Course Syllabus

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Course Description

In this course, we will learn the basic parts of common medical terms and how to put them together to form words. We will memorize many combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes which are used to build common medical terms. We will practice these word-building skills using reading review activities during each week. The readings from I-Learn and the textbook will also help practice these skills. The textbook readings along with the end-of-chapter activities will help us learn how to use the words in context and communicate with other medical professionals.

Course Learning Outcomes

In this course, we will learn to do the following:

  1. Break a medical word into its components to determine its meaning.
  2. Memorize high-frequency prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms used in the medical field.
  3. Determine word meanings when used within an authentic context.
  4. Use medical terminology references and other resources to learn new medical terms.
  5. Communicate effectively with other professionals using medical terminology.

Required Textbook

The following textbook is required to complete your assignments for this course. It is available free online through the university library at this link:

If you want a physical copy of the book you can compare prices for your textbooks through the University Store Price Comparison site. They show you all of the options from the University Store plus several online options to help you find the best price. See the link above to price comparison tool for the current price.

Title: Medical Terminology Systems, A Body Systems Approach, Eighth Edition.
Authors: Barbara A. Gylys and Mary Ellen Wedding
Print ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-8036-5867-7
*A digital version is also available for purchase.

Course Design

This course consists of 14 weeks. The first two weeks introduce medical terminology and give basic skills for developing and understanding medical terms. They also introduce the course and the tools you will use as you learn throughout the semester. Week 03 through Week 13 focus on memorizing terms and developing words for one body system each week. Week 14 is the Course Conclusion. 

During the Course Introduction, we learn where to find information in the course and how to use the I-Learn tools. We also learn about the basic elements of medical terms and how they are linked together to make words. It includes readings in your textbook and on I-Learn, assignments, and quizzes. There is the W01 Discussion: Icebreaker discussion board where you will be able to meet the other students in the course. This is also a place where you can find study partners, if you are interested. This week includes reading material and taking a quiz on the syllabus.

During Week 02, we learn about prefixes, suffixes, and body structure. We introduce and learn to use the Terminology Builder. This tool includes all of the combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes you will be memorizing throughout the semester. You can print out the entire word list or just the individual weekly word lists using this tool. We also introduce the "Essential Material". This is located in the “Reference” section (listed in the “Contents” after Week 14). You will need to memorize the prefixes, suffixes, and Essential Materials by Week 09.

During Week 03 through 13, we focus on one body system each week. Each week will include an overview, one or more readings, terms to memorize (listed in the Terminology Builder), a reading review activity, two discussion boards, and a quiz. Included with the Integumentary System in Week 03, we learn some general terms that don't fit into any specific system. Week 09 includes a Final Preparation Exam.

Week 14 is the Course Conclusion. It includes a Final Exam Review PowerPoint, the Final Examination, and a Course Evaluation.

