Course Syllabus

Welcome to the course overview for Veterinary Medical Terminology!

This overview, also known as the course syllabus, is a kind of contract between student and instructor.  A syllabus spells out what is required from you to be successful in the course.  It also spells out what you can expect from your instructor.

Before checking out the rest of the course, please read over the syllabus.  You are responsible for reading the syllabus thoroughly and understanding the requirements and assessment measures for this course.

And yes, there will be a quiz. :) 

When you are doing reading the syllabus, you can click on "Home" (to the left of the screen) to be brought back to the main page.

Course Information

Course title:	Veterinary Medical Terminology
Course number and semester:	VETT 55-D9285, Veterinary Technology, Fall 2019
Course discipline and units:	Veterinary Technology (3 units)
Course description:	Guides students through the process of reading, writing, and comprehending medical terminology used in the veterinary medical field. This course includes work construction (roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms), definitions, and use of words related to the body systems. Diseases and diagnostics pharmacology, and common species of domestic animals, including the dog, cat, horse, ruminant, pig, bird and laboratory animals are emphasized. This course will focus on concepts of identifying and recognizing the parts of medical terms and define terms related to veterinary medicine. This course partially fulfills the requirements of the Yuba College Veterinary Technology Program.
Textbook Requirements:	Required textbook: An  Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology) Fourth Edition.  Author: Janet Armundson Romich, DVM, MS @ Delmar Centage Learning  ISBN-13: 978-1-133-12576-1) Recommended supplemental textbook: Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, Fourth Edition Author: D. C. Blood, V. P. Studdert Publisher: Saunders ISBN-13: 978-0702047435
Prerequisite(s):	None. Completion of basic college biology and chemistry courses is recommended.
Final Exam	Available online, week of December 12.

 Instructor Information:

Name:	Monica Kratochvil, RVT
Email:	Communicate with instructor via Canvas email.
Office location:	Building 1700
Office hours:	Tuesday/Thursday 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. (let me know if these times do not work for you).
Phone:	530-741-6962 (Building 1700), 530-312-1429 (my cell)

Course Objectives:
1. Demonstrate use of medical language and veterinary terminology
2. Utilize the study guide and medical dictionary to create medical descriptions for veterinary records.
3. Recognize terms used with the animal biopsy system as applied to veterinary medicine.
4. Describe where and how to search for scientific literature in the field of veterinary medical terminology. 

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon completion of the course, the learner should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of medical terminology common to veterinary medicine.
• Define word root structure and its utilization in veterinary terminology.

Veterinary Technology Program goals:

The Veterinary Technology Program seeks to develop graduates who will: 1) Understand the basic principles of Veterinary Technology and its disciplines. 2) Instill in students technical competence and occupational skills, as well as academic knowledge. 3) Graduates will function in entry-level Certified Veterinary Technician positions. 4) Promote the application of principles of biomedical sciences to help in disease control in both human and animal fields. 5) Provide hands-on experience with various problems encountered in veterinary technology. 6) Recognize the importance of the human-animal bond in the provision of veterinary health care. 7) Exceed the expectations of both employers and the public with regards to the level of care provided to their patients. 8) Stress the importance of paraprofessional positions in veterinary medicine and instill a sense of pride in students. 9) Train students to be competent in the area of business involving a veterinary practice. 10) Measure key student learning outcomes continuously and identify and implement opportunities for improvement. 11) Recognize the need for continued learning in order to adapt to changes and challenges within the profession of Veterinary Technology. 12) Achieve a passing score on the state and Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

Course Structure:

This course is conducted entirely online, which means you do not have to be on campus to complete any portion of it. You will participate in the course using Yuba College’s learning management system called Canvas.

It is recommended that you complete the online Canvas Student Orientation prior to beginning the course.   This can be found under Student Info at http://de.yccd.edu.

Canvas provides students with course materials including lecture PowerPoint presentations, study guides, and assignments.

