PA-606. Human Anatomy. Human Anatomy is a broad, survey course that provides students with a detailed examination of all structural aspects of the human body. The course is presented by regions and allows students to learn and assimilate the morphology of different areas of the human body in an organized and logical fashion. Students are expected to become skilled at identification of anatomical structures and are also expected to become proficient at recognition of structural arrangements and structural relationships. Anatomical structures are correlated with radiographic images in each of the regions studied. The course content is designed to correlate with important clinical problems that students may encounter as practitioners, and students are encouraged to start acquainting themselves with ways that anatomical alterations can affect normal function. The course is taught via lectures, class discussions, and laboratory dissection/prosection of human cadavers. Students have the opportunity to further their knowledge of anatomy by using computer-assisted technology, which is available online. Prerequisite: Enrollment into the Physician Assistant Program.6 s.h. Summer.

PA-607. Introduction to the Physician Assistant Profession. This seminar course is designed specifically for the PA student covering the following topic areas: the healthcare delivery system and the PA role and legal standing in US health care, federal programs and initiatives in health care delivery, payment mechanisms and reimbursement policies, rural health care, public health care, community resources, as well as risk management and quality assurance. Collaboration with other health care providers in the team approach to patient care will be emphasized. A critical review of selected readings will be required for classroom discussions. Prerequisite: Enrollment into the Physician Assistant Program. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-608. Clinical Laboratory Medicine. An introduction to clinical laboratory diagnostic testing will be offered with a focus on ordering and interpretation of testing necessary for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of selected clinical conditions. Capstone experiences will facilitate problem solving and critical interpretation of laboratory data as preparation for subsequent development of clinical and medical diagnostic skills. Laboratory sessions will be devoted to phlebotomy and tours of clinical laboratory facilities. Prerequisite: None. 3 s.h. Summer.

PA-610. Bioinformatics. This course introduces students to the application of computer technology and to the management of biological information and principles of evidence based medicine.  A systematic method for assessing the medical literature and identifying relevant patient oriented evidence is represented.  The course also contains an online self study designed to build vocabulary and assess students' mastery of medical terminology. Prerequisite: Enrollment into the Physician Assistant Program. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-612. Pathophysiology for PA I. The first part of a two-semester course introduces basic pathophysiologic principles. These principles are taught in order that students will learn to base clinical decisions on underlying pathophysiologic processes. Topics correspond to the material being covered in the Fundamentals of Medicine Course. Prerequisites: Human Anatomy and Clinical Laboratory Medicine. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I, Clinical Problem Solving I. 1 s.h. Fall.

PA-613. Pathophysiology for PA II. This second part of a two-semester course sequence introduces additional pathophysiologic principles. These are taught in order that students may learn to make clinical decisions based on undertstanding underlying pathophysiologic processes. Topics correspond to the material being covered in the Fundamentals of Medicine course. Prerequisite: Pathosphysiology I. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II. Clinical Problem Solving II.1 s.h. Spring.

PA-614. Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I. This course provides an introduction to the study of the disease process. Emphasis has been placed on the integration of essential anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The differential diagnosis of symptoms and physical findings along with interpretation of laboratory and radiographic tests appropriate to each system is discussed. Topics include dermatology, hematology, neurology, psychiatry, and infectious diseases. The course will use lecture format and is integrated with the Clinical Problem Solving course. Prerequisites: Human Anatomy, Clinical Laboratory Medicine. Co-requisites: Clinical Problem Solving I, Pathophysiology for PA I, Physical Diagnosis. 4 s.h. Fall

PA-615. Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II. This course continues the introduction to the study of the disease process. Enphasis is placed on the integration of the essential anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The differential diagnosis of symptoms and physical findings along with interpretation of laboratory and radiographic tests appropriate to each system is discussed. Topics include endocrine, respiratory, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases. The course will use lecture format and is integrated with the Clinical Problem Solving course, as well as with Pathophysiology II. Pharmacology I presents the pharmacotherapeutics used in managing the disease processes discussed in this course. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I, Clinical Problem Solving I, Human Physiology, Pathophysiology for PA I. Co-requisites: Clinical Problem Solving II, Pathophysiology for PA II, Pediatrics.4 s.h. Spring.

