Bachelor of Science in RESPIRATORY CARE

BIO304   Pathophysiology*
4 credit hours
In this course students examine various disease states and the resulting physiological responses. Upon completion of the course, students will have an understanding of pathophysiological changes manifested in each body system as well as the primary and secondary effects of the disease.
Prerequisite: None

HUM205   Critical Thinking*
3 credit hours
This course explores techniques of critical thought. Issues are evaluated from multiple perspectives, putting facts, theories, and practices in conflict with alternatives to see how things could be otherwise. Observation and interpretation, reasoning and inference, valuing and judging, and the production of knowledge in its social context are also discussed.
Prerequisite: None

RRT351   Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Continued Care^
4 credit hours
In this course, students review respiratory care treatment for chronically ill patients with lung and heart disorders. Topics of the course include testing, development of exercise prescriptions, patient management, patient education, and the use of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Upon successful course completion, students can sit for a national examination to become a certified asthma educator.
Prerequisite: BIO304 and HUM205

ENV351   Environmental Science*
4 credit hours
This course integrates natural and social science concepts to explore the interrelationship of living things. Course work focuses on environmental issues problems and possible solutions. Through lab exercises students apply general principles using a variety of methods and explore a broad range of topics.
Prerequisite: BIO304 and HUM205

PHY220   Physics*
4 credit hours
In this course students are introduced to general concepts of physics. Topics include Newton's Laws, Energy and Conservation, vectors, kinematics, Torque and rotation, Fluids and Elasticity, and Oscillations and Waves among others. Students will further investigate these topics during the lab component of the course.
Prerequisite: ECO345 and RAD314

RRT362   Pharmacotherapeutics in RESPIRATORY CARE^
3 credit hours
In this course students review the pharmacological principles and practices of respiratory care drugs, with emphasis on classification, routes of administration, dosages, dosage calculations, and contraindications. Student will become proficient with the most commonly administered drugs for respiratory care as well as the clinical applications of anti-infectives, surfactants, muscle relaxants, sedatives, diuretics, analgesics, anticoagulants, thrombolytics, and specific cardiovascular agents. Upon course completion the student will be able to identify and define pharmacological abbreviations and symbols used in respiratory care.
Prerequisite: ENV351 and RRT351

RRT375   Advanced Adult Mechanical Ventilation^
2 credit hours
In this course students discuss issues relevant to providing respiratory care to critically ill adults. Students evaluate case studies using a multi system approach to identify cardiopulmonary problems and determine appropriate therapeutic procedures. Students demonstrate advanced competencies in ventilator management and critical care monitoring through use of an online laboratory simulation in RRT399.
Prerequisite: RRT362 and PHY220

RRT399   Applied Studies in Patient Safety^
4 credit hours
In this applied study, students will examine the current status of patient safety and risk management in health care. Course work will include recent studies on patient safety and risk reduction conducted by the Institutes of Medicine, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the American Hospital Association. They will then apply this information in a health care practice setting. Students will examine behaviors and practices that lead to medical errors, analyze available data regarding risk areas and conduct an analysis of risk in health care practice. Using strategies from the Joint Commission, the National Patient Safety council or other groups students will design and organize a plan to improve patient safety for at least one area of risk in the setting. The results of their plan will be presented to the class and to the facility.
Prerequisite: RRT362 and PHY220

ECO345   Economics*
3 credit hours
This course provides an introduction to microeconomic and macroeconomic principles. Topics include the economy of the United States, the role of government, forms of competition, resource allocation, business economics, supply and demand, price, banking and money, and international trade.
Prerequisite: RRT375 and RRT399

RRT425   Advanced Neonatal and Pediatric RESPIRATORY CARE^
4 credit hours
In this course students evaluate advanced concepts in providing respiratory care to critically ill newborns and children. Students evaluate case studies to identify common cardiopulmonary problems such as respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and intracranial hemorrhage and then determine appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Prerequisite: RRT375 and RRT399

SCI405   Evidence Based Practice in Health Science^
3 credit hours
The research process and its use in health science practice are explored. The skills related to data based literature searches and reading published research findings are taught. Students learn how to use best evidence as the basis for care delivery.
Prerequisite: ECO345 and RRT425

MAT305   Statistics*
3 credit hours
In this course students apply statistical analysis tools to health information management processes and cases. Descriptive statistics, nonparametric methods and inferential statistics are used to organize and present health care data. . Students also receive an introduction to statistical analysis using the SPSS computer software program.
Prerequisite: ECO345 and RRT425

RRT445   Advanced RESPIRATORY CARE Diagnostics^
3 credit hours
In this course students study pulmonary diagnostic techniques with an emphasis on cardiopulmonary function testing and interpretation. Topics include hemodynamic monitoring, ventilatory waveform analysis and capnography.
Prerequisite: SCI405 and MAT305

MGT475   Leadership and Management in Health Sciences^
3 credit hours
This course will provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge needed to assume managerial and leadership positions in health care settings. Content will include leadership styles, management principles, resource allocation, strategic planning and program evaluation.
Prerequisite: SCI405 and MAT305

RRT451   Principles of Sleep Diagnostics^
3 credit hours
This course examines the physiology of sleep and sleep disorders. Students learn the procedures used in polysomnography and non invasive treatments such as C-PAP and Bi-PAP units.
Prerequisite: RRT445 and MGT475

RRT499   Contemporary Studies in Quality Improvement^
5 credit hours
The goal of our health care delivery system is to achieve optimal patient outcomes in an efficient and effective manner. Dimensions of quality include technical aspects of care, patient satisfaction, cost of care and coordination of health care across providers and settings. In this capstone course, students apply techniques and tools from continuous quality improvement to a select clinical issue. The quality improvement project includes a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the problem, development of new processes, procedures and systems to achieve quality improvement and an evaluation feedback loop. Students will present their final projects and improvement plans to the class.
Prerequisite: RRT445 and MGT475