2.1 Course Descriptions

The Human Anatomy and Physiology I (HA&P1) course is the first of the two Human Anatomy and Physiology courses that will help provide The prerequisite foundation for graduate health professional school. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to basic cellular human anatomy and physiology including cellular and tissue biology and organization, organ systems structure and function and an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The course will include weekly online lectures, readings, discussion posts, quizzes, midterm and final exams.

The Human Anatomy and Physiology I lab course is designed to complement the concepts covered in HA&P 1, which provides a comprehensive introduction to basic cellular human anatomy and physiology including cellular and tissue biology and organization, organ systems structure and function and an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. This lab course includes both hands-on and virtual lab activities.

The Human Anatomy and Physiology II (HA&P2-458DL) course is the second of the two Human Anatomy and Physiology courses that will help provide the prerequisite foundation for graduate health professional school. This course builds on information learned in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and includes details regarding the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, digestive, renal and reproductive systems including the mechanisms by which they maintain homeostasis in the human body. The course will include weekly online lectures, readings, discussion posts, quizzes, midterm and final exams.

This course is designed as an introduction of the key concepts of molecular biology, cell biology and basic genetics. It will cover important topics with a focus on the impact on human health, such as the structure and function of biological molecules, cell structure, function and division, including an overview of inheritance, an introduction to metabolism, cellular respiration, and basic principles of animal form and function.

This lab course is designed to complement the concepts covered in Introduction to Biology 1. Students will utilize a lab kit purchased from eScience Labs to conduct hands-on experiments. The lab also incorporates discussion of concepts and results of experiments conducted by the students. Topics covered include basic lab techniques, use of a microscope, metabolism, cell structure and reproduction, and animal behavior. Assessments include interactive discussions, lab reports and midterm and final exams.

The course expands upon the principles examined in Introduction to Biology 1, with emphasis on life processes at organismal and population levels. The course first focuses on evolutionary biology and the origin of species and phylogenetic mechanisms, then examines the diversity of life and how form correlates to function in different organisms ranging from bacteria and single-celled organisms to plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The second portion of the course focuses on general physiological principles and body systems such as digestion, circulation of nutrients and gasses, the immune system, and the renal, endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems. In the required lab component students explore these topics by conducting hands-on experiments using a lab kit purchased from eScience labs.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the main concepts in biochemistry with a focus on clinical correlations. Topics covered include structure of biological macromolecules, transmission of information, functions of proteins, review of metabolic pathways and their control, and biochemistry of essential physiological processes. Students will discuss clinical relevance, providing concrete examples of how basic biochemical knowledge translates into health or pathological conditions. This course has a required hands-on laboratory component using a lab kit purchased from eScience Labs.

This course will provide students with a fundamental understanding of the chemical and biochemical science, while focusing on applicable real-world examples and applications of this knowledge in modern medicine. Selected areas of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry will be covered with a special focus on how these topics relate to health care and the clinical setting. The goals of this course are to: (1) provide foundational knowledge base for more advanced courses in both chemistry and biology, (2) promote deeper understanding of core concepts in physiology and pharmacology.

General Chemistry1for the Health Science is the first of two chemistry courses. The topics in this course are explained and discussed in context with simple clinical applications to different health professions, such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy etc. It involves dimensional analysis, introduction to the structure and properties of atoms and molecules, periodic table, balancing chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermo chemistry and gas laws. The lab for this course provides on a hands-on experience using a lab kit purchased from eScience Labs.

General Chemistry 2 for Health Professions is the second of two chemistry courses and includes concepts of organic chemistry and biochemistry. The topics in this course will be explained and discussed in the context of clinical applications to various health professions, such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, etc. Specific topics include intermolecular forces, properties of solutions, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base and aqueous equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, chemistry of non-metals and transition metals, environmental chemistry, and chemistry of life.

The lab for this course provides a hands-on experience using a lab kit purchased from eScience Labs.

This course examines the primary concepts of the field of microbiology with a focus upon aspects of microbiology that pertain to human health. Beginning with the basics of microbiological science including the structure, taxonomy, biochemistry and physiology of microorganisms, the student will go on to apply these concepts to human infectious diseases and pathogenesis. Epidemiology, diagnostics, and antimicrobial paradigms in healthcare facilities will also be explored.

This lab course is designed to complement the concepts covered in Microbiology. Students will utilize a lab kit purchased from eScience Labs to conduct hands-on experiments. The lab also incorporates discussion of concepts and results of experiments conducted by the students. Topics covered include lab safety and techniques, microscopy, growth of microbes, and use of appropriate media.

