NURS 5230 280: Advanced Pathophysiology I

Generative AI Policy

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Grammarly AI, Quillbot, Bard, Copilot, Jasper, or any other text-generating, paraphrasing, or content-creation software—is strictly prohibited in all nursing coursework unless explicitly authorized in writing by the course faculty. Students must complete and submit all academic and clinical coursework using their own independent work, analysis, and writing.

Allowed: Students may use AI for:

• Brainstorming: Idea generation, questions to consider, themes or angles to explore.
• Outlining: Structuring your own paper, presentation, or project (e.g., headings, subheadings, sequence of points).
• Planning tasks: Milestones, timeliness, checklists for your workflow

Not Allowed: Students may not use AI for:

• Writing or generating any portion of an assignment
• Paraphrasing or rewording content
• Summarizing articles or research
• Producing discussion board posts or responses
• Writing care plans, SOAP notes, or clinical documentation
• Creating PowerPoint slides or poster content
• Submitting AI-produced text (even if “heavily edited”) as your own
• Producing reference pages
• Editing grammar, APA, or formatting using AI tools

Source Verification Requirement

The use of automated reference or citation generators (e.g., Zotero, MyBib, Citation Machine) is not recommended and highly discouraged/prohibited to be used due to producing incorrect citations. Citations are to be formatted according to the American Psychological Association manual, following the edition specified in the course syllabus.

Students are required to include direct and clearly accessible links to all sources referenced in their written assignments. This requirement encompasses a diverse range of materials, including but not limited to journal articles, peer-reviewed studies, credible websites, and professional reports. The links should be formatted in a way that directs faculty and instructors straight to the original source, allowing for convenient verification of citations. It is essential that students take the time to double-check their links to guarantee that they lead directly to the content cited, thereby enhancing the overall quality and trustworthiness of their work.

Failure to adhere to the above policy will result in the following consequences:

Point Deductions

• Any assignments with broken or non-functional links will receive point deductions, impacting the overall grade as dictated by the lead faculty.

Exclusion of References

• References that cannot be verified due to missing or incorrect links, screenshots, or lack of URLs/DOIs will not be counted toward the assignment's reference requirements.

Reduced Academic Integrity

• Failure to properly format citations and provide verifiable sources may negatively affect the assessment of the student’s work and their ability to demonstrate academic rigor.
• Repeated or serious violations of the policy will be referred to the TAMIU Honor Code for formal review. This includes, but is not limited to, submission of unverifiable sources, falsified or fabricated references, persistent use of broken or misleading links, or failure to correct issues after written notice.
• Such referrals may result in institutional sanctions in accordance with university policy, which may include a formal warning, assignment failure, course failure, or additional disciplinary actions as determined by the committee. These measures are implemented to protect the integrity of academic work and uphold professional and ethical standards expected in nursing education.

Examination Policy and Guidelines

Accurate assessment of knowledge and competencies is crucial to ensure that students process the necessary information for safe practice in clinical settings. Accurate and valid test data are also necessary to provide students with practice prior to the licensure examination; most nursing course examinations use an NCLEX format, which is different from other methods of testing. Test items assess the student’s ability to apply and analyze knowledge learned in the course.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure fair, consistent, and secure testing practices for all nursing students during examinations.  The policy promotes academic integrity, professional conduct, and an environment conducive to accurate assessment of knowledge, skills, and critical thinking required for safe nursing practice.

PROCEDURE:

1. All face-to-face class examinations are proctored in a designated, supervised testing area. All Exam dates and formats will be communicated in the course syllabus.
   1. Students must sit in assigned or randomized seats as directed by the instructor or proctor.
   2. All personal belongings, including bags, watches, and phones, must be stored in a designated area away from the testing computer site.
   3. Students are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Late arrivals of more than 15 minutes without notice may not be admitted and will be considered a missed exam.
   4. All materials brought into an exam must be left in an area designated by the proctor. The faculty or designated proctor will provide students with a pencil and sheet of paper, if allowed.
   5. Students may wear coats or jackets during the examination period at the discretion of the proctor. All long sleeves should be rolled up to the forearms. The lead faculty will determine what additional aids will be allowed or used during the examination.
   6. No food or drinks are allowed during the examination period.
   7. Restroom use during testing will be documented and allowed at the faculty’s discretion.
   8. Prohibited behaviors include:
      1. Copying, sharing, or discussing the exam before, during, or after an exam.
      2. Using unauthorized aids (e.g., notes, devices, online resources)
      3. Impersonating another student or allowing someone else to take an examination.
      4. Recording or photographing test materials.
      5. Talking, note sharing, or any form of collaboration.
   9. Students must complete required computer system checks before the test. The use of a secure testing platform (Lockdown Browser) is mandatory. Once logged in, the student will no longer be able to leave the testing site without notifying the faculty or the proctor. Any form of communication with other students during this time will constitute a violation of the Academic Conduct of the TAMIU Honor Code Rules.
   10. If the proctor suspects any sharing of information during an examination, all students involved will receive a ZERO (0) on the examination or quiz and are subject to Article 7 Violations of Academic Conduct of the TAMIU Honor Code Rules. This includes:
       1. Students in possession of cell phones or any other electronic device during an examination (i.e., mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds, or tablets).
       2. Students found obtaining or suspected of obtaining information from sources other than what has been allowed by the faculty or proctor.
2. Professional conduct during testing-Students are expected to:
   1. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respect.
   2. Follow all directions given by faculty or proctors.
   3. Maintain a quiet and orderly testing environment.
   4. Adhere to conduct and professional standards during testing.
3. All exam materials are the property of the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing.
4. A student who is removed from a quiz or examination for suspected sharing of information may be asked to leave the examination area and will receive a Zero (0).
5. Any student who must be absent from an examination must notify the lead faculty PRIOR to the examination. The lead faculty shall be notified in a written format, preferably via Blackboard Email, that includes a date and time. Students are responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to faculty members of their absence. The faculty member will decide if the excuse is valid and may provide the following option.
   1. The weight of the missed exam may be added to the student’s final examination, ONLY upon lead faculty approval. Students who fail to notify the lead faculty before the examination period will not be allowed to carry the weight of the missed exam to their final exam; thus, they will receive a Zero (0) for the missed exam.
6. Only one exam can be missed and allowed to count toward the final exam weight. Any other missed exam(s) will be assigned a grade of ZERO (0).
7. Students who need to leave the examination area prior to completion will be requested to leave all testing materials with the proctor, and the examination is considered completed. Students may not leave the examination area without the proctors’ acknowledgement.
8. After the examination period, all examination materials (exam, additional work paper) shall be submitted to the proctor. Students who leave the exam room with any examination material, as a result of their actions, will earn a grade of zero (0) for the exam.
9. Examination grades will be posted per the TAMIU student handbook or course syllabus.
10. Students requiring accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services.
11. Course faculty may elect to establish other requirements at their discretion, but in no case will these requirements be less stringent than those in this policy.
12. No exam grade shall be dropped when determining the overall course grade.
13. Pop quizzes may be given at the discretion of the lead faculty.
14. The final exam must be taken at the time specified in the course syllabus. If a student is unable to attend the final exam, the student must notify the lead faculty BEFORE the exam takes place. This notification should be submitted in writing, ideally through Blackboard Email, and must include the date and time of the absence. If a student misses the final exam, the lead faculty may, at their discretion, arrange a makeup exam with similar content on a designated date and time
15. Any student with a conflict in exam schedule due to University business (e.g., UIL, athletics) must refer to the TAMIU catalog.

Email and Blackboard Messages: Official communications regarding the course will be conducted by university email and Blackboard messages. It is important to check email and Blackboard regularly. A best practice is to check every day. Not having seen an important TAMIU e-mail or message from a faculty member, chair, or dean is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action.

Please allow 24-48 hours (1-2 business days) for an email response from faculty. Although online courses are available 24/7, faculty operate on the normal university work schedule, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, excluding weekends and holidays. 

1. Describe clinical manifestations of specific disorders in terms of the underlying pathophysiology.

2. Describe cellular mechanisms that produce identified disease processes.

3. Describe the clinical course of specified disease processes and differentiate among chronic and acute manifestations.

4. Discuss the impact of age, gender, ethnicity and environment on the epidemiologic factors associated with specific diseases.

Upon successful completion of this course, each student will:

• CO1: Describe clinical manifestation of specific disorders in terms of the underlying pathophysiology.
• CO2: Describe cellular mechanisms that produce identified disease processes.
• CO3: Describe the clinical course of specified disease processes and differentiate among chronic and acute manifestations.
• CO4: Discuss the impact of age, gender, ethnicity and environment on the epidemiologic factors associated with specific diseases.

• APEA - SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ENROLLMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER.
• Osmosis

MSN Grading Policy

1. Students must meet the standards for minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M International University and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

2. In determining the final course grade, the following scale is used in percentage or point value

.3.  Nursing students must achieve a grade of B or higher in both theory and clinical components of a course in order to pass that course and progress in the program. A grade of F in either theory or clinical components will constitute a course failure.

4.  Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above to progress and graduate from the MSN program in the CNHS.

5.  Read the MSN Grading Policy found in the Graduate Student handbook for additional information on examinations.​

Note: All students must pass all MSN courses with a B or better to progress.

Grading Scale/Schema

Regular and Substantive Interaction (Note to Instructors):

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has issued Regular and Substantive Interaction: Background, Concerns, and Guiding Principles which went into effect on July 1, 2021. Under the new regulations, the U.S. Department of Education requires that all online courses and programs for which students may use Title IV funds (federal financial aid) include regular and substantive interaction between students and their instructors. This ruling applies to both synchronous and asynchronous courses, with the primary focus being asynchronous courses. The Department of Education has the authority to audit courses and programs at institutions, like Texas A&M International University, with online offerings.

Be sure that your course provides for regular and substantive interaction between faculty and students, students and students, and students and content. (C-RAC, OSCQR, QM, SACSCOC, SC)

1. Regular and substantive instructor-to-student expectations and predictable/scheduled interactions and feedback are present, appropriate for the course length and structure, and are easy to find. (OSCQR, SACSCOC, SC)
2. Expectations for all course interactions (instructor to student, student to student, student to instructor) are clearly stated and modeled in all course interactions/communication channels. (OSCQR, SACSCOC, SC)

Visit for additional guidance on including Regular and Substantive Interaction: https://www.tamiu.edu/distance/faculty/regular-and-substantive-interaction.shtml

Online Courses and On-Campus Meetings

Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter J, Section 2.202, defines distance education as the formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical setting for the majority (more than 50%) of instruction. Distance education includes hybrid and 100% online courses and programs as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

• Hybrid Course - A distance education course in which more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations.
• 100-Percent Online Course - A distance education course in which 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a course from this category.

In this online course, be sure to confirm what in-person meetings may be required of you (if applicable).

Course Structure

Class is asynchronous and students must complete required readings and assignments every week.

Student-Instructor Communication Policy and Response Time

Announcements/Course Messages/Emails
1. Contact faculty Monday through Friday via phone or e-mail, between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm. Any messages left after 5 pm will be considered as submitted the following day.

2. In the event that faculty cannot be reached, please leave a message, clearly defining name and phone number of the caller.

3. Preferred method of contact is through Blackboard Course Messages. Messages will be responded to within 3 working days.

Assignments and Assessments

Please ensure that the final draft is the copy the student plans to submit. If the copy submitted into Bb is found to have plagiarism, the excuse of “it was my rough draft I accidentally submitted,” will NOT be a valid reason. The student will receive a “zero” for the assignment and the matter will be forwarded to the University for review and possible sanction or dismissal.

Feedback and Response time to Assignments and Assessments: The faculty will grade assignments and return assignments submitted by the due date within 7-14 business days. Exams will be graded within three (3) business days.

Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette)

There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. We must consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.

Accommodations/Accessibility Policy

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodation. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), via phone at 956.326.3086 or by visiting the staff at the Student Center, room 118. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.

Student Support Resources

The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page on University Resources and Support Services.

Computer/Technology Requirements

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.

It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.

Additional Hardware. For this class, you will need the following additional hardware:

Webcams – You will need a webcam for the proctoring of exams in this course. Recently purchased laptops may have these built-in web cameras. If you do not have this equipment, it is recommended to purchase a stand-alone webcam, microphone or a webcam with a built-in microphone from your local electronic store or any online store

NOTE: Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services may check out available webcams to students on a first-come, first-served basis. To check out a webcam, please stop by Killam Library, Room 259, and request an available webcam.

Additional Software. You will need the following additional software:

TAMIU Students may access online versions of this software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.

Note: Students, if you do not own the required hardware or software or do not have access to the Internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you in finding solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, classrooms, and available computer labs. Visit Media Services’ web page on the availability of on-campus computer labs. In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.

Learning Management System (Blackboard)

Students are provided with an orientation (*eLearning (Blackboard) Student Orientation*) and access to guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services' Student eLearning Tutorial Videos page or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Minimum Technical Skills Expected

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage.

Technical Support Services

Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.

Web Conferences/Synchronous sessions

No synchronous sessions are scheduled but will inform with time if they are schedule to happen.

Rubrics (may be included here and in the Syllabus and Overview in the course)

Late Work Policy

Papers must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Late papers will not be accepted for grading and will be given a score of 0 (Zero), unless the course faculty grants permission in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to request permission to submit a late paper as soon as the student is aware that they will be late in submitting their paper. It is also the responsibility of the student to make sure that the faculty member has received the paper through Bb by the due date and time. No papers will be accepted if submitted more than 3 days after the designated submission date and time without the student notifying the faculty of the delay of submitting the assignment and without faculty approval. If the student anticipates that they will be late in submitting a paper or assignment, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the course faculty to develop a plan and date for when the assignment will be submitted. The faculty must be notified prior to the assignment due date in order for an alternate due date to be assigned to the student

Course Evaluation

At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link.

Turnitin Policy Or Other Types of Assignments in Other Systems

[Instructor’s policy on assignments held within the Turnitin system.]

Proctoring

[Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor. Contact elearning@tamiu.edu for the syllabus statement and other information.] Student must pay costs required for this

Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies

At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of the technologies used in this class on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.

Syllabus Subject to Change

While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.