Physician Assistant Studies (PHAS)


PHAS 7050  Introduction to Medical History and Physical Examination  (3 credits)  
Consists of two phases. Phase one develops the student's interviewing skills eliciting a complete medical history. Phase two instructs the student in the methods and modalities to complete an entire adult physical exam. Medical terminology is reviewed throughout. In the end, the student is expected to be competent in eliciting a complete medical history and performing a physical exam, appropriately documenting the history and physical exam including all positive and negative findings. Lab fee.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7080  Evidence-Based Practice 1  (2 credits)  
Provides a practical approach to making sound medical decisions based on current evidence in medical literature. Using a series of didactic presentations, group exercises, independent inquiry and reading, students learn the basic principles of evidence-based medicine. Emphasizes and practices basic skills in accessing MEDLINE and other medical databases. Introduces research principles, research ethics, and basic statistical analysis. Students use their foundation in EBP throughout their didactic and clinical education. Skills learned are essential in formulating and completing the capstone project in the clinical year of the physician assistant program.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term  
PHAS 7085  Evidence-Based Practice 2  (2 credits)  
Provides a practical approach to critically evaluating medical literature and an overview of the fundamentals of effective scientific writing. Explores the process of writing and publishing scientific manuscripts while expanding on knowledge and skills from PHAS 7080. Emphasizes effective small group teamwork to help build team problem-solving, professionalism and leadership skills. The knowledge and skills obtained are essential for formulating and successfully completing the capstone project requirement in the third year of the physician assistant program.
Prerequisite: PHAS 7080; admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term  
PHAS 7091  Clinical Medicine 1  (5 credits)  
Provides a comprehensive presentation of the disease processes commonly encountered in clinical medicine, specifically the specialties of cardiology, hematology/oncology, ophthalmology, and ear, nose and throat. Organized by system, clinical information is presented by core faculty and guest lecturers who work in the particular specialty. Clinical information is presented in conjunction with appropriate, correlative lectures and classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, nutrition and patient education. Coordinated with concurrent Clinical Decision Making course.
Prerequisite: Admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Summer Term  
PHAS 7092  Clinical Medicine 2  (5 credits)  
Provides a comprehensive presentation of the disease processes commonly encountered in clinical medicine, specifically in the specialty areas of pulmonology, immunology, endocrinology, and medical genetics. Organized by system, clinical information is presented by core faculty and by guest lecturers who work in the particular specialty. Clinical information is presented in conjunction with appropriate, correlative lectures and classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, nutrition and patient education. Coordinated with concurrent Clinical Decision Making course.
Prerequisite: PHAS 7091 and admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Summer Term  
PHAS 7093  Clinical Medicine 3  (5 credits)  
Provides a comprehensive presentation of the disease processes commonly encountered in clinical medicine, specifically the specialties of behavioral medicine/psychiatry, neurology, dermatology, and gastroenterology. Organized by system, clinical information is presented by core faculty and by guest lecturers who work in the particular specialty. Clinical information is presented in conjunction with appropriate, correlative lectures and classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, nutrition and patient education. Coordinated with concurrent Clinical Decision Making course.
Prerequisite: PHAS 7092 and admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term  
PHAS 7094  Clinical Medicine 4  (5 credits)  
Provides a comprehensive presentation of the disease processes commonly encountered in clinical medicine, specifically the specialties of nephrology, urology, orthopedics, rheumatology and women's health. Organized by system, clinical information is presented by core faculty and guest lecturers who work in the particular specialty. Clinical information is presented in conjunction with appropriate, correlative lectures and classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, nutrition and patient education. Coordinated with concurrent Pharmacology and Clinical Decision Making courses.
