PA-Physician Assistant
PA 450. Introduction to Medical History Taking and Physical Examination. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the proper way to elicit a comprehensive medical history, perform a physical examination, and report the findings in a systematic and concise format.
PA 550. Introduction to Medical History Taking and Physical Examination. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the proper way to elicit a comprehensive medical history, perform a physical examination, and report the findings in a systematic and concise format.
PA 601. Human Gross Anatomy. 4 Hours.
Course provides a comprehensive survey of the gross anatomy of the human along with functional and applied anatomy as it relates to common clinical findings. It utilizes a lecture format and cadaver dissection laboratory sessions.
PA 601L. Human Gross Anatomy Lab. 0 Hours.
Human cadaver dissection laboratory for PA 601.
PA 602. Medical Physiology. 4 Hours.
Course emphasizes the normal function and control of various systems within the human body. The principles taught will serve as a foundation for understanding the etiology, management and prevention of disease processes.
PA 603. Pharmacology I. 3 Hours.
Course provides students with the pharmacologic knowledge needed to begin practice as primary care physician assistants. Delivery is via classroom lecture and supplemented with intermittent case studies requiring students to critically evaluate medical conditions and choose safe and effective medications in treating those conditions.
PA 604. Pharmacology II. 3 Hours.
Second and final course in a series that provides students with the pharmacologic knowledge needed to begin practice as primary care physician assistants. Delivered via classroom lecture and supplemented with intermittent case studies requiring students to critically evaluate medical conditions and choose safe and effective medications in treating those conditions.
Prerequisites: PA 603 [Min Grade: C]
PA 605. Clinical Pathology. 4 Hours.
Descriptions of the pathologic processes involved in common disorders and diseases; introduction to the principles of clinical medicine and clinical problem solving; and provide foundation needed for clinical courses taught later in the curriculum.
PA 606. Clinical Medicine I. 6 Hours.
Introductory course in human disease designed to describe the pathologic processes involved in common disorders and diseases; introduces students to the principles of clinical medicine and clinical problem solving; provides background needed for medical courses taught later in the curriculum.
Prerequisites: PA 601 [Min Grade: C] and PA 602 [Min Grade: C] and PA 605 [Min Grade: C] and PA 610 [Min Grade: C]
PA 607. Clinical Medicine II. 6 Hours.
Overview of the diagnosis and management of the most common clinical problems seen by primary care practitioners; employs an organ systems approach incorporating relevant anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology and nutrition.
Prerequisites: PA 606 [Min Grade: C]
PA 608. Surgical Disease I. 3 Hours.
Course introduces students to common surgical disorders with early emphasis on physiologic changes, medical requirements and evaluation of patients before, during, and after surgery. It also provides basic instruction in the diagnosis, management, and complications associated with common surgical gastrointestinal and urogenital disorders.
Prerequisites: PA 601 [Min Grade: C]
PA 609. Surgical Disease II. 3 Hours.
Course delivered via didactic instruction and focuses on the pre-operative evaluation and diagnosis, and post-operative management and treatment of common disorders of the heart, lungs, and vascular systems.
Prerequisites: PA 608 [Min Grade: C]
PA 610. Clinical Lab Medicine. 3 Hours.
An introduction to laboratory diagnostics with an emphasis on pathology, microbiology, hematology, and clinical chemistry. Course utilizes lecture format, specimen handling in a clinical laboratory as well as cost effective diagnostic algorithms in problem-based case scenarios.
PA 610L. Clinical Laboratory Medicine Lab. 0 Hours.
Lab for PA 610 Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
PA 611. History and Physical Examination I. 3 Hours.
First course in a series of two that provides students with the skills necessary to elicit a comprehensive medical history, perform a complete physical examination and systematically report thier findings. A variety of teaching formats are utilized including: lectures, small group activities, video productions, and simulated patients.
PA 611L. History and Physical Examination I Lab. 0 Hours.
Laboratory required for PA 611 History and Physical Examination I.
PA 613. Surgical Techniques. 3 Hours.
Provides didactic instruction and appliad technical skills in surgical techniques and various invasive medical procedures. An animal sugery laboratory, using live pigs is an essential component.
