Course Descriptions

Academic Phase

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
This 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, preventive health care, and complementary 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 PA
The 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 assistants 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. Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor.

PA 570 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
This course provides an opportunity for students in health and social services disciplines to explore issues related to aging and care of the elderly. Students gain real world experiences by working collaboratively in an  interdisciplinary context. Students will be asked to apply knowledge and skills directly with elders utilizing an experiential learning model. Students will build a beginning expert level knowledge base regarding issues that affect older adults in contemporary health and social welfare  contexts. Prerequisites: PA student or consent of instructor

PA 599 Directed Study
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 the supervising professor. Prerequisite: PA 552

Clinical Phase

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 evidencebased 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 evidencebased 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 12-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 620 Family Medicine, 621 General Medicine Specialty, or 622 Surgical Specialty. 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