Students are required to check this site frequently for materials. The course also contains a technological support page that may help you in navigating common issues in Canvas.  My role as an instructor is to guide you through the navigation process of the course, as well as the course material.  Unfortunately, I am not a technical support person, and it is possible that unforeseen circumstances may require you to seek additional technical support. 

Many things can occur which might prevent a student from submitting an assignment, quiz, or posting to a discussion forum. The prepared student, performing at the college level, will work well ahead of deadlines and manage the workload to minimize unforeseen problems.

Course Requirements:

You must ensure that you have access to a reliable computer with internet access in order to be successful in this course. 

If you do not have access to a computer off campus, there are many computer labs on campus you can use to participate in the course.

Most public libraries also have computers with internet access that you can use for free.

You will need to have an up-to-date browser and operating system.

Some of the documents in this course will be available to you in PDF form. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your computer, you can download it by going to http://get.adobe.com/reader/.

Course Communication:

Announcements.  In this course we will use the Announcement feature of Canvas, located on the left column of this page. 

Announcements will be posted in Canvas on a regular basis. They will appear on your Canvas dashboard when you log in and/or will be sent to you directly through your preferred method of notification from Canvas. Please make certain to check them regularly, as they will contain any important information about upcoming projects or class concerns.

Email. In this course we will use the Inbox feature of Canvas, located on the far left column of this page. 

Use this email to send private messages. You can either check your messages in the Canvas system or set your notifications to your preferred method of contact. 

• When submitting messages, please do the following:
  • Put a subject in the subject box that describes the email content with your name, week and message subject.
  • Do not send messages to my personal email account.
  • Important: Do not submit your assignments by message.
  • Check your own inbox at least once per day.

Discussions. Discussions are a way for you to engage with each other about the course content. Each lesson module will have one or more questions that links to a forum. You can also access each forum by clicking on the Discussions button in the course navigation links (on the left side of the screen).

In order to get full credit for each discussion, you will need to post a thoughtful, well-written response to the question and respond to one of your classmate’s (or instructor’s) initial posts.  See below for the rubric and requirements for Discussions.

Turnaround/Feedback.  During the week (M-F) I will check my Inbox once per day, and monitor the discussion board at least every 48 hours. If you have a concern and send me a message, you can expect a response within two days.  If you have an urgent question, call my cell phone at 530-312-1429.

Netiquette. I strive to develop an atmosphere of mutual respect in the classroom and online.  In accordance with this goal I ask that you respect my right to teach as well as your fellow students rights to obtain their education.  Subjects may be discussed that are often portrayed as controversial in the media. Each student is entitled to his or her own opinion and/or belief system regarding these topics.  Please be respectful of others’ opinions when we discuss these matters in online. 

You can read more about the rules of netiquette at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/index.html.  

You can also read about the rules of netiquette in the modules section of this course.

Canvas Student Application ("App").  Canvas Student is available for Android and iPhones and possibly other devices.  I believe the application is free.  The application is useful for checking Inbox and due dates.  I do not know if quizzes or assignments can be submitted through Canvas Student.

Course Participation Policy:

Participation is essential to your success in this class. In distance education courses you are required to participate just as if you were in a face-to-face course. This means that in order to get full credit for participation, you will have to complete your discussion assignments, lesson assignments and quizzes on a timely basis. Consistent failure to participate in class will result in being dropped from the course.  This is defined as missing three or more Discussions, Quizzes, or Assignments.

All students must log on a minimum of once weekly to meet attendance requirements.

Course Assignments:

Important Dates. The due dates for your discussions, quizzes, and assignments can be found in the Calendar link to the far left of the screen. Please review these. In addition, I will post reminders prior to the due dates in the Announcements section.

