Emergency Medical & Allied Health Programs: Allied Health: Course Descriptions

CAHS 100 The Human Body (3)
This will be a survey course of basic Human Anatomy.  It is designed for students who need a rudimentary understanding of the human body and its organ systems but not in the detail that would be expected of a Health Care Professional.  This course will not substitute for CAHS 120, 121, 122 or 123.

CAHS 101 General Biological Science I (4)
This is semester one of a two-semester general biology course which, with CAHS 102, satisfies the general studies requirement.  This is an integrated lecture and laboratory course dealing with both plants and animals, related to our environment from molecule to biosphere.  This course focuses on molecular and cellular biology, patterns of inheritance and genetics, biotechnology, and mechanisms of evolution.

CAHS 101L (0)
This laboratory course accompanies CAHS 101.

CAHS 102 General Biological Science II (4)
This is semester two of a two-semester general biology course which, with CAHS 101, satisfies the general studies science requirement.  This is an integrated lecture and laboratory course dealing with both plants and animals, related to our environment from molecule to biosphere.  This course focuses on plant and animal structure and function, the dynamics of populations, communities and ecosystems, and human impact on the biosphere.    

CAHS 102L (0)
This laboratory course accompanies CAHS 102.

CAHS 103 General Physical Science (4)
This is an introductory survey course which explores the major concepts in physics and chemistry.  Topics covered will include motion, matter and energy, atomic models, nuclear structure, waves, and electricity.  A combination of conceptual framework, practical applications, and problem solving will be utilized in the integrated laboratory and lecture course.

CAHS 103L General Physical Science Lab (0)
This laboratory course accompanies CAHS 103.

CAHS 104 General Physical Science (4)
An introductory survey course which explores the major concepts in geology, astronomy, and meteorology. Topics covered will include rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion, surface and groundwater, geologic time, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains; light and telescopes, the solar system, stars, nebulae, and galaxies; the origin of the universe; the basics of meteorology, and the effects of weather and climate. A combination of conceptual framework, practical applications, and problem solving will be utilized in the integrated laboratory and lecture course.

CAHS 104L General Physical Science Lab (0)
This laboratory course accompanies CAHS 104.

CAHS 110 Food Microbiology and Food Safety (3)
This course will provide a brief history of man’s awareness of the presence and role of microorganisms in nature and in foods.  Food bourne microorganisms are presented in the context of their continual recycling of the elements of organic matter and the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of foods that affect their growth and activity.  This study will include chemical and physical properties of food to understand the following:  incidence of microorganisms in foods, food spoilage, food preservation, food poisoning, food preparations, fermentation, biological hazards in foods, food sanitation and food quality.  Laboratory activities and demonstrations, including diagnostics will be part of the course.  Prerequisite:  Students taking this course should possess a high school level of understanding of biology and chemistry.

CAHS 120 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Care Professionals (3)
One course in a two-course sequence that provides a detailed review of the human organism, this course will provide a brief overview of the human body and the chemical basis for activities occurring within the body, a detailed review of the cell, tissues, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems as well as an overview of the human senses.  Co-requisite:  CAHS 121.

CAHS 121 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Care Professionals Lab (1)
A laboratory course in human anatomy and physiology to be taken concurrently with CAHS 120.

CAHS 122 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Care Professionals (3)
T he second course in a two-course sequence that provides a detailed review of the human organism, this course provides a detailed review of cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.  Pre-requisite:  CAHS 120 & 121; Co-requisite:  CAHS 123

CAHS 123.  Anatomy and Physiology for Health Care Professionals Lab (1)
A laboratory course in human anatomy and physiology to be taken concurrently with CAHS 122.

CAHS 125 Introduction to College Chemistry (4)
This course is for students with little or no prior background in chemistry, whose program (AS Nursing, for example) requires one semester of chemistry, or who require preparation for additional coursework in chemistry. Emphasis is on calculations and measurement, dimensional analysis, formulas, and equations, stoichiometry, atomic structure and molecular geometry, gas laws and solutions.

CAHS 125L Introduction to College Chemistry Lab (0)
Laboratory course to accompany CAHS 125.

