MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY HSC 1531 – CRN 14273
SESSION: FALL 2009
EAST CAMPUS - ROOM 7-112
T-R 11:30 A.M. –12:45 P.M.
PROFESSOR: DR. ROSA E. CHAVES, M.D.
OFFICE
:
COLLEGE PHONE :
E-MAIL
:
Class-room, 15 minutes prior class
(407) 582-2551 (for messages)
rchaves@atlas.valenciacc.edu
Text(s)
The Language of Medicine, 8th ed. Author: Davi-Ellen Chabner. Publisher: W.B. Saunders
Co., 2007. ** Required Resource**
Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 20th or latest edition. Publisher: F.A. Davis Co.,
2005. **Recommended Resource**
Course Description
This course is the study of the language of medicine. It includes
construction, analysis, spelling, application, and pronunciation of medical terms as
well as how they relate to the structure and function of the human body. It explores
the use of medical words and abbreviations used in clinical procedures,
pathophysiology, and case histories.
Course Outcomes
The fields of study to be covered during this term are specified in the schedule.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able to:
1. Know and understand the meanings of prefixes, suffixes, roots used in
analyzing and defining medical terms.
2. List and define suffixes for adjective endings, noun endings.
3. List and define medical prefixes.
4. Define rules for changing singular words to plural words. 5. Build medical
words for surgical, diagnostic, and symptomatic suffixes.
6. Identify word roots/combining forms, prefixes and suffixes associated with all
of the major organ systems: e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, etc.
7. Correctly spell and/or pronounce medical terms presented in the course.
8. Analyze medical terms by virtue of their word element structure and thereby
determine their meaning.
9. Make a medical case study presentation.
GENERAL POLICY: http://www.valenciacc.edu/generalcounsel/policies.cfm
Valencia Graduate Competencies
Valencia faculty has defined four interrelated competencies: Value, Think,
Communicate, and Act. These competencies prepare the student to succeed in their
careers. Through classroom lectures, group discussions, and other learning activities
the student would be able to:
1. Recognize values as expressed in attitudes an choices and employ values as
standard of judgment in the biological sciences.
2. Think critically and creatively. The student use the scientific method to
analyze, synthesized, integrate, and evaluate different situations that help them to draw
well-supported conclusions.
3. Employ effective methods of communication appropriate to the audience and
purpose.
4. Act: Apply the knowledge acquired in the human biology class to solve
problems, make decisions, and set strategies in the careers. This knowledge could be
used to improve the quality of life in their social group by making healthier decisions.
In this course, lectures, discussions, group assignments, and feedback will help you to
develop mastery of these core competencies. For additional information about Core
competencies please visit: http://valencia.cc.fl.us/competencies
Cell Phones
Please turn them off. If you have an emergency where you must be aware of
phone calls, please inform the professor prior to class, turn the cell phone to vibrate and
sit as close to the door as possible so that you are able to leave the classroom at any
time.
Important Dates
Part of
Term
Date Range
Full
08/31/09-12/20/09
Term (1)
Withdrawal Deadline
(To receive a 'W')
Withdrawal After Deadline (To
receive a 'WF' or 'WP')
Nov 6, 2009
Dec 13, 2009
College Closed ( Credit Classes Do Not Meet)
Dates
Sep 7, 2009
Oct 8, 2009
Nov 25-29, 2009
No-Show Reporting Periods for Fall 2009
Full Term (1)
Sep 9-14, 2009
Disclaimer
This outline and the course schedule may be changed at the instructor’s
discretion during the course of the term; students will be notified of any changes. It is
the responsibility of the student to make any adjustments as announced.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must
provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific
needs with the professor, preferable during the first two week of class. The Office for
Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate
documentation of disabilities (East Campus, Bldg. 5-212, x.2229; West Campus, Bldg.
SSB-102, x1523; Osceola Campus, Bldg. 1-152, x 4167; and Winter Park Campus,
Room 203, x.6887).
