Physician Assistant

This course includes lectures that provide comprehensive coverage of topics in cell biology, metabolism, nutrition, molecular biology, and genetics.  Beginning with protein and cell structure and the function of enzymes, the course moves to assessment of clinical enzymes, liver function, hematopoiesis, and hemostasis.  Related conditions of anemia, hemoglobinopathies, bleeding and clotting disorders, and jaundice will also be a focus. Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in health and diseases including diabetes mellitus and application to nutrition and nutritional support are additionally focuses.  The final unit of the course covers basic concepts in molecular biology and genetics, including monogenic and complex inheritance, genetic screening, and advances in gene therapy, all highlighted by relevant disease examples. Workshops will supplement selected topics by allowing students to apply basic course content to clinical cases while working cooperatively in small groups.

This course covers both the etiologic agents of infectious diseases and the host immune responses to those agents. This course begins by focusing on fundamental principles of immunology, antigenic characteristics of microorganisms, the cells and mediators involved in host defense mechanisms against pathogens and tumor antigens, lymphatic recirculation, and lymphatic flow. Next, the course delves into the basic classification, structure, metabolism and genetics of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, and fungi. From that point on, lectures and small group activities use the organ systems approach to examine the etiologic agents of infectious disease, the immune system responses, and possible immunopathology.

Medical interviewing skills will be introduced through formal lectures and developed through standardized patient interviews. The skills, knowledge, and sensitivity needed to communicate and improve patient rapport in a variety of psychosocial situations will be discussed. Lectures will also focus on laboratory and diagnostic testing, clinical skills, patient acuity and disposition, patient care settings, and medical decision making. 

Physical examination techniques will be introduced during formal lectures and practiced during partner-paired laboratory sessions in this course. Normal physical findings and examination techniques will be emphasized. Common normal variants and classic physical abnormalities will be introduced and discussed. Lectures, laboratory sessions, and interactive case-based lecture techniques will be employed.

Physical examination techniques will be introduced during formal lectures and practiced during partner-paired laboratory sessions in this course. Normal physical findings and examination techniques will be emphasized. Common normal variants and classic physical abnormalities will be introduced and discussed. Lectures, laboratory sessions, and interactive case-based lecture techniques will be employed.

This course is designed to allow the physician assistant student to obtain the knowledge and skills required to assess a patient's medical and health status as part of the focused history and problem-oriented physical examination. Students will also develop patient-management skills by ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic studies and appropriate therapeutics. Case-based lectures and small group sessions will focus on clinical reasoning and medical decision making. The course is designed to build upon the medical history knowledge gained in Patient Care I and the physical exam skills learned in Patient Care II.

This course includes lectures that provide comprehensive coverage of topics in cell biology, metabolism, nutrition, molecular biology, and genetics.  Beginning with protein and cell structure and the function of enzymes, the course moves to assessment of clinical enzymes, liver function, hematopoiesis, and hemostasis.  Related conditions of anemia, hemoglobinopathies, bleeding and clotting disorders, and jaundice will also be a focus. Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in health and diseases including diabetes mellitus and application to nutrition and nutritional support are additionally focuses.  The final unit of the course covers basic concepts in molecular biology and genetics, including monogenic and complex inheritance, genetic screening, and advances in gene therapy, all highlighted by relevant disease examples. Workshops will supplement selected topics by allowing students to apply basic course content to clinical cases while working cooperatively in small groups .

This course covers both the etiologic agents of infectious diseases and the host immune responses to those agents. This course begins by focusing on fundamental principles of immunology, antigenic characteristics of microorganisms, the cells and mediators involved in host defense mechanisms against pathogens and tumor antigens, lymphatic recirculation, and lymphatic flow. Next, the course delves into the basic classification, structure, metabolism and genetics of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, and fungi. From that point on, lectures and small group activities use the organ systems approach to examine the etiologic agents of infectious disease, the immune system responses, and possible immunopathology.

This course covers both the etiologic agents of infectious diseases and the host immune responses to those agents. This course begins by focusing on fundamental principles of immunology, antigenic characteristics of microorganisms, the cells and mediators involved in host defense mechanisms against pathogens and tumor antigens, lymphatic recirculation, and lymphatic flow. Next, the course delves into the basic classification, structure, metabolism and genetics of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, and fungi. From that point on, lectures and small group activities use the organ systems approach to examine the etiologic agents of infectious disease, the immune system responses, and possible immunopathology.