Prerequisite: PHAS 7093 and admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term  
PHAS 7095  Public Health  (2 credits)  
Studies the overview of public health system and commonly encountered chronic diseases that have public health implications. Topics include an overview of communicable & noncommunicable disease, violence, chronic stress, obesity/food-related health disorders, preventive medicine, food safety, antibiotic stewardship, exercise prescription, principles of addiction, accidents & injuries, and environmental health.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2020 Fall Term  
PHAS 7115  Clinical Decision Making 1 with Medical Coding  (2 credits)  
Focuses on the development of a systematic approach to the process of solving clinical problems. Emphasizes: 1) gaining familiarity with the differential diagnosis of commonly-encountered clinical problems, and 2) exercising the thought process used in clinical practice to work from a broad differential diagnosis to a single working diagnosis and treatment plan. Accomplished largely by working through mock cases in small groups, individualized assignments and standardized patient encounters. Addresses interpretation of historical, physical exam and diagnostic test data within the context of clinical case studies. Intended to apply and integrate skills and competencies that have been introduced in previous and concurrent course work: the basic sciences, pathophysiology, history taking, interviewing and physical examination skills, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, giving oral case presentations and documenting medical data in a written format. Course cases are linked with concurrent clinical medicine sections in PHAS 7091 and 7092.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Summer Term  
PHAS 7116  Clinical Decision Making 2  (2 credits)  
Focuses on continuing the development of a systematic approach to the process of solving clinical problems. Emphasizes: 1) gaining familiarity with the differential diagnosis of commonly-encountered clinical problems, and 2) exercising the thought process used in clinical practice to work from a broad differential diagnosis to a single working diagnosis and treatment plan. Accomplished largely by working through mock cases in small groups, individualized assignments and standardized patient encounters. Addresses practical experience with commonly-encountered clinical problems used in developing skills for clinical practice. Intended to apply and integrate skills and competencies that have been introduced in previous and concurrent course work: the basic sciences, pathophysiology, history taking, interviewing and physical examination skills, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, giving oral case presentations and documenting medical data in a written format. Course cases are linked with concurrent clinical medicine sections in PHAS 7093 and PHAS 7094.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term  
PHAS 7117  Cultural Diversity in Health Care  (2 credits)  
Introduction to healthcare delivery to diverse patient populations. Explores various culturally influenced perspectives on health and illness as well as identifying health disparities among certain cultural groups and minority populations. Students work toward becoming culturally competent practitioners by exploring their personal reactions to culturally based medical scenarios.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to professional phase of Physician Assistant Studies.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2016 Fall Term, 2015 Fall Term, 2014 Fall Term, 2014 Spring Term  
PHAS 7118  Clinical Decision Making 3  (3 credits)  
Continuation of PHAS 7116 that focuses on application and further development of the student’s approach to working–up and solving medical problems, as well as providing patient education and counseling in unique clinical settings. It is intended to build upon, refine and integrate basic clinical skills, interpersonal skills and competencies that students have acquired in previous course work. Students study health disease in social and cultural contexts recognizing health disparities that may exist. Students' clinical skills are honed by providing classroom activities to practice how to approach a focused history, physical exam and address an acute complaint in a simulated primary care outpatient setting.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7145  Physician Assistant Practice  (1 credits)  
Current issues facing the profession, including legal and professional standards and how physician assistants fit into the healthcare system are explored. Students become familiar with the history and traditions of the PA profession as well as the current standards and expectations to practice medicine as a physician assistant. Includes information about certification and licensure, employment, professional organizations and political/legislative topics.
Prerequisite: Admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term  
PHAS 7200  Interpersonal Communication  (1 credits)  
Intended to build upon basic interviewing skills that were introduced in PHAS 7050. Consists of a series of patient encounters, classroom discussions and readings relevant to working constructively with problems in clinician/patient communications. Addresses common types of difficult patient interactions. Emphasizes self-awareness as the basis upon which clinicians develop an enhanced capacity for empathic listening and responsiveness.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Fall Term  
PHAS 7220  Pharmacotherapeutics and Comprehensive Patient Management  (4 credits)  
Focuses on the development of a systematic approach to the process of solving clinical therapeutic problems and management of comorbid diseases. Emphasizes: 1) gaining familiarity with the medications used for commonly-encountered clinical problems, and 2) exercising the thought process of rational pharmacologic management. Accomplished through a lecture-style format by working through clinical patient scenarios in small groups. Intended to apply and integrate information introduced in previous course work: basic clinical sciences – including pathology, physiology and microbiology; evaluation of the history and physical exam; and interpreting diagnostic information.
Prerequisite: PHAS major, BISC 7220, and admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7230  Geriatric Medicine  (2 credits)  
An introduction into the biological aspects of aging, latency of disease, clinical geriatric syndromes, atypical disease presentations, drug prescribing and long term care of the elderly. Students develop an understanding of the special considerations and knowledge needed for clinical assessment and management of this special patient population.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term, 2019 Spring Term  
PHAS 7235  Emergency Medicine  (3 credits)  
A comprehensive introduction to the diagnosis and treatment of common and life-threatening adult and pediatric problems in the emergency department. Knowledge of conditions, their salient features and medical management in the emergency context are delivered in lectures and small group case discussions led by emergency medicine PAs. Integrates prior and developing knowledge of microbiology, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, history and physical exam skills, pediatrics, pharmacology, public health, surgery and women's health.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7245  Professional and Ethical Issues  (1 credits)  