Attendance
Attendance at all classes is strongly encouraged. Regularity in classroom
attendance and punctuality is vital to academic success; hence punctual and regular
attendance is expected in this course. Any class session missed reduces the
opportunity for learning. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. To
avoid unexcused absences the student should notify by e-mail to the instructor either in
advance or on the day the class is missed. If it is not done, the absence will be
unexcused. Student who misses more than three classes may be withdrawn for nonattendance at the discretion of the instructor after notification. Three tardiness (fifteen
minutes after class starts) or three early dismissals (before class ends) are equal to one
unexcused absence. It is recommended that each student secure the phone number
of a fellow classmate, in order to get any information from class, or send any urgent
message to the professor.
Evaluation
Tests: There will be 7 tests, and their assigned dates are shown in the Class
Schedule. Tests will be given at the beginning of each class period. Each test will
include materials from previous classes. The value is 7% each.
IN-class work: During some classes all students will make a graded class work
each set of those with a worth of 5% for a total of 20%;
Intermediate test: It is an intermediate test with a worth of 15%.
Final Exam: The final exam may include material from all chapters covered in the
course from the beginning to the end. It could have the most representative questions of
each chapter. College policy requires that students take the final exam at the scheduled
examination time. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade for the course, unless
special arrangements have been made for a make-up exam in accordance with the
college policy. The worth of this final is 16% and will be taken on Dec 17th at 10:00 AM12:30 PM in the same classroom 7-112.
Grades
7Tests
In-class work
Midterm
Final exam
Total
Grading scale:
92 – 100%
85 – 91%
77 – 84%
70 – 76%
Below 70%
49 %
20 %
15 %
16 %
100 %
A
B
C
D
F
Test Policy
“All tests must be taken on or before dates assigned. The final examination must
be taken on the date published for final examination; if not, this will result in a grade of
“F” for the semester. No makeup tests, class-work, assignments, quizzes, and
exams, are available without the explicit consent of the instructor, which will only be
granted per Valencia Community College policy in cases of documented student
emergencies. Also, if the student is sick a doctor’s note. If somebody in the student’s
family passes away  provide the pamphlet used in these cases. The student gets in a
car accident in his/her way to class  police report, etc. If any emergency, it is the
student’s responsibility to contact the instructor and provide documentation within one
week unless special arrangements have been made previously. The first contact with
the instructor must be made through Valencia Atlas E-mail, in advance, or before
returning to class. If the student contact the professor in time but still is not excuse for
the absence, the grade will be drop immediately to 70% of the grade the student get in
the test or class-work.
Student code of Conduct
Valencia is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning,
but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By
enrolling at Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with
and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility the managing
the classroom environment rests with the professor. Students who engage in any
prohibited or unlawful acts that results in disruption of a class may be directed by the
professor to leave the class. Violation of any Valencia policies/procedures or classroom
rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the College.
Disciplinary action could include disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion,
or other appropriate and authorize actions. Valencia’s Student Code of Classroom
Conduct (Policy 10-03) can be found in the current Student handbook at
http://www.valenciacc.edu/generalcounsel/proceduredetail.cfm?RecordID=70
Valencia ID cards are required for use of facilities such as Library or Testing
Center. For all East Campus Testing Center requirements, go to
http://www.valenciacc.edu/east/academicsuccess/testing
Academic Honesty
Students who cheat or plagiarize in any way are in risk of dismissal from class
and expulsion from the college. Any test or work that is completed dishonestly will be
given zero credit.
Computer/Equipment Use Policy
Use of computers in the Business, IT, and Public Services classrooms at Valencia
Community College is restricted to those activities designated by the instructor to
enhance the class materials. Any other use is strictly forbidden. Inappropriate use
includes, but is not limited to:
 Use of computer to send E-mail or access Internet sites not specifically assigned
in class.
 Use of a computer for job, internship, homework or other activities not assigned
in class
 Modifying any hardware or software system configuration or setting
 Activities not in accordance with the Valencia Student Code of Conduct
Use of computers in the departmental open lab is limited to those activities involved
with preparing homework or coursework in this department and is subject to the same
restriction as listed above.
Open Computer Lab:
Building 4- Second Floor
Academic Support Center
Computer use is remotely monitored; any student using computers
inappropriately may be subject to dismissal from class or banishment from the lab.
Subsequent offense may be sent to the campus administration for further disciplinary
action.