Course

Pathophysiology

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Biology
Course code
BIOL 2200
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
The course provides an overview of the functional changes in the body that result from disease processes. Building on the knowledge of normal human anatomy and physiology, students learn the biological basis of changes that occur after loss of normal structure and/or function, including variations due to stage of life. The course will cover the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and principles guiding therapies of
commonly occurring (as supported by Health
Canada statistics/data) conditions across several organ systems.
Course content
  1. Inflammation and Healing
    • The Study of Pathophysiology
    • Cellular Changes
    • Mechanism of Inflammation
    • Acute and Chronic Inflammation
    • The Healing Process
  2. Disorders of the Immune System
    • Hypersensitivity Reactions
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Immunodeficiency
  3. Neoplasms
    • Benign and Malignant Tumors
    • Cancer: Pathophysiology, Etiology and Treatment
    • Examples of Malignant Tumors
  4. Blood Disorders
    • The Anemias and Polycythemia
    • Blood-clotting Disorders
    • The Leukemias
  5. Cardiovascular Disorders
    • Coronary Artery Disease and Myocardial Infarction
    • Heart Failure
    • Cardiac Dysrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation)
    • Arterial and Venous Disorders
  6. Respiratory Disorders
    • Lung Obstruction
    • Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  7. Digestive Disorders
    • Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders
    • Hepatic and Pancreatic Disorders
    • Lower Gastrointestinal Disorders
  8. Urinary Disorders
    • Urinary Tract Obstructions
    • Renal Failure
  9. Neurological Disorders
    • General Effects of Neurological Dysfunction
    • Acute Neurological Disorders
    • Chronic Neurological Disorders
  10. Endocrine Disorders
    • Insulin and Diabetes Mellitus
    • Hypothalamus, Pituitary and Related Glands Dysfunctions
  11. Musculoskeletal Disorders
    • Bone Disorders
    • Joint Disorders
  12. Reproductive System Disorders
    • Disorders of the Male Reproductive system
    • Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Learning activities

Learning activities include lecture and group discussion, case study analysis and group/individual projects.

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on some of the following:

Quizzes 10% -15%
Midterm Exam I 20% - 30%
Midterm Exam II 20% - 30%
Term Project 10% - 15%
Final Exam 25% - 35%
Learning outcomes

Upon completion of BIOL 2200, the student will be able to:

  • Explain the role of pathophysiology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
  • Describe the common cellular changes underlying disease processes.
  • Explain the mechanism, types and effects of inflammation.
  • Describe the healing process.
  • Describe the mechanism and clinical effects of the various types of hypersensitivity reactions.
  • Discuss the mechanism of autoimmunity and provide examples of autoimmune disorders.
  • Explain the causes and effects of immunodeficiency.
  • Distinguish between benign and malignant tumours.
  • Describe the stages of carcinogenesis.
  • Discuss the signs and principles of therapies and prognosis of commonly occurring forms of cancer.
  • Describe and compare the etiopathology, manifestations and treatment of various forms of anemia, polycythemia and coagulation disorders.
  • Compare acute and chronic leukemia.
  • Describe and compare the etiopathology, manifestations and treatment of various cardiovascular disorders.
  • Discuss the causes, signs and effects of disorders of the respiratory tract and obstructive lung disorders.
  • Discuss the causes, signs and effects of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas.
  • Describe the etiopathology, manifestations and treatment of disorders of the urinary tract and kidneys.
  • Explain some of the general signs (particularly those associated with increased intracranial pressure) and symptoms of neurological disorders.
  • Describe and compare the etiopathology, manifestations and treatment of acute and chronic neurological disorders.
  • Discuss the etiopathology, signs and effects of disruption in the functioning of selected endocrine glands.
  • Compare the various types of fractures and describe the healing process in bone.
  • Discuss the pathophysiology of osteoporosis.
  • Describe and compare the etiopathology and manifestations of the various forms of arthritis.
  • Discuss the pathophysiology of various disorders of the male and female reproductive system.
  • Describe common sexually transmitted diseases.
Textbook materials
Students should consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.
 
For example, textbooks may include:

Hannon R., Pooler, P., and Porth, C., Porth Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States Canadian Edition (Current Edition), Wolters Kluwer.

Huether, S. and McCance, K.  Understanding Pathophysiology (Current Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

Requisites

Prerequisites

[Biology 1103 or 1109] and [BIOL 1203 or BIOL 1209]

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses

Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for BIOL 2200
Athabasca University (AU) AU BIOL 2XX (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO AET 310 (3) or CAMO BIOL 2XX (3)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) CMTN BIOL 220 (3)
College of New Caledonia (CNC) CNC NURS 202 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR BIOL 2XX (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU BIOL 2XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG BIOL 2XXX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU HSCI 321 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU HLSC 2550 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU BIOL 2XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO HINT_O 231 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV BIOL_V 2nd (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC NURS 202 (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV BIO 3XX (3) or UFV HSC 2XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC BIOL 2XX (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC BIOL 2XXX (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU BIOL 2nd (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
2
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D2009
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

BIOL 2200 001 is intended, but not restricted to, students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
8
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3825
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

BIOL 2200 002 is intended, but not restricted to, students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
1
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3903
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

BIOL 2200 003 is intended, but not restricted to, students planning to apply to the BS Nursing or the BS Psychiatric Nursing programs.