Medical & Natural Science Course Descriptions

Prerequisite: SS204

This course will provide students in the allied health sciences with vital microbiology information that will enable them to carry out their duties in an informed, safe, and efficient manner. The course contains all the core subjects. themes and main concepts of microbiology. Some of the main subjects discussed in the course are antibiotics and other microbial agents, epidemiology and public health, hospital acquired infections, infection control and how microorganisms cause diseases, human body protective mechanisms and knowledge about major viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases. Lectures are supplemented with scientific research assignments and laboratory sessions.

Prerequisite: MD110 and SS204

This course provides a working background of the anatomy and physiology of human body. The material is presented on cellular and systemic levels. Topics to be covered include: an introduction to the structure and function of the body, the study of cells, tissues, and organ systems of the body, in general and skeletal.

Prerequisite: SC161

In this course students will learn the anatomy and physiology of the different body systems, the most commonly involved diseases, and will develop clinical thinking toward the diagnosis and prevention of these pathologies. The course includes the study of muscular, blood, heart, circulatory, lymphatic, digestive, renal and reproductive systems, as well as the physiology of vitamins, fluids, electrolytes and acid balance as an important part of human body homeostasis. This course is designed for a more advanced student and will emphasize a complete understanding of laboratory practices and procedures.

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of human anatomy and physiology. Discussed during the first part of this course is the organization of the human body, human body orientation and human body planes. Other topics addressed are chemistry, biochemistry, cytology and human genetics. In the second part of the course, students will learn the main physiological and anatomical features of body systems, such as muscular, skeleton, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, blood and nervous systems. Lectures are supplemented with scientific research assignments and laboratory sessions.

This course is designed to be a more in-depth study of Biology. Throughout the semester, the course will discuss the development of organisms, the evolutionary history of biological diversity and characteristics of different types of microorganisms such as prokaryotes, protists, etc. Students will also learn the main structure and functional characteristics of different multiple cell organisms, such as plants, fungi, invertebrate and vertebrae animals. At the end of the course students will understand the basic concepts of plant forms and functions, animal forms and functions, and main ecology concepts.

This course will enable students to better understand the differences between the major classes of plants and animals. Students will perform experiments on the lower plant structure and function, on the lower plant reproduction and development, and the anatomy of complex plants and hormonal responses. The second part of this course will include animal tissues and their diversity, the structure and function of simple and primitive animals, protostomes and biodiversity. Students will be able to perform experiments and histology studies for the different mammalian body systems. Topics covered will include the musculoskeletal system, nervous and sensory systems, digestive and respiratory systems, circulatory systems, excretory and reproductive systems, and animal diversity and development.

In this course students will learn more advanced physics concepts, such as electricity, magnetism, and optics. They will acquire important knowledge about the universal law of gravitation, Coulomb law, conservation of charge, electric fields and Gauss Law, electric potential energy, voltage and currents, capacity and resistance (Ohms and Kirchhoff laws), and magnetism and electromagnetic induction. Main principles of optics are also included in this course. Molecular and atomic structure, quarks and leptons, fundamental forces of atomic particles, distribution of functions (Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions), atoms and radiation, radiation quanta, atomic spectra, velocity of light and time dilation, and the theory of relativity will also be discussed at the end of this course.

In this course students will learn the basic concepts of chemical kinetics, such as concentration and temperature influences, reaction mechanisms and the role of catalysts in chemical reactions. Chemical equilibrium, aqueous equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrochemistry will also be studied. At the end of the course, students will understand the basic concepts of nuclear chemistry (radiation, nuclear transformation, nuclear power and fusion), properties of metal and non-metal substances (Hydrogen, noble gases, halogens, nitrogen, carbon, and 4A and 5A group elements) compounds, and the basic principles of life.

Prerequisite: SS204

This course, a prerequisite for all the other medical Laboratory classes, such as Clinical Laboratory II and Laboratory Procedures, will teach medical assistant students three main components: infection control in the medical office and medical laboratory, general principals of patient questioning and examination and assisting, and performing specific procedures in medical specialized offices (OBGYN, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, etc.).

Prerequisite: MD105

The course will prepare students to follow universal precautions in any medical laboratory or medical office. At the end of this course, students will be able to perform the most common laboratory procedures used in the medical offices, such as phlebotomy, finger stick, and different types of blood analyses, urinalysis, and microbiology procedures. At the end of this course students will be also able to assist in some medical specialty procedures.

Prerequisite: MD101

During the first half of the pharmacology course, students will learn about the interaction between the human body and different medications, federal laws and regulations for drug approval and drug distribution, as well as different routes of drug administrations, such as gastrointestinal or parenteral. Students will learn and practice precise dosing of medicines as prescribed. In the second half of the course, students will be able to identify the main characteristics of the most important drugs based on their actions on the major body systems. At the end of the course, students will be able to use PDR as a reference book for drug information and also be able to assist patients with different drug poisoning.

