Pre-Nursing Course Descriptions
BIO 201 - General Biology: Cells, Genetics & Evolution
4 Credits
An in-depth study of the basic concepts of biology including cellular organization
and function, Mendelian and molecular genetics, and Darwinian evolution. This course
is designed to provide a foundation for advanced study in the biological sciences;
laboratory included.
BIO 202 - General Biology: Botany, Zoology & Ecology
4 Credits
A survey of botany, zoology, and ecology; this lab based course will introduce students
to current scientific research in these fields. Moving from basic understandings,
students will begin to practice botany and ecology in an applied manner and learn
to clearly communicate the results of that work, laboratory included.
BIO 203 - General Biology: Anatomy & Physiology
4 Credits
This course provides a basis of the structure and function of all major organ systems
and their integration. This course is designed to provide a foundation for advanced
study in the biological sciences; laboratory included.
BIO 210 - Biotechnology: A Laboratory Skills Course
4 Credits
This course is a comprehensive introduction to biotechnology; the applied technology
of biological systems in scientific research and industrial processes. It begins with
a review of laboratory skills essential to the use of biotechnology, including safety,
keeping laboratory notebooks, measuring volume and mass, making solutions, writing
Standard Operating Procedures.
Fundamental biotechniques covered includes DNA electrophoresis, restriction digest,
DNA quantification, bacterial transformation, expression and purification of recombinant
proteins, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Bradford protein assay, SDS-polyacrylamide
gel electrophoresis, western blotting, and ELISA. The course concludes with the selection,
experimental design, data analysis, and communication of research project ideas. Ancillary
topics include bioethics and biotech careers vignettes.
Prerequisites: BIO 201, CHM 109.
BIO 227 - Microbiology
4 Credits
A comprehensive study of the morphology, physiology, and genetics of algae, bacteria,
fungi, protozoa, and viruses (primary emphasis on bacteria). Included laboratory emphasizes
sterile culture techniques and identification of unknown cultures.
Prerequisite: BIO 201. Co-requisite: CHM 110.
BIO 252 - Human Nutrition
3 Credits
A study of the biological foundations of nutrition, its biological and physiological
phenomena and its association with health issues, laboratory included.
Prerequisites: BIO 201, BIO 203, and CHM 109.
BIO 341 - Human Anatomy
4 Credits
A system-based study of the human anatomy. Includes a cadaver-based laboratory exploration
of human gross anatomy.
Prerequisite: BIO 203.
BIO 342 - Human Physiology
4 Credits
An examination of the major physiological systems, their function, and their integration,
which includes the nervous, muscular, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, renal,
digestive, and reproductive systems. Laboratory included.
Prerequisite: BIO 203. Co-requisite: CHM 110. Not open to students with credit for
BIO 242.
BIO 366 - Genetics
4 Credits
A survey of major principles of Mendelian, molecular, and population genetics and
the societal issues raised by recent advances in this field; laboratory included.
Prerequisite: BIO 201.
BIO 469 - Cell & Molecular Biology
4 Credits
A study of processes common to life at the cellular level including: biochemical and
structural organizations, membrane function, motility, signal transduction, growth,
division and genetic regulation of the cell.
Prerequisites: BIO 201and 203.
CHM 109 - General Chemistry I
4 Credits
Foundations of chemistry for Science majors. Topics include atomic structure, chemical
bonding, stoichiometry, phases of matter, chemical energetics, molecular geometry;
includes laboratory.
Co-requisite: MTH 102 or equivalent placement.
CHM 110 - General Chemistry II
4 Credits
Continuation of basic principles of chemistry: solutions, equilibria; acids and bases;
electrochemistry; nuclear chemistry; descriptive inorganic and organic chemistry.
Laboratory experiments in conjunction with the theory.
Prerequisite: CHM 109 with a minimum grade of C.
CHM 229 - Organic Chemistry I
4 Credits
A study of the fundamental theory and laboratory techniques of organic chemistry.
Topics include reactions of functional groups, reaction theory, and stereochemistry.
Prerequisite: CHM 110. Co-requisite: BIO 201.
CHM 451 - Biochemistry
4 Credits
Advanced study of the molecular basis of biological systems emphasizing the relationship
between structure and properties, energetics, kinetics, and metabolic pathways. Laboratory
included.
Prerequisites: BIO 201; CHM 229.
CORE 179B - CORE: Borders & Transitions
3 Credits
Aware of ever evolving socio-political, scientific, global, and personal environments
and as inhabitants of “border areas,” this course will look at how we interpret, live
and cross such 'borders' as going from High School to College or one’s culture to
another. The course will explore how individuals manage borders between themselves
and another, themselves and God, or between their inner faith and its outward manifestation.
