Department of Health Sciences
The mission of the Department of Health Sciences is to improve the health and wellbeing of all people of North Carolina, the nation, and globally through exemplary and culturally sensitive teaching, innovative research, and person-centered care.
- Exemplary Teaching: To produce a diverse, interprofessional, and culturally competent workforce of health care practitioners, educators, researchers, and health care leaders.
- Innovative Research: To conduct research aimed at generating new knowledge that advances the practices and policies of health care.
- Person-Centered Care: To advance the science and practice of person-centered care with a focus on patient outcomes, families, communities, integrative health care, health promotion/disease prevention, and the improvement of overall quality of life.
Throughout our teaching, research, and clinical care, we are committed to engagement with diverse student, faculty, and patient/client populations and to creating an inclusive and equitable environment in which to work and learn.
Majors
- Clinical Laboratory Science Major, B.S.
- Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science, B.S.
- Radiologic Science, B.S.
Minor
Professor
Elizabeth R. Crais, Karen Erickson, John Grose, Katarina Haley, Tara C. Moon, Jordan B. Renner, Stephanie Sjoblad.
Associate Professors
Lisa Domby, Sarah Hess, Adam Jacks, Nancy McKenna, Brenda Mitchell, Joy J. Renner, Devon Weist, Mary Ellen Wells, Sharon W. Williams.
Assistant Professors
Lindsey Byom, Amy Dela Cruz, Julia Drouin, Kenya Haugen, Kimberly Jenkins, Patricia Johnson, Bai Li, Shawn Luby, Hannah Hodson McLean, Lauren Noble, Hannah Siburt, Katrina Steinsultz, Laine Stewart, Sara Taylor, Susan Taylor.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Melissa Culp.
Instructors
Kristine Barnette, Randy Gay, Susan MacNeela, Wendy Ross.
Professors Emeriti
Charles B. Burns, Janice C. Keene, Robert L. Thorpe.
Courses
CLSC–Clinical Laboratory Science
A survey of topics in laboratory medicine including transfusions, forensic science, infectious diseases, and hematologic diseases.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Basic mathematical principles, calculations, quality assurance, and method validation relevant to the clinical laboratory.
Majors only. Basic skills associated with the clinical laboratory including pipetting, spectrophotometry, standard curves, dilutions, and immunoassays. Molecular methods include small volume pipetting, microwell plating, nucleic acid extraction, and PCR techniques.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. The physical, chemical, and microscopic analysis of body fluids in the clinical laboratory with an emphasis on correlation of laboratory data.
For Clinical Laboratory Science majors only. The physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine with an emphasis on the correlation of laboratory data.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Physiological biochemistry of the metabolic pathways and alterations in selected diseases. Also includes principles and applications of molecular techniques in the clinical laboratory.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Introduction to normal hematopoiesis, blood cell function and identification, hematologic tests, principles of hemostasis, and hemostasis disorders.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Basic clinical assays for identification and evaluation of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets with an emphasis on microscopy. Also includes coagulation testing.
Majors only. Hematologic disorders involving erythrocytes and leukocytes, with an emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of laboratory data.
Majors only. Microscopic identification and evaluation of abnormal erythrocyte and leukocyte morphology, correlation with other laboratory data, and clinical interpretation.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Basic immunology and serology. Innate and immune body defenses. The development and properties of cellular and humoral elements and their alterations in pathological and other conditions.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Study of clinically significant fungi, parasites, and atypical or unusual bacteria. Correlation of disease, disease transmission, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and diagnostic testing.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Clinical laboratory diagnostic methods for human parasitic and fungal infections. Microscopic morphology of fungal organisms and parasites, including their various life cycle forms.
Majors only. Principles and practice of clinical bacteriology. Study of medically significant bacteria with correlation of human disease, mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity, and laboratory diagnostics.
Majors only. A comprehensive course describing bacteria that infect humans. Correlation of diseases and pathological mechanisms of bacteria.
Majors only. An introduction to the methods of analysis used in the clinical chemistry laboratory. Emphasis on the correlation of chemistry laboratory values with disease states.
Majors only. Performance of clinical laboratory assays for significant biochemical molecules. Principles of analysis, quality control, method evaluation, and basic laboratory instrumentation are presented.
Majors only. Introduction to blood group serology with an emphasis on the major blood group systems, pretransfusion testing, and antibody identification.
Majors only. Laboratory techniques for red cell typing, antibody identification, and pretransfusion testing.
Majors only. Laboratory rotation in clinical hematology.
Majors only. Laboratory rotation in clinical coagulation.
Majors only. Laboratory rotation in clinical immunology.
Majors only. Laboratory rotation in clinical microbiology.
Majors only. Laboratory rotation in clinical chemistry.
Laboratory rotation in clinical immunohematology. Majors only.
Majors only. Clinical rotation in histocompatibility, flow cytometry, and hematopoietic progenitor cell laboratories.
Majors only. Foundation in the technical and nontechnical aspects of supervision and management of clinical laboratory testing.
Majors only. An overview of the knowledge of research design and methods commonly used in the clinical laboratory research arena, providing the basis for the critical examination of professional literature.
Majors only. Introduction to the basic principles of clinical laboratory education, including objectives, learning formats, test development, and clinical teaching.
This mentored and self-directed course provides students with research experience in the clinical laboratory field. Students will apply knowledge of research methods to generate results and communicate results to others. This is a clinical laboratory science elective course. Seniors only.
NDSS–Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science
Students will be exposed to real life clinical neurophysiology and sleep laboratory practice and develop competence in the performance of these studies in the clinical setting. Students should apply the knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic neurophysiological and sleep studies, including recording and interpreting basic studies. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence performing these studies. Students will discuss the cases, review waveforms, and identify events with clinical mentors.
This course provides a concentrated study of anatomy and physiology essential to the practice of neurodiagnostics and polysomnography. Emphasis is placed on the physiology of the nervous, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems and basic pharmacological principles. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in concepts through written evaluation.
This course introduces fundamental concepts of NDSS equipment and recording of bio-electric potentials. Topics include concepts of basic electronics and instrumentation, key features of recording bio-electric potentials, function and application of neurodiagnostic equipment, construction of montages, display mechanisms, limitations of the recordings and essential clinical settings for the recording. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate basic competence in understanding neurodiagnostics and polysomnography and bio potentials.
This course provides practical application of theories covered in the basic instrumentation course. Emphasis is placed on NDSS procedures. Students will have a hands-on laboratory practice and develop competence, knowledge and skills to perform these studies. Students will extend their understanding through application and review of clinical cases. Upon completion, students should be able to successfully complete practice lab exams and competencies.
Students will learn about diseases affecting the nervous system, the sleep/wake cycle, and psychiatric and behavioral disorders. Topics include etiology, clinical manifestations, pharmacology, disease prevention, and overview of treatments. Restricted to NDSS Majors, Advanced undergraduates (instructor permission required).
Students will learn about services available at sleep and neurophysiology laboratories and interpretation of diagnostic findings. Topics include sleep procedures, electroencephalography, and long-term epilepsy monitoring. Students participate in laboratory practice sessions. Restricted to NDSS Majors, Advanced undergraduates (instructor permission required).
Admittance into NDSS program required. An Introduction to the concept of evidence-based practice and an opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to be able to incorporate evidence and best practices into professional work. These include an understanding of research methods and the approach to critical appraisal of research literature. (Fall, On demand).
Students will learn advanced procedures performed in sleep centers and neurophysiology laboratories. Topics include nerve conduction velocities, actigraphy, and autonomic testing techniques. