The Department of Respiratory Therapy has adopted the career ladder model as the basis for accepting RRTs into the baccalaureate degree completion program. Registered respiratory therapists may advance their education while minimizing duplication of knowledge and skills. Students are required to complete 129 total hours for the degree, with a minimum of 33 credits earned in the Respiratory Therapy department.

Plan of Study by Semester

The plan of study provides a detailed look by semester at the recommended timing for completing each course in the program.

Program of Study

Course Descriptions

BIOL 1107 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I

Prerequisite: eligibility for ENGL 1101
Elements of chemistry, cell structure and function, DNA and protein synthesis, biotechnology, bioenergetics, evolution and diversity of life, experimental design and data analysis.

BIOL 1108 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II

Prerequisite BIOL 1107 (minimum grade of C) or BIOL 1107H (minimum grade of C)
Diversity of life, Mendelian and human genetics, evolutionary biology, principles of ecology, experimental design and data analysis.

BIOL 2081 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in BIOL 1107, BIOL 1107H, CHEM 1151, CHEM 1211 or CHEM 1010
Gross anatomy, histology and physiology of human organ systems. (Non-majors course intended for health professions students.)

BIOL 2082 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II

Prerequisite: BIOL 2081 (minimum grade of C)
A continuation of BIOL 2081. Anatomy, histology and physiology of human organ systems. (Non-majors course intended for health professions students.)

BIOL 2275 MICROORGANISMS & DISEASE

Prerequisite: BIOL 2082 (minimum grade of C)
Morphology, genetics, physiology and public health importance of microorganisms, with emphasis on bacterial pathogens. (Non-majors course intended for health professions students.)

CHEM 1151 SURVEY OF CHEMISTRY I

Prerequisite: eligibility for MATH 1111
First course in a two-semester sequence covering elementary principles of general, organic and biochemistry designed for allied health profession majors.

CHEM 1152 SURVEY OF CHEMISTRY I

Prerequisite: CHEM 1151
Second course in a two-semester sequence covering elementary principles of general, organic and biochemistry designed for allied health profession majors.

CHEM 1211 PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I

Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 1111 or eligibility for MATH 1113
First course in a two-semester sequence covering the fundamental principles and applications of chemistry designed for science majors. Topics include composition of matter, nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding and molecular geometries, stoichiometry, properties of solids, liquids, gases, acids and bases, thermochemistry and periodic relations. The lab reinforces these topics.

CHEM 1212 PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY II

Prerequisite: CHEM 1211 (minimum grade of C) and MATH 1111
Second course in a two-semester sequence covering the fundamental principles and applications of chemistry designed for science majors. Topics include solutions, thermodynamics, equilibria, kinetics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, descriptive inorganic chemistry and introduction to organic chemistry and polymers. The lab reinforces these topics.

HLPR 2000 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102 and MATH 2200 and either MATH 1101 or MATH 1111
Introduction to the methods of scientific research in the health professions. Steps of the research process, critique or research reports and completion of literature review.

HSCC 2200 HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
Introduces students to fundamental communication principles, focusing on developing the skills required to effectively present and convey professional and health-related information to diverse audiences. The course focuses on oral skills, written skills, organizational skills and communication skills involving new technology and media.

HSCC 2300 MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH INFORMATION

Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
A survey of commonly used computer applications in the health sciences, focusing on the effective use and communication of healthcare data and information.

HSCP 2000 ETHICAL THEORIES/MORAL ISSUES IN HEALTH

Theories and issues in the ethics of public health, healthcare and health promotion. Contemporary issues, such as health bioethics, DNA manipulation, contraception and end-of-life decisions.

MATH 2200 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS

Prerequisites: 1001 or MATH 1101 or MATH 1111
Measure of central tendency and dispersion, probability distributions, inferences concerning means and proportions, goodness of fit, correlation and linear regression.

PHSC1211 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Prerequisite: eligibility for MATH 1111
Fundamental concepts, laws and theories of physics. For non-science majors interested in a quantitative survey of the physics underlying the universe, including motion, energy, electricity and astronomy.

PHYS1111K INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS I

Prerequisite: MATH 1113 with a grade of C or better
Introductory mechanics, thermodynamics and waves using elementary algebra and trigonometry. Includes laboratory investigation of these concepts.

PHYS1112K INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS II

Prerequisite: PHYS 1111K (minimum grade of C)
Introductory electromagnetism, optics and modern physics using elementary algebra and trigonometry. Includes laboratory investigation of these concepts.

PHYS2211K PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I

Prerequisite: MATH 1161 (minimum grade of C)
Introductory mechanics, thermodynamics and waves using elementary differential calculus. Includes laboratory investigation of these concepts.

PHYS2212K PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II

Prerequisite: PHYS 2211K (minimum grade of C) and MATH 2072
Introductory electromagnetism, optics and modern physics using elementary differential and integral calculus. Includes laboratory investigation of these concepts.

RESP 2110 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY 3-0-3

Prerequisite: ENGL 1101 The language of medicine and healthcare: word construction, definitions, spelling, abbreviations, symbols and information technology systems. Development of ability to comprehend and discuss medical records and professional journals. Development of effective written and oral communication skills.

RESP 3210 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 3-0-3

Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head
Principles of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, dynamics, drug interactions and toxicology, emphasizing drug groups used in treatment of cardiopulmonary disease.

RESP 3315 PRINCIPLES OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION 2-3-3

Prerequisites: RESP 3210 or Permission of Department Head.
Student focus on the operating principles of ventilators used in critical care. Pneumatic and electronic circuits, setting the control panel, phasing the respiratory cycle, ventilator modes, alarms and troubleshooting will be emphasized.

RESP 3400 CARDIOPULMONARY ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 3-0-3

Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head.
Emphasis on cardiopulmonary disease resulting from the most commonly seen illnesses in the region; microbiologically mediated disease (including agents, etiology, and issues related to bioterror); trauma; and lifestyle issues, such as both indoor and outdoor air quality, sleep disordered breathing and obesity.

RESP 3700 INTRODUCTION TO ADVANCED PRACTICE IN RESPIRATORY CARE 3-0-3

Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head.
This transitional course is designed to allow students who are entering the program to learn the essentials of scholarly inquiry as they conduct basic research in respiratory therapy.

RESP 4110 ADVANCED VENTILATORY SUPPORT 2-3-3

Prerequisite: RESP 3400 or Permission of Department Head.
Case-oriented approach to management of the ventilator dependent patient. Patient assessment and modification of the care plan based on patient response.

RESP 4130 PERINATAL CARE 3-3-4

Prerequisite: RESP 3400 or Permission of Department Head.
Care of the pediatric and neonatal patient in the critical care environment. Patient assessment and initiation and modification of the care plan based on patient response.

RESP 4140 CARDIOPULMONARY MEDICINE 3-0-3

Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head.
A problem-solving approach to the pathophysiology and medical management of cardiopulmonary problems encountered in the hospital setting.

RESP 4215 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN RESPIRATORY CARE 3-0-3

Prerequisites: RESP 3400 or Permission of Department Head.
A senior capstone course with emphasis on the economics of healthcare, fundamental principles of management and leadership, applied research and legal issues.

RESP 4700 PRECEPTORSHIP IN CARDIOPULMONARY CARE 6-0-6

Prerequisite: RESP 3400 or Permission of Department Head.
Curriculum provides professional preceptor training program for degree completion candidates. The course is designed to encourage preceptor practice and encourage graduates to serve as mentors and clinical preceptors at their home facility. Specialized training as preceptor for asthma education or sleep disorders specialty credential is encouraged.