VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE SYLLABUS
Spring 2015
Course No.: Biology 233 Course Title: Pathophysiology
Section No.: 52236
Class Hours: 2:30pm – 5:20pm
Room No.: 31-1
Instructor Name: Dr. Harvey, Ph.D.
Office No.: 6
Units: 3.0
Days: T
Victor Valley College
18422 Bear Valley Road
Victorville, CA 92392
Phone: (760) 245-4271, X 2658
e-mail: lisa.harvey@vvc.edu
Visit Victor Valley College online at www.vvc.edu
SPRING Term Begins
Spring Break Holiday (college closed)
Spring Break (no classes-offices open)
College Closed (no classes)
Memorial Day Holiday (college closed)
Commencement
Spring Semester Ends
Sixteen (16) week term
Off-Campus Twelve (12) week term
that site’s calendar)
First Twelve (12) week term
Second Twelve (12) week term
First Eight (8) week term
Second Eight (8) week term
February 17
April 3
April 13 – 17
April 18
May 25
June 12
June 13
February 17 – June 13
February 17 – May 16 (Does not follow VVC calendar, see
February 17 – May 16
March 16 – June 13
February 17 – April 11
April 20 – June 13
NOTE – CAMPUS IS CLOSED and CLASSES WILL NOT BE HELD ON
CAMPUS THE FOLLOWING DATES:
April 3rd, April 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and May 25th
STATEMENT OF ACCESS: Students with special needs are
encouraged to meet with instructors to discuss the opportunity for
academic accommodation and referral to Disabled Students Programs
and Services (DSPS) and services per Administrative Procedure (AP
3440)
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Course Description
This introductory pathophysiology course uses a conceptual approach to introduce
pathological mechanisms of altered human states of physiology. Topics include etiology,
cellular metabolism, tissue perfusion, tissue alterations, functional changes and agerelated differences when applicable. Specific disease processes are discussed to
demonstrate application of the mechanisms.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course the student can:
1. Relate clinical data to observations of patient status.
2. Read, understand and critically evaluate medical journals, health articles and other
forms of data related to pathophysiology.
3. Apply the scientific method when evaluating the validity of information related to
pathophysiology.
4. Effectively communicate case studies in pathophysiology through verbal, written
and multimedia means.
5. Understand how the various organ systems are interrelated and use this
understanding to promote a holistic approach towards the evaluation and
treatment of patients.
Prerequisites
Biology 231 completed with a grade of “C” or better
Textbook(s)
Text: Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States, Porth and Matfin.
Attendance
Attendance is required and is the responsibility of the
student. If you do not attend the first class session the
instructor will drop you. If you do not plan to continue
to attend class you must drop the course to avoid
receiving an “F” grade. PLEASE NOTE: Each class
session is very important. After missing the equivalent
to one lecture and one lab, dismissal from the class will
result. This is a very fast pace class and it is highly
recommended that you do not miss a class.
(Class attendance is not a measure of performance or proficiency. Whether a student is
just physically present in the class is not a valid basis for grading. Reference Title 5
Section 55002 of the California Code of Regulations: (A) Grading Policy. The course
provides for measurement of student performance in terms of stated course objectives
and culminates in a formal, permanently recorded grade based upon uniform standards in
accordance with section 55758 of this Division. The grade is based on demonstrated
proficiency in the subject matter and the ability to demonstrate that proficiency, at least in
part, by means of written expression that may include essays, or, in courses where the
curriculum committee deems them to be appropriate, by problem solving exercises or
skills demonstrations by students.)
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Withdrawal Policy
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdrawal from this class. DO NOT simply
stop coming to class and expect the professor to drop you. Not withdrawing from class
may result in an “F” grade for the class. If you take a “W” for the course, no assignments
are carried into the next semester. You must repeat the class.
Incomplete
If a student has completed most of the course (75% or more) with a “C” or better average,
but is unable to complete the remainder of the semester due to extenuating circumstances
(see student handbook), they may elect to take an incomplete (INC) for the course. You
are allowed to make up all missing assignments. An incomplete does NOT allow you to
repeat completed assignments. All missed assignments and exams must be completed by
the following semester or the grade will revert back to the one they would have earned at
the end of this semester. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the request for an
incomplete. This must be completed in writing on a special school form and signed by
both the instructor and the student before the end of the semester.
Final Grade
Your final grade is based on the sum of your scores. You may determine your grade at
any time during the course by totaling the points you have accumulated and dividing that
total by the number of total points possible. There will be 3 lecture exams worth 150
points each and one final exam also worth 150 points. Each lecture exam will include
multiple choice questions and short answer essays. Exam topics will be announced
several days in advance. Lecture quizzes will not be announced. No exams or quizzes
will be dropped.
There will also be case studies done in class and as homework. Any assignment sent
home must be typed, handwritten assignments will not be accepted. If you need to make
up an exam you must do so on Friday June 5, 2015 at 9:35am in SL-1. There are no
exceptions. Missed quizzes cannot be made up. The make-up exam will be a written
exam and will not require the iClicker.
All grades will be posted on the internet and I will send you e-mail with your password
and ID number. You can access your grades at www.eclassinfo.com. Make sure you
check your grades frequently for accuracy.
