Respiratory Care Technology (RC)

RT 100 Introduction to Respiratory Care
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on fundamental concepts in the field of Respiratory Care. Topics include: history of respiratory care, time management, communication, team building, diversity, patient rights and confidentiality, professional ethics, and death and dying.
Prerequisites: Respiratory Care Program Chair consent

RT 101 Respiratory Care Science 1
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on fundamentals of pulmonary patient care. Topics include: patient assessment, moving and positioning; oxygen therapy; humidity and aerosol therapies; hospital safety; infection control; respiratory pharmacology; and medical ethics.
Prerequisites: Respiratory Care Program Chair consent

RT 102 Respiratory Care Science 2
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 101. Topics include: artificial airways, airway suctioning, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, expansion therapy, bronchial hygiene therapies, pulmonary imaging, intubation, non-invasive ventilation, newborn development, and newborn congenital diseases and conditions.
Prerequisites: RT 100 and RT 101 and RT 172 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 103 Mechanical Ventilation
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on infant and adult mechanical ventilation. Topics include: indications, assessment, application, monitoring, weaning, and modes of mechanical ventilation.
Prerequisites: RT 102 and RT 111 and RT 173 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 111 Respiratory Care Clinical Practice 1
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 8 Lab Hours.

Students practice using respiratory care skills for basic floor therapy in the hospital environment. Topics include: medications administration, oxygen therapy, bronchial hygiene, expansion therapy, and humidification.
Prerequisites: RT 100 and RT 101 and RT 172 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 112 Respiratory Care Clinical Practice 2
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 16 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 111. Students practice respiratory care skills and responsibilities in a hospital setting. Topics include: critical care and mechanical ventilation, pulmonary functions, operating room observation, and hyperbaric oxygen.
Prerequisites: RT 102 and RT 111 and RT 173 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 172 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and circulatory systems. Topics include: ventilation, diffusion, O2 and CO2 transport, acid/base balance, circulation, ventilation/perfusion (VQ) relationships, compliance, resistance, deadspace, and basic ECG interpretation
Prerequisites: Respiratory Care Program Chair consent

RT 173 Cardiopulmonary Disease
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on cardiopulmonary diseases and the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of each disease. Topics include: pulmonary diseases and conditions, pulmonary function testing and interpretation, and use of testing in diagnosing pulmonary diseases.
Prerequisites: RT 100 and RT 101 and RT 172 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 198 First Year Special Topics in Respiratory Care
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on selected topics related to Respiratory Care, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: None

RT 199 First Year Independent Project in Respiratory Care
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A project related to Respiratory Care that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Respiratory Care faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section

RT 201 Advanced Respiratory Critical Care
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on caring for the critically ill respiratory care patient. Topics include: critical care assessment, medications, hemodynamic monitoring, and critical diseases and conditions.
Prerequisites: RT 103 and RT 112 (minimum grade C for both)

RT 202 Specialties in Respiratory Care
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on specialized areas of respiratory care and emerging roles for the respiratory therapist. Topics include: bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, burn care, chest tubes, metabolic testing, exercise testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, capnography, and other specialty areas.
Prerequisites: RT 103 and RT 112 (minimum grade C for both)

RT 203 Respiratory Care Seminar
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.

Students review theory and practice in respiratory care to prepare for national certification examinations. Topics include: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), starting intravenous therapy (IVs), and transitioning from student to professional.
Prerequisites: RT 201 and RT 202 and RT 211 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 204 Respiratory Care Capstone
1 Credit. 0 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.

Students complete a research project in an approved specialty area in the field of respiratory care.
Prerequisites: RT 201 and RT 202 and RT 211 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 211 Respiratory Clinical Practice 3
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 16 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 112. Students practice skills and responsibilities for care of ventilator patients in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Topics include: mechanical ventilation, respiratory equipment, home care, neonatal and pediatrics care, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Prerequisites: RT 103 and RT 112 (minimum grade C for both)

RT 212 Respiratory Clinical Practice 4
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 16 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 211. Students complete an internship and practice respiratory care skills and responsibilities in multiple healthcare settings. Clinical rotations include: ECG and vascular testing, burn care, extended care facilities, and critical care.
Prerequisites: RT 201 and RT 202 and RT 211 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 298 Second Year Special Topics in Respiratory Care
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on selected topics related to Respiratory Care, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: None

RT 299 Second Year Independent Project in Respiratory Care
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A project related to Respiratory Care that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Respiratory Care faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section