PA-616. Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine III. This course continues the introduction to the study of the disease process. Emphasis is placed on the integration of the essential anatomy, phhysiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical teminoalogy relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The differential diagnosis of symptoms and physical findings along with interpretation of laboratory and radiographic tests appropriate to each system is discussed. Topics include obstetrics, gynecology, nephrology, urology, nutrition, and complementary and alternative medicine. The course will use lecture format and is integrated with the Clinical Problem Solving III course. Pharmaclogy II presents the pharmacotherapeutics used in managing the disease processes discussed in this course. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II, Clinical Problem Solving II, Pathophysiology for PA II, Pharmacology I. Co-requisites: Clinical Problem Solving III, Pharmacology II.3 s.h. Summer.

PA-617. Clinical Problem Solving I. Clinical Problem Solving will consolidate the topics of medicine by developing a logical methodology of assessment of disease processes or syndromes and subsequent intervention. Student will master the ability to generate differential diagnoses specific to the patients presenting complaints, signs and symptoms, and laboratory data. A problem-based learning format is used. Prerequisites: Human Anatomy, Clinical laboratory Medicine. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicne, Physical Diagnosis, Human Physiology. 1 s.h. Fall.

PA-618. Clinical Problem Solving II. Clinical Problem Solving II is a continuation of Clinical Problem Solving I. Prerequisites: Clinical Problem Solving I, Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I, Physical Diagnosis. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II, Pharmacology I, Pediatrics. 1 s.h. Spring.

PA-619. Clinical Problem Solving III. Clinical Problem Solving III is a continuation of Clinical Problem Solving II. Prerequisites: Clinical Problem Solving II, Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine III, Pharmacology II. 1 s.h. Summer.

PA-620.  Introduction to Pharmacology.  This course introduces students to basic pharmacologic priniciples for an understanding of the mechanism of action of drugs and knowledge for their rational use.  Basic pharmacokinetics are presented in a clinical problem solving format.  A background in pharmaceutics is provided in order to understand and choose appropriate dosage forms to provide safe and effective drug treatments.  Examples of the application of evidence-based medicine principles to pharmacotherapy are introduced.  A course project will allow students to gain exposure to many of the challenges related to managing patients with drug therapy.  Co-requisite:  Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I and Pathophysiology for PA I.  1 s.h. Fall.

PA-623. Physical Diagnosis.  See this course
This course provides instruction in obtaining a medical history and acquisition of physical examination skills. Through lecture and laboratory insturction, students learn to perform and record a complete physical examinationon. Observation in clinical setting will provide examples of problem-oriented evaluation. Prerequisite: Human Anatomy. 4 s.h. Fall.

PA-630. Bioethics and Behavioral Medicine.  This course instroduces key concepts related to medical law, ethics and bioethics.  A case based approach is used to explore central moral, philosophical and social problems in health care.  Students reflect on the relationships among moral, professional, and legal obligations of phsician assistants, including those involving honesty, and respect for patient well-being, autonomy, dignity, and confidentiality.  Normal and abnormal psychological development of children, adults and seniors is dicussed.  Students acquire skills in basic counseling, patient education, motivational interviewing, substance abuse screening, and violence indentification.  Prerequisite: Enrollment in the PA Program.  1 s.h. Summer.

PA-637. Health Care Delivery Systems. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of health care services in the United States, including its historical development within a  unique social, economic and political environment.  Current institutional structures and delivery  systems are described, as are the evolving health needs of Americans.  Emphasis is placed upon  the basic concepts and issues that are associated with the management and regulation of health  care providers and the delivery of services.  Alternative systems of organization are also introduced  as are changes occurring in the health care professions and health care sector as a whole.   Prerequisites:  None. 1 s.h. Summer.

