Syllabus
Last Revised: 7/28/2017 9:51 PM
NAME OF COLLEGE/DEPARTMENT GOES HERE
AHC 115: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS: THIS COURSE AT A GLANCE
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name:
Office:
Office Hours:
Office Phone:
Off-campus Phone(s):
Email: Official correspondence:
Other:
COURSE INFORMATION
Location:
Days:
Time:
Credit Hours: 3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A study of the language of the Health Sciences and medicine with emphasis on body systems,
prefixes, suffixes, root terms, and spelling.
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
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Syllabus
PREREQUISITES
List any prerequisites for this course.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK
Chabner, Davi-Ellen, The Language of Medicine , 10th Edition
W.B. Saunders/Elsevier
ISBN: 978-1-4557-2846-6
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
This is a completely online course, and students are not required to come to campus for any
meetings. It does require internet access using a computer with one of the following: Windows
XP, Vista, 8, or Mac OSX
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Analyze words structurally.
2. Demonstrate a correlation of the word elements with basic anatomy, physiology, and
disease processes of the body.
3. Demonstrate use of correct spelling.
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
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Syllabus
ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT
A. EXAMS
Exam deadlines are as follows:
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



QUIZ # 1 – Modules 1-4
QUIZ # 2 – Modules 5-7
QUIZ # 3 – Modules 8-11
QUIZ # 4 – Modules 12-15
QUIZ #5 – Case Study Quiz
B. QUIZZES
Quizzes are set with a time limit. After clicking on the “Quiz” link, you will be shown
information about how much time you are allowed for the quiz. Do not click “Start Quiz”
until you have read the instructions. You are required to complete all quizzes using a
Lockdown Browser feature. If you are testing on a personal computer, you will be
prompted to download the Lockdown Browser software when you attempt Quiz 1.
Follow the simple steps and then double click on the icon that has been placed on your
desktop. If you are attempting to test through a work-place or public library
computer, please contact your instructor before doing so. There is also a Practice
Quiz that you may take before attempting Quiz 1.
Quiz Deadline: Students are strongly encouraged to complete all examinations in a timely
manner. In all cases, you must have completed each exam by the date indicated.
Failure to complete an exam by the deadline will result in a zero for that exam.
Incomplete grades can be granted only for extenuating circumstances. Procrastination
is not an extenuating circumstance.
C. DISCUSSION BOARD
Students are required to respond to the instructor’s posted discussion topic by reading
all other student discussion postings and posting their own response. Postings should
utilize complete sentences and correct grammar. Students should not use computer
slang or abbreviations. Topics will be posted 5 times during the semester on the course
home-page and on the Discussion Board. Deadlines for posting will be clearly stated
and late submissions will not be considered. Each discussion posting must be at least
three sentences in length and is worth a possible 2 points.
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
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Syllabus
D. WORD LIST
Define all terms included on the Word List for each unit. Submit Word document of typed
definitions to the Dropbox by deadline for the corresponding unit quiz. Quizzes will
cover the definitions, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes from the Word List
terminology.
E. MODULE CASE STUDIES
There are case studies with questions within the Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive,
Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Blood, Musculoskeletal, and Integumentary
System modules. You are to prepare one single Word document with answers to all 35
questions. Type your answers and separate each section using headings of the
associated body system name. This assignment is due in the Dropbox at the end of the
semester.
F. GRADING SYSTEM
Your final grade will be calculated based on the total number of points scored from the
quizzes, discussion posts, homework questions and definitions.
Grading Scale
Letter Grade
Points
Score
A
419-450 points
93% - 100%
B
378-418 points
84% - 92%
C
337-377 points
75% - 83%
D
315-336 points
70% - 74%
F
Less than 315 points
Less than 70%
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
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Syllabus
Grading Breakdown
Assignment
Quiz 1
Points
75 points
Quiz 2
50 points
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
75 points
75 points
50 points
Discussions
Module Case Studies
Definitions
Total
10 points
35 points
80 points
450 Points
Recommendations for Study
1. View chapter modules online in either PowerPoint or PDF format.
2. Read chapter from textbook.
3. Define terms on the word list provided by the instructor.
4. Complete the assigned module case study questions.
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
Page 5 of 9
Syllabus
COURSE MATERIALS AND COURSE MAP (SCHEDULE OF STUDY)
Quiz # 1: Modules 1-4
Topics, Activities, and Learning Materials

