HLTH 1312 Medical Terminology Syllabus W01 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 2.00 Lecture Hours 2 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
51.0707
Course Meeting Time

The course is all online. 

Course Description

This course is designed to give both allied health professionals and health consumers a working knowledge of medical vocabulary. The course offers a systematic study of medical words that relate to body systems, anatomical structures, medical processes and procedures, and a variety of diseases that afflict the human body.

Explanation of Course Alignment

General Education Goals and Objectives:

The general education program at KCC is designed to enable students to acquire communication and reasoning skills at a level reflecting college-level learning. Students who complete the general education program will be able to examine complex topics and apply systematic processes to form conclusions. The specific general education objective addressed in this course is:

Communication: Students will communicate with precision, clarity, fluency, accuracy, and coherence through their reading, writing, and verbal communications.

Relationship to Academic Programs and Transferability

This course was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program and is designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. KCC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement for general education courses. All colleges and universities participating in the IAI agree to accept a collective “package” of IAI general education courses; transfer of courses separately is not guaranteed. For more information about IAI and the transferability of courses to specific four-year institutions, go to www.itransfer.org and MyCreditsTransfer/Transferology.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Mary Nehls DNP, MSN, RN
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8811
Faculty Office Number
M114
Faculty Student Support Hours

Office hour availability will vary with teaching responsibilities throughout the semester. Schedules will be posted outside of office. Please email to schedule an appointment.

Student Support Hours are for YOU. My purpose during student support hours is to be available to you to help you with questions, course related problems, or just to chat. Taking advantage of this one-on-one time with me is highly recommended, and it’s also a great way to help ensure your academic success.

Appointments can be made either in a virtual environment, via e-mail, by phone, or in person as during times identified by the instructor.

Faculty Information

Dr. Mary Nehls

815-802-8811

mnehls@kcc.edu

M114

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze words structurally in terms of the word root, suffix, prefix, and combining form.
  2. Demonstrate how medical words are built from the word root, suffix, prefix, and combining form.
  3. Define medical terms that relate to body systems, anatomical structures, medical processes and procedures, and diseases or disorders.
  4. Identify medical terms that relate to body systems, anatomical structures, medical processes and procedures, and diseases or disorders.
Topical Outline
  1. The Anatomy of Medical Terms
  2. The Body as a Whole
  3. The Integumentary System
  4. The Skeletal System
  5. Muscles and Tendons
  6. Cardiovascular System
  7. Lymphatic and Immune Systems
  8. Respiratory System
  9. Digestive System
  10. Nervous System and Mental Health
  11. Special Senses of the Eye and Ear
  12. Endocrine System
  13. Urinary System
  14. Male Reproductive System
  15. Female Reproductive System                                
  16. Infancy to Old Age
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Textbook(s)

Allan, D.A., and Lockyer, K.D. (2016). Essentials of Medical Language. (4th ed). New York: NY McGraw-Hill, Education.

Software that Connects to CANVAS is McGraw Hill Connect 

Students will sign up for the Online Platform of McGraw Hill Connect

Methods of Evaluation

Additional Methods of Evaluation

Evaluation

Student performance will be evaluated through use of online homework assignments, quizzes, and exams. The student’s grade will be calculated based on total points achieved divided by the total possible points.

16 Homework assignments @ 5 pts each = 80 points

4 Discussion Questions @ 2 pts each = 8 points

3 Pronunciation Assignments @ 10 pts each = 30 points

3 Translate It Assignments @ 10 pts each = 30 points

1 Review Game Assignment @ 10 pts = 10 points 5 quizzes @ 10 pts each = 50 points

3 exams + 1 final exam @ 100 pts each = 400 points

Total Points = 608 points

Grading Scale

90 – 100%

Total Points Earned

547 - 608 points

Letter Grade

A

80 – 89%486 -546 pointsB
70 – 79%426 - 485 pointsC
60 – 69%365 - 425 pointsD
0 – 59%0 – 364 pointsF

 

Academic Division

Health Careers

Dean, Brad Wood; 815-802-8815; M107; bwood@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8800

Course Policies

Exams, quizzes, and assignments are due by 11:59 pm on the indicated due date. Answers must be spelled correctly to receive credit. The student must notify the instructor prior to the start of an exam if he or she will be unable to take it on the scheduled date. The student is required to take any makeup exams within one week of the scheduled testing date or a grade of “ZERO”- 0/100 will be recorded for the exam.

Quizzes and assignments cannot be made-up and must be completed during the allotted time. Quizzes and Exams are TIMED, it is so important to READ your chapters. Your first submission is the one that will be recorded as your points.

Assignments are due by the specified dates. Late submissions will incur a 10% deduction per day for up to 3 days after the due date. After 3 days, the assignment will receive a grade of zero and will no longer be accepted. Please plan accordingly and submit assignments on time to avoid penalties.