Emphasis is on current issues facing the profession, and the unique place for PAs within the health care system. Prepares students for entry into clinical field-based practice and transition into clinical practice focusing on professional issues unique to the profession. Addresses health care and medical related ethics that PAs might encounter from a systems based perspective.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7250  Surgical Principles and Procedures  (3 credits)  
An introduction to the role of the physician assistant in surgery and surgical procedures commonly performed in post-operative care. Employs a system-oriented, problem-based approach and presents clinical information in conjunction with appropriate, correlative lectures or labs in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, laboratory diagnostics and nutrition.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7260  Pediatric Medicine  (3 credits)  
An introduction to pediatric medicine. Covers the well child exam from birth through adolescence, and common medical problems encountered in the pediatric setting. Employs a system-oriented, problem based approach and clinical information is presented in conjunction with appropriate, correlative lectures or labs in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, and nutrition.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to Physician Assistant Studies.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term  
PHAS 7265  Health Care Systems  (1 credits)  
Familiarizes the student with the ever-changing health care marketplace and the Physician Assistant Profession’s role within it. Traces the mechanism of the health care delivery system from the basic patient encounter through to the variations in healthcare delivery among the various paid and subsidized systems, including Federal, State and private systems. Also explores the various local, state, and federal patient resource programs that are available and addresses how to help patients access them as a provider. Concludes with an in-depth look at the medical coding system and teaches the students how and why to code properly.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term  
PHAS 7270  Diagnostics Technology  (3 credits)  
Consists of three distinct class sections: a 12-Lead ECG interpretation section, a radiology section and a laboratory section. Provides a broad introduction to these topics that are expanded upon in the clinical medicine sections and clinical decision-making courses. The ECG interpretation section provides students with a systematic method of interpreting a 12-Lead ECG with respect to rate, rhythm and blocks, electrical axis determination, hypertrophy (atria and ventricles), ischemia/injury/infarction, and miscellaneous drug, electrolyte, disease, and pacemaker effects. The radiology section provides students with a systematic method of interpreting common radiographic studies seen in primary care. The laboratory section emphasizes the utilization of laboratory methods for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The content focuses on those aspects pertinent to the provision of ambulatory primary care.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7301  Experiential Learning 1  (2 credits)  
Focuses on practicing and implementing history taking and physical exam skills while providing medical care at an urban community clinic to an underserved community; and using simulation, task trainers, and in-person labs to teach and practice procedural and technical skills. Procedures include slit lamp, NP/OP swabs, cerumen removal, EYE/EAR sims, OSHA/BB pathogens, phlebotomy/IV starts, EKG, injections, glucometer, spirometry/eNO, airway, suturing and ultrasound.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term  
PHAS 7302  Experiential Learning 2  (1 credits)  
Focuses on practicing and implementing history taking and physical exam skills while providing medical care at an urban community clinic to an underserved community; and using simulation, task trainers, and in-person labs to teach and practice procedural and technical skills. Procedures include Lp lab, biopsy, cryotherapy, hemoccult, Foley, male/female GU lab, joint aspirations, joint injections, digital blocks, splinting. Also includes suture 2, ultrasound 2, BLS.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Spring Term  
PHAS 7303  Experiential Learning 3  (1 credits)  
Focuses on practicing and implementing history taking and physical exam skills while providing medical care at an urban community clinic to an underserved community; and using simulation, task trainers, and in-person labs to teach and practice procedural and technical skills. Correlating procedures include trauma lab, scrub lab, wound lab, suture 3, ultrasound 3 (eFAST, RUSH exam, procedural ultrasound), ACLS, mega code practice, procedure day, rounds.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2023 Summer Term  
PHAS 7887  Summative Clinical Assessment  (0-3 credits)  
Offered every term of the clinical year. Utilizes several evaluation tools to provide a comprehensive appraisal of every student’s readiness and eligibility for graduation. Students complete case presentations, including one on public health disparities, complete Observed Simulated Clinical Experiences (OSCEs) with standardized patients, and participate in small-group workshops/lectures/SIM, offering students an individualized approach to their education. Students also complete multiple comprehensive summative assessments, including the PAEA PACKRAT exam I and II, MU PA summative examination based on the NCCPA examination PANCE guidelines, and the PAEA End-of-Curriculum Exam. 0 credit is SNC/UNC grade assessment; 1-3 credits are graded.
Prerequisite: Admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Fall Term, 2023 Summer Term  
PHAS 7931  Topics in Physician Assistant Studies  (1-6 credits)  
Used for topics course.
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2022 Summer Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2021 Spring Term  
PHAS 7986  Internship in Physician Assistant Studies  (1-8 credits)  
The PHAS 7986 course series corresponds to individual student clerkship schedules in the clinical year, with all students completing rotations in internal medicine (inpatient), emergency medicine, surgery and family medicine. Students fill the remaining clinical year schedule with women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health and specialty elective rotations. May be offered graded or S/U.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to PA the program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Fall Term, 2023 Summer Term  
PHAS 7995  Independent Study in Physician Assistant Studies  (1-6 credits)  
Faculty-supervised, independent study/research of a specific area or topic in Physician Assistant Studies.
Prerequisite: Admitted to PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2013 Summer Term, 2008 Spring Term, 2007 Fall Term, 2007 Summer Term  
PHAS 7997  Master's Capstone Project  (0-3 credits)  
Capstone in the clinical year centers on the completion of a written paper. Requires students to select a pertinent health topic, propose a relevant clinical question, complete a thorough literature search and draw conclusions based on the data/evidence. These findings are then presented in the form of a clinical paper suitable for publication in a medical journal and as a presentation. Students work 1:1 with an assigned faculty member to complete this project. 0 credit is SNC/UNC grade assessment; 1-3 credits are graded.
Prerequisite: PHAS major; admitted to the PA program.  
Level of Study: Health Sciences Professional  
Last four terms offered: 2024 Summer Term, 2024 Spring Term, 2023 Fall Term, 2023 Spring Term