PA-640. Community Health and Preventive Medicine. Community Health & Preventive Medicine, including general topics in epidemiology, risk assessment, intervention strategies, public health consideration in selected disease states, immunizations, envirnonmental health, behavioral consideraitons in prevention and assessment of disease and health, implications for individual and population-based patient care, provider education, and resource utilization. Prerequisites: None. 2 s.h. Fall.

PA-645. Clinical Applications. This course builds clinical skills needed to negotiate the second (clinical) year successfully. Skills included are: suturing and wound care, IV techniques, general and directed history taking, general and directed physical exams, operating room procedures, slit lamp exams, lumbar puncture, arthrocentesis, inhalation therapy, and others. Prerequisites: None. 4 s.h. Spring.

PA-621. Pharmacotherapeutics I. This course teaches the fundamental principles and concepts of pharmacology. In the broad sense, this course is a study of the selective biologic activity of chemical substances on living matter. It presents the principals of drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism, the concepts of drug-receptor interaction, and the therapeutic uses and mechanism of action of prototype drugs in each drug group. 3 s.h. Spring

PA-622. Pharmacotherapeutics II. Continuation of Pharmacotherapeutics I. 2 s.h. Summer.

PA-646. Pediatrics. This course covers various topics of pediatrics, with focus on clinical areas of importance. Topics include: developmental & behavioral issues, nutrition & feeding, the acutely ill child, clinical genetics, inborn errors of metabolism, fetal and neonatal pediatrics, adolescent medicine, immunolgoy and allergy, rheumatology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, pulmonology & ENT, cardiovascular conditions, hematology, oncology, nephrology (fludis & electrolytes), endocrine, orthopedics. Prerequisites: None. 2 s.h. Spring.

PA-650. Emergency Medicine and Surgical Care. Initial, live-saving procedures for the critically ill and seriously injured are presented to the students. Shock, trauma, burns, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular resuscitation, and other emergencies are covered. Additionally, students are certified in advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Surgery and surgical techniques, wound healing, pre- and post-operative management are also studied. Surgical diseases of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary system are covered, as well as common outpatient surgical procedures. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Medicine II, Clinical Applications, Clinical Problem Solving II. Pharmacology I. 4 s.h. Summer.

PA-651. Geriatrics. This course provides the student with a broad overview of challenges unique to caring for our aging population. The purpose of the course is to facilitate students' ability to perform quality geriatric patient care and to foster collaboration of the students with other professionals working in geriatrics by field-work at interdisciplinary geriatric settings. Prerequisites: Pharmacology I. Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine III. 1 s.h. Summer.

PA-670. General Medicine Clerkship. This supervised five-week clinical course provides the PA student with experience in inpatient and/or outpatient medicine. The student may be assigned to the department of medicine and work directly with the supervision of the house staff. The student medically evaluates patients and follows their daily progress; thereby developing the ability to elicit history and physical findings, correlate those findings along with the patients' physiologic and biochemical data and emotional state in order to arrive at a database for patient management. This ability to analyze, synthesize, and make decisions is one of the primary objectives of this clinical experience. The student is given opportunities to develop skills and demonstrate competency in performing and interpreting certain medical procedures and tasks. Attendance at rounds and an orientation to the intensive care unit, grand rounds, and medical conferences may be required of the student. In certain settings there are opportunities to work with the assigned housestaff in the outpatient medical clinic area, to monitor and follow up patient management problems, and to discuss diagnostic problems and suggest the formulation of management plans. 5 s.h.

PA-672. Family Medicine Clerkship. Students are assigned for a five-week period to an outpatient medical department in a hospital setting, clinic, or private practice and participate in activities related to health care maintenance and restoration. Students are oriented towards the complexity of disease causation and given the awareness that pathological states and manifestations are the consequences of multiple seterminants operating simultaneously. The students explore health factors, external-internal milieu, psychological-biological, psychosomatic, genetic, and envrionmetnal factors as they examine patients. Health surveillance is an integral part of this clinical experience. Students participate in outreach programs to alert the community as to what can be dangerous or detrimental to one's health, as well as recognizing signs and symtoms of impending illness. Students will also motivate patients to utilize methods of self examination (i.e.,have women routinely perform self-breast examination) as part of participation in preventive medicine strategies. 5 s.h.

