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Bouvé College of Health Sciences - Curriculum Guide

Cardiopulmonary Sciences
(School of Health Professions)

William J. Gillespie, EdD, Associate Professor and Chair

Professor
Thomas A. Barnes, EdD, RRT

Associate Clinical Specialist
Annemarie Sullivan, MS

Associate Professors
Marilyn A. Cairns, ScD
Carol Ewing Garber, PhD
Patrick F. Plunkett, EdD, RRT
Mary E. Watson, EdD, RRT

Assistant Clinical Specialist
Annemarie Sullivan,MS

Assistant Clinical Specialists
Joseph A. Curro, MBA, RRT
Eric B. Pepin, EdD, CCP
The Bachelor of Science degree program in the Department of Cardiopulmonary and Exercise Sciences offers a common core curriculum in arts and sciences and cardiopulmonary sciences, as well as an opportunity to concentrate in exercise physiology or respiratory therapy.

Seminar courses in the first and second year are designed to give students information about professional options within the fields of cardiopulmonary and exercise sciences so that they may make informed decisions about their specialization.

See course descriptions for more information.

Exercise Physiology

An exercise physiologist develops, implements, and coordinates exercise programs and administers exercise tests, usually under the supervision of a physician. A clinical exercise physiologist assesses the patient's status, prescribes appropriate exercise, and counsels and educates patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and/or metabolic diseases.

All students in the exercise physiology specialization take courses in exercise physiology, exercise testing, prescription and programming, clinical kinesiology, electrocardiography, organization and administration of rehabilitation programs, and practicum experiences in exercise physiology. Students may then choose an emphasis in either research exercise physiology or clinical exercise physiology. Students concentrating in research exercise physiology take two directed study courses and may elect organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or calculus. Students who concentrate in clinical exercise physiology take clinical practicum rotations in cardiac rehabilitation and exercise testing or health and fitness programs.

Exercise physiology is an emerging and expanding profession within the health services industry. Exercise physiologists are employed in hospitals and outpatient clinics or in corporate and commercial centers in health promotion, wellness, fitness, and rehabilitation programs.

-The American College of Sports Medicine has developed certification programs for professionals in the clinical areas of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation and in the health and fitness field. Graduates from the exercise physiology program are eligible to sit for either the exercise specialist certification in the clinical area or for the health fitness instructor certification in the health and fitness field.

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists are instrumental in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventive care of patients with cardiopulmonary problems. Patients suffering from a variety of acute or chronic disabling conditions may be found in newborn nurseries, surgical and medical units, emergency rooms, outpatient departments, and intensive care units.

Respiratory therapists are involved in treating disorders such as cardiac failure, asthma, pulmonary edema, emphysema, cerebral thrombosis, drowning, hemorrhage, and shock. The respiratory therapist is a life-support specialist trained in airway management, artificial ventilation, emergency cardiac care, and other sophisticated emergency support measures.

Working under physicians' orders, respiratory therapists administer therapeutic measures. They must provide and recommend specialized care and be skilled in such areas as medical gas administration; aerosol therapy; chest physiotherapy; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; mechanical ventilation; airway management; pulmonary function studies; blood gas analysis; and physiologic monitoring. All students in the respiratory therapy specialization take several respiratory therapy didactic, laboratory, seminar, and clinical practice courses.

After successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the respiratory therapy registry examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Those who pass the exam earn the designation Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science Curriculum

Quarter 1	BHS 1101, Transitions, Decisions, the University and You; CHM 1105, General Chemistry 1; COM 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications; ENG 1110, College Writing 1; and PSY 1111, Foundations of Psychology.
Quarter 2	BIO 1108, General Biology 1; BIO 1608, General Biology Lab; CHM 1106, General Chemistry 2; CPS 1112, Cardiopulmonary Sciences Seminar 2; NUR 1282, Wellness; and SOA 1100, Peoples and Cultures.
Quarter 3	BIO 1122, Basic Microbiology; BIO 1622, Basic Microbiology Lab; CPS 1115, Basic Life Support and Cardiac Assessment; ENG 1111, College Writing 2; MTH 1107, Functions and Basic Calculus; and one arts and sciences elective.
Quarter 4	PAH 1202, Anatomy & Physiology 1; PHY 1201, Physics for the Life Sciences 1; PHY 1501, Physics Lab; one humanities elective; and one open elective.
Quarter 5	CPS 1113, Cardiopulmonary Sciences Seminar 3; PHY 1205, Physics for the Life Sciences; PHY 1502, Physics Lab; PAH 1204, Anatomy & Physiology 2; PHL 1165, Moral Problems in Medicine; and one humanities elective.

Exercise Physiology Curriculum

Additional Courses: Advanced Cardiopulmonary Physiology; Kinesiology; Pathophysiology; Cardiopulmonary Assessment; Cardiopulmonary Disease; Writing for the Health Professions; Exercise Prescription and Program; Exercise Physiology 1 and 2; Research Design; Health Science Education; Electrocardiography; Pharmacology; Clinical Practicum 1 and 2 or Directed Study 1 and 2; MTH 1150, Probability, Statistics, and the Computer; Administrative Rehabilitation Programs; and electives.

Respitory Therapy Curriculum

Additional Courses: Advanced Cardiopulmonary Physiology; Pathophysiology; Cardiopulmonary Disease; Writing for the Health Professions; Exercise Physiology 1; Research Design; Health Science Education; Introduction to Respiratory Care; Professional Practice Laboratories; Clinical Seminars; Pharmacology; Cardiopulmonary Assessment; Electrocardiography; Practicum in Respiratory Care 1, 2, and 3; Respiratory Care for the Medical and Surgical Patient; Respiratory Care for Critical Patients; Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care; Advanced Cardiac Life Support; and electives.

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