Department of Health

207 Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center
610-436-2931
Bethann Cinelli, Chairperson
Lynn Carson, Assistant Chairperson

PROFESSORS: Bill, Carson, Cinelli, James, Sankaran, Sheehan, Shorten

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: Brenner, Delgado, Leonard, Metz, Morgan

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: McCown, C. Williams

The Department of Health offers three programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.

  1. The B.S. in PUBLIC HEALTH is designed to provide students with the competencies needed for a career in public health. Students selecting this program will take a public health core of courses and select one of the concentrations from the following:
    1. PUBLIC HEALTH-HEALTH PROMOTION prepares students for a career as a public health practitioner in hospitals, health departments, health agencies, and industry. The program provides a comprehensive basic science background, as well as a strong public health foundation.
    2. PUBLIC HEALTH-ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH prepares students for careers as environmental scientists in industry, consulting firms, government, hospitals, and academia. The program synthesizes a general scientific preparation with specialized applied courses in a wide range of environmental health science disciplines, such as industrial hygiene, toxicology, bioterrorism, emergency preparedness, risk assessment, and water quality. This program is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).
  2. The B.S. in HEALTH SCIENCE is for students who have completed a certificate, diploma, or associate's degree program in such health science areas as dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, medical technology, alternative/complementary medicine, and cardiovascular technology. The program gives professionals the chance to build on their technical education already received and to develop academic competency in a related field. General education requirements and health courses are needed for completion of the B.S. in health science.
  3. The B.S. in RESPIRATORY CARE is offered in association with Bryn Mawr Hospital. Graduation from the program satisfies the entrance requirement for the Written Registry Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination given by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Successful completion of these examinations qualifies the candidate as a registered respiratory therapist. Most respiratory therapists are employed by hospitals and home health care agencies.

Academic Policies

  1. Repeating courses
    Department of Health majors who earn less than a C (2.0) in selected program requirements may be required to repeat such courses. Students should discuss these requirements with their advisers.
  2. Overall GPAs for internships and field experiences
    1. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required of environmental health and nutrition majors for internships or field experience assignments.
    2. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required for health promotion majors for internships.

REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO THE B.S. PROGRAMS

120 semester hours

General education requirements, see pages 38-44 (48 semester hours)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - PUBLIC HEALTH

All public health students are required to complete one of two concentrations:

  1. Public Health - Health Promotion
    1. Cognate requirements (30 semester hours)
      BIO 100, 259, 269; CHE 107*; CSC 110; PSY 100*; SOC 200*; SPK 208* or 230*
      * These required coures also satisfy general education requirements.
    2. Public health core requirements (45 semester hours)
      HEA 100, 240, 242, 306, 330, 341, 342, 419, 420, 421, and 436
    3. Elective requirements Students select one of the following options:
      1. General health promotion (18 semester hours)
        Six health electives selected under advisement with no more than six credits at the HEA 100 level and no more than six credits of HEA 435
      2. Worksite health promotion group electives (18 semester hours)
    4. Grade requirements
      A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is needed before the start of the internship, HEA 421. In order to count towards the bachelor of science in public health/health promotion, public health core, and health elective classes require a minimum grade of C.
  2. Public Health - Environmental Health
    1. Cognate requirements (40 semester hours)
      BIO 110*, 204, 270; CHE/CRL 103-104, CHE 230; ECO 111*; ESS 101; MAT 1110, 121*;
      PHY       130*
      * These required coures also satisfy general education requirements.
    2. Environmental health core requirements (42 semester hours)
      ENV 102*, 230, 445, 447, 451, 452, 455, 456, 460, 462; HEA 110
      * These required coures also satisfy general education requirements.
    3. Environmental health elective requirements (8 semester hours)
      (courses selected under advisement)
      ENV 250, 360, 435, 450, 453, 470, 475

 

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - HEALTH SCIENCE - GENERAL

  1. Satisfactory completion of an allied health certificate, diploma, or A.S. degree program
  2. Satisfactory completion of 120 semester hours, including
    1. General education requirements
    2. A minimum of 24 semester hours earning a C or better for each course. Students must take HEA 242, 341, and 419, and 15 credits as approved by an adviser. (Health concentration courses require a grade of C or better.)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - HEALTH SCIENCE - RESPIRATORY CARE

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 credits including the following required courses (all courses require a C or better):
    1. Cognate requirements (26 semester hours)
      BIO 100*, 204, 259, 269; CHE 100*; MAT 107*; PSY 100*; PHI 180*
      * These required coures also satisfy general education requirements.
    2. Major requirements (63 semester hours)
      HEA 210, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 435, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479
  2. Complete all general education requirements

Minor in Environmental Health (18 semester hours)

Required courses: ENV 102, 447, 451

Electives: Select three from among ENV 230, 250, 435, 445, 450, 452, 460, 462, 470, 475, or others selected with approval of adviser. A grade of C- or better is required in each course.

Minor in Health Sciences (18 semester hours)

Required courses: HEA 100 and 15 hours of other health courses selected under advisement. Nine credits must be at the 300 and 400 level. A grade of C- or better is required in each course.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL
Symbol: ENV

102 Humans and the Environment (3) A study of the ability of humans to survive and maintain their life quality considering the limited resources and recycling capacity of planet Earth. Note: Only one of the following courses can be completed for credit: BIO 102, ENV 102, or ESS 102.
Approved interdisciplinary course

230 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (3) Provides students with the training required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to work at sites where hazardous wastes and/or hazardous materials may be stored, spilled, transported, or used.

360 Air Quality and Health (4) A consideration of the types and amounts of air contaminants, the atmospheric processes that transport them, and the role of air quality in human health. PREREQ: ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

435 Environmental Health Workshop (1-6) Special workshops on contemporary environmental health issues. Topics announced at time of offering.
This course may be taken again for credit.

445 Risk Assessment (3) An examination of human health and ecological risk assessment with emphasis on exposure estimation. PREREQ: ENV 102.

447 Environmental Regulations (3) Prepares students for working with federal and Pennsylvania environmental regulations. Emphasizes use and development of Internet regulatory resources. Specific discussions and exercises related to various regulatory agencies are included. PREREQ: ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

450 Hazardous and Solid Wastes (3) Sources, characteristics, and amounts of solid and hazardous wastes and their implications for human health. Methods of collection, handling, disposal, and recycling. PREREQ: ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

451 Environmental Toxicology (3) An investigation of the health effects of chemical, physical, and biological hazards in the environment.
PREREQ: BIO 204, CHE 230 (concurrent), ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

452 Industrial Hygiene I (3) A study of the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of airborne and dermal hazards in the work environment. PREREQ: ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

453 Occupational Safety (3) A study of the recognition, evaluation, and control of safety hazards in the work environment. PREREQ: ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

455 Environmental Health Seminar (3) In-depth investigation and discussions on topics of particular concern or significance to the environmental health field. Topics will be varied from year to year. PREREQ: Senior environmental health major. Writing emphasis course.

456 Environmental Health Internship (12) Field placement with an environmental health department in an industry, consulting firm, or government agency. PREREQ: Senior environmental health major and a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above.

460 Industrial Hygiene II (3) A study of the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of physical hazards such as ergonomics, noise, and radiation in the work environment. PREREQ: ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

462 Water Quality and Health (3) An examination of the quality and quantity requirements of surface and subsurface water resources used for drinking water supplies. Laboratory included. PREREQ: ENV 102, or permission of instructor.

470 Emergency Preparedness (3) This course addresses emergency preparedness for schools, businesses, communities, and counties. Types of emergencies considered include natural disasters, failures of technology (spills, accidents, and explosions), and acts of war or terrorism.

475 Bioterrorism, Bio-crises, and Public Health (3) This course addresses the protection of the public's health and the health of workers such as first responders from biological agents that cause disease and/or death. Communication and coping strategies, group interaction, case studies, and the use of Internet resources will be integrated with response strategies, measurement techniques, personal protection, and decontamination procedures.

HEALTH
Symbol: HEA
Symbol for health labs: HTL

100 Dimensions of Wellness (3) Fundamental concepts of health and wellness exploring several health-related areas with an opportunity for personal lifestyle change conducive to better health.

103 Drugs and Society (3) Provide knowledge regarding the use and abuse of substances in our society and the impact on the individual, family, and community. Teaching strategies also will be incorporated.

104 Human Sexuality (3) Study of sexuality as it relates to self; the interrelationships with people.

106 Death and Dying (3) Current controversial issues concerning death and dying. How involved persons cope with death.

109 Health Issues of Women (3) The needs and concerns of women as consumers in our present health care system. Various biological, psychological, and social topics will be discussed.

110 Transcultural Health: Principles and Practices (3) This course examines the health beliefs and practices of a variety of subcultural groups in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the application of multicultural health beliefs and practices. It utilizes the cross-cultural approach in meeting the health needs of clients and families. It is open to all University students, regardless of major.
Diverse communities course

206 Human Development (3) A lifespan approach to the study of human development in the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains.

208 Leadership/Lifeskills for Student Athletes (3) This course will enable students to have a better understanding of skills necessary for effective leadership. It is also designed to provide opportunities for first-year student athletes to receive instruction in goal setting, decision making, academic planning, and exploration to promote a healthy lifestyle.

210 Introduction to Respiratory Care (3) Consists of topics related to general health care issues as well as those of specific interest to the respiratory care profession.

220 Field Experience in Health (1) Opportunities for observation and field experience in health science settings.

230 Health Issues of School-Aged Youth (3) This course investigates current health issues relevant to students K-12 such as drug, alcohol, and tobacco use; diseases; and mental emotional health.

240 Foundations of Health (3) Introductory course for undergraduate majors in health promotion/education. Primary emphasis on the philosophical, historical, and theoretical foundations of the profession.

242 Introduction to Public and Community Health (3) This course is intended to provide the student with an overview of public and community health concepts in the United States.

300 Professional Ethics and the Health Professions (3) This course examines ethical issues relevant to the professional roles of health professionals. Students will examine ethical principles and apply a model of ethical decision making to case studies. Other areas addressed include professional codes of ethics, ethical concerns in health behavior change, health communications, and health education research.

301 Health for the Elementary Grades (3) Provides basic health content and instructional methodology for preservice elementary teachers. Writing emphasis course.

302 Health and Young Children (3) The purpose of this course is to investigate current health issues relevant to children in preschool environments and primary grades, and identify educational strategies to increase health knowledge, foster positive health attitudes, and promote healthy behaviors such as nutrition and physical activity.

304 Family Life and Sex Education (3) The purpose of this course is to prepare the health professional to develop and teach appropriate K-12 family life education curricula. PREREQ: 2.8 GPA and admission to teacher certification program.

306 Curriculum and Instruction (3) This course provides the knowledge and skills for the development, implementation, and evaluation of K-12 comprehensive school health curriculums. PREREQ: Formal admission to teacher education. Writing emphasis course.

310 Love and Marriage (3) Defines love and marriage for the student and teaches the skills essential to fulfilling those needs. Writing emphasis course.

315 Mind, Body, and Health (3) Theories and practice of health and healing through the mind/ body connection. Emphasis on learning/practicing techniques for health promotion.

316 ATOD Prevention Education (3) This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and teach K-12 alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention education lessons and curricula.

320 Positive Aspects of Aging (3) Describes past, present, and projected information concerning the aging process in normal human development.

325 Stress Management (3) Comprehensive survey of stress concepts, theories, and management techniques. Emphasis is placed on personal application.

330 Health Behavior (3) Individual and group health behavior of children and adults at different levels of wellness and in various settings. Past and current theories of health behavior with methods of application by health professionals will be included.

331 Health Promotion in the Workplace (3) A study of current health promotion efforts and programs for employees and management personnel at the worksite.

333 Alternative and Complementary Medicine (3) Exploration of alternative, complementary, and/or integrative medical systems and healing practices, such as homeopathy, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, therapeutic touch, from a consumer and personal viewpoint.

335 Botanical Medicine (3) A comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of botanical medicines in health promotion, disease prevention, and symptom management.

341 Chronic and Communicable Diseases (3) A study of the disease process, including causes, effects, and control of selected diseases with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion. PREREQ: BIO 259/269.

342 Program Planning and Evaluation (3) Provides an in-depth study of the program planning process and evaluation methods. Needed skills are developed and experience given in writing programs from assessment through evaluation with both hypothetical and real populations. PREREQ: HEA 240, 341. Writing emphasis course.

370 Medical Terminology (1) An introduction to medical terminology using a programmed instruction, self-learning technique. Includes chart format, word parts, pulmonary terminology abbreviations, and an overview of respiratory anatomy.

371 Aspects of Respiratory Therapy I (2) A discussion of topics essential to the provision of comprehensive respiratory therapy. Topics include patient care, CPR, and psychosocial issues.

372 Respiratory Physiology (3) An in-depth study of breathing mechanics, pulmonary circulation, ventilation/perfusion ratios, regulation of ventilation, and gas transport.

373 Bronchopulmonary Hygiene (3) An in-depth study of respiratory care modalities used in the maintenance of bronchopulmonary hygiene, including humidity and aerosol therapy, sustained maximal inspiration, IPPB therapy, chest physical therapy, and airway maintenance.

374 Oxygen Therapy (2) An overview of basic science relevant to respiratory therapy is followed by the study of the manufacture, storage, and transport of medical gases, regulators, and metering devices, oxygen therapy, and oxygen analysis.

375 Cardiopulmonary Diseases (3) A comprehensive study of cardiopulmonary diseases and treatment. Includes pulmonary diagnostic procedures.

376 Aspects of Respiratory Therapy II (2) A continuation of HEA 371. Topics include rehabilitation, home care, administration and organization, respiratory pharmacology, and infection-control techniques.

377 Pharmacology (2) An in-depth study of various drug categories including drug-dose response and principles of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

378 Respiratory Technology (3) Study of the equipment utilized in the delivery of respiratory care.

379 Hemodynamics I (3) An in-depth study of monitoring and evaluation techniques including modules on cardiopulmonary physiology, elecrocardiographic monitoring, and hemodynamic monitoring. Interpretation and application data is emphasized. Appropriate lab experience is included.

380 Clinical Practice I (6) An introduction to clinical respiratory care consisting of rotations through patient care areas followed by discussion of experiences and correlation to didactic work.

410 Mental Health (3) Designed to aid persons in improving their understanding of themselves and others. Emphasis on ways to recognize mental health problems.

419 Research Methods in Health (3) This course will give students an introduction to research issues in the health professions. Students will gain an understanding of the reasons for research, designing research studies, research techniques, principles of instrumentation, data interpretation, and data presentation. PREREQ: Successful completion of a WCU (or equivalent) math course at the 100 level or above.

420 Health Marketing and Communications (3) The purpose of this course is to prepare students for work experiences as a health educator. Major emphasis will be placed on marketing and health communication strategies. PREREQ: HEA 341, 342, and all required chemistry and biology courses. Writing emphasis course.

421 Public Health Internship (12) A practical, full-time work experience in a hospital, public health agency, or company, jointly supervised by an on-site supervisor and a public health faculty member. PREREQ: HEA 419, 420, and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.

425 Independent Study (1-3) The student will initiate a health-related research study or project under faculty supervision.
This course may be taken again for credit.

435 Health Workshop (1-6) Special workshops on contemporary health problems and issues. Topics announced at time of offering.
This course may be taken again for credit.

436 Health Care Delivery: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities (3) This course will provide an overview of the organization and financing of the current U.S. health care system, the need for reform, and initiatives to meet the health needs of all Americans.

438 Understanding AIDS/HIV Infection (3) Students will learn basic information about the disease process, transmission and risk behaviors, treatment options, and legal and ethical issues surrounding HIV infection. Primary emphasis will address the impact of AIDS/HIV on those with the disease, as well as the psychosocial factors influencing partners, family members, and health care professionals. Societal responses to the AIDS/HIV epidemic also will be interwoven throughout the topics. Course format will include lecture and discussions, viewing of videos, interaction with guest speakers, and individual areas of interest. No prerequisites needed. Open to all majors.

440 School Health Programs (3) This course provides an overview of comprehensive school health programs. Specific focus is on program development, implementation, and evaluation. Writing emphasis course.

472 Mechanical Ventilation (3) A comprehensive study of mechanical ventilation, including the physiology of positive pressure breathing, techniques of ventilation, characteristics of commonly used ventilators, and monitoring of the ventilator-patient system. Writing emphasis course.

473 Life Support System (3) An in-depth, comprehensive study of mechanical ventilators and other life support equipment.

474 Pulmonary Function Evaluation (2) A comprehensive study of various pulmonary function evaluation techniques. Includes bronchoscopy and arterial blood gas analysis.

475 Pediatric/Neonatal Respiratory Care (2) A comprehensive study of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, including fetal lung development, pathophysiology of the neonate and pediatric patient, and related respiratory care procedures.

476 Clinical Practice II (4) An introduction to critical and specialized respiratory care areas followed by discussions and correlation to didactic work.

477 Hemodynamics II (3) An advanced continuation of the topics addressed in HEA 379.

478 Respiratory Therapy Seminar I (3) Includes critical, written analysis, and discussion of pertinent respiratory care literature as well as elements of research relevant to the respiratory care profession. The students culminate their study of respiratory care by designing and implementing a miniresearch project. Writing emphasis course.

479 Clinical Practice III (8) An intensive exposure to critical care and specialized areas of respiratory care. Performance evaluation of therapies and procedures to include mechanical ventilator set-up and evaluation, neonatal ventilator set-up, pulmonary function assessment, arterial line set-up, and arterial line blood withdrawal.