Surgical Technologist Associate's Degree

This course teaches students basic to advanced computer concepts and skills, including creating and modifying Word documents, designing databases, spreadsheet creation and analysis, using the Internet and E-Commerce tools, and creating presentations with enhanced features and web tools.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: D132
Credits: 3

The course is designed to study the personal and professional characteristics necessary for obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. The student will assemble a complete job-seeking portfolio including his/her resume and references, letters of application and appreciation, documentation of work and educational history, and demonstration of skills through examples of student work. The course includes an in-depth study of self-marketing approaches, job interviewing techniques and professionalism as well as participation in a mock interview.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: E242
Credits: 2

This is a basic medical vocabulary-building course. An emphasis will be placed on the most common medical terms based on prefixes and suffixes, Latin and Greek origins, and anatomic roots denoting body structures. All body systems will be covered with a focus on word parts, terms built from word parts, abbreviations, and basic disease and surgical terms. Students will be expected to focus on spelling and pronunciation.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: M120
Credits: 4

Students will learn basic concepts and terminology related to diseases and disorders of the human body. Focus is on the structure, nature, causes, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology and treatment of common diseases of selected human body systems.

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy and Physiology I, or Structure and Function of the Human Body

Course ID: M232
Credits: 5

Students in this course will learn the pharmacology concepts necessary for a variety of allied-health programs. They will study drugs according to their therapeutic applications. They will examine pertinent physiology and related diseases before discussing the pharmacology of the drug. Students will also learn basic regulations that apply to drugs.

Prerequisites: Medical Terminology; Human Anatomy and Physiology I, or Structure and Function of the Human Body

Course ID: MA135
Credits: 4

In this course students will begin their study of the structure and function of the human body. They will examine topics including basic chemistry and cell biology, tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, and endocrine systems of the body, and will learn medical terminology is emphasized. Students will complete laboratory exercises coordinated with course content and including microscopic observation, experimentation, study of anatomical models, dissection activities, and a study of the structure and function of the human body. A body system approach to learning will include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, and endocrine systems. Students will complete laboratory exercises coordinated with course content and will include microscopic observation, experimentation, dissection activities and study of anatomical models.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Biology (except for students enrolled in the Medical Assisting Program)

Course ID: MA241
Credits: 5

In this course, students will continue their study of human anatomy and physiology begun in Human Anatomy and Physiology I. They will examine the circulatory, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems, as well as fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and nutrition and metabolism. Students will complete laboratory exercises coordinated with course content and including microscopic observation, experimentation, study of anatomical models, and dissection activities.

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Course ID: MA242
Credits: 5

This course has been designed to educate the student in the treatment of the disease-causing organisms that may present with a surgical patient or develop post-surgery as an acquired infection. This course specifically addresses the needs of the surgical technologist in maintaining aseptic techniques and caring for surgical patients before, during, and after surgery.

Prerequisite: Medical Terminology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Course ID: ST 102
Credits: 3

This course will introduce the student to the field of surgical technology and prepare them to become a part of the operating room team. Areas explored in this course are medical terminology for the operating room, introduction to microbiology, medical and surgical asepsis, operating room design, and surgical equipment, patient care, procedures, and instrumentation.

Prerequisites: Medical Terminology

Course ID: ST105
Credits: 3

This course will orient the student to surgical technology and prepare them for scrub and circulator duties as well as Surgical Practicum I. Topics include standards of conduct, special populations, safety standards, biomedical medicine, asepsis and sterile technique, anesthesia, and instrumentation.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Surgical Technology

Course ID: ST112
Credits: 4

This course will expand on the duties and responsibilities as the role of scrub or STSR and circulator in the field of surgical technology. Areas explored and applied in this course include wound healing, surgical case management, instrumentation, diagnostic procedures, and an introduction to general surgery and the scrub role. This course is a preparatory class for Surgical Practicum II

Prerequisite: Surgical Procedures I

Course ID: ST203
Credits: 4

This course will expand on the duties and responsibilities in the role of scrub in the field of surgical technology. Students will continue and apply knowledge gained in Surgical Procedures I and II as well as explore specialty surgery areas. This course is a preparatory class for Surgical Practicum I and II.

Prerequisite: Surgical Procedures II

Course ID: ST207
Credits: 4

This course is designed to provide the student with a clinical experience that includes a solid introduction to the operating room, and to scrub and circulating routines. This course functions to expand and apply knowledge gained in the Surgical Procedures courses. One of the assumptions of this curriculum is that the student who has passed the Clinical Readiness portion of the program will be ready to apply knowledge by scrubbing and circulating in a supervised setting beginning Week 1 of this course.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all ST core courses (except Surgical Tech Practicum II and Career Development)

Course ID: ST215
Credits: 8

This course is designed to provide the student with a clinical experience that includes a solid introduction to the operating room, and to scrub and circulating routines. This course functions to expand and apply knowledge gained in the Surgical Procedures courses and the Surgical Tech Practicum I clinical experience. One of the assumptions of this curriculum is that the student who has passed Surgical Practicum I will continue to apply knowledge by scrubbing and circulating in a supervised setting beginning Week 1 of this course.

Prerequisite: Surgical Tech Practicum I

Course ID: ST220
Credits: 8

This course is intended to help students develop their ability to write and express ideas in an organized, unified, coherent manner that reflects an appropriate awareness of purpose and audience. Through writing, reading, and discussion, students will learn to synthesize their thoughts as they communicate more effectively. Course concepts are applied to essays, research projects, and specialized writing. Regular writing and revision will improve students' grammar, punctuation and usage skills.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G124
Credits: 4

The course will introduce students to basic models and theories of the communication process. Students will learn about a variety of elements involved in communication. They will also explore how factors such as race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, and gender influence communication. Students will focus on developing an awareness of the effects of various types of communication on themselves and others. They will also develop practical skills for improving their ability to communicate in personal, social and professional contexts. Specific topics will include perception, self-concept, verbal and non-verbal communication, effective listening and communicating in culturally diverse settings.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G141
Credits: 4

This course will present students with a broad understanding of communication in a variety of contexts. Students will learn the processes and strategies of oral communication by exploring speech anxiety, audience analysis, and organizational speech patterns. Students will research, use supporting materials, and use effective language to develop and present a narrative, informative and persuasive speech.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G227
Credits: 4

This course investigates human creative achievement. It is designed to increase the student's understanding and appreciation of cultural literacy and the pursuit of humanitarian goals. Representative disciplines may include art, music, literature, architecture, drama, and philosophy.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G125
Credits: 4

Students will study different elements, forms, techniques and styles of film and will learn a critical approach to film and the motion picture industry. Students will critique films and filmmakers through various approaches and assessments that demonstrate analysis, interpretation, and evaluation skills as well as fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of film as an art form.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G145
Credits: 4

Students will examine the historical, social, and technological factors that contribute to understanding the function and meaning of art in this course. Using a global and thematic approach, students will be introduced to the basic elements of art, while learning about a full range of media used to make art, and the fundamental concepts of art criticism. Western and non-Western art is represented, with a strong emphasis on a global perspective in relation to culture, communication, politics, and economics.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G147
Credits: 4

Students will study the development of representative musical styles and techniques in this course. Students will learn about the formal structure of music and the significant figures that have shaped the various periods in musical history.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G151
Credits: 4

This course provides students with an introductory understanding of the fundamental questions of philosophy, and an opportunity to develop their own attitudes and beliefs as they seek greater knowledge. Some of the topics students will explore include what it means to be human, the nature of reality, what is truth, morality, free will, and the nature of the self. Significant figures that have played a vital role in developing various fields of philosophy will also be introduced.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G155
Credits: 4

This course will develop the student's talents in creative writing. Various forms of writing will be studied, such as short stories, novels, poems, plays and non-fiction. Works by students and others will be critiqued. Students will also develop editorial skills so that each writer may revise and improve his/her work. Students will compose a minimum of 6000 words over the course of the program.

Prerequisites: Passing grade in Reading and Writing Strategies or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G201
Credits: 4

This course is designed to expose the student to both a variety of literary forms and important writing topics such as symbolism, myth, and character. Utilizing writing as a major mode of thinking, continued emphasis is placed on construction and composition, including word usage, grammar and sentence analysis. A documented research paper is required.

Prerequisite: English Composition

Course ID: G220
Credits: 4

A study of the rules of valid judging and reasoning, both inductive and deductive, in a traditional, language-centered context rather than a symbolic context. Logical analysis of both formal and informal fallacies and of the consistency and logical consequences of a given set of statements. Logical analysis is applied to concrete problems dealing with our knowledge of reality.

Prerequisite: English Composition

Course ID: G224
Credits: 4

This course is designed as a study of ethical practices and principles and its relationship to personal and social morality. Emphasis is placed on the application of ethical theories to problems faced in business and society.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G225
Credits: 4

This course offers an introduction to the most common literary genres: fiction, poetry, drama, and literary non-fiction. Students will study the basic elements of each genre, learn how to compare genres, become familiar with sample texts that illustrate the particularities of each genre, and practice the skills of analyzing and writing about literary texts. Reading and analysis of texts will include a variety of literary forms and periods. Students will engage in approaches to determine literary meaning, form, and value.

Prerequisite: none [English Comp. recommended]

Course ID: G230
Credits: 4

This course focuses on common words and phrases students need to develop a working vocabulary which will enable them to communicate with Spanish-speaking individuals in their personal and professional lives. Although oral communication is stressed, included is an overview of Spanish grammar, phonetic pronunciation and Hispanic culture.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G238
Credits: 4

This course provides students with the skills to achieve mastery of algebraic terminology and applications including, but not limited to, real number operations, variables, polynomials, integer exponents, graphs, factoring, quadratic equations, and word problems.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Foundations of Math or placement determined by STEP assessment score.

Course ID: G233
Credits: 4

Students will explore fundamental concepts of human biology. They will examine cell structure and function, body systems, and biochemistry. They will also learn basic concepts of genetics and evolution. Students will explore the relationship of human populations and the ecosystem.

Prerequisites: none

Course ID: G215
Credits: 4

This course introduces students to basic sociology terms and concepts. Students will understand how to apply sociological concepts and theories and analyze the structure and relationships of social institutions and the process of social change. Students will explore a variety of topics of sociological interest, including socialization, social inequality, social movements, and the impact of technology and social change on society.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G142
Credits: 4

This course will introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth's surface. Students will employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G146
Credits: 4

This course will provide students with a general understanding of basic methodologies, concepts, theories, and practices in contemporary psychology. Areas of investigation may include the goals and research methodologies of psychology, the science of the brain, theories of human development and intelligence, concepts of motivation and emotions, the science of sensation and perceptions, and the current practices pertaining to psychological disorders, therapies, and treatments.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G148
Credits: 4

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of macroeconomics, which deals with the economy as a whole. An overview of the American economy will be explored through a study of basic supply and demand analysis and a review of fiscal and monetary policy to phases of the business cycle. Unemployment, inflation, GDP, and policy decisions which affect the American economy at home and abroad will be covered.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G203
Credits: 4

Students will be introduced to the field of microeconomics in this course, including theories of production, determination of prices, and distribution of income in regulated and unregulated industries. Other topics may include industrial relations, monopolies, and comparative economic systems.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G204
Credits: 4

This course presents the development and evolution of the American national government with emphasis on the structures and processes of our representative democracy, including its ties to culture, politics and policies, political parties, and state and local governments.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G242
Credits: 4

This course provides an overview of the history of the United States during the 20th century up until the present day. The political, social, and economic aspects of this time will be explored amid a variety of human cultures, values, and perspectives within the United States.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: G270
Credits: 4