Curriculum-Didactic Phase
BAHS 7000 Gross Anatomy, 5 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course introduces students to structure of the human body. Lectures, interactive computer programs and texts are chosen to assist in active laboratory learning. Students will plan, dissect, and present their findings as they pertain to specific course objectives. Through active dissection and critical thinking students will learn a foundation of anatomy and will further learn also how to build upon this foundation as their specialized interests continue to develop.
BAHS 7001 Foundations of Medical Science, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
The course will provide an integrated approach to understanding the basic sciences of medicine. The course will cover topics in Pathophysiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Introduction to Pharmacology, Introduction to Radiology and Introduction to Laboratory Studies.
PAE 7100Becoming a Physician Assistant I, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
The first of four courses in exploring the social, regulatory, ethical and professional aspects of becoming a physician assistant. This semester focuses on developing effective communication skills with patients and other health care providers. An emphasis on historical data collection using patient simulations and clinical experiences is included. Basic principles of human behavior are introduced during thiscourse.
PAE 7102 Introduction to Patient Assessment, 5 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course focuses on developing foundational physical examination skills and medical documentation. Didactic lectures on physical exam techniques, basic interpretation of physical exam findings and medical documentation are covered. Physical exam skills labs, patient simulations, and
small group discussions provide opportunities to develop critical reasoning skills essential to patient evaluation and management.
PAE 7105Biomedical Ethics, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
Examination of ethical rules, principles, and theories as they relate to health care delivery issues using a case presentation format and discussion of the ethical issues. Application of these issues will continue through the system and population modules within case discussions.
PAE 7301Fundamentals of Psychiatry, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course provides an integrated approach to understanding neuropsychiatric disease as well as the co-occurring disorders commonly seen in clinical practice. Students begin to develop clinical decision-making skills and an approach to gaining a fund of knowledge about the most common psychiatric disorders seen in primary care practice. Instructional emphasis is on reviewing the epidemiology of the disorder, the presenting signs and symptoms of the disorder and the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic measures to adequately assess and treat the illness. Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of content.
PAE 7002 Introduction to Epidemiology & Biostatistics, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
Basic concepts of descriptive and analytic epidemiology are presented and discussed. Topics covered include measures of disease frequency, probability,overview of epidemiologic study designs,sample size, hypothesis testing, tests ofsignificance (p-values, confidence intervals, chi-square tests),measures of data quality and bias,multivariate models, survival analysis, and causality. Each of these concepts is taught with a focus on how to read and interpret the medical literature to allow a clinical career driven by evidence based medicine.
PAE 7101 Becoming a Physician Assistant II, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This is the second of a four part course exploring the various topics which contribute to becoming a well-rounded physician assistant. Three major areas are covered including dimensions of human sexual expression, effective communication skills for working with patients and their families and fundamentals of health promotion and disease prevention.
PAE 7200 Fundamentals of Dermatology, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course provides an integrated approach to understanding the pathophysiology of dermatologic disorders and the rationale for their therapy. Material is introduced in a stepwise fashion beginning with the review of anatomy of the skin, history and physical exam of skin lesions, progressing to include the pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment of representative disorders. Emphasis will be placed on developing a differential diagnosis for common skin lesions, an approach to the patient work-up and treatment of common skin diseases.
PAE 7201Fundamentals of Hematology/ Oncology/HIV, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course provides an integrated approach to understanding the pathophysiologic basis of hematologic, general oncologic, pain managementand HIV related disorders as well as the pharmacological and non-pharmacological rationale for their therapy. The nutrition section covers the basic science of human nutrition and relates the biochemical and physiological aspects of nutrition to health and disease especially in the areas of red cell formation and HIV-Oncology support. Students are introduced to the clinical approach to hematologic disorders including clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings necessary for diagnosis and management. There will be a brief review of the focused history and physical examination. Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of content into a unified approach to the patient.
PAE 7206 Fundamentals of Gastroenterology, 4 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course provides an integrated approach to understanding the pathophysiologic basis of common gastrointestinal, hepatic and nutritional disorders as well as the pharmacological rationale for their therapy. The nutrition section covers the basic science of human nutrition and relates the biochemical and physiological aspects of nutrition to health and disease. Students are introduced to the clinical approach to these disorders, including physical examination, clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings necessary for diagnosis and management. Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of content into a unified approach to the patient.
PAE 7204 Fundamentals of Pulmonology, 5 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This module provides an understanding of pathophysiologic basis of disorders of the eye, ear, nose and throat as well as pharmacological rational for their therapy. This module also includes the basic and medical sciences, physical examination, signs and symptoms, evaluation methods including arterial blood gases, diagnosis, management and treatment of EENT and pulmonary disorders. Attention is focused on acute and chronic respiratory disturbances. Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of content into a unified approach to the patient.
PAE 7102Becoming a Physician Assistant III, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
The third of four courses in the bPA series. This course continues the discussion on professional development topics pertinent to employment and practice as a PA such as health care systems, finance, intra-professional communication, and business issues in medical practice. PA history, mobility, roles, lifelong learning, employment, credentialing, and leadership are all discussed.
PAE 7203 Fundamentals of Cardiology, 5 cr
Spring First Year, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This module explores all aspects of cardiovascular medicine including physical examination and history taking as it relates to cardiovascular disorders and analysis of symptoms and signs in developing a differential of common complaints. Common cardiac and peripheral vascular disorders are introduced through lectures that focus on the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic work-up and management. Pharmacologic management of common cardiovascular diseases are discussed. The use and interpretation of common lab and radiologic/imaging studies are explored. Additionally, the principles of electrocardiology, its interpretation and application in clinical practice are introduced. Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of content into a unified approach to the patient.
PAE 7205 Fundamentals of Endocrinology, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course provides an integrated approach to understanding the pathophysiologic basis of endocrine disorders as well as the pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic rationale for their treatment. Students build on their clinical reasoning skills and learn strategies to approach a patient presenting with an endocrine disorder to include analyzing clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings, build a differential and patient management. Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of the basic science content. This course helps prepare the student with foundational knowledge of metabolic processes, neuroendocrine pathways and endocrine diseases that they will encounter while caring for patients during the clinical phase of training and in their careers as Physician Assistants. Students will also begin to integrate their clinical knowledge with opportunities to practice health promotion and disease prevention in a community setting.
PAE 7207 Fundamentals of Nephrology and Genitourinary Disease, 4 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
The module explores all aspects of Nephrology (renal medicine), Urology, and acid/base/electrolytes disorders. This includes physical examination and history taking as it relates to renal and urologic disorders as well as analysis of signs/symptoms in developing a differential of common complaints. Common disorders are introduced through lectures that focus on the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation and management of each. The use and interpretation of common lab and radiologic/imaging studies are explored. Cases are utilized throughout the course to support student integration of content into a unified approach to the patient. Students will also learn principles of evaluating and interpreting arterial blood gases, urinalysis, placement of urinary catheters, and additional physical exam skills for conducting a male genitalia and rectal exam using standardized patients.
PAE 7209 Fundamentals of Neurology, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
The course provides an integrated approach to understanding the pathophysiologic basis of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system as well as the pharmacological rationale for their therapy. Students are introduced to the clinical approach to these disorders, including physical examination, clinical laboratory, and radiologic findings and various management methods. Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of content into a unified approach to the patient.
PAE 7103 Becoming a Physician Assistant IV, 2 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course continues the discussion on professional development topics pertinent to employment and practice as a PA such as licensing and credentialing, medical coding and billing, avoiding malpractice, healthcare financing and delivery systems, and career and leadership opportunities. Students continue with their clinical encounters and continue with their professional portfolio.
PAE 7208 Fundamentals of Rheumatology and Orthopedics, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course explores all aspects of common musculoskeletal diseases/injuries including physical examination, laboratory, imaging, diagnosis and clinical management.
Additionally, this course provides an integrated approach to understanding the pathophysiologic basis of common rheumatologic disorders as well as the pharmacological management.
Cases are used throughout the course to support student integration of content into a unified approach to the patient.
PAE 7300 Fundamentals of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide an introduction to women's health, obstetrics and gynecology. Screening, counseling, and health promotion are taught as components of the primary care of women. The focus is on the evaluation of the reproductive health of women through the various life stages.
PAE 7306 Fundamentals of Pediatrics, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
This population-based course will explore major aspects of providing patient-centered care to children from infancy through late adolescence including routine, periodic health exams, assessment of normal growth and development, health promotion and preventive care, developmental screening and early intervention, and an approach to the recognition, treatment and management of common disorders and conditions. The focus of the course is to allow the student to gain the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to be successful during their required clinical rotation in Pediatrics. Additionally, students will begin to develop anticipatory guidance to parents and caregivers. Students will also learn how and when to initiate appropriate referrals for patients requiring specialized care or treatment.
PAE 7305 Fundamentals of Surgery and Emergency Medicine, 5 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
The emergency medicine portion of this module will provide an introduction to current diagnosis and clinical management of acute trauma including head and neck, thoracic, abdominal/GU, and facial injuries/fractures. Additionally, the emergency presentation, evaluation and management of shock, environmental injuries, thermal burns, toxicology, altered mental status, near-drowning, anaphylaxis and other emergencies not already covered in the organ system and population based modules will also be covered. BLS and ACLS instruction, testing and certification will also be included in this module. Additionally, students will build upon their foundational knowledge and skills of FAST exam (ultrasound) during this course by utilizing practical case scenarios in lab.
The surgery portion of this module will provide an introduction to the clinical management of surgical patients to include topics such as Pre and Post-Op evaluation, order writing, IV and blood products, nutrition of the surgical patient, common surgical procedures, wound healing, lacerations, suture materials and skin stapling, common surgical instruments and devices. Additionally, technical skills are demonstrated including labs on aseptic technique, surgical knot tying and suturing.
The critical care portion of this module will provide an overview of some of the common topics and skills used in the management of the seriously ill patient to include: airway, shock, mechanical ventilation, acid base status, arterial lines and central venous catheters. Practical case scenarios will be applied.
PAE 7304 Fundamentals of Geriatrics, 3 cr
Didactic Phase, Required, Letter Grade
Course Description:
The course will provide an integrated approach to understanding the spectrum of aging and care of the geriatric patient. Students are introduced to common geriatric syndromes and conditions, functional assessments, nutrition, medication management, health care planning and promotion, palliative care and hospital care for geriatric patients.