Human Disease/Pathophysiology 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

MDCA-1302-001 Human Disease/Pathophysiology

Prerequisites

Course Description

A study of anatomy and physiology with emphasis on human pathophysiology, including etiology, prognosis, medical treatment, signs and symptoms of common diseases of all body systems.

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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Human Diseases

Marianne Neighbors; Ruth Tannehill-Jones; Elisa Ratliff; Pamela Vaughn ISBN-13: 9798214116167 7th Edition © 2027

MindTap + eBook

ISBN-13: 9798214116181

• Visit startstrong.cengage.com for step-by-step registration instructions on how to access your Cengage* class materials.
• Cengage.com is the most affordable place to buy Cengage eTextbooks and online learning platforms. Ensure you are purchasing a certified version of your course materials. Learn more at cengagegroup.com/piracy.
• Need help? Chat with a support representative at support.cengage.com or visit techcheck.cengage.com to see if Cengage is experiencing technical difficulties.

*Beware of sites selling discounted codes; they are likely unauthorized sellers who have acquired access codes illegally and may pose a risk to your personal information.

You may want to consider purchasing a Cengage Unlimited plan for this class, which provides access to all your Cengage materials for one price. Learn more by visiting cengage.com/unlimited.

Cengage Mindtap Access, computer, and reliable internet access

Supplies

Computer and reliable internet access

Cengage Access code with Mindtap

Student Performance

Student Performance

 End-of-Course Outcomes:  Distinguish between normal and abnormal physiologic functions of all body systems; identify etiology, signs, and symptoms of diseases of all body systems; and correlate the prognosis, medical treatment, and procedures with patient morbidity and mortality.

COURSE GOALS:
To develop an understanding of the human body in health and disease and to acquire an acceptable level of knowledge necessary to understand common diagnoses.  A knowledge of medical terminology will be of benefit.

Welcome to Pathophysiology!

Human Diseases provides students with a clear, concise understanding of basic disease information.

Through in-depth readings, flashcards, animations, videos, and games, students will study basic overviews of the most common diseases and conditions, along with new and emerging diseases, as well as a few rare conditions.

At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Describe basic disease concepts, including mechanisms of disease, neoplasms, inflammation, and infection

2. Examine the basic anatomy and physiology of the body systems, etiology of various diseases and conditions, important signs and symptoms of disorders, common diagnostics, typical course and management of disorders, preventive measures, and the effects of aging

3. Identify the terminology, etiology, signs and symptoms, common diagnostics, typical course and management of disorders, and preventive measures associated with genetic and developmental disorders, childhood diseases, and mental health disorders

4. Recognize important medical terminology related to the understanding of human diseases

5. State the drug classifications and examples of medications in each class used to treat diseases, disorders and conditions related to each body system

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

WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE:
It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or withdraw  from a course.  Failure to officially withdraw may result in the student receiving a grade of “F” in the course.  The student may obtain a withdrawal form from his academic advisor, the counseling center or from the registrar’s office.  It is also the responsibility of the student to take the drop slip to the registrar’s office in order for the student to be officially dropped from a course.  The student may withdraw from a course online.  Students are not automatically dropped from their class roles as a result on non attendance.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:
A student who has a problem with the course or the course instructor should make every attempt to resolve the problem with the course instructor.  If that is not successful, the student may appeal the decision of the instructor to the Program Director, the Dean of the Health Sciences Division, the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, and the President -- IN THAT ORDER.   Please refer to the current Amarillo College catalog for complete explanation of the grievance procedures.

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ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of the college rules & regulations & is punishable as prescribed by Amarillo College Board policies.  Academic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  “Cheating on a test” shall include:

•    Copying from another student’s test paper.
•    Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
•    Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator/instructor.

•    Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an administered/unadministered test.

•    Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
•    Bribing another person to obtain an administered/unadministered test or information about an administered/unadministered test.

“Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work. 

“Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.

Grading Criteria

Grading components and weights

• Cengage Assignments: 20%
• Journals (weekly reflections): 20%
• Major Exams (7): 40%
• Comprehensive Final: 20%

Grading scale (no D grades awarded)

• A = 90.0–100.0
• B = 80.0–89.9
• C = 70.0–79.9
• F = 69.9 or below
• Final grades are calculated to one decimal place; no rounding or discretionary bumps.

Cengage assignments

• Due Sundays at 11:59 pm local time. No dropped grades.
• Late work policy: Accepted up to 48 hours late at 10% per calendar day (max 20% deduction). After 48 hours, no credit unless an approved accommodation applies.
• How graded: Auto-graded unless noted; check LMS for any instructor-graded items.

Journals (weekly reflections)

• Purpose: Private, journal-style reflections connecting course content to your learning or practice. No peer replies required.
• Due Sundays at 11:59 pm local time.
• Length/guidance: 150–300 words; reference module concepts/readings; include at least one concrete example or application.
• Late work policy: 24-hour grace window at a flat 10% deduction; no credit after 24 hours unless an approved accommodation applies.
• Rubric (10 points): Reflection depth/insight (6), connection to course materials or practice (3), clarity/professionalism (1).

Major exams (7)

• Online via Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam; one attempt; time limit: 60 minutes per exam; backtracking disabled.
• Availability windows and due dates posted in the LMS.
• Makeups are not allowed except for approved accommodations or documented emergencies per college policy; requests must be submitted within 24 hours of the missed exam with documentation.
• Feedback: Score released on submission; item review not available to preserve the exam bank.

Final exam (comprehensive)

• Online via Respondus; one attempt; time limit: 90 minutes.
• If missed, a score of zero will be recorded unless an approved Incomplete is granted per college policy with documentation arranged prior to the exam window.

Technology and access

• Complete the Respondus practice quiz in Week 1 to verify device compatibility. See device requirements in the LMS (note: some Chromebooks/iPads may not be supported).
• If Respondus is not accessible due to approved accommodations or device constraints, contact me in Week 1 to arrange an alternative assessment pathway.
• Tech contingency: If a verified outage/error occurs during an assessment, capture a screenshot and email me within 30 minutes; a single retake window may be provided at my discretion.

Mandatory tutoring

• Any exam score below 70 (excluding the Final) requires a 30'minute tutoring session within 72 hours of grade release. Completion is required before the next exam opens.

Policy updates and institutional policies

• Any grading/assessment changes will be announced via LMS and email with at least 48 hours’ notice (except emergencies).
• Institutional policies (Accessibility/ADA, Academic Integrity, Title IX, Religious Observance) apply; see LMS for details.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY: 
You are expected to attend all class meetings of all courses for which you are registered. Regular attendance and regular class participation are significant factors that promote success in college. For online courses, attendance is determined by consistently logging in and accessing the course content and completing courses in accordance with the syllabus.
 

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available