Prerequisite Course Descriptions

BIOL 101 Foundations of Biology

An introduction to the fundamental principles underlying the biological world and the means by which biologists investigate it. Students will explore the scope of biology within the context of a specific biological system, with the goal of being able to think like a biologist about the natural world. Lab will take students outdoors to engage in scientific inquiry around the SJU campus. Fall only.

BIOL 212 Microbiology

Survey of microorganisms emphasizing those that cause disease. Topics include morphology and physiology of microorganisms, sterilization, disinfection, and specific diseases and their causative agents. Laboratory work emphasizes aseptic technique. Prerequisite: BIOL 101

PSYC 111 Introductory Psychology

Prerequisite to all upper-division psychology courses. Survey of the major content areas of psychology, introducing the basic vocabulary, concepts, principles, and theories of the discipline. Specific topics include history and methods of psychology; biological bases of behavior; sensation and perception; learning and memory; cognition, language, and intelligence; motivation and emotion; lifespan development; personality; psychological disorders; psychological treatment/psychotherapy; and social psychology. 

CHEM 125 Introduction to Chemical Structure and Properties

And introductory chemistry course in which students study how the structure of atoms, ions, and molecules determine their physical and chemical properties.  Starting with atoms and their electron configurations, students build a progressive and linked understanding of bonding, ionic and molecular geometry, and physical and chemical properties that emerge from structure.  Intended as a first course for students majoring in the natural sciences. 

NUTR 125 Concepts of Nutrition Science

This course introduces the basic concepts of nutrition. The content includes: the functions of the major nutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals) and food sources of each. The principles of diet evaluation, nutritional assessment, energy balance, weight control, nutrition and fitness, and how food choices can enhance health, athletic performance, and reduce the risk of chronic disease are emphasized. Selected topics in protein quality, vegetarian diets and food safety are explored. 

Corequisite Course Descriptions

PSYC 360 Developmental Psychology

The study of age-related changes that occur as the individual moves through life. Major theoretical perspectives, concepts, and research methods for examining physical, cognitive, moral and social-emotional development. Prerequisite: PSYC 111.

BIOL 325 Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Integrated study of cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the human body, with emphasis placed on structure-function relationships.  Major concepts stressed are how function at the cellular level governs events observable at the tissue, organ, or systemic tier, and physiological mechanisms necessary for homeostasis. Topics covered include excitable tissue, skeletal system, nervous system, muscular system, endocrine system.  Laboratory component involves dissection exercises, study of human models, and inquiry-based investigations of muscle physiology and nervous system function.  Prerequisites:  BIOL 101, 212 and CHEM 125 or instructor’s consent.  Fall only.

BIOL 326 Human Anatomy and Physiology II

Integrated study of cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the human body, with emphasis placed on structure-function relationships. Major concepts stressed are how function at the cellular level governs events observable at the tissue, organ, or systemic tier, and physiological mechanism necessary for homeostasis. Topics covered include the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system and water, electrolyte and acid-base balance. Laboratory component involves dissection exercises, study of human models, inquiry-based investigations of cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary system physiology, and a group independent research project. Prerequisite: BIOL 325 or instructor's consent. Spring only.

Nursing Major Course Descriptions

NRSG 220B Conversations in Culture: The Somali Migration

Through an in-depth exploration of the Somali culture, and through exploration of the nursing profession and culturally competent care students will demonstrate an understanding of how constructions of race, gender, and ethnicity shape cultural rules and biases and how these constructions vary across time, cultures, and societies. In addition, students will critically analyze the ways in which these forms of identity raise questions of justice in regard to access and participation in communal life. 

NRSG 341 Core Concepts II: Secondary Prevention

This course focuses on the concepts related to secondary prevention (early identification and intervention) in the care of acutely ill individuals. The primary concepts addressed are: clinical reasoning and crisis communication in the context of acute mental and physical illness and injury across the lifespan. Application of these concepts will occur in Clinical Nursing II.