The course includes insights from sociology, psychology, theology, education; among
others.
CORE 179K - CORE: Virtues & Vices
3 Credits
Human beings are social beings who live within cultures. All cultures include values,
standards for what is seen as good and what is seen as evil. Are there any values
common to all cultures in all times and all places? Do values vary according to time
and place? What is the significance of value differences among subcultures and contracultures?
What are the major values taught by the major religious traditions including Christianity,
Judaism, and Islam?
ENG 110 - College Writing I
3 Credits
This course emphasizes the strategies students need for writing and thinking across
the curriculum. By practicing writing strategies such as argumentation, researched
writing (or writing with sources), summary, analysis, comparison and contrast, definition,
students will build the skills needed to succeed as college writers. Each section
will focus on a specific theme. Themes from previous classes have included the following:
American identity, family, love, the politics of food, Native American culture, and
biography.
This course does not fulfill the literature requirement for the Core. Not open to
students with credit for ENG 101.
EXSC 125 - Introduction to Exercise, Health & Nutrition
3 Credits
This course will examine the components that contribute to the concept of health and
wellness. Theories and principles of health promotion and disease prevention on local,
national, and international levels will be explored.
Topics to be covered include health beliefs and behaviors, community health, Healthy
People 2010, fitness, mental health, stress management, nutrition, disease prevention,
drug usage, cultural differences, and health promotion. Content will be applied in
education situations.
Not open to students with credit for PEH 125.
MTH 140 - Introduction to Statistics
3 Credits
An introduction to the basic concepts and computations used in statistical analysis
as well as their application to problems in other disciplines, especially biology,
business, education, and social sciences. Topics include the description of data graphically
and numerically, the collection of data via samples and experiments, and the process
of drawing inferences or conclusions from data.
The laboratory component of the course emphasizes conceptual understanding, interpretation
of statistical quantities, and written/oral communication and will require the use
of mathematical software.
Prerequisite: MTH 102 or placement.
MTH 240 - Calculus I
4 Credits
Topics include relations and functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, Mean Value
Theorem, extrema, curve sketching, related rates, differentiation of exponential,
logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, introduction to Integral Calculus, the fundamental
theorems of Calculus, elementary methods of integration, and applications. The laboratory
component of the course emphasizes mathematical modeling, problem solving, and written/oral
communication and will require the use of graphing calculators and mathematical software.
Prerequisite: MTH 160 or placement.
PHL 242 - Applied Ethics
3 Credits
An examination of ethical principles and their application to ethical issues. Specific
areas of application announced when the course is offered.
Prerequisites: For two-credit sections, one prior PHL course other than PHL 101.
PHL 243 - Bioethics
3 Credits
An examination of ethical principles and their applications to ethical issues in medicine,
health care, and biological sciences. Not open to students with credit in PHL 348B.
PSY 100 - Introduction to Psychology
3 Credits
A survey course on the basic principles of psychology and their applications to human
behavior and social problems. Multiple perspectives emerging from different philosophical
and sociohistorical contexts are used to examine domains of human thought and behavior.
Topics include research methods, human development, gender differences, learning and
cognition, psychobiology, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, methods of treatment,
and the impact of social situations and culture on behavior
PSY 224 - Human Development: Lifespan
3 Credits
A broad overview of theory, research, and applications in human psychological development
from conception to death. Using the lifespan developmental perspective, patterns of
growth, change, and stability in various domains of development (e.g., physical, cognitive,
social, and personality) 251 are examined. Furthermore, the interaction of domains
within the context in which development occurs is emphasized (e.g., the interaction
of biological, psychological, and sociological factors within a sociohistorical context).
This course is for non-psychology majors.
Prerequisite: PSY 100.
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
3 Credits
A survey of the basic concepts of the sociological analysis of human behavior. Topics
include culture and socialization; deviance and social control; stratification and
social class; inequalities of gender, race, ethnicity, and class; collective behavior
and social change; and the role of social institutions in society including family,
health care, education, religion, politics, and the economy.
Some sections may include a service-learning component. This course fulfills the diversity,
global, and multicultural requirement.
THL 315 - Introduction to Spirituality
3 Credits
A study of the characteristics and forms of spirituality with emphasis on the Christian
experience.
Prerequisite: One of the following courses: THL 106, THL 107, or THL 225. Not open
to students with credit for THL 115.
THL 343 - World Religions
3 Credits
An overview of the major religions of the world, their history, and their oral traditions
and written scriptures. The course includes the perspective of the Catholic Church
on inter-religious dialogue.