Prerequisites: PA 601 [Min Grade: C]
PA 614. Operating Room Techniques. 2 Hours.
Final course in a series providing didactic instruction and applied technical skills in surgical techniques and various invasive medical procedures. Experiences in operating rooms in Birmingham area hospitals observing the basics in surgical first assisting.
Prerequisites: PA 613 [Min Grade: C]
PA 615. Intro to the Profession. 1 Hour.
Course is designed to introduce students to the Physician Assistant profession and to prepare them to practice as professionals in a physician/PA/patient team. It will cover roles and responsibilities of thePA including their expected legal and moral behavior, their understanding of laws governing their practice and their ethical responsibilities in being health care professionals. The course will also teach students to respect the health, safety, welfare, and dignity of all human beings and to assess their own personal capabilities and limitations, striving always to improve thier medical practice.
PA 616. Electrocardiography. 1 Hour.
Course presents the basic concepts needed to interpret the electrocardiogram and will provide opportunities to develop interpretive skills through analysis of rhythm strips and 12-lead electrocardiograms. Upon completeion of the course, students will be able to systematically interpret basic rhythm strips and 12-lead electrocardiograms.
PA 617. Applied Behavioral Medicine. 3 Hours.
Course introduces students to human behavior, strategies and issues surrounding health education and theoretical models of how to change human behavior. This knowledge will enable students to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention strategies in their daily clinical practice to the benefit of their patients.
PA 618. Risk Management. 1 Hour.
Course provides an introduction to the legal, political and professional issues affecting physician assistant practice.
PA 619. Fundamentals of Clinical Research. 2 Hours.
Foundations of epidemiologic measures, reasons for patterns of disease occurrence, principles of medical surveillance, methods for investigating disease outbreaks, and principles of diagnostic tests. Review of study designs, roles of variability and bias in the interpretation of scientific literature, and principles of clinical decision-making based on medical literature.
PA 620. Analysis of Professional Literature. 2 Hours.
This course is designed to prepare students to critically evaluate medical literature and use as basia for making medical decisions.
PA 621. Clinical Service I. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 622. Clinical Service II. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 623. Clinical Service III. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 624. Clinical Service IV. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 625. Clinical Service V. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 626. Clinical Service VI. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 627. Clinical Service VII. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 629. Clinical Service IX. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 630. Clinical Service X. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 631. Clinical Service XI. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 632. Clinical Services XII. 4 Hours.
Supervised clinical practice experience in an assigned healthcare organization.
PA 633. Navigating Healthcare Delivery and Reimbursement Systems for Physician Assistants. 2 Hours.
Introduction to current structure and financing of the U.S. health care system; current policy issues affecting physician assistant providers; reimbursement for health care services provided by the physician assistant.
PA 634. Simulated Clinical Concepts. 2 Hours.
Laboratory simulated clinical experience to provide supervised practice in clinical skills, practical procedures, teamwork, patient management, and decision making in preparation for the students clinical year.
PA 635. Special Populations in Medicine. 2 Hours.
Exploration of the medical needs, challenges, and health disparities of specific patient groups including geriatrics, LGBTQ, ethnic minorities, and others.
PA 637. Special Topics in Physician Assistant Studies. 1-4 Hour.
Selected advanced topics of current scientific, clinical and professional importance; specific topics designed to meet student need and interest.
PA 641. Senior Seminar. 5 Hours.
Didactic instruction to prepare students for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and reinforce the student’s clinical rotation experiences. The course content reflects areas identified as important by the Examination Content Blueprint prepared by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
PA 643. Senior Seminar I. 1 Hour.
Didactic instruction to prepare students for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and reinforce the student’s clinical rotation experiences. The course content reflects areas identified as important by the Examination Content Blueprint prepared by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
PA 644. Senior Seminar II. 1 Hour.
Continuation of didactic instruction to prepare students for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and reinforce the student’s clinical rotation experiences. The course content reflects areas identified as important by the Examination Content Blueprint prepared by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
PA 645. Senior Seminar III. 3 Hours.
Culminating didactic instruction to prepare students for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and reinforce the student’s clinical rotation experiences. The course content reflects areas identified as important by the Examination Content Blueprint prepared by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).