Course Descriptions
Core Courses:
DRSC 1301 Introduction to Rehabilitation SciencesExploration of role of various rehabilitation sciences professions within the United States health care system, including educational requirements, professional expectations and practice sites. Rehabilitation professions career planning with review of current employment opportunities and workforce trends. Introduction to linguistic and cultural diversity and the influence of socio-cultural expectations on the role of health care professionals.
DRSC 3302 Health and Wellness in Rehabilitation Sciences
Exploration of biopsychosocial models of health, wellness and prevention in both physical and mental health contexts. Integration of health-related behavior and models of change with psychosocial perspectives across the lifespan. Western and eastern approaches, traditional, and alternative belief systems will be examined. Influence of language, culture and environmental context on health and rehabilitation, with applications to workplace and community wellness through service-learning experiences. This course will promote student self-evaluation and self-management skills. Prerequisite: DRSC 1301
DRSC 3311 Mental Health in Rehabilitation Sciences
Exploration of the medical issues, psychological and social barriers experienced by people with chronic disease and disabilities and the dynamics of coping with these conditions in individuals and families. Models of change, linguistic and cultural issues involved with tertiary prevention and treatment adherence in chronic disease or disability. Special emphasis is given to the application of these principles in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, psychiatric, developmental, substance-related, orthopedic and neurological disorders through service-learning experiences. Prerequisite: DRSC 1301.
DRSC 3312 Health Care Policy for Rehabilitation Sciences
Structure and function of the U.S. health care system and the processes governing the development of health care legislation. Principles of organizational leadership given current issues facing the U.S. health care system including access to care, funding, quality improvement, workforce shortages, evidence-based outcomes and information management. Students will have the opportunity to explore their advocacy role as future health care providers.Prerequisite: DRSC 1301.
DRSC 3313 Health Informatics and Information Systems
Introduction to the structure and principles of health care informatics and the dynamics of information management technologies used in the health care environment. Applications of informatics electronic services and e-care in health care delivery, chronic disease and disability management. Hands-on experience with current technologies.Prerequisite: DRSC 1301.
DRSC 4301 Scientific Inquiry in Rehabilitation Sciences
Introduction to research designs and methods used in the health and rehabilitation sciences. Principles of evidence based practice and lifelong learning in health and rehabilitation professions. Use of systematic approaches to review, summarize, and critique scientific literature. Management and analysis of data using statistical programs to answer common clinical research questions.Prerequisites: DRSC 1301; and PSYC 1303 OR SOCI 2312 OR STAT 1380.
DRSC 4302 Verbal and Written Communication in Rehabilitation Sciences
Structure and dynamics of verbal communication and writing skills in the health professions with other professionals, patients, clients, families and the public. Exploration of health literacy and numeracy in relation to health outcomes. Legal and professional applications in health-related communications, including patient/client-related documentation, web-based consumer education and professional writing for publication.Prerequisites: DRSC 1301
DRSC 4311 The Science of Collaboration in Rehabilitation Sciences
Interpretation and application of principles of group dynamics and effective team communication, models of interdisciplinary collaborative research and clinical practice across health professions. Development of skills in identifying sociocultural aspects of health care organizations, opportunities for collaborative leadership, professional issues, and strategies for conflict management within interdisciplinary teams. Prerequisites: DRSC 1301
DRSC 4312 Professional Ethics in Rehabilitation
Introduction to legal and ethical principles in health professions practice and research. A case-study approach will be used to introduce principles, identify issues and resolve ethical challenges commonly faced by health professionals. Prerequisites: DRSC 1301 and DRSC 3312.
PRESCRIBED ELECTIVES
List is not inclusive. Credit hours chosen from this list will be dependent on the Pre-Professional option chosen by the student. Course selected must be approved by Academic Advisor.
Biological molecules, body organization, and correlated structure and function of the human skeletal, integumentary, muscular, and nervous systems.Prerequisites: BIOL 1305 - 1107 or ZOOL 2406 (or equivalent); BIOL 2111. BIOL 2111 may be taken concurrently with BIOL 2311.
BIOL 2313 Human Anatomy/Physiology II
Correlated structure and function of the human cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems. Prerequisites: BIOL 1305 - 1107 or ZOOL 2406 (or equivalent); BIOL 2113. BIOL 2113 may be taken concurrently with BIOL 2313. BIOL 2311 recommended.
BIOL 3320 Genetics
The nature and functions of hereditary material with emphasis on the experimental procedures and data that have led to the current concepts in genetics. Prerequisites: BIOL 1305-1107 and BIOL 1306-1108.
CHSC 3180, 3280, 3380 Special Topics in Health Sciences
Special topics of current interest. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
CHSC 3115, 3215, 3315, 3415, 3515, 3615 Independent Study in Health Sciences
Conduct intensive study on a health science topic with faculty supervision. Course will vary with the faculty directing the independent study. May be repeated for credit with the approval of the department and instructor, as the topic varies.
