Pathophysiology of Human Disease

Learn Pathophysiology Online: Understand How Diseases Disrupt the Human Body

Understanding why symptoms develop transforms how you think about patient care. This comprehensive online pathophysiology course takes you beyond memorizing clinical facts to a deep understanding of the elegant mechanisms that drive disease. You'll decode how the body's systems respond, adapt, and sometimes fail – knowledge that elevates healthcare professionals from good to exceptional. Whether you’re pursuing a career in healthcare, medical coding, or a related field, this course provides the critical framework for understanding the body in both health and disease.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
 

• Describe the causes, mechanisms of diseases and the associated alterations in cell, tissue, organ and systems functions and structure
• Develop skills of observation, interpretation and integration needed to analyze human diseases
• Determine the differential diagnosis and explain the pathogenesis of disease when provided with clinical history, anatomic lesions, and laboratory data
• Describe major diseases in relationship to their etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and clinical course
• Explain relationships among pathophysiological processes, laboratory and diagnostic tests, and clinical manifestations of selected illnesses
• Distinguish differences between developmental physiological alterations and pathophysiological processes

Prerequisites

This course is designed for students who have completed a prior introduction to basic anatomy and physiology. The foundational knowledge from anatomy and physiology coursework is essential for understanding the pathologic conditions explored throughout this program.
 

Transferring for College Credit

Many courses at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies may be eligible for college credit at UC San Diego or other institutions. Credit transfer is determined by the receiving institution. We recommend consulting with the registrar's office at your intended institution before enrolling to confirm how your courses will transfer.