Quizzes and exams consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, or fill in the blank types of questions. You will be allowed 20 minutes to complete each quiz, 100 minutes for each unit exam, and 150 minutes for the final exam. Please make sure that you give yourself enough uninterrupted time to complete the quizzes and exams. If you don’t finish them within the time frame it will stop and only score what you have completed. They will become available at 12:00 am on first assigned day and close at 11:59 pm on the third assigned day. You will have 3 days to complete the quizzes and exams but once you open the quiz or exam you will need to finish it the day you open it within the time frame the quiz or exam is set for.

Respondus LockDown Browser® is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. When an assessment is started, students are locked out of these functions until they submit their exam for grading.

The final exam cannot be reviewed.

Regular attendance online is required in accordance with the Kankakee Community College regulations as described in the catalog. The student is responsible for his/her own learning with guidance provided by the instructor. The student is expected to complete all assigned readings, homework assignments, quizzes, and exams by the specified due dates/times.

This is a FULLY online course, and students are expected to be able to access a computer with internet capabilities regularly to complete this course successfully.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

The course is an all online course. If you are not able to do the assigned work please reach out to the professor prior to the due date to discuss a plan. Communication is extremely important in the online classroom.

Course Calendar

8-Week Medical Terminology Schedule Spring 2026

*Assignments open on Mondays and are due on Sundays of the week. Quizzes, and Exams will open for 3 day window - open at 12 am on the first assigned day and close at 11:59 p.m. on the third date assigned.. Please pay attention to DUE DATES.

Date

Topic

McGraw Hill

Week 1

1/12 – 1/18

Chapter 1: The Anatomy of Medical Terms

Check-in and Navigate McGraw Hill

Ice Breaker Discussion due 1/18/26 (2pts)

Read Chapter 1 and work

  

Exercises Chapter 1: Lecture

Lesson 1:1 The Construction of Medical Words

Lesson 1:2 Word Deconstruction, Plurals, Pronunciation, and

  Ch. 1- Homework Due 1/18/26  (5pts)
 Chapter 2: The Body as a Whole

Read Chapter 2 and work exercises

Chapter 2: Lecture

Lesson 2:1 Composition of Body and

Cells 

Lesson 2:2 Tissues, Organs, and

Organs System

Lesson 2:3 Anatomical Positions,

Planes, and Directions

Ch. 2- Homework Due 1/18/26  (5pts)

 Chapter 3: The Integumentary System

Discussion/Activity Question Due 1/18/26  (2pts)

Read Chapter 3 and work exercises. 

Lesson 3:1 Functions and Structure of the Skin 

Lesson 3:2 Disorders of the Skin

Lesson 3:3 Accessory Skin Organs

Lesson 3:4 Diagnosis and Treatment of Skin Disorders

Lesson 3:5 Burns and Injuries to the Skin

Chapter 3: Lecture

Ch. 3- Homework Due 1/18/26 (5pts)

Week 2

1/19 – 1/25

Chapter 4: The Skeletal System

Quiz 1 (Chapters 1-3) Due Opens 1/19/26 at 12 am – Closes 1/21/26 at 11:59 pm (10pts)

Read Chapter 4 and work exercises 

Lesson 4:1 Bones of the Skeletal System

Lesson 4:2 Axial Skeleton

Lesson 4:3 Bones and Joints of the Shoulder and Girdle and Upper Limb

Lesson 4:4 Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb

Lesson 4:5 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures of Bone Disorders

  
  
  

Chapter 4: Lecture

Pronunciation – Skeletal System – Due 1/25/26 (10 pts)

Ch. 4- Homework Due 1/25/26 (5 pts)

Chapter 5: Muscles and Tendons

Read Chapter 5 and work exercises.

Lesson 5:1 Muscles and Tendons

Lesson 5:2 Muscles and Tendons of the Shoulder Girdle, Trunk, and Upper Limb

Lesson 5:3 Pelvic Gridle, Thigh, Leg, and Foot

Lesson 5:4 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Chapter 5: Lecture

Ch.5- Homework Due 1/25/26 (5pts)

Exam 1 (Chapters 4-5) Due Opens 1/23/26 at 12 am – Closes 1/25/26 at 11:59 pm (100 pts)

Week 3

1/26 – 2/1

Chapter 6: The

Discussion/Activity Question Due 

2/1/26 - (2 pts) 

 Cardiovascular and 
 Circulatory SystemRead Chapter 6 and work exercises.
  Lesson 6:1 The Heart
  Lesson 6:2 Disorders of the Heart
  Lesson 6:3 Circulatory System
  Chapter 6: Lecture
  Ch. 6 –Homework Due 2/1/26 (5 pts)
 Chapter 7: The Blood,

Read Chapter 7 and work exercises.

