Course SyllabusPhysiology


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                        Physiology Homepage


                         

                        Welcome to the Physiology course resource. This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the function, regulation and integration of the organ systems found in the human body. It is intended for pre-med students and provides an opportunity for participants to be knowledgeable about the body's major organ systems: circulatory, lymphatic and immune, urinary, digestive, musculoskeletal, reproductive, nervous, endocrine, and respiratory systems. 

                        The Physiology course resource is competency-based, using pre-medical competencies from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It uses learning resources from Rice University. The Physiology course was created with the efforts of Mohammad Hossein Asadi Lari; Jinyuru Yang; Marnie Wang; Neruja Sivanesan; and Simone Faul and was designed by the NextGenU.org team: Hugo Rojas, MD, MSc, DiplEd; and Pablo Baldiviezo, MD, DiplEd.

                         For publications on NextGenU.org’s courses’ efficacy, see the NextGenU.org’s publication pageSubscribe to our newsletter to be notified of future updates, new courses, and to be part of our community.

                         There are 9 modules to complete, which provide an introduction to:

                        • Module 1: Circulatory System
                        • Module 2: The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
                        • Module 3: The Urinary System 
                        • Module 4: The Digestive System
                        • Module 5: The Musculoskeletal System
                        • Module 6: The Reproductive System
                        • Module 7: The Nervous System
                        • Module 8: The Endocrine System
                        • Module 9: The Respiratory System
                        • Module 10: Physiological Changes due to Substance Use

                        At the end of each module, there is a practice quiz of ten (10) multiple-choice questions. After you’ve completed each module, quiz, and learning activity, at the end of the course, you’ll have access to a final exam consisting of twenty (20) multiple-choice questions, and a chance to evaluate this course. Participants have up to three opportunities to take the final exam and achieve the required score of >=70%.

                        Once you’ve passed that last test, you will be able to download a certificate of completion from NextGenU.org and our course’s co-sponsoring organizations. We keep all of your personal information confidential, never sell any of your information, and only use anonymized data for research purposes. Also, we are happy to report your testing information and share your work with anyone (your school, employer, etc.) at your request. 

                        Engaging with this Course:

                        You may browse this course for free to learn for your personal enrichment; there are no requirements.

                        To obtain a certificate, a learner must first register for the course and then successfully complete:

                        • All the reading requirements,
                        • All quizzes and pass with a 70% with unlimited attempts,
                        • The final exam with a minimum of 70% and a maximum of 3 attempts, and
                        • The self and course evaluation forms.

                        To obtain credit:

                        • Complete all requirements listed above for the certificate, and
                        • Your learning institution or workplace should approve the partner-university-sponsored NextGenU.org course for educational credit, as they would for their learner taking a course anywhere.  

                        NextGenU.org is happy to provide your institution with:

                        • A link to and description of the course training, so they can see all its components, including the cosponsoring universities and other professional organization cosponsors; 
                        • Your grade on the final exam;
                        • Your work products and any other required or optional shared materials that you produce and authorize to share with them;  
                        • Your evaluations -- course, and self-assessments;
                        • A copy of your certificate of completion, with the co-sponsoring universities and other organizations listed.

                        To obtain a degree, NextGenU.org co-sponsors degree programs with institutional partners. To obtain a full degree co-sponsored with NextGenU.org, registrants must be enrolled in a degree program as a student of a NextGenU.org institutional partner. If you think that your institution might be interested in offering a degree with NextGenU.org contact us.

                        We hope that you will find this a rewarding learning experience, and we count on your assessment and feedback to help us improve this training for future students.

                        Here are the next steps to take the course and earn a certificate.

                        • Complete the registration form.
                        • Take the pre-test.
                        • Begin the course with Module 1: Circulatory System. In each lesson, read the description, complete all required readings and any required activity, as well as take the corresponding quizzes.

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                                      Module 1: Circulatory System

                                      Competencies covered in this module:

                                      • Summarize the functions, role, and structure of the circulatory system and its components including organs, vessels, cells, and other tissues
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                                                    Module 1: Lesson 1: The Heart

                                                    Learning Objectives:

                                                    • Identify the different chambers of the heart and explain their function. Explain the flow of blood through the heart. Identify the different layers of heart tissue and their function.

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                                                                Module 1: Lesson 2: Hemodynamics

                                                                Learning Objectives: 

                                                                • Describe the flow of blood throughout the body. Describe and differentiate in structure and function the various types of blood vessels: capillaries, arteries, arterioles, veins, venules. Explain how the establishment of pressure gradients drives blood flow.

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                                                                            Module 1: Lesson 3: Components of Blood

                                                                            Learning Objectives:

                                                                            • Explain and describe the various components that make up blood, and how they can be separated. Desribe mechanism for blood clotting.

