In order to complete this course, you must have access to the required textbook (assigned reading) and the Internet (online testing and clinical case studies).

Textbook
Please choose one of the following two textbooks for supplemental reading:
Pathology for the Health Professions (3rd edition, 2006) by Ivan Damjanov, Saunders Press; or Essentials of Rubin's Pathology (5th edition, 2008) by Emanuel Rubin, Lippincott Press. Chapters for assigned reading in the syllabus refer to those found in Rubin’s textbook; however, nursing students may prefer the book by Damjanov because it has more clinical correlations. The content is very similar. If you would like to read clinical vignette-style questions for self-assessment and review, I highly recommend: Lippincott's Review of Pathology (2006) by Fenderson and Rubin. These textbooks are all available from the Jefferson Medical and Health Science Bookstore located at 1009 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia (215-955-7922).

Internet Access
The URL for CB570 is: (http://jeffline.tju.edu/Education/dl/PA570/). You may log-on any time (day or night) from campus, home or work. Computers are available on campus at several locations. Each time you log-on, you must enter your Campus Key and Password that was given to you during the first day of class. Begin by opening every major page in the Pathology Web Site and exploring all of the options. Learn how to navigate!

Independent Study
During this course, you will need to work independently, drawing information from the Pathology Web Site and the course textbook. Take time to learn the language of pathology and clinical medicine, so that you can read with understanding and participate in online class activities. It is imperative that you develop good study habits! Read the Discussion Board each week to learn what your classmates have discovered.

Weekly Objectives You will be expected to attend a two hour lecture on campus each week and complete a two hour computer "laboratory" module (see Course Content). The essential elements and major objectives of the computer laboratory module are outlined below: Pathology Case Studies: Review 20-30 images of gross and microscopic pathology, illustrating important diseases. Most topics will be introduced with a brief clinical vignette (patient history). A short-answer essay question is appended to each case. You are expected to select ONLY ONE CASE and submit an answer. Questions in the figure legends do not need to be answered. They are included to stimulate critical thinking as you read the cases. Essays submitted during the week will be posted on the public "Discussion Board" the following Monday. Weekly Quiz: Complete an extended matching quiz that emphasizes basic concepts and tests your understanding of important new terminology. Quizzes will be scored online, providing instant feedback. Generate your answers on paper before submitting them online. The primary purpose of the weekly quiz is self-assessment. Clinical Vignettes: Read a patient vignette and suggest a diagnosis from the five options listed. This exercise should be an enjoyable learning experience. Some of the clinical findings and laboratory data may be unfamiliar to you, but all answers will be accepted. The distribution of responses, as well as an explanation of the correct diagnosis, will be posted on the class Discussion Board on the following Monday. These online assignments should take you approximately two hours to complete each week. Most of your time will be spent reviewing the pathology case studies (images and text). Please contact the Course Director via Email if you have questions of a scientific nature. Please contact Technical Support Staff for all other concerns. The Course Director will use the "ListServ" to post announcements to the entire class. Stay tuned. Together, Email, ListServ, and Discussion Board will serve to maintain healthy, open lines of communication between the students and the faculty. Have fun!

Written Examinations
Remember to prepare for the Mid-Term and Final Examination. Together, these written examinations count for 60% of your course grade. The other 40% of your final course grade will be based on the online activities (quizzes, vignettes and essays).