Prerequisite: MD101, SS130
Co-Requisite: MD102

The main goal of this course is to enable students to practically perform what they learned in the classrooms and medical laboratories. The students will be able to perform varied administrative duties in a medical office such as patient scheduling, billing and coding, filling, medical transcription and other important office duties. Most importantly students will be allowed to sharpen their skills in many medical procedures, such as performing vital signs and different types of urine and blood analysis, as well as phlebotomy and EKG examination. The work experience is supported by different classroom seminars and by instructor site visits, and will also prepare students for their National Certificate tests.

Prerequisite: MD101

This course builds on Clinical Procedures 1. Students will learn diagnostic procedures and assisting in treatment modalities, rehabilitation procedures, performing an EKG and at the end of the course, assisting in minor surgical procedures in a medical office. The laboratory classes will employ a combination of lectures and practical components. Students are required to perform all items on the competency list required by accrediting organizations.

Co-Requisite: SS204

This is a very important course and will be used as a foundation for all other subjects, theoretical and practical, since it deals with Medical Assisting duties and responsibilities, as well as the necessary affiliations and employment opportunities in the medical industry. It explains the skills that are important to successfully enter the medical industry. The second part of this course deals with the major legal and ethical issues in the medical field. Important issues, such as negligence, patient privacy and rights, and some bioethical dilemmas will be covered at proper length and depth as an integrated part of this course. The New York legislation regarding the medical assistant job responsibilities will also be discussed in detail in this course.

Prerequisite: SS204

In this very important course the students will learn the regulations and standards, how to handle controlled substances (compliant with the Controlled Substances Act), and ethical standards in the pharmacy practice. Students will be trained to use the necessary equipment, and to prepare extemporaneous compounds, such as liquids, suspensions, ointments, creams, transdermal gels, lotions and suppositories. Students will be trained to sterilize parenteral compounds such as ampoules and vials. Important issues such as the action and uses of drugs, nonprescription medications and natural products are also included in this course.

Prerequisite: SS204

This course is specifically designed for students studying to become pharmacy technicians. At the beginning of this course, students will review some of the most important and basic concepts in arithmetic and algebra. Students will then learn about the different methods for calculating dosages of medications. Since accurate math and dosage calculations play a large role in ensuring that medication errors do not occur, the last part of this course will consist of learning procedures in error prevention and patient safety. Different exercises and applications will increase the student critical thinking and problem solving skills in their pharmacy practice.

Prerequisite: SS204

The Pharmacy Internship is a critical component of the pharmacy technician program of study. It will provide students with additional practical skills to help them adjust to the job requirements of the pharmacy care industry. Students will work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist in a pharmacy or hospital. Students will actively participate in different activities in the pharmacy and help the pharmacist handle and manage controlled substances, preparing extemporaneous compounds (liquids, ointments, creams, trans-dermal gels, suppositories) and preparing parenteral compounds such as ampoules and vials. Students will also learn order processing, use common pharmacy codes in prescription labeling, and transferring prescriptions. Students will also participate in insurance and billing activities, and ordering and receiving procedures. They will practice conversion of measurements in various systems, calculations in dosage, calculations in ratios and proportions, and the solving of concentration and dilution problems, among other things.

Prerequisite: SS204

This course was developed as a required major course for students wishing to become pharmacy technicians. The ability of pharmacy technicians to provide patient-care products and services in all practice settings is crucial to the advancement of pharmacies. This course provides comprehensive management information to those entering employment in any capacity within the field of pharmacy. This involves fostering the acquisition of knowledge and skills required to excel in the areas of entrepreneurship, resource management, and business operations. Emphasis is placed on the use of active learning strategies rather than passive listening and repetition of information. This is to ensure that all students have adequate opportunity to collaborate and properly learn the information and skills that are presented.
One of the strategies to accomplish this will be group research and a close interaction with the pharmacy environment. The course includes basic concepts on personal and operational management, the role of business in a pharmacy setting, financing, accounting, pricing, merchandising and personal management. This course is designed to teach the student how to deal with, and resolve, everyday administrative challenges in a pharmaceutical environment. Lectures are supplemented with scientific research assignments and laboratory sessions.

Prerequisite: MD103

This course will provide students with a specialized knowledge of groups of different medication, and with a sound basic understanding of pharmacology as it relates to their job as pharmacy technician. The course presents the medications according to their therapeutic applications. In each section, pertinent physiology and related diseases are reviewed before pharmacology of the drugs is discussed. The body septum approach provides the necessary background information and refreshes students’ memory of previously learned materials through which the therapeutic action for the drug can be clearly understood. The discussion of each drug classification concentrates on the mechanism of action, main therapeutic effects, clinical indications, adverse reactions, and drug interactions. Patient information on absorption, metabolism excretion and other special considerations are also discussed for each medication category.
The chapter reviews provided at the end of each chapter will reinforce the terminology and pharmacological concepts taught throughout the course. Lectures are supplemented with scientific research assignments and laboratory sessions.

Prerequisite: SS204

During the first half of this pharmacology course students will learn about the interaction between the human body and different medications, federal laws and regulation for drug approval and drug distribution, as well as different routes of drug administrations, such as gastrointestinal or parenteral. Students will learn and practice precise dosing of medicines as prescribed. In the second half of the course students will be able to identify the main characteristics of important drugs based on their actions on the body system. At the end of the course students will be able to use The PDR® Concise Drug Guide for Pharmacists as a reference book for drug information.