www.lamission.edu/lifesciences  Lecture Notes  Medical Terminology  0399
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course presents a study of basic medical terminology. Prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms,
special endings, plural forms, abbreviations, and symbols are included in the content. A programmed learning,
word building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. This
provides the opportunity to decipher unfamiliar terms and check their spelling. Emphasis is placed on spelling,
definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations are introduced as related terms are presented with each
unit.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, the successful student should be able to:
1. Identify basic components of medical terms, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
2. Determine the meaning of a medical term by examining its various components.
3. Build a medical term and be able to employ it in the appropriate context.
4. Correctly pronounce, spell, and use medical terms.
5. Use dictionaries, reference books, and source books to increase vocabulary.
6. Locate, read, and summarize information on current medical topics in newspapers, magazines, and
primary medical literature sources.
7. Communicate with medical professionals both orally and in writing.
REQUIRED TEXT

Davis, Dennerll: Medical Terminology: A Programmed Systems Approach, 9th Edition. Delmar
Publisher, Albany, NY 1999

Practice software to accompany: Medical Terminology: A Programmed Systems Approach, 9th Edition.
Thomson Delmar Learning Publishers, Albany, NY 1999
REFERENCES
Medical dictionaries are available for purchase at the student bookstore or for use in the Learning Resource
Center (LRC) reference section. Use one of the following or any other professional medical dictionary:

Dorland’s Medical Dictionary, 28th Edition. Saunders.

Miller/Keane: Encyclopedia Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, 6th Edition. Saunders.

Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, Mosby.

Taber’s Encyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 18th Edition. F.A. Davis

Stedman’s Pocket Medical Dictionary. Williams and Wilkins

The Bantam Medical Dictionary. Bantam Books
GRADING POLICY
1. Quizzes (two lowest or missed dropped)
50%
2. Midterm exam
25%
3. Final exam
25%
Make-ups for missed midterm or final exams will not be allowed unless arrangements are made prior to the
missed class for emergency or medical reasons. This means the student must call the instructor or leave a
message prior to the missed class session if possible. Quiz make-ups are not allowed for any reason unless an
extended illness or situation prevents attendance for more than three weeks. The word building systems
includes repetition; therefore, material from previous quizzes may be reviewed or included on a subsequent
quiz. The midterm and final exams are comprehensive. The two lowest or missed quiz scores will be dropped
when calculating the average. On all exams and quizzes, providing incorrect meanings, incorrect word parts, or
incorrect words will be counted as one complete error. Providing a correct meaning, word part, or word that is
incorrectly spelled is ½ off. All scores will be given in a percent value.

SCALE
A (90-100%) B (80-89%)
C (70-79%)
D (60-69%)
F (59% or below)
ATTENDANCE
Because regular attendance is important to your success, you are expected to attend all classes. Although your
instructor will grade you on your work and not on your attendance, your participation in classroom activities
may have substantial impact on your final grade. Your instructor will warn you if he/she believes that your absence from class is jeopardizing your chance to complete this class successfully. Make-up policies are
described in the section on Grading Policy.
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Week 1
Class:
2/11/06
Introduction
Section A: How to Work the Program
Unit 1: The Word Building System
Assignment: Unit 1-review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 1
2/18/06
President’s Day Holiday (College closed)
Week 2
Unit 1 Quiz
(bring scantron)
2/25/06
Class:
Unit 2 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 2 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 2
Week 3
Unit 2 Quiz
(bring scantron)
3/4/06
Class:
Unit 3 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 3 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 3
Week 4
Unit 3 Quiz
(bring scantron)
3/11/06
Class:
Unit 4 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 4 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 4
Week 5
Unit 4 Quiz
(bring scantron)
3/18/06
Class:
Unit 5 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 5 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 5
Week 6
Unit 5 Quiz
(bring scantron)
3/25/06
Class:
Unit 6, Unit 7 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 6, Unit 7 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 6 and Unit 7
Week 7
Unit 6 and 7 Quizzes (bring scantron)
4/1/06
Class:
Unit 8 and abbreviations
Review for midterm exam
Assignment: Study for midterm exam
Week 8
MIDTERM EXAM (Unit 1 – 7)
4/8/06
Assignment: Unit 8 review activities
(bring scantrons)
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 8
4/15/06
Spring Break (College closed)
Week 9
Unit 8 Quiz
(bring scantron)
4/22/06
Class:
Unit 9 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 9 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 9
Week 10
Unit 9 Quiz
(bring scantron)
4/29/06
Class:
Unit 10 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 10 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 10
Week 11
Unit 10 Quiz (bring scantron)
5/6/06
Class:
Unit 11, Unit 12 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 11, Unit 12 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 11 and Unit 12
Week 12
Unit 11 and 12 Quizzes
5/13/06
Class:
(bring scantron)
Unit 13, Unit 14 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 13, Unit 14 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 13 and Unit 14
Week 13
Unit 13 and 14 Quizzes
5/20/06
Class:
(bring scantron)
Unit 15 and abbreviations
Assignment: Unit 15 review activities
Work the computer tutorial for Unit 15
Week 14
Unit 15 Quiz (bring scantron)
5/27/06
Class:
Review for final exam
Assignment: Study for final exam
Week 15
6/3/06
FINAL EXAM (Unit 1-15)
(bring scantrons)