Cardiopulmonary Disease Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

RSPT-2310-001 Cardiopulmonary Disease

Prerequisites

Course Description

Etiology, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, history, prognosis, manifestations, treatment and detection of cardiopulmonary diseases.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec )

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Des Jardins, Clinical Manifestations and Assessment of Respiratory Disease (latest edition).

Supplies

1. Textbook
2. Internet access
3. Project supplies
4. Printed notes for lecture, or tablet with electronic writing device and Airplane mode capability

Learning through the use of handwritten notes are now a requirement of the Respiratory Care program. Students will no longer be allowed to use a laptop or a tablet with a keyboard to type their notes during lectures and labs. Tablets with an electronic writing device will be allowed for taking handwritten notes as long as Airplane mode is enabled so the user is unable to receive notifications of any kind.
Reasoning: According to Van der Weel and Van der Meer (2024), students enrolled in healthcare programs across a variety of educational institutions demonstrated that handwritten note taking improved understanding, retention, and clinical reasoning better than students who utilized typing for note taking. Learning skills such as retention and reasoning are critically necessary for blood gas interpretation, ventilator management, and patient assessment which are deeply dependent on the understanding of the material and the pattern recognition that handwriting supports. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219945

Student Performance

End-of-Course Outcomes: Analyze the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management of cardiopulmonary disorders; and compare cardiopulmonary disorders.

1. Analyze the etiology, pathophysiology clinical manifestations, and management of cardiopulmonary disorders
2. Compare cardiopulmonary disorders.
3. Delineate the course and prognosis of the more common respiratory diseases

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

1. Please make every effort to be on time. Late arrivals are very disrupting to the class and to a proper learning environment.
2. The student must read assignments and study lecture notes prior to class so they are prepared to discuss topics covered in class.  Students will be called on to share their understanding of topics.
3. Assigned coursework must be completed before class. Coursework cannot be completed in class unless the instructor has directed the student to do so.
4. Exams will open at the scheduled start time for the class. Those arriving late may begin the exam when they arrive, but will have the same completion deadline as everyone else in the class.
5. Cell phones and smart watches must be silenced and earbuds must be removed and put away during lecture. Excessive cell phone usage during lecture or lab that becomes distracting to the instructor or to other students will result in the student being awarded one attendance point for the day. See section on attendance points.
6. The use of smart glasses are strictly prohibited. Any student found using smart glasses during an exam, quiz, or any other assignment will be subject to the consequences of cheating as outlined in the student handbook.
7. If a cell phone rings during a major exam, a 10% score deduction will be implemented when the exam is graded.
8. Other behavior deemed as being disruptive or disrespectful by the instructor may lead to the student(s) being asked to leave the classroom. If this happens, the student(s) will not be allowed to return until after a counseling session with the Program Director.
9. Cheating on exams or copying the work of others on assignments will result in a grade of 0 for the exam or assignment and will severely jeopardize successful completion of this course and continued enrollment in the program (see AC RC Student Handbook).
10. Food and drinks are allowed in class as long as you clean up your area before you leave and dispose of all trash.

Grading Criteria

1. Course grading will consist of:
   • Exams/quizzes
   • Assignment (50 pts)
   • Project (100 pts)
   • Research paper (100 pts)
2. Examinations will have a specific value of points awarded for correct answers.  Exams will be administered using Respondus Lockdown Browser to ensure exam integrity.
3. Students must achieve a passing exam grade average of at least 74.5% to successfully pass this course. The course average visible in the gradebook will be the exam average until the end of the course. If a student's final course average after the final exam is at least a 74.5%, all other points earned from assignments, quizzes, the project, and the research paper will be added into the final course grade.
4. Total possible course points may change as assignments are added throughout the semester.  At the end of the course all possible points from examinations and all course work will be totaled.  This total will be the maximum possible points a student could earn.
5. The number of points earned by a student will be divided by the maximum possible points for the course. The quotient will be expressed as a percent and converted to a final grade. The grading scale for this course is:
   A = 90 - 100%
   B = 80 - 89%
   C = 75 - 79%
   F = < 75%
6. If a student must miss an exam, a makeup examination may be given, but the maximum score on makeup exams is 75%, no makeup is available for quizzes.  Research papers, projects, and assignments will not be accepted after the announced deadline.

