Online Prerequisites for Entry to Nursing

This undergraduate-level introductory course provides an overview of the science of nutrition and nutrition's relationship to health promotion and disease prevention. The primary focus is on the essential macronutrients and micronutrients, including their chemical structures, food sources, digestion and absorption, metabolism, storage, and excretion. Students develop the skills to evaluate dietary patterns and to estimate caloric requirements and nutrient needs using tools such as Dietary Guidelines for Americans, My Plate, Nutrition Facts Labels, and Dietary Reference Intakes. 

This undergraduate-level introductory course is the first of a two-course-series on human anatomy and physiology. Using a body systems approach, we will study the anatomical structure and physiological function of the human body. Foundational concepts from chemistry, cell biology, and histology are reviewed and built upon through the progression of topics. Each of the body systems will be studied for their structure, function, and mechanisms of regulation. The core concepts of levels of organization, interdependence of systems, and homeostasis will be emphasized throughout the course. This beginner level course will lay the foundation for further advanced study of physiology and pathophysiology within a nursing curriculum.

This undergraduate-level introductory course is the second of a two-course series on human anatomy and physiology. Using a body systems approach, we will study the anatomical structure and physiological function of the human body. Foundational concepts from chemistry, cell biology, and histology are reviewed and built upon through the progression of topics. Each of the body systems will be studied for their structure, function, and mechanisms of regulation. The core concepts of levels of organization, interdependence of systems, and homeostasis will be emphasized throughout the course. This beginner level course will lay the foundation for further advanced study of physiology and pathophysiology within a nursing curriculum.

This online undergraduate-level introductory course focuses on the core concepts and principles of microbiology. We will explore how microorganisms co-exist and interact with humans creating both beneficial and pathological results. We will survey the diversity of microorganisms, their classification, and the essential processes needed for survival; which will dictate the environments in which they can thrive. This exploration of microorganism diversity will include topics such as microbial nutrition and metabolism, genetics, and antimicrobial mechanisms employed by and against microorganisms. Special attention will be given to understanding the human immune system, mechanisms of infection by pathogenic microorganisms, and the role non-harmful microbiota serve in supporting immune function. The weekly lab component of this course will support and complement each learning module and familiarize students with basic microbiologic lab techniques.  

This introductory course covers human development across the lifespan. The course will provide an overview of development and the complexity of human growth through physical, cognitive, emotional, and social capacities. A review of historical and modern-day developmental theories as well as more complex interpersonal constructs, such as cultural variations, will be discussed. Special emphasis is placed upon examining the dynamic interplay between biology and environment with relevant application to nursing practice. The role of social and cultural stressors such as racism and socioeconomics in shaping human development will be examined. This undergraduate-level course will lay the foundation for further advanced study of human development within a nursing curriculum.

In this introductory undergraduate course students will learn how vital the study of Biostatistics is to ensure that clinical and public health practices are supported by reliable evidence. Students will gain an appreciation for the hazards of applying human intuition to probability and statistical questions. This course is designed to explore the collection, analysis, and presentation/visualization of biologic and health data using statistical methods. Students will learn and apply fundamental concepts and techniques of descriptive statistics. Students will also learn basic fundamental concepts of inferential statistics.