This course focuses on application of critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills towards learning new concepts in physics and applying the principles of physics to specific problems in patient care. This course is a two-part introductory physics sequence intended for non-physics science majors. The first part includes topics in mechanics, simple machines, and energy. Many of the problems and examples discussed will be relevant to biomechanics of the human body and physical activities. Calculus is not required for this course. The lab for this course provides a hands-on experience using a lab kit.

This course focuses on application of critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills towards learning new concepts in physics and applying the principles of physics to specific problems in patient care. This course is a two-part introductory physics sequence intended for non-physics science majors. The first part includes topics in mechanics, simple machines, and energy. Many of the problems and examples discussed will be relevant to biomechanics of the human body and physical activities. Calculus is not required for this course. The lab for this course provides a hands-on experience using a lab kit.

Students will follow the role of a Speech-Language Pathologist through their impact across the lifespan. We start by defining an SLP's role in childhood language development, identifying acquired injuries or medical diagnoses that may occur in adulthood and lead to cognitive-linguistic impairment, and understanding an SLP’s role in geriatric diagnoses and patient-centered care. By the conclusion of this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of the role of the SLP and the skills required to work in interdisciplinary teams to improve client lives. Students will also be given the opportunity to view recorded clinical observations and participate in guided discussion and analysis that may be applied toward the ASHA requirement for 25 hours in guided clinical observation.

Training will be provided in using the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe sounds of American English, including experience with influences of dialect and speech disorders. An introduction to the fundamentals of the physics of sound and acoustic phonetics will also be provided. This course addresses ASHA minimum requirements for knowledge of communication processes, disorders, and differences involving the speech sound system.

This course examines basic anatomy and physiology of speech mechanisms, including respiratory, laryngeal, and supraglottic systems. A particular focus is basic science foundations and application to clinical problem-solving. The course serves as a foundation for several other CSD prerequisite courses and addresses ASHA minimum requirements for science background, normal communication, and disordered communication.

This course will provide students with a basic overview of normal speech and language development. Theories of language acquisition will be introduced, and morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics will be addressed. The difference between language delays, disorders, and differences as well as red flag indicators for a child being at risk for language impairment will be touched upon. This course addresses the ASHA minimum requirements for knowledge of language acquisition including theories, biological and neurological bases, and the relationships to cognitive development and cultural and linguistic diversity.

Beginning with a review of anatomy and physiology of the ear, this course addresses the ASHA minimum requirement for study of the pathologies of the auditory system and basic assessment of the auditory system and associated auditory disorders, including hearing screening, diagnostic assessment, physiological procedures, pediatric evaluation, and differential diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing loss. Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech, Language and Hearing Mechanism recommended.

The course surveys the major areas of lifespan developmental psychology, which is the science of individual human development from conception to death. A lifelong process, development is continually influenced by biological, cognitive, and socioemotional factors. Through reading, online discussion, and completion of assignments, participants will gain a broad understanding of normative and non-normative developmental issues across the lifespan. Discussions are structured to facilitate the application of developmental concepts to work in the health professions.

This course introduces the student to the foundations of statistical concepts. Health care professionals increasingly rely on statistics for a wide range of uses: from describing clinical populations, to evaluating pharmaceutical outcomes, and even increasing efficiency of clinics and hospitals. As such, this course will provide a background on the kinds of statistical testing that are increasingly of use to individuals in the health fields. Topics include organizing data, measures of central tendency, probability, sampling, and statistical hypothesis testing. The course is taught conceptually with minimal emphasis on the mathematical derivation of the formulas.

*This self-paced course is offered in both 12-week (traditional) and 6-week (intensive) formats.

This course provides an overview of the field of abnormal psychology. As health care policy transforms to incorporate more of an integrated perspective on behavioral and physical health, students in the health care professions will require greater understanding of mental health disorders and the latest evidence in their prevention and treatment. Through reading, online discussion and completion of assignments, participants will gain a broad understanding of abnormal psychology in science and clinical practice. Discussions are structured to facilitate the application of abnormal psychology concepts to work in the health professions.

*This course runs for 7 weeks.

This course is designed to provide students with a basic overview of nutrition as it relates to overall health and quality of life. Topics include a review of the 6 classes of nutrients, dietary recommendations for the general public, energy balance and nutrient delivery, and special considerations throughout the life cycle. Students will also delve into the specific needs of patients on special diets due to various disease states and investigate the unique foods of several cultures and how it effects their dietary patterns. Lastly, students will provide a thorough analysis of their own diet and how it relates to the recommendations from national agencies.