Weekly Activities

  • Your instructor will communicate with you in Announcements and emails.
  • The Introductions will introduce you to the week and tell you when graded and ungraded assignments are due. Your calendar only shows assignments which you are required to turn in so be sure you look at the overview during every week to see assignments which you aren’t required to turn in (readings, terminology builder, memorizing, etc.).
  • You have readings from your textbook during each week. There are also readings in I-Learn for Weeks 01, 02, and 03. Once you have completed the chapter in your textbook, then work through the activities at the end of the chapter. When you have completed the end of chapter activities, check your answers in the back of the textbook. You do not turn in these activities. They will help you practice and apply the terms you are learning. They will also help you know the answers for the reading review assignments. The Terminology Builder contains the combining forms, prefixes and suffixes which you will be memorizing. During Week 02 you will have access to all of the terms for the semester. With Weeks 03 through 13, it will open to the terms related to each system so you can practice that system, then you can open it to all of the terms or to any other system so you can practice all terms from the beginning of the semester. This tool links to a dictionary so you can check if the words you are making up are real words. This dictionary does not contain all possible words. There are other dictionaries listed below in this syllabus. You can also do a Google search to look up words. The Terminology Builder also includes a list of example words which use terms from each system. You also need to learn these words.
  • The gospel insights discussion board will help you connect the medical terminology you are learning during each week to the gospel. 
  • The Reading Review Assignments will check your understanding of the chapter reading and will give you the opportunity to build words using the word parts for the week. Complete your chapter reading and the exercises at the end of the chapter first. This is an open book assignment. You can use your textbook, the Terminology Builder, and other sources to answer these questions. Select Start for each set of questions in this assignment. There are two matching sections, then some fill-in-the-blank sections. When you have completed the assignment, your score will show up in the Grade's tab in the Navigation bar. If you do not see your score, go back and make sure you haven’t missed any questions. The answers must be spelled correctly.
  • The Helpful Hints Discussion Board will give you the opportunity to teach one another by sharing memorization strategies and hints for remembering specific words.
  • The quiz during Week 01 tests your memorization of the skills involved in word building. During Week 02, the quiz checks your memorization of the categories for the prefixes and suffixes. The weekly quizzes test your memorization of the terms, their spellings, and their definitions. You may only use your memory when taking these quizzes. They are closed book.
  • The Final Preparation Exam during Week 09 will give you the opportunity to see the type of questions that will be on the final exam. You may only use your memory when taking this exam. It is worth twice as many points as your regular weekly quizzes.
  • The Final Examination will be comprehensive. It will be multiple choice with three possible answers. You will be given a definition and asked to choose the word that matches the definition. You will need to know and understand the definitions of all of the prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms on the Terminology Builder for the entire semester. It is closed book. You may use only your memory when taking this exam.

Proctored Exams and Assessments

This course will use an online proctoring software called Proctorio. This makes it possible for students to take assessments and exams without a human proctor present. Proctored exams can be accessed like any other exam, once the software has been installed. Exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor for further review.

For step-by-step instructions on Proctorio installation, please refer to this help guide article (Links to an external site.).

Grading

Grading Scale

Letter Grade Percentage Range
A 100 – 93
A- 92 – 90
B+ 89 – 87
B 86 – 83
B- 82 – 80
C+ 79 – 77
C 76 – 73
C- 72 – 70
D+ 69 – 67
D 66 – 63
D- 62 – 60
F >60

Late Work Policy

Assignments are to be turned in by the indicated times and dates. Please contact your instructor if you have an emergency.

Life is full of challenges ranging from a rough day or computer trouble to urgent emergencies. You will be allowed to turn in four reading review assignments late during this semester up through Week 12 for full credit. You will need to inform your instructor of your plan. They must be turned in within seven days of the due date. All assignments during Week 13 must be completed on time. Quizzes and the Final must be completed on time. No extra credit is available. 

Suggested Materials and Resources

You will need to learn to use resources to look up information about words during this course. You will need to look up words to verify that you are building real words and to check meanings. There are many online dictionaries and resources which you can use. Many of them are listed below. You can also do an internet search for a word. You can get the information you need from the online sources. If you want a physical copy of a dictionary, Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary is an often used source. It is also available for purchase in a digital format. The University Bookstore can help you with sources and price comparison to purchase the dictionary. See the link above listed with the required textbook.

Online Practice Resources

Many students find online practice tools helpful as they memorize terms. Here are some which past students have found useful. You are encouraged to share other sources you find useful on the Helpful Hints Discussion Board and look there for sources that other students are using.

Need Help?

The Online Support Center is available to help students taking online courses at BYU-Idaho with questions, concerns, and technical difficulties.

Online Support Center Contact Information

Website: https://www.byui.edu/online/online-support-center

Phone: (208) 496-1411

Email: onlinelearning@byui.edu

Text/SMS (US only): (855) 808-7102

The computer help desk: (208) 496-1411

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

  • Student Honor
    • Academic Honesty
    • Student Conduct
      • Sexual Harassment
  • Student with Disabilities
  • Complaints and Grievances
  • Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due