Course Code: PATH 160
Academic Year: 2026-2027
This course welcomes students to the study of pathophysiology - the scientific exploration of how normal physiological processes are altered by disease and injury. Students will begin by learning foundational terminology and core concepts related to cellular adaptation, injury, and death, as well as the inflammatory and immune responses that underpin many disease states. An integrated, system-based approach will then be used to examine pathophysiological changes across all major body systems, including the neurologic, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems. For each system, learners will explore how disruptions in structure and function arise, how these changes manifest as clinical signs and symptoms, and how they can be interpreted in the context of altered health. Emphasis is placed on developing a strong conceptual understanding of disease mechanisms to support critical thinking and prepare students for application in nursing courses and clinical practice.