Keep in mind that grades are not given. Grades are EARNED based on student performance. Often the instructor plays no role in the grading process other than recording.  Please be careful to note the requirements for earning the grade you desire and act accordingly throughout the semester.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY

Every member of the Amarillo College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted for credit is expected to be the student’s own work. Amarillo College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student or program applicant accused of scholastic dishonesty. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list, and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any misconduct through electronic or computerized means. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, one (1) or more of the following acts:

Cheating includes, but is not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally having access to and/or using unauthorized materials identified by the faculty member, including, but not limited to, material generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs and content generators, or electronic, digital media, telecommunication, and/or wearable devices (e.g., laptops, phones, smartwatches, Fitbits, Bluetooth devices, tablets) to complete a quiz, examination, or class assignment; receiving information in an unauthorized manner during a quiz or examination or to complete an assignment; using, buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination questions in advance; using information about exams posted on the internet or in any electronic medium; violating a faculty member’s and/or the Testing Center’s testing policies and procedures; leaving a test site without permission; failing to secure test materials; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site; using someone else’s work for an assignment in whole or in part as if it were one’s own (e.g., turning in a copy of someone else’s work as one’s own work, or incorporating text generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs or content generators as one’s own writing); submitting academic work in whole or in part for more than one (1) assignment, class, or institution without the faculty member’s permission (i.e., recycling an assignment or self-plagiarism); using annotated texts or teacher’s editions; making false statements or omissions related to applications for enrollment, credit or classwork, research, or the award of a degree; falsifying academic records or documents; and attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course through any other dishonest means.
 
Collusion includes, but is not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty; failing to secure academic work; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; collaborating with or communicating answers to a classmate about an examination or course assignment without the faculty member’s permission; and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
 
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally failing to quote and cite words, information, and/or ideas taken from a source(s) in accordance with a citation style approved by the faculty member and/or inadequately paraphrasing.

Remediation Policy

Mandatory tutoring in the West Campus Student Success Center (WCB Building) will be required when a test is failed. The student will receive a "prescription" for tutoring from the instructor that must be completed by the tutoring center when tutoring is complete. The student must complete the prescribed tutoring to be eligible to take the next exam.

The instructor will meet with students who do not pass exams.  Both parties will develop a plan to gain better understanding of the information covered on the test.  The plan may include but not be limited to:

1. research of exam topics
2. written discussion of topics
3. oral discussion of topics

Mandatory remediation sessions will be a group event at a date/time set by the instructor.  Failure to arrive on time and complete remediation at the set date/time will result in negative (-10) points.

The last date to withdraw from this class is November 25, 2025.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend.  Please notify me by email if you will not be attending class.  Excessive absences will be handled on an individual basis and will require a counseling session.  Following this session, a departmental counseling form will be placed in the student's file.  The purpose of this form is to document that the student was made aware that excessive absences were jeopardizing successful course completion.

Any time a class is missed, it is the student's responsibility to obtain notes from classmates.  The instructor will be happy to discuss any information from the class, but the instructor's lecture notes are not available for copying.

Calendar

Additional Information

Grievance Procedure

As a student enrolled in a professional degree program, professionalism is expected at all times. Students who have a grievance over any aspect of the course must meet with the instructor in private to discuss the issue. At no point is it appropriate, nor professional, for a student to openly discuss a grievance during class or clinicals with other students, college faculty, or clinical staff. This type of behavior will be addressed swiftly and on an individual basis. If the problem is not resolved with the instructor, the student may proceed to the Program Director (Becky Byrd), then to the Dean of Health Professions (Kim Boyd).