CAHS 130 Chemistry for Fire and Safety (4)
This course is designed for students majoring in Fire Science or Safety Technology. It introduces students to the basic concepts of chemistry in a one-semester format where laboratory topics are integrated with the lecture. This course covers the fundamental principles of chemistry with a particular emphasis on the chemistry of hazardous materials and fire chemistry.

CAHS 130L Chemistry for Fire and Safety Laboratory (0)
This is the laboratory to accompany CAHS 130.

CAHS 150 EKG Technician (1-12)
This comprehensive Certified EKG Technician Program prepares students to function as EKG/Cardiovascular Technicians and to take the American Society of Phlebotomy Technician (ASPT) - Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam in addition to other National Certification Exams.  This course will include important practice and background information on anatomy of the heart and physiology, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient contact, laboratory assisting, respiratory therapy assisting, electro cardiology and echo cardiology.  Additionally, students will practice with equipment and perform hands-on labs including introduction to the function and proper use of the EKG machine, the Holter monitor, the normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement, echo cardiology, 12-lead placement and other clinical practices.  EKG Technicians also analyze printed readings of EKG test, measuring various "peaks and troughs" and determining normal vs. abnormal EKG.  The EKG/Cardiovascular Technician Certification Program includes a graded final exam to help prepare students for the ASPT-EKG Technician Exam.

CAHS 151 Medical Coding/Billing (1-12)
This billing and coding course offers the skills needed to solve insurance billing problems, how to manually file claims (using the CPT and ICD-9 manual), complete common insurance forms, trace delinquent claims, appeal denied claims and use generic forms to streamline billing procedures.  The course covers the following areas: CPT (introduction, guidelines, evaluation and management), specialty fields (surgery, radiology, and laboratory), ICD-9 (introduction and guidelines) and basic claims processes for medical insurance and third party reimbursement.  Students will learn how to find the service and codes using coding manuals (CPT, ICD-9, and HCPCS). Students who complete this course could be qualified to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) - Certifies Professional Coder Exam (CPC or CPC-H - Apprentice); the American Health Information Association (AHIMA) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam; and/or other National Certification Exams.

CAHS 152 Pharmacy Technician (1-12)
This comprehensive course will prepare students to enter the pharmacy field and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board's PTCB exam.  Technicians work in hospitals, home infusion pharmacies, community pharmacies and other health care settings - working under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.  Course content includes medical terminology specific to the pharmacy, reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining drugs by generic and brand names.  Students will learn dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates, drug compounding, dose conversions, dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control billing and reimbursement.  The pharmacy Technician Certification Program includes a graded final exam to help prepare students for the PTCB exam. 

CAHS 153 Phlebotomy Technician (1-12)
The Phlebotomy Technician Certification Program prepares professionals to collect blood specimens from clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis.  Students will become familiar with all aspects related to blood collection and develop comprehensive skills to perform venipunctures completely and safely.  Classroom work includes terminology, anatomy and physiology; blood collection procedures; specimen hands-on practice; and clinical training in skills and techniques to perform puncture methods. The program also includes lab exercises, live blood draws, work with a raining arm and other exercises intended to prepare students to function as an entry level Phlebotomy Technician.

CAHS 200 Nutrition (3)
A study of the functions, sources, and requirements of nutrients.  Emphasis is placed on meeting the nutritional needs of individuals of all ages in a variety of situations.

CAHS 210 Human Growth & Development (3)
A course for students in the health sciences that explores the basic principles of human growth & development throughout the life span.  Prenatal development, as well as physical, emotional, mental, and social changes in children, adolescents, and adults will be reviewed.  The multiple factors that influence development & shape personality will be considered.

CAHS 220 Microbiology (3)
A course for students in the health and life sciences, to be taken concurrently with the 1-credit laboratory.  The course will emphasize the impact of microorganisms on human health and disease, including identification and control pathogens, the mechanisms of pathogenicity and disease transmission, host resistance, and immunity.  Other aspects of microbiology will also be considered, including basic microbial metabolic activities and their role in nutrient cycling and as experimental subjects; biotechnology and recombinant DNA will be introduced.  Prerequisite: one semester of a college-level biology or allied health science course, and one semester of a college-level chemistry course.

CAHS 221 Microbiology Lab (1)
A laboratory course in microbiological identification and experimentation techniques, to be taken concurrently with CAHS 220.