Medical Terminology for Allied Health: Course Syllabus and Study Guide

Study Guide - Smart Notes

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Course Overview

Introduction to Medical Terminology for Allied Health

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to medical terminology, focusing on the origin, structure, and application of medical terms. Emphasis is placed on building a professional vocabulary essential for employment in the allied health care field. Students will learn to identify, pronounce, spell, and use medical terms in context, as well as analyze and construct terms using prefixes, suffixes, root words, and plurals.

Course Code: HPRS 2302 9300
Credit Hours: 3.00
Instructional Method: Internet (INET)
Estimated Study Time: 6 hours per week

Course Structure and Main Topics

Unit and Chapter Breakdown

The course is organized into several units, each covering key systems and foundational concepts in medical terminology. The following chapters align with the core topics of a medical terminology curriculum:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Identifying Word Parts
Chapter 2: Medical Language Related to the Whole Body
Chapter 3: The Integumentary System
Chapter 4: The Muscular System
Chapter 5: The Skeletal System
Chapter 6: The Cardiovascular System
Chapter 7: The Circulatory System
Chapter 8: The Lymphatic and Immune System
Chapter 9: The Respiratory System
Chapter 10: The Digestive System
Chapter 11: The Urinary System
Chapter 12: The Male Reproductive System
Chapter 13: The Female Reproductive System
Chapter 14: Obstetrics
Chapter 15: The Nervous System
Chapter 16: The Sensory System
Chapter 17: The Endocrine System

Learning Objectives

Core Competencies

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Identify, pronounce, and spell medical terms accurately.
Use medical terms in the correct context within healthcare settings.
Utilize prefixes, suffixes, root words, and plurals to construct and analyze medical terms.
Translate medical abbreviations and interpret medical symbols.
Apply the rules of medical language to various body systems and specialties.
Describe the structural organization of the body and use anatomical reference systems.
Recognize and use terms related to diseases, disorders, diagnostic, therapeutic, and procedural terminology for each body system.

General Education Core Objectives / Marketable Skills

Comprehension and application of medical terminology in healthcare professions.
Critical thinking and decision-making using medical language.
Effective oral and written communication of medical terms and abbreviations.

Course Requirements and Grading

Assessment Breakdown

Assignments and Activities: 30%
Unit Quizzes: 30%
Mid-Term Exam: 20%
Final Exam: 20%

All exams are timed and require the use of Honor Lock. Assignments must be submitted by the specified deadlines, with a limited grace period for late submissions.

Course Participation and Policies

Regular participation is required in this 8-week course.
Assignments, activities, quizzes, and exams are due on Mondays at 11:59 pm.
Failure to complete Unit I by the campus census day will result in being dropped as "Never Attended."
Meaningful interaction includes submitting graded work or participating in discussions and activities.

Learning Resources

Textbook: Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions by Andrea M. Nelson, Katherine Greene (Open Educational Resource)
Access: All content is available through the D2L course shell; no textbook purchase required.

Support and Institutional Resources

Student Handbook, College Catalog, and Board Policies
Student Success Center, Mental Health Resources, Library, IT Help Desk
Academic accommodations and support for students with disabilities
Contact information for faculty, department chair, and dean provided for academic concerns

Course Schedule Overview

Unit	Chapters	Main Topics
I	1-2	Word Parts, Medical Language, Body Organization
II	3-5	Integumentary, Muscular, Skeletal Systems
III	6-7	Cardiovascular and Circulatory Systems
IV	8-9	Lymphatic, Immune, and Respiratory Systems
V	10-11	Digestive and Urinary Systems
VI	12-14	Male/Female Reproductive Systems, Obstetrics
VII	15-17	Nervous, Sensory, Endocrine Systems

Key Definitions and Concepts

Prefix: A word part added to the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning.
Suffix: A word part added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning.
Root Word: The main part of a medical term that contains its primary meaning.
Combining Form: A root word with a combining vowel used to connect with other word parts.
Abbreviation: A shortened form of a word or phrase used in medical documentation.

Example: Constructing a Medical Term

Term: Cardiology
Breakdown: cardi- (heart) + -ology (study of)
Meaning: The study of the heart

Important Course Policies

Academic integrity is expected in all coursework.
Students are responsible for understanding and following all course and institutional policies.
Contact information for support services is provided in the syllabus.