Required Supplements
iClicker Student Response System – Students must register their iClickers and complete
the online training tutorial by the end of the first week of classes so that they are ready to
earn points in class using this technology. Without completing these processes, they risk
missing the opportunity to gain credit towards their final grades. Students must register
their iClickers on the following website:www.iClicker.com. iClickers are required for all
students and will be used during class time.
Students are required to bring their iClickers to class with them. It is the students’
responsibility to make sure that their iClickers are working and that battery life is
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sufficient. At any time during class periods, students may be asked to respond to
questions using their iClickers. The iClicker questions may be administered at the
beginning, at the end, or during the lecture with items derived from content learned
during the previous class day and/or from assigned textbook readings/assignments for
that day or previous classes. Students may not share, borrow, or exchange iClickers with
each other or they risk paying the penalty for cheating.
Podcasts and Recordings:
All classroom lectures may be recorded for posterity. You can get previous lectures
at the following address: http://www.bloodhoundsincorporated.com.
The percentage scale is as follows (No exceptions):
90 – 100% = A
80 – 89.9% = B
70 – 79.9% = C
60 – 69.9% = D
59.9 and below = F
Classroom Policies:
Etiquette and Ethics
Although extenuating circumstances occur and you must be late to class, do your best to
arrive to class on time. If for some reason you cannot arrive at the assigned time, then
please enter the classroom quietly and have consideration for other students and the
instructor. Because we are also in an intimate classroom setting any extraneous talking is
not appreciated during lecture because it is very distracting to your fellow students and
even the instructor.
Please read the college policy on cheating and plagiarism. Academic dishonesty in any
form will not be tolerated, and may result in failure of an exam/assignment, failure of the
course or expulsion from the college. If you have any questions regarding dishonesty or
are in anyway unclear about the meaning of the college policy, please see me
immediately. If Academic Dishonesty is observed in the classroom, the assignment will
be given a grade of “F” and the student will be expelled from the class for two days.
Children
It is the policy of Victor Valley College that children NOT attend class with their parents
nor be left unattended on campus while parents attend class. If you qualify, there is a
day-care center on campus, if not, please make arrangements for a babysitter.
No food or drinks
It is school policy that NO food or drinks be allowed in the classroom. Please do not use
the small sinks and drawers at the desk as trash receptacles. It is also important to leave
all open foodstuffs outside of the classroom, we have a tendency to collect a large herd of
ants after awhile. It is not pleasant having them crawl up your pant leg!!!
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PLEASE NOTE: It is the responsibility of every person at each table to make sure the
tabletop is clean after the class session is over. It is also the responsibility of every
person at the table to check the sink and drawers to make sure there is not trash in either.
After a laboratory procedure it is also the responsibility of everyone at the table to make
sure the floors are swept and mopped. If you do not make sure your table and the area
around your table is clean there will be a 10-point deduction from every person sitting at
that table after any or all class sessions.
Lecture Schedule
A tentative lecture schedule with approximate dates for lecture topics and examinations is
included in this syllabus. Materials may be covered at a faster or slower pace, depending
upon the circumstances. It is the responsibility of the student to note any and all changes.
The chapters indicated for exams should be read by the day of the exam
Exams
PLEASE TAKE CAREFUL NOTE: During an exam there will be no leaving the
classroom for any reason, except with a written Doctor’s excuse. If you leave the
classroom your exam is over.
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Tentative Lecture Schedule
Date
Lecture Topics
Feb 17
Nature of Disease
Cell Pathology
Disorders of the Immune System
Inflammation, Tissue Repair and Fever
Neoplasia
March 24
50, 51
58, 59
41
42
12 - 15
22 - 24, 26
28, 29
Exam 3
Disorders of Gastrointestinal Function
Disorders of the Renal System
Disorders of the Reproductive System
Metabolic and Rheumatic Disorders
June 11
8
Exam 2
Disorders of the Hematopoietic System
Disorders of the Cardiovascular System
Disorders of the Respiratory System
May 19
19
Exam 1
Disorders of Motor and Brain Function
Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
Disorders of Endocrine Control
Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome
April 21
Chapter
Final Exam
37, 38
32 - 35
44, 46
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Group Disease Process Presentations:
Each student group will develop a PowerPoint presentation, which will be presented in
class on a disease process of their own choosing. The presentation will focus on a
disease, which may be either a common disease or an obscure disease, as long as the
disease is not discussed in detail during classroom lectures (refer to topical content to
determine which diseases should be excluded). Any student group that wishes to discuss
his/her selection of a disease with the course faculty is welcome to do so. Faculty
approval of the chosen disease is required.
Required elements for presentation:


Powerpoint presentations – 10 minutes to present; maximum length 15 slides (not
including Title Slide and Reference Slide) 
References – minimum of 3 peer-reviewed/evidence-based references (at least 1
journal article; may use textbook as one reference). Sources such as Wikipedia or
other non-reviewed websites may not be used; websites relevant to the disease
process or treatment may be used (ie: American Cancer Society’s website:
http://www.cancer.org/index; Center for Disease Control’s website:
http://www.cdc.gov/) 
Required elements of the presentation include the following: 







General characteristics of the disease
Risk factors (as appropriate)
 Genetic factors 
 Disease transmission 
Clinical manifestations
Disease progression/course of the disease
Prevention, treatment and prognosis
Format, style and creativity/visual appeal
References
15% 
15% 
15% 
20% 
15% 
10% 
10% 