Palmer College of Chiropractic West

Academics

Discipline of Microbiology/Pathology (DA)

This series of courses is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the disease process at the tissue, cellular and subcellular levels, as well as to present a clinical understanding of natural microbial flora and pathogenesis.

Pathology courses are designed as a bridge between basic and clinical sciences. They emphasize applications of the biologic sciences as applied to the diagnosis of human diseases.

Function of the nervous system, including: electrical properties of excitable membranes; nerve impulse generation and conduction; receptors, muscle and synapses; operations of simple networks of neurons; topics of sensory physiology, reflexes and the control of movement and posture; phenomena and mechanisms of sleep, memory, cerebral dominance and language.

General cellular and tissue alterations common to all processes of disease, including: cell injury and cell death; inflammation and repair; fluid and hemodynamic derangements; hemo-poeitic diseases. Diseases of the immune system, including: systemic diseases and infectious diseases; environmental effects.

Principles of systematic medical microbiology, including: morphology, cultural characteristics, biomechanical characteristics, resistance, antigenicity and pathogenicity. Communicable and infectious diseases; including: bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. Microbiology laboratory.

Pathophysiology of neurological and muscular diseases; emphasis on clinical considerations.

Pathophysiology of gastrointestinal, endocrine and urogenital diseases; emphasis on clinical considerations. Examination of the abdominal and genitourinary regions.

Pathophysiology of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases; acute and chronic abnormalities that affect the hematologic, reticuloendothelial, cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body. Examination of the heart and lungs.

Pathophysiology of skeletal and articular diseases; emphasis on clinical considerations.

Epidemiology and infectious disease management; environmental health; immunology; diagnosis and management of poisoning; substance abuse; over-the-counter drug toxicity.

Preventive health care; health education.

Principles of occupational health and safety, including: occupational biomechanics; cumulative trauma disorders; ergonomics; worksite analysis; illness prevention; and the Worker’s Compensation system. Health psychology principles for promoting wellness and obtaining patient compliance, including: smoking cessation, weight loss, and exercise.

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