Addresses basic science concepts students encounter in chemistry and biology courses that serve as prerequisites for medical, physician assistant, dental, and veterinary schools. Newly developed illustrations, animations, and interactive models will reinforce the role each concept plays in an important disease encountered worldwide, thereby providing a clinical context to this material.
Athena Title
Preparing for Healthcare
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
After completion of the course, students will be able to explain the factors that govern how molecules interact with each other.
After completion of the course, students will be able to explain how the composition of the side chains of amino acids effects their location in the final three-dimensional structure of proteins.
After completion of the course, students will be able to differentiate between the pathways used by hydrophilic substances, steroid hormones, and water molecules to cross cell membranes.
After completion of the course, students will be able to describe the location and clinical importance of the mucociliary escalator in the respiratory tract.
After completion of the course, students will be able to explain the processes responsible for the production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach.
After completion of the course, students will be able to explain the role of the processes occurring in the pancreas in the neutralization of acidic gastric contents entering the small intestine.
After completion of the course, students will be able to explain the effects of genetic mutations on protein structure and function and how they manifest as clinical symptoms.
After completion of the course, students will be able to explain how newly developed ‘small molecule’ drugs targeting specific misshapened proteins beneficially alters a patient's clinical course.
Topical Outline
Electrostatic interactions among molecules in the body
Interactions and bonds between amino acids
Transcription and translation
Mucociliary escalator function in the respiratory tract
Production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach
The role of pancreatic enzymes and secretions in digestion
Clinical effects of genetic mutations on protein structure and function