Week 1: Module 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology (with lecture notes handout)
o
o
o
Dividing words in their components
Meanings of roots, suffixes, and prefixes
Building terminology

Week 2: Module 2: The Body as a Whole (with lecture notes handout)
o Structural organization of the body
o Cell terminology
o Body cavities and the organs contained within them
o Positional and directional terms
o Planes of the body

Week 3: Module 3: Suffixes & Prefixes (with lecture notes handout)
o Meanings of basic suffixes and prefixes
o Building terminology

Week 4: Module 4: The Digestive System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures
Quiz #2: Modules 5-7
Topics, Activities, and Learning Materials

Week 5: Module 5: The Urinary System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
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Syllabus

Week 6: Module 6: The Reproductive Systems (with lecture notes handout)
o Female and Male Reproductive Systems
 Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
 Related terminology
 Pathological conditions and clinical procedures

Week 7: Module 7: The Nervous System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures
Quiz #3: Modules 8-11
Topics, Activities, and Learning Materials

Week 8: Module 8: The Cardiovascular System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures

Week 9: Module 9: The Respiratory System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures

Week 10: Module 10: The Blood and Lymphatic Systems (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures

Week 11: Module 11: The Musculoskeletal System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
Page 7 of 9
Syllabus
Quiz #4: Modules 12-15
Topics, Activities, and Learning Materials

Week 12: Module 12: The Integumentary System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures

Week 13: Module 13: The Sensory Organs (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures

Week 14: Module 14: The Endocrine System (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic anatomy and physiology of the system
o Related terminology
o Pathological conditions and clinical procedures

Week 15: Module 15: Radiology (with lecture notes handout)
o Basic characteristics of x-rays
o Specialized forms of diagnostic imaging
o Related terminology
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. The faculty value intellectual
integrity and a high standard of academic conduct. Activities that violate academic integrity
undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational achievement.
Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of college rules. No student
shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as
cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic
dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials
and/or distribution of these materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid
and abet as well as those who attempt such behavior.
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
Page 8 of 9
Syllabus
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
Students shall adhere to the laws governing the use of copyrighted materials. They must ensure
that their activities comply with fair use and in no way infringe on the copyright or other
proprietary rights of others and that the materials used and developed at the college contain
nothing unlawful, unethical, or libelous and do not constitute any violation of any right of privacy.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The college seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with
documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a documented disability,
please contact the Office of Disability Support Services.
PREVENTING SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any
participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. Title IX covers
discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, faculty-to-student sexual harassment, and
student-to-student sexual harassment. College policy against sexual harassment extends not
only to employees of the college, but to students as well. If unlawful sexual harassment or
gender-based discrimination is encountered, please bring this to the attention of the class
professor, or of your institution’s Title IX Coordinator, at (insert contact person’s phone
number here) or email at (insert contact person’s email address here).
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADDITIONAL STUDENT RESOURCES
If you are having problems logging into your online course timing out of your course, using your
course web site tools please call your institution’s learning management system administrator.
HELP DESK
For all other technical problems call Help Desk at (insert phone number here). On campus dial
(insert extension # here) from any phone to be connected directly to the Help Desk.
SYLLABUS CHANGES
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus due to unforeseen conditions,
instructor availability, holidays, etc. as long as the students are notified. Please note that this
syllabus is a recommendation, not a requirement.
RX Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration. This project is funded by 100% federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee
Board of Regents institution, is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, 1480 Nashville Pike,
Gallatin, TN 37066, 615-230-3592
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