PA Course Descriptions

Students learn to describe the anatomical organization of the human body by dissecting cadavers and examining prosections; apply anatomical information to clinical practice/problems; and work effectively in a team.

7 credits

Introduces students to information fundamental to understanding clinical medicine principles. Topics include: select areas of physiology-pathophysiology, pharmacology, laboratory medicine, radiology, ECG, genetics, and common systemic disease processes.

3 credits

First in a sequence of professional seminars occurring each semester throughout didactic and clinical year training. Focuses on introduction to the profession and professional issues specific to PAs, emphasizing professional competencies.

1 credit

Provides physician assistant students with the knowledge and physical exam skills to evaluate patients in a variety of settings. Normal and pathological physical findings discussed. Students learn interview and physical exam skills applicable to primary care patients. Selected physical exam techniques emphasized.

4 credits

Covers pathogenesis, clinical descriptions, and prevention. Interdisciplinary course directed primarily to physician assistant, pharmacy, and nursing students.

3 credits

Clinical medicine modules: neurology, psychiatry, hematology/oncology, ophthalmology, ENT, endocrinology, and dermatology. In-depth course, covering pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, prevention, and management. Lectures given by PA and medical school faculty, community physicians, and certified physician assistants. Case studies assist in development of clinical problem-solving skills.

5 credits

Addresses individual-oriented and population-oriented preventive efforts, and interaction between the two. Four major components will be addressed: evidence-based practice, clinical preventive services and health promotion, health systems and health policy, and community aspects of practice. Case examples, service-learning, problem-based learning and community-oriented primary care learning experiences are incorporated into the course.

1 credit

Emphasizes principles of evidence-based medicine and research methods and design. Case-studies and evaluation of the literature heavily utilized. Students conceptualize and begin developing a capstone project which will continue throughout didactic and clinical years.

Pre-requisite: PA 616

1 credit

Builds on PA 619 to promote advanced comprehensive skills in physical examination, patient evaluation techniques with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, and advanced medical interviewing skills.

Pre-requisite: PA 619

1 credit

Covers the fundamentals of pre/postnatal care, normal/abnormal labor and delivery, gynecological problems encountered in primary care, and overriding concepts of women’s health and preventive medicine.

3 credits

Emphasizes pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs and drug classes; specifically, pharmacology and clinical pharmacotherapeutics related to disease processes of the neurologic, psychiatric, hematologic/oncologic, ophthalmologic, otolaryngologic, endocrinologic, dermatologic systems, plus infectious disease, women’s health and pain management. Discussion of treatment guidelines, indications, contraindications, PA prescriptive practice, prescription writing, drug law, drug information resources and case studies. Emphasizes interpretation of medical literature using principles of evidence-based medicine.

2 credits

Emphasizes the utilization of laboratory methods for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Integrates ECG and laboratory medicine with clinical medicine.

2 credits

Clinical Medicine II modules: cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, nephrology, urology, rheumatology, geriatrics, and pain management. In-depth course, covering pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, prevention and management. Lectures given by PA and medical school faculty, community physicians, and certified physician assistants. Case studies assist in development of clinical problem solving skills.

Pre-requisite: PA 601

6 credits

Introductory pediatrics course which covers problems encountered in the general pediatric population and reinforces basic primary care clinical principles.

2 credits

Continuation of course content described in Clinical Prevention and Community Practice I; where appropriate, integration with clinical medicine and other curriculum (described above).

Pre-requisite: PA 610

1 credit

Emphasis on epidemiology and medical ethics. Student works with faculty mentor to create and shape a clinical question/project and implement a literature search. Allows for independent focus on capstone project.

Pre-requisite: PA 617

1 credit

Sequel to PA 620 to promote advanced comprehensive skills in physical examination, patient evaluation techniques, and advanced medical interviewing skills. Emphasis on developing differential diagnoses, ordering appropriate laboratory and imaging studies, and completing assessment and plan components of a comprehensive history and physical examination. Content focuses on those aspects pertinent to the provision of ambulatory, primary care.

Pre-requisite: PA 620

1 credit

Second of a two-course sequence to introduce the principles of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease. Specific emphasis on the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, urologic, and rheumatologic systems. Consideration of the rational use of drugs in the care and treatment of pediatric, adult and geriatric patients in primary care settings. Continued emphasis placed on interpretation of the medical literature using principles of evidence-based medicine.

Pre-requisite: PA 640

2 credits

Fundamental instruction in the diagnosis and management of both common and life-threatening patient presentations to the Emergency Department.

2 credits

Advanced evaluation of heart sounds and comprehensive radiology. Laboratory medicine content correlates with clinical medicine and other courses.

Pre-requisite: PA 650

2 credits

Hands-on clinical skills laboratory to include: dermatologic procedures, splinting, casting, suturing, injections, lumbar puncture, chest tubes, knee joint injection/aspiration, asthma and diabetic education, and additional topics as needed.

1 credit

Intensive clinical learning experiences under the direction of physician preceptors and other licensed healthcare professionals at a variety of off-campus clinical settings. One in each surgery (PA 729), internal medicine (PA 749), family medicine (PA 739) and emergency medicine (PA759) and one 8-week or two 4-week rotations in an elective disciplines (PA 769)

PA 670 Fundamentals of Surgery: 1 credit

Introduces the role of the physician assistant in surgery, fundamental principles of pre-, intra- and post-operative surgical care, operating room aseptic technique, and common strategies to avoid and to treat surgical complications.

PA 716 Professional Seminar IV: 1 credit

Emphasis is on refining the clinical question/capstone project and writing an initial paper. Seminar topics on the PA profession and professional issues. Prepares students for the clinical year and preceptorships.

Pre-requisite: PA 618.

PA 717 Professional Seminar and Capstone I: 1 credit

Emphasis is on completing the capstone rough draft, paper revision and capstone presentation. Professional seminar focuses on providing physician assistant students information about certification and registration, employment, economics, professional organizations and political/legislative topics.

Pre-requisite: PA 716.

PA 718 Professional Seminar and Capstone II: 1 credit

Emphasis is on completing the capstone, final paper revision and capstone presentation. Professional seminar focuses on providing senior physician assistant students information about certification and registration, employment, economics, professional organizations and political/legislative topics.

Pre-requisite: PA 717.