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                                                                                        Module 1: Lesson 4: Transport of Gases

                                                                                        Learning Objectives:

                                                                                        • Explain how pressure gradients of different gases facilitate their movements to and from the tissues. Explain the mechanism of carbonic anhydrase and how it allows for CO2 transport.

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                                                                                                  Module 2: The Lymphatic and Immune Systems

                                                                                                  Competencies covered in this module:

                                                                                                  • Describe the structure and major functions of the lymphatic system.
                                                                                                  • Explain the characteristics of the innate and adaptive immune system along with cells and organs involved in their functioning.
                                                                                                  • Analyze the mechanisms for the transport of fluids, proteins, and glycerides by the lymphatic system.


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                                                                                                                Module 2: Lesson 1: The Lymphatic System

                                                                                                                Learning Objectives:

                                                                                                                • Identify and explain the function the various types of blood cells present in circulation, differentiate between adaptive and innate immune responses.

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                                                                                                                            Module 2: Lesson 2: The immune system

                                                                                                                            Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                            • Identify and explain the function the various types of blood cells present in circulation, differentiate between adaptive and innate immune responses.

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                                                                                                                                      Module 3: The Urinary System

                                                                                                                                      Competencies covered in this module:
                                                                                                                                      • Describe the anatomical structures related to the urinary system and the circulation of fluids through the system. 
                                                                                                                                      • Explain the mechanisms involved in regulating blood pressure, acid-base balance, and osmoregulation in the different components of the urinary system.

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                                                                                                                                                    Module 3: Lesson 1: Anatomy and function of the Urinary System

                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives:

                                                                                                                                                    • Explain the anatomical structures associated with the urinary system and understand the flow of urine and blood through the system.

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                                                                                                                                                                Module 3: Lesson 2: Renal regulation of blood pressure and pH

                                                                                                                                                                Learning Objectives:

                                                                                                                                                                • Explain how the kidney is able to regulate and change the composition of filtrate and urine excreted in order to maintain homeostatic balance and understand how different regions of the nephron are able to selective secrete or reabsorb certain components.

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                                                                                                                                                                          Module 4: The Digestive System

                                                                                                                                                                          Competencies covered in this module:

                                                                                                                                                                          • Describe the components and functions of the digestive tract and the organs of the digestive system.
                                                                                                                                                                          • Explain digestion mechanisms at all levels of the digestive tract, including the difference and functions of zymogen and enzymes.

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                                                                                                                                                                                        Module 4: Lesson1: Digestive System Organs

                                                                                                                                                                                        Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                        • Identify various components of the alimentary canal, from mouth to anus and understand the functions and roles of each major organ in the path of digested material (how each specific organ contributes to food breakdown).

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                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 4: Lesson 2: The GI accessory Organs

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives:

                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Identify and describe the organs which contribute to digestion without having physical access to ingested food material and explain the difference between a zymogen and an enzyme, and how the zymogens produced in the GI tract are converted to functional enzymes.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                              Module 5 : The Musculoskeletal System

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Competencies covered in this module:
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Describe the structure and role of the skeletal system in de body along with bone and cartilage classifications and their macroscopic properties.
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Explain the properties of different types of muscle and their substructures. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Analyze the properties and purposes of collagen, elastin, adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteocytes, along with the influence of hormones in bone changes during adulthood. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Summarize the differences between ligaments, tendons, and joints 

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Module 5: Lesson 1: Muscle tissue

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Explain the differences and similarities between the types of muscle.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Module 5: Lesson 2: Skeletal Muscle

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Describe the properties/concepts for skeletal muscles and understand the structures making up muscle (ex: fascicles, myofibers, myofibrils).

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 5: Lesson 3: Cardiac Muscle

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Explain the differences and similarities between cardiac and skeletal muscles.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Module 5: Lesson 4: Smooth Muscle

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Explain the differences and similarities between smooth and skeletal muscle.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Module 5: Lesson 5: Skeletal system overview

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Explain the roles of the skeletal system in the body and be able to name which bones are axial vs appendicular.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Module 5: Lesson 6: Connective Tissue

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Know that connective tissue derived from fibroblast. and explain the properties and purposes of the following: collagen, elastin, adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteocytes

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 5: Lesson 7: Bone Structure

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Know macroscopic properties of bones, such as the difference between flat and long bones, compact vs spongey material, and red and yellow marrow and identify and explain functions of the Haversian system on a diagram.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Module 5: Lesson 8: Tissues Found at Joints

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Understand cartilage types and understand that cartilage have avascular characteristic and explain how it relates to healing.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Understand the differences between ligaments, tendons, and joints.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Module 5: Lesson 9: Bone Growth and Remodelling

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Explain the steps to endochondral ossification. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Describe the process of bone changes during adulthood, such as bone remodeling involving osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and various hormones such as PTH, calcitonin, calcitriol.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Module 6: The Reproductive System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Competencies covered in this module

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Summarize the definition and function of the anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Describe the glands involved in semen production and the trajectory followed by the sperms during ejaculation.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Analyze the production of estrogen and progesterone and their relationship with the ovarian cycle and the process of fertilization.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Identify fetal development and changes in the mother's body during pregnancy and the role of hormones during these processes.