Weekly Assignments.  Weekly assignments will be available by Monday at 8 am.  Every week you will need to do the following:

1. Go to Modules. You will find this link on the left-hand side of the screen.  This will take you to a week-by-week list of your assignments.
2. Find the current week, and find the page entitled “Start Here” for that week. It will guide you through that week’s lesson.  Each week will include the following:
   1. Readings. This will be one or two chapters in the required textbook, An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology, 4^th edition, by Romich.
   2. Videos, Animations, PowerPoint. Although YouTube contains medical terminology-related content, it is for human medicine, not veterinary medicine.  When possible, I will create or provide such content through the “Start Here” page.  
   3. Assignments.
      • At the end of each chapter, you will find a variety of questions (multiple choice, crossword puzzles, case studies). 
      • Work through all of the problems at the back of each chapter, except the "Critical Thinking" questions at the very end.
      • Check your answers against the answer key (posted in Canvas).
      • In addition, there is an "Assignment" each week that you will complete and submit to me.  These will often be the "Critical Thinking" questions at the end of each chapter.  The "Assignment" should be submitted to me via Canvas by 8:00 p.m., Sunday, PST, of the week. 
   4. Discussions. Answer the question or questions for that week. Your initial post in the weekly Discussion Forum is due by Wednesday, 10:00 p.m., PST of that week.  By 8:00 p.m., Sunday, PST, of that week, you must respond to at least one other students' posts in the Discussion Forum.
      • See below for the rubric and additional guidance on discussions.
   5. Quizzes. Please complete the Canvas quiz each week to assess your understanding of that week’s material.  The quizzes are open book.  Quizzes are due by 8:00 p.m., Sunday, PST of that week

• For example:
  • For Week 1 of Fall 2019, you must post in the weekly Discussion Forum by Wednesday, 10:00 p.m., PST, August 21, 2019.
  • By Sunday of that week, August 25, 2019, 8:00 p.m., PST, you must respond to at least one other students' posts in the Discussion Forum, complete that week's assignment; and complete the weekly quiz.

Self-Assessment

You will be given two opportunities to assess yourself in the course.  Reflecting on your own study skills is proven to improve student success.  The dates for these self-assessments can be found in the schedule at the end of this course.

Surveys

I would also like your feedback on what I am doing well and what I could be doing better.  These are anonymous surveys.  I value your constructive criticism.  The surveys will be conducted mid-semester and at the end of the semester.

Working Ahead

In the event that a student needs to work ahead (e.g., the student will be out of town for a particular week), let me know.  I may be able to make both the current week and the following week's module available.  I cannot promise that I will be able to do this, but I will attempt to accommodate you if I can.

Expectations:

 You can expect me to do the following:

• Do my best to prepare an engaging, relevant course for you and to facilitate learning. Your time is valuable, and your education is my first priority.
• Reply to e-mails within 24 hours during the week, and 48 hours during the weekend.
• Assign homework, discussions, and quizzes that align with the learning objectives of the course while adhering to the time expectations for a three-unit course.
• I reserve the right to change readings, assignments, and timelines if this will improve the quality of your education. However, I recognize this can be disruptive, and will do my best to adhere to the assignments and timelines presented in this syllabus. 

 I expect you to do the following:

• Ask the instructor any questions they might have about course requirements or material.
• Work online in the course at least two days per week.
• Complete the indicated assignments, discussions, and quizzes on time.
• Treat classmates and instructors with courtesy and respect (see Netiquette link above).
• Display a willingness to consider opinions or viewpoints other than your own.
• Adhere to the honesty policy and Student Code of Conduct at all times. 
• All work must be completed on time. Late work is not accepted under any circumstances.
• Do your own work unless group work is specifically assigned.

 Please note:

Late Work.  Late work will not be accepted. Assignments, discussions, and quizzes will not be available after the deadline. If you have an extenuating circumstance, please contact me by private message before the assignment is due to make alternate arrangements.

Grading Criteria:

Letter Grade

Letter Grade	Percentage
A	90-100
B	80-89
C	75-79
D	60-74
F	< 60

Important Note: A passing grade in all Yuba College Veterinary Technology Program courses is 75%.  Seventy five percent is the minimum passing grade for the national licensing exam for veterinary nurses.  Since passing this exam is necessary to be a practicing veterinary nurse, we have adopted the same standard.  