PA-676. Pediatrics Clerkship. This supervised five-week clinical course provides the PA student with experience in caring for the pediatric patient. Students are assigned to a hospital setting, Department of Pediatrics, clinic, or private practice and participate under supervision in a variety of activities aimed at providing the student with a comprehensive picture of the growth and development of children, as well as pediatric health problems at various developmental stages. Students participate in the health management of the infant, toddler, pre-school child, elementary school-aged child and the pubescent and adolescent at in-patient and out-patient clinics and in Emergency Room settings. Students attend daily rounds and special conferences and are assigned topics for presentation and discussion. 5 s.h.

PA-674. Women's Health Clerkship. This supervised five-week clerkship takes place in a hospital setting, clinic, or private practice during which students are an integral part of the health care team. Students are responsbile for care of patients on the Obstetrical and Gynecological floors and in clinics within the hospitals. Students become faimiliar with the care and management of ante- and post-partum patients, ane they may acquire delivery room experience. In Gynecology, students become familiar with routine women's physical exams as well as with the care and management of patients with a wide variety of gynecological disorders. 5 s.h.

PA-680. Mental Health Clerkship. This five-week supervised course provides the PA student with experience in assessment and treatment of common psychiatric disorders. Students will either rotate through the Psychiatric Emergency Room, be assigned to work with a Psychiatrist, or be assigned to an outpatient mental health facility. They are involved in the evaluation of patients referred for psychiatric services. The intial assessment, mental status exam, and final disposition are handled by students under the supervision of the attending physicians. Students also participate in conferences. 5 s.h.

PA-679. Emergency Medicine Clerkship. The Emergency Medicine five-week clinical clerkship is planned so that the PA student rotates through various areas of the Emergency Room including the medical, surgical, orthopedic, and pediatric areas. The student will work with attending physicians and medical staff and will see patients under their supervision. Students are expected to be present for A.M. Emergency Room rounds and/or evening Emergency Room conferences depending on the daily schedule. Each student will have the opportunity to research a topic and give a case presentation. Assigned readings are discussed each week. 5 s.h.

PA-678. General Surgery Clerkship. This five-week supervised clinical course provides the PA student with hands-on experience in the operating room setting. Both pre-operative and post-operatgive assessment and care will be emphasized. The student is assigned in a hospital setting, Department of Surgery, clinic, or private practice where, under supervision, he/she engages in a wide variety of activities in each of the phases of surgical intervention: preoperative, operative, and post-anesthetic recovery care. The student is given opportunities to explore the basic consideraitons involved in the fluid, electroyte, and nutritional managment of the surgical patient, infections, wound healing, and wound care. Students partcipate in daily rounds, surgical grand rounds, and special conferences and serve on call. 5 s.h.

PA-682. Primary Care Elective Clerkship. This five-week supervised clinical experience provides the PA student with the opportunity to select a primary care medical setting of his/her choice upon approval of the Program's clinical coordinator. Two weeks of this experience may also occur in a subspecialty field, to which referrals are commonly made by primary care providers.  5 s.h.

PA-685. Preceptorship. The preceptorship is scheduled during the last five weeks of the clinical year and usually is completed in a setting of the student's choosing. The preceptorship is a clinical learning experience where the student develops a one-on-one relationship with the supervising physician. This clinical experience will be the culminating event of their PA education. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all other clerkships. 5 s.h.

PA-690. PA-691. PA-692. Graduate Project I, II, III. This three-credit course sequence will be scheduled during the clinical year of the program. The outcome for the graduate project is for the student to develop a physician assistant practice oriented project wherein he/she employs the principles of evidence-based practice by integrating current published medical research. In consultation with a faculty member the student will develop a clinically relevant question and/or community project. The student will be required to present his/her graduate project to the faculty and PA program and the College of Health Professions community at the conclusion of the course. 1 s.h. each.