SPRING 2013
HSC-115, Medical Terminology, 4 cr
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A comprehensive study of medical terminology as the language of
medicine. Analyzes words by dividing them into component parts. Relates the medical terms to
the structure and functional pathology of diseases and current medical procedures. Emphasizes
word usage, abbreviations, pronunciation, and spelling.
INSTRUCTOR: Sue Hartung, [email protected]
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
 Chabner, Language Of Medicine-With Cd+Med.Online Access Code, 9th ed., Elsevier
 Chabner, Medical Language Instant Translator, 4th Ed, Elsevier – Optional
 Chabner, iTERMS for the Language of Medicine, 2010, Elsevier – Optional
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
UNIT 101 Beginning Medical Terminology
101.1 General Learning Outcome: Apply basic word structure
 Divide and interpret medical words into their component parts
 Define the meaning of basic combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes of the terms
 Use the combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes to build medical words
101.2 General Learning Outcome: Use terms that pertain to the body as a whole
 Define terms that apply to the structural organization of the body
 Identify body cavities
 Locate anatomical/clinical divisions of the abdomen
 Utilize terms that describe positions, directions, and planes of the body
UNIT 201 Body Systems
201.1 General Learning Outcome: Use medical terminology as it relates to each of the
body systems.
 Combine suffixes, prefixes and combining forms to develop terms for each
body system
 Spell terminology as it relates to each system
 Define related structures and organs of each system
 Recognize abbreviations for each body system
 Interpret medical reports & case studies
201.2 General Learning Outcome: Define & utilize medical terminology related to
disease symptoms, pathology, pharmacology and surgical procedures.
 Define new prefixes, suffixes and word roots associated with body systems &
disease processes
 List and explain laboratory tests and clinical procedures common to the body
systems
 Interpret medical reports and case studies
 Define common pharmacological terms related to the treatment of various
conditions
For general information only. Full syllabus available from instructor.
SPRING 2013
Sub-Units
Digestive system
Female Reproductive system
Nervous system
Blood, lymphatic and immune systems
Skin
Endocrine system
Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Psychiatry
Urinary system
Male Reproductive System
Cardiovascular & respiratory systems
Musculoskeletal system
Sensory organ systems (eye & ear)
Cancer Medicine (Oncology)
Pharmacology
UNIT 301 Professionalism
301.1 General Learning Outcome: Demonstrate the behavior expected of a professional
in the healthcare team
 Comply with the class requirements regarding attendance and punctuality as
listed in the syllabus
 Comply with class requirements for completion of assignments as listed in the syllabus
 Comply with class requirements for completion of exams as listed in the syllabus
GRADING CRITERIA:
Discussion Boards: Posts are to be professional and related to the content of the course.
There will be a Discussion Board associated with each of the Official Exams.
Official Exam Testing Expectations: Throughout the course there will be Official Exams
that will be taken at a testing center, as listed on the course schedule. These are graded upon
submission. During the official exams no outside resources are to be used (no web info, emails, textbooks or notes). There will be an Online Practice Exam at the end of each of the
modules. These are graded upon submission.
Assignments and due dates will be announced online via the course schedule. The final grade
will be the total of all points earned during the class. The grading scale is posted below.
COURSE POLICIES:
All assignments, quizzes, online practice exams, discussion boards and official exams must
be completed by their Section Due date. A one-time extension for one Section Due Date is
allowed. All course activities must be completed by the final day of the semester. No
extensions will be given beyond that date.
The expectation is that you will log into the course at least once a week. Your online
presence in the course will be monitored by your instructor to ensure you are engaged and
working in the course. It is very easy to fall behind and your instructor will be contacting you
if there are concerns that you are not engaged in the course. If you work ahead and complete
the course early, the weekly login will no longer be an expectation.
KIRKWOOD’S PLAGIARISM AND STUDENT POLICIES:
http://www.kirkwood.edu/pdf/uploaded/630/student_handbook.pdf
For general information only. Full syllabus available from instructor.