Lesson 7:1 Components and Functions of Blood

Lesson 7:2 Lymphatic System 

Lesson 7:3 Immune System

Chapter 7: Lecture

Ch. 7- Homework Due 2/1/26 (5 pts)

 Quiz 2 (Chapters 6-7) Opens on 1/30/26 at 12 am – Closes 2/1/26 at 11:59 pm (10pts)

 Lymphatic, and Immune
 System

Week 4

2/2- 2/8

Chapter 8: The Respiratory SystemPronunciation- Respiratory System Due 2/8/26 (10 pts)
  Read Chapter 8 and work exercises.
  Lesson 8:1 Upper Respiratory Tract
  Lesson 8: 2 Lower Respiratory Tract
  Lesson 8:3 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
  Chapter 8: Lecture
  Ch. 8- Homework Due 2/8/26 (5 pts)
  Read Chapter 9 and work exercises.
 Chapter 9: The Digestive System

Pronunciation – Digestive System – Due 2/8/26 (10 pts)

Lesson 9:1 The Digestive System 

Lesson 9:2 Mouth Pharynx, and Esophagus

 Lesson 9:3 Digestive-Stomach and Small Intestine

Lesson 9:4 Digestive-Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas

Lesson 9:5 Absorption and Malabsorption

Lesson 9:6 The Large Intestine and Elimination

Chapter 9: Lecture

Ch. 9- Homework Due 2/8/26 (5 pts)

Quiz 3 (Chapters 8-9) Due Opens on 2/6/26 at 12 am and Closes on 2/8/26 at 11:59 pm (10 points)

Week 5

2/9 – 2/15

Chapter 10: TheDiscussion/Activity Question 2/15/26 (2 pts)
 Nervous System 
 and MentalRead Chapter 10 and work exercises.
 Health

Lesson 10:1 Structure and Functions of the Nervous System Lesson

10:2 The Brain and Cranial Nerves

Lesson 10:3 Disorders of the Brain, Cranial Nerves, and Meninges Lesson

10:4 Disorders of the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerves Lesson

10:5 Mental Health

  Chapter 10- Lecture
  Ch. 10 –Homework Due 2/15/26 (5 pts)
 Chapter 11: Special Senses of the Eye and Ear

Read Chapter 11 and work exercises. 

Lesson 11:1 Accessory Structures of the Eye

Lesson 11:2 The Eyeball and Seeing

Lesson 11:3 Disorders of the Eye and Ophthalmic Procedures

Lesson 11:4 The Ear and Hearing

Chapter 11- Lecture

Ch. 11- Homework due 2/15/26 (5 pts)

Exam 2 (Chapters 10-11) Due Opens 2/13/26 at 12 am and Closes on 2/15/26 (100 pts)

Week 6

2/16 – 2/22

Chapter 12: The Endocrine System

Read Chapter 12 and work exercises.

Lesson 12:1 Endocrine System, Hypothalamus, and Pituitary and Pineal Glands

Lesson 12:2 Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Thymus Glands

Lesson 12:3 Adrenal Glands and Hormones Lesson 

12:4 The Pancreas

Chapter 12-Lecture

  

Ch. 12 - Homework Due 2/22/26 (5 pts)

Translate It – Endocrine Due 2/22/26 (10 pts)

Chapter 13: The Urinary System

Read Chapter 13 and work practice exercises.

 Lesson 13:1 Urinary System, Kidneys, and Ureters 

Lesson 13:2 Urinary Bladder and Urethra

Chapter 13- Lecture

Ch. 13 - Homework Due 2/22/26 (5 pts) 

Translate It – Urinary Due 2/22/26 (10 pts)

 Quiz 4 (Chapters 12-13) Due Opens on 2/20/26 at 12 am and Closes on 2/22/26 at 11:59 pm (10pts)

Week 7

2/23 – 3/1

Chapter 14: The Male Reproductive System

Read Chapter 14 and work exercises.

Lesson 14:1 The Male Reproductive System

Lesson 14:2 Spermatic Ducts, Accessory Glands, and Penis

Chapter 14- Lecture

Ch. 14 - Homework Due 3/1/26 (5 pts)

Chapter 15: The Female Reproductive System

Read Chapter 15 and work exercises.

Lesson 15:1 External Genitalia and Vagina 

Lesson 15:2 Ovaries, Fallopian (Uterine) Tubes, and Uterus

Lesson 15:3 Disorders of the Female Productive Tract

Lesson 15:4 Pregnancy

Lesson 15:5 The Female Breast 

Translate It – Breast Cancer Due 3/1/26

Chapter 15- Lecture

Ch. 15 - Homework Due 3/1/26 (5 pts)

 Quiz 5 (Chapters 14-15) Due Opens on 2/27/26 at 12 am and Closes on 3/1/26 at 11:59 pm (10 pts)

Week 8

3/2 – 3/6

Chapter 16: Infancy to Old Age

Exam 3 (Chapters 14-15) Due Opens on 3/2/26 at 12 am and Closes on 3/4/26 at 11:59pm (100 pts)

Jeopardy Review Game Due 3/6/26 (10 pts)

Read Chapter 16 and work exercises.

Lesson 16:1 Neonatal Period

Lesson 16:2 Aging Senescence and Death 

Chapter 16- Lecture

Ch. 16 - Homework Due 3/6/26 (5 pts)

Final Exam (Chapters 1-16) Due Opens on 3/4/26 at 12 am and Closes on 3/6/26 at 11:59 pm (100 pts)

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.