NRSG 342 Core Concepts III: Tertiary Prevention

This course focuses on the concepts related to tertiary prevention (restoring optimal level of functioning).  The primary concepts addressed are: family as context, end-of-life care, rehabilitation, grief and loss, advocacy, and chronic mental and physical illnesses across the lifespan. Application of these concepts will occur in Clinical Nursing III.

NRSG 343 Core Concepts IV:  Integration of Levels of Prevention

This course focuses on integrating the Levels of Prevention in the care of communities and populations across the lifespan. The primary concepts addressed are community as client and local/global public health. Application of these concepts will occur in Clinical Nursing IV.

NRSG 314 Integrated Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I

This is part one of a two-course sequence that builds upon scientific knowledge and focuses on foundational pathophysiology, psychopathology and pharmacology concepts. The course emphasizes selected clinical models and treatments to illustrate these concepts.

NRSG 315 Integrated Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II

This is part two of a two-course sequence that builds upon scientific knowledge and focuses on advanced pathophysiology, psychopathology and pharmacology concepts. The course emphasizes increasingly complex clinical models and related treatments to illustrate these concepts.

NRSG 256 Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice and Leadership

This course is an introduction to foundational and transformational leadership concepts of nursing focused on primary prevention to promote quality and safe nursing care and function effectively in interprofessional partnerships. Students are introduced to the values, standards, and code of ethics for nurses through a framework of health and wellness, motivating behavior change, and individual and community-based health education strategies. Selected leadership concepts, research and evidence-based practice, systems-based practice, health literacy, and information technologies are included. The development and beginning application of these concepts will occur in Clinical Nursing I. 

NRSG 355 Leadership: Leading Transformational Systems

In this course, students will explore factors that influence the development and sustainability of complex organizational systems and their role within those systems. Students will be actively involved in policies that shape global health and/or health care.

NRSG 356 Leadership: Designer, Manager, and Coordinator of Care

This course focuses on the development of professional knowledge and skills to effectively integrate the designer, manager, and coordinator roles of care in professional nursing practice. Students will articulate their leadership role as an entry-level professional nurse.

NRSG 201 Clinical Nursing I: Implementing Primary Prevention

This course is an application of evidence-based primary prevention strategies to promote safe and effective wellness outcomes for individuals and groups. Students encounter practice with holistic assessments and technical skills relevant to primary prevention using the ANA Standards of Practice framework. This course includes primary prevention clinical experiences across the lifespan.

NRSG 301 Clinical Nursing II: Implementing Secondary Prevention

In the context of secondary prevention across the lifespan, this course provides the application of quality and safe, culturally relevant patient centered nursing care in acute care environments. The emphasis of this course will be on the utilization of clinical reasoning models, inter/intra disciplinary collaboration, and crisis communication. This course will provide clinical experiences for application of concepts taught in all concurrent and previous courses.

NRSG 302 Clinical Nursing III: Implementing Tertiary Prevention

In the context of tertiary prevention across the lifespan, this course provides the environment for application of quality and safe, culturally relevant family-centered nursing care in chronic physical and mental illness situations. The emphasis of this course will be on family assessment, chronic illness, co-morbidities, transitional care, and end-of-life care. This course will provide clinical experiences for application of concepts taught in all concurrent and previous courses.

NRSG 303 Clinical Nursing IV: Community/Population Capstone

In the context of integrating levels of prevention across the lifespan, the emphasis of this course will be on providing quality, safe nursing with populations to affect change in the community. This course will provide clinical experiences for application of concepts taught in all concurrent and previous courses.

NRSG 395 Provider of Care/Leadership Capstone

Utilizing knowledge and skills acquired in both nursing and the liberal arts, this course emphasizes the integration of the full baccalaureate professional nurse role as provider, designer, and coordinator of care, and member of a profession. Students are required to apply concepts taught in all concurrent and previous courses. Capstone experiences will occur in a variety of health care settings and meets the college requirement for experiential learning and capstone.

NRSG 390 Healthcare Ethics

This course directs students to re-think ethics in today’s system of healthcare, where the best possibilities for ethical healthcare in this century lie beyond traditional and mainstream thought. Students will question assumptions guided by the major principles of healthcare ethics and reflect deeply on clinical cases across healthcare disciplines from the perspective of professional and consumer.