Rubrics. In order to understand what is expected of you for each assignment, please check out the rubric -- a table that details the requirements of each assignment and the benchmarks for success -- attached to each assignment and discussion for the grading criteria.

Grades. You can view your grades using the Grades button in the course navigation links. Please check your grades regularly to make certain that I have received all your assignments. If you have a question about a grade, email me through Canvas email. Please do not post your personal concerns in a discussion forum.

Points Possible.

• Assignments: 10 points/module x 16 modules = 160 points
• Discussions: 10 pts/module x 16 modules     = 160 points
• Quizzes: 10 pts/module x 15 modules     = 150 points
• Self-Assessments: 5 points/module x 2 modules = 10 points
• Surveys: 5 points x 2 = 10 points
• Syllabus Quiz: 5 points
• Midterm Exam:  = 100 points
• Final Exam:  = 100 points

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE:     695 Points

Note on Discussion Posts

There is a Discussion Posting Assignment set up for each week.

• Post Discussion Items to the Discussion page of the course website by 10:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) by Wednesday of each week they are assigned. 
• Respond to at least two of your classmates' Discussion Item Postings by 8:00 p.m. PST on the following Sunday.
• Important: Please note that Canvas does not provide for two separate due dates (i.e., one due date for initial posts on Wednesday and a separate due date for responses on Sunday).  The due date on Canvas will read Wednesday, 10:00 p.m.  But that is only for your initial post.  Your responses must be received by Sunday 8:00 p.m. for full credit. If you fail to submit your initial post, you will receive 0 points for the discussion.

Also, please do not confuse the term 'discussion' for something that can be approached without preparation. This is a graded assignment and you will be expected to have done adequate research to enable you to compose a well-thought out, on-topic response to the weekly discussion prompt.

Each post must demonstrate that you have fully thought about the topic.  Plan on your discussion post being 250 words or more, and responses being 50 words or more. 

Your posts must be grammatically correct with spelling and punctuation up to college level English standards. I suggest that you type your document in Microsoft Word first, then use the spell check and the word count meter prior to cutting and pasting into the HTML tool.  Illiterate responses will receive no credit.

In addition, your initial posts need to include the following:

• Correctly employ at least ten new terms from the week's chapter in your discussion.   (You can use terms from previous and future chapters, but ten must come from the week's chapter.)

• Stretch your vocabulary.  For the full credit, the ten terms must not be terms that the average person would know.  If in doubt, use more than ten terms.

• Bold the term you are using, and include the definition in paranthesis.

• Use the term in a sentence in such a way that its meaning is clear.  

Responses should add something useful, and require real thought.  For example, it can bring a new perspective to the topic.  Do not criticize your classmates.  Also, simply writing "Great post!" adds no value to our discussion, and therefore earns you nothing. 

Some discussions will be a chance to create a scenario, correctly using the terms you have learned that week, but they are not creative writing assignments.   Instead, focus on using terminology.  

Note that some discussions will be based on the "Critical Thinking Exercises" at the end of the chapters.  You will be provided with criteria/instructions when you undertake these discussions.

 Rubric for Discussions:

10 points (original and response) - very good post: The posting was made on time; the criteria were met and, in some cases, exceeded. The posting is well written and free of grammatical and spelling errors.

7-9 points (original and response) - good: The posting was made on time; the basic criteria were met. More development would be preferred, and some points may have been missed.

4-6 Points (original and response) - needs improvement: The posting was made on time; only some of the criteria were met. Several points were missed, or the information was incorrect. The post was less that the minimum length. It contains several errors.

1-3 Points (original and responses) - marginal: The posting was made on time; few or none of the criteria were met.

0 Points - inadequate: The posting was not done, late or too poor for credit; little if any thought is presented.

Academic Honesty/Student Conduct:

As a student at Yuba College, you are expected to follow the College’s guidelines for Academic Honesty/Student Conduct found in the Yuba Community College District Student Code of Conduct.

https://www.boarddocs.com/ca/yccd/board.nsf/files/9L9JHG7F6598/$file/Student%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20%28Official%20Revision%202014-06-03%29.pdf

Briefly, this means that you should not: 

• Cheat,
• Plagiarize, that is, use another person’s words or ideas as your own without proper documentation.
• Collaborate with others unless specifically requested in an assignment or discussion.
• Let another student login to your CANVAS account.

Failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action which can affect your academic standing in the College.

Dropping:

Once the instructor has completed the add process at the beginning of the semester and the rosters are set, it is the student’s responsibility to drop the course if they decide to stop attending.  Students who do not drop the course and are enrolled at the end of the semester will receive a grade based on their earned points, even if they have not attended in some time.  Most often it is more advantageous for a student to take a W on a transcript than a failing grade, so please drop if you decide to stop contributing/attending. (Drop Deadline = 2/2/2018, Withdraw Deadline = 4/27/2018) 

 Confidentiality:

You are encouraged to share your personal and professional experiences to help facilitate learning. It is expected that each person will respect the confidentiality of anything class members may share. Company, client, or co-workers are never to be named within the context of any public discussion or assignment in this course.

 Disabilities:

Online courses are required to meet Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines. This means that all aspects of the online learning experience are accessible. Please let me know if you have adaptive software and hardware to assist you with taking this course or if you have any specific needs I should be aware of. 

Let me know if I can do anything to help you. If you have not already done so, please register with the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS).

Building 1800
Phone:741-6795
Video Phone:866-274-7530 
email: dspsinfo@yccd.edu

 Counseling:

I recommend all students meet with a Yuba College counselor each semester.  This is especially important if you transferred from another school, another program, or an ROP program.

Course Schedule

A= Assignment, D = Discussion, Quiz = Quiz 

Week	Topic/Reading
August 19, 2019 (Week 1)	Introduction; Directional Positions Ch 1 (Ready, Set, Go) & 2 (Where, Why, and What?)
August 26, 2019 (Week 2)	Skeletal and muscular system Ch 3 (Meat and Bones)
September 02, 2019 (Week 3)	Common Anatomic Terms for Different Species Ch 4 (Head to Toe [And All Parts In Between])
September 09, 2019 (Week 4)	Common terms to denote age and sex of animals; the digestive system Ch 5 (What is in a name?) & 6 (Gut Instincts)
September 16, 2019 (Week 5)	Urinary System Ch. 7 (Null & Void)
September 23, 2019 (Week 6)	Cardiovascular system Ch 8 (Have a Heart)
September 30, 2019 (Week 7)	Respiratory system Ch 9 (Breath of Fresh Air)
October 07, 2019 (Week 8)	Integumentary system Ch 10 (Skin Deep). Midterm.
October 14, 2019 (Week 9)	Endocrine System; Reproductive System. Ch 11 (Great Communicator) And Ch 12 (1+1=3).
October 21, 2019 (Week 10)	Nervous system Ch 13 (Nerves of Steel)
October 28, 2019 (Week 11)	Special senses (Eye, Ear, Equilibrium) Ch 14 (Seeing & Hearing)
November 04, 2019 (Week 12)	Hematologic System, Examination Terms Ch 15 (Feed Me and Protect Me), and Ch 16 (Testing Testing)
November 11, 2019 (Week 13)	Pharmacologic terms, terms specific to canine and feline medicine Ch 17 (Drugs and Dissection), and Ch 18 (Like Cats and Dogs)
November 18, 2019 (Week 14)	Terms specific to equine medicine Ch 19 (Horse Sense)
November 25, 2019 (Week 15)	Terms specific to ruminant and porcine medicine Ch 20 (Make Room for Ruminant)s, and Ch 21 (Hog Heaven)
December 2, 2019 (Week 16)	Terms specific to avian, small mammal, reptile, and other exotic species Ch 22 (Birds of a Feather), and Ch 23 (All the Rest)
December 9, 2019 (Week 17)	Final Exam, Due Sunday, 8:00 p.m. PST, December 15, 2019