ACADEMICS - PA Program Curriculum/Course Descriptions
Academic
Training Course Descriptions
PA 501 Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy
This course takes a regional approach to the study of human anatomy. The
course uses lecture, demonstration, discussion and dissection of human
cadavers. The intention is to give the students a foundation for Clinical
Medicine.
Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 503 Human Pathophysiology
The course uses lecture, detailed objectives/study guide, quizzes and exam,
discussion and case studies to learn and review basic human physiology
and pathophysiology involving fluids and electrolytes; acid/base disturbances;
cellular adaptations; immunity, hypersensitivity, inflammation, and infection;
hematology; pulmonary; cardiovascular system; gastrointestinal system;
renal; nervous system; and musculoskeletal system. The intention is to
give the students a foundation for Clinical Medicine.
Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 511 History and Physical Exam Skills I
A lecture-discussion-laboratory course designed to demonstrate and apply
techniques and skills essential to interviewing and physical examination
of patients. Topics covered include history taking and physical exam
of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, lymph, skin and
otorhinolaryngology systems. Basic nutrition, genetics, preventative
health care, and complimentary and alternative medicine are introduced.
Units are coordinated with Clinical Medicine I and Pharmacotherapy I.
Prerequisites: PA 501 and 503
PA 512 History and Physical Exam Skills II
A lecture-discussion-laboratory course designed to demonstrate and apply
the techniques and skills essential to interviewing and physical examination
of patients. Topics covered include history taking and physical exam
of the musculoskeletal system, neurology, ophthalmology, endocrinology,
and the male reproductive system. Units are coordinated with Clinical
Medicine II and Pharmacotherapy II.
Prerequisite: PA 511
PA 521 Pharmacotherapy I
This course will cover pharmacology and pharmacotherapy related to disease
processes of the dermatologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal
and otolaryngologic systems and infectious diseases. Units are coordinated
with the Clinical Medicine I and History and Physical Exam Skills I courses.
Prerequisites: PA 501 and 503
PA 522 Pharmacotherapy II
This course will cover pharmacology and pharmacotherapy related to disease
processes of the orthopedic, neurologic, ophthalmologic, hematologic,
renal, urologic and endocrine systems and pain management. Units are
coordinated with the Clinical Medicine II and History and Physical Exam
Skills II courses.
Prerequisite: PA 521
PA 531 Clinical Medicine I with Lab
This course provides background in the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology,
clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of common and serious
disorders. Topics covered include dermatology, cardiology, pulmonology,
gastroenterology, and otorhinolaryngology. This course builds on the
foundation laid in Anatomy and Pathophysiology. Units are coordinated
with concurrent courses in History and Physical Exam Skills I and Pharmacotherapy
I.
Prerequisites: PA 501 and 503
PA 532 Clinical Medicine II with Lab
This course provides background in the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology,
clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of common and serious
disorders. Topics covered include orthopedics, rheumatology, neurology,
ophthalmology, hematology, nephrology, urology, and endocrinology. Global
health and health care disparity are explored. Units are coordinated
with concurrent courses in History and Physical Exam Skills II and Pharmacotherapy
II.
Prerequisite: PA 531
PA 533 Clinical Medicine III: Integrative Health Care
This course provides an integrative approach incorporating clinical medicine,
history and physical exam, and pharmacotherapy in the study of mental
health, geriatrics, women’s health, and pediatrics. Common problems
encountered in primary care and other issues unique to these populations
are explored. The Community Seniors unit provides a service-learning
experience where students work one-on-one with an elderly person from
the community.
Prerequisites: PA 532
PA 542 Professional Issues
A course designed to introduce the physician assistant student to medical ethics and various professional topics that affect the practicing physician assistant. The course focus is on the medical and non-medical aspects of the profession such as: history of the physician assistant profession, laws and regulations governing physician assistant practice and education, human experimentation, abortion, care for the dying, euthanasia, reimbursement issues, and professional behavior.
Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 545 Clinical Phase Transition
This course incorporates experiential learning to prepare the student for
clinical practice. It will also facilitate the transition of knowledge
and skills from the academic phase into the clinical phase. Students
will be placed in a clinic or hospital setting for part of the semester.
Students will also have other health-related community experiences and
activities during this course. In-class time will be used to discuss
these experiences and work on skills essential for clinical practice.
Prerequisites: PA 532
PA 555: Research Tools for the Physician Assistant
This course emphasizes research as a tool at all levels of physician assistant
practice and education; identifies the linkages between research, theory,
and medical practice and the responsibility of physician assistant to
expand their knowledge base. Primary, secondary, and tertiary disease
prevention applications to public health are introduced. Information
literacy in relationship to medical literature is integrated throughout
the course.
Prerequisite: PA student or consent of instructor
PA 599 Directed Studies
This course provides a practice-oriented approach to the information literacy
methods used in health care. Students will develop a topic, complete
a full review of the literature and produce an analytic paper in consultation
with supervising professor.
Prerequisite: PA 552
Clinical Phase Course Descriptions
PA 600 Family Medicine Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of systemic diseases and conditions unique
to the clinical practice of family medicine. Inclusion of proper data
collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate
problem lists, thorough investigation and development of treatment plans
utilizing evidence based medicine as determined by review and analysis
of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 601 Internal Medicine Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of systemic diseases and conditions unique
to the clinical practice of Internal medicine. Inclusion of proper data
collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate
problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans
utilizing evidence based medicine as determined by review and analysis
of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 602 General Surgery Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions
unique to the clinical practice of General Surgery. Inclusion of proper
data collection through history and physical examination, formulation
of accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of
treatment plans utilizing evidence based medicine as determined by review
and analysis of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 603 Pediatric Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions
unique to the clinical practice of Pediatrics. Inclusion of proper data
collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate
problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans
utilizing evidence based medicine as determined by review and analysis
of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 604 Women’s Health Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions
unique to the clinical practice of Women’s Health. Inclusion of
proper data collection through history and physical examination, formulation
of accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of
treatment plans utilizing evidence based medicine as determined by review
and analysis of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 605 Emergency Medicine Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of systemic diseases and surgical conditions
unique to the clinical practice of Emergency Medicine. Inclusion of proper
data collection through history and physical examination, formulation
of accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of
treatment plans utilizing evidence based medicine as determined by review
and analysis of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 606 Psychiatry Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of Psychiatric diseases and conditions unique
to the clinical practice of Psychiatric Medicine. Inclusion of proper
data collection through history and physical examination, formulation
of accurate problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of
treatment plans utilizing evidence based medicine as determined by review
and analysis of current medical literature.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 607 Elective Clinical Practicum
A six-week required rotation which emphasizes the pathophysiology, evaluation,
diagnosis, and management of diseases and conditions unique to the clinical
practice of Medicine. Students are allowed to choose, in consultation
with the clinical coordinator, the area of medicine in which they would
like to study as their elective.
Prerequisite: Clinical phase PA student
PA 620 or 621 or 622 Preceptorship
A required twelve-week rotation at the completion of the clinical phase.
This course provides the student a final opportunity to develop the skills
unique to the clinical practice of medicine. Inclusion of proper data
collection through history and physical examination, formulation of accurate
problem lists, thorough investigation, and development of treatment plans
incorporating evidence based medicine as determined by review and analysis
of current medical literature. Can be completed in Family Medicine-620,
General Medicine Specialty-621 or Surgical Specialty-622.
Prerequisite: PA 600-607
PA 690 Capstone
This course provides each student the opportunity to present results of
their individual research topic and to synthesize previous study and
work experience in preparation for graduation and clinical practice.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the program’s
and profession’s principles.
Prerequisite: PA 600-607