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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 6: Lesson 1: Overview of Male Reproductive System and Spermatogenesis

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Understand the definition and function of the anatomy of the male reproductive system and describe the path taken by sperm from origin to ejaculation.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Understand the three separate glands which produce semen and why they are referred to as the accessory glands as well as the % of total ejaculate volume of semen each gland makes up.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Module 6: Lesson 2: Male and Female Development

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Know what could develop from the Wolffian and Mullerian ducts and which duct is most prominent for which sex. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Understand the impact of genetic information on the Y chromosome.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Module 6: Lesson 3: Overview of Female Reproductive System, Oogenesis and Menstrual Cycle

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Identify various locations and functions of the female reproductive anatomy and describe when the granulosa and thecal cells help produce estrogen and by what estrogen and progesterone are secreted and when. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            •  Describe the processes happening in the three stages of the ovarian cycle.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Module 6: Lesson 4: Fertilization and Implantation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Define and understand the process of fertilization and describe how the body prevents polyspermy from occurring. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Name the different stages of sperm and oocytes being combined.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 6: Lesson 5: Pregnancy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Describe the fetal development progress at second and third trimester and list and explain changes to the mother’s body during pregnancy.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Module 6: Lesson 6: Birth and Lacation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Understand the role of progesterone in repressing contractions. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Describe reasons for increased uterine excitability.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Module 7: The Nervous System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Competencies covered in this module

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Summarize the structure and functions of the nervous system and its components, including neurons and glial cells.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Explain action potential and its relationship with the membrane and its components.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Describe the different brain regions, their functions, and their relationship with sensory receptors and pathways. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Describe the components and pathways of the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses of the ANS and describe the structures of and the differences in the sympathetic and parasympathetic reflexes.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Module 7: Lesson 1: Basic Nervous System Cell Types

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Describe the structure and function of neurons (e.g. soma, axon, dendrite, synapses etc.); neuron polarity, glial cell, including myelination. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Explain the changes needed to generate an action potential and reset the membrane potential, including membrane depolarization, repolarization, hyperpolarization, refractory period, propagation of action potentials.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 7: Lesson 2: Anatomical organization of the nervous system

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Understand and describe the following: the anatomical division of the nervous system (e.g. peripheral NS, central NS) and describe the major brain regions and their general functions. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Explain and differentiate between the somatic nervous system vs. autonomic nervous system vs. enteric nervous system.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Module 7 Lesson 3: The Somatic Nervous System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Describe the different sensory receptors and explain the different pathways/processes and structures involved in the five senses: audition, gustation, somatosensation, balance, and vision.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Module 7: Lesson 4: The Autonomic Nervous System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Describe the components and pathways of the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses of the ANS and describe the structures of and the differences in the sympathetic and parasympathetic reflexes.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Module 8: The Endocrine System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Competencies covered in this module

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Describe the structure and functions of the endocrine system.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Explain the types of intercellular communication along with different types of hormones, their function, and their general chemical structure.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Summarize the structure and the hormone production of major endocrine glands.


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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 8: Lesson 1: Structure and Function of the Endorine System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Describe the types of intercellular communication, their mechanisms, and their effect, the three major classes of hormones, their function, and their general chemical structure, and recognize the major endocrine glands and their corresponding hormones (i.e. pituitary gland and hypothalamus, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pineal gland, gonadal and placental hormones, etc.)

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Module 9: The Respiratory System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Competencies covered in this module

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Explain the structure and function of the respiratory system.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Describe the mechanisms involved in the process of breathing and its relationship with respiratory centers in the brain and the cardiovascular and endocrine systems.


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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Module 9: Lesson 1: The Respiratory System

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Learning Objectives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Describe the major organs and structures in the respiratory system and their functions and explain the process of breathing: mechanisms driving and controlling breathing; relationship between pressure, volume, and resistance; pulmonary ventilation; respiratory rate and factors influencing this rate; respiratory centers in the brain.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Module 10: Physiological Changes due to Substance Use

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Competencies covered in this module

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Understand physiological changes in the body due to Substance use




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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Module 10: Lesson 1: Physiological Changes due to Substance Use.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Learning Objectives
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Explain physiological changes in the body due to Substance use

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Final Exam

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Course and Self Evaluation & Certificate

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