DRSC 3330 History of Disability and Rehabilitation
This course presents a broad interdisciplinary introduction to the history and development of studies of disability and rehabilitation. Using research, narratives, popular media, and creative works related to disability, this course will introduce students to foundational theories of disability studies. Students will be oriented to the historical, legislative, economic, and philosophical context for the study of disability and rehabilitation. The course explores the concept of disability within health, educational, and legal systems, and the unique perspectives of people with disabilities themselves. Prerequisite: DRSC 1301
DRSC 3331 Evidence-Based Practice in Rehabilitation
Evidence-Based Practice is the integration of clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision making process for patient care. The nature of evidence-based practice in the rehabilitation sciences will be identified, described and integrated to advance the understanding and application of the evidence to rehabilitation services. Prerequisite: PSYC 1303, DRSC 1301
DRSC 3332 Global Health Issues in Rehabilitation
This course is designed to provide a global perspective to the issues of health around the world. Themes, vocabulary, and challenges in the delivery of quality rehabilitation services across a continuum of geographic, linguistic and cultural environments will be addressed. Prerequisite: DRSC 1301
DRSC 4330 Clinical Research for Rehabilitation Sciences
Group and single-subject designs utilized for research in rehabilitation sciences. Prerequisite: PSYC 1303, DRSC 1301, DRSC 4301
DRSC 4331 Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation
This course is designed to provide a global perspective to the issues of health around the world. Themes, vocabulary, and challenges in the delivery of quality rehabilitation services across a continuum of geographic, linguistic and cultural environments will be addressed.
HSCI 2303 Wellness Dynamics
Study the concept of wellness, and its components; self-assessment of current health status, and application of scientific health, and fitness principles for the improvement, and maintenance of health throughout the life span. Includes exposure to a variety of lifetime physical activities.
HSCI 3304 Health Perspectives in Aging
Examination of the lifelong aging process (physical and emotional) and health factors affecting the elderly. Course content includes theories of aging, health maintenance and alternatives to institutionalization.
HSCI 3307 Death Dying and Bereavement
Concepts, attitudes, ethics and lifestyles management related to dying, death, grief and bereavement. The course provides in-depth knowledge of the medical, financial, physical, legal and social implications of death and dying as related to health promotion and wellness.
HSCI 3312 Theories and Methods of Health Behavior Change
An introduction to the major theories, techniques, and methods of behavior change as they relate to health. Examines the change process as well as ways of motivating and maintaining positive behavior change. Includes discussion of the major behavioral theories.
SOCI 3362 Medical Sociology
Cultural factors in medical beliefs and practices; professionalization of medical practitioners; group factors in medical practice and medical care programs. Recommended background: SOCI 1301.
PSYC 3201/3101 Gen Experimental Psychology and lab
Introduction to the planning and execution of experiments in psychology and the analysis and interpretation of data.Prerequisite: (PSYC 1301 w/D or better ) AND (PSYC 1303 w/D or better ) AND (MATH 1320 w/D or better)
PSYC 3331 Cross Cultural Psychology
This course focuses on how culture affects the thoughts and behavior of individuals and small groups. Specific issues covered vary but may include defining culture, cross-cultural research methods, and identification of cultural differences and cultural universals.Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 2302 w/D or better)
PSYC 3347 Behavior Modification
A review of the application of experimental principles of learning for behavior change. Topics include: applications of classical, operant, and cognitive learning in clinical, educational, family, and socio-cultural settings.Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)
PSYC 3350 Health Psychology
Introduces students to the concepts, theory, and research that comprise health psychology. Emphasis is placed on understanding the relationships among psychological and behavioral factors, and psychological well-being, wellness, and disease. Prerequisite: PSYC 3201 and PSYC 3101.
WS 3394 Gender, Health and Medicine
Students investigate gendered health issues from a variety of perspectives, and take a historical look at how health treatments have differed based on gender. Key questions examined include: What are the realtionships between gender, health, and medicine; what are the issues for women as patients and healers; and what role does sexism, racism, classism, etc. play in the development and delivery of healthcare in the U.S.?
ANTH 4346 Health/Illness/Cross Cultural Perspectives
Global processes – such as migration, urbanization, environmental change, and economic interdependence – spread diseases and later health conditions. To deal with these challenges, new ways of thinking about health are demanded. This course explores health and disease in global terms, with special focus on the most vulnerable. It covers issues such as the causes and consequences of health disparities, how global processes play out in local communities, and how cross-cultural perspectives can help us understand and address disease. Recommended background: ANTH 1302 or SOCI 1301. (ANTH 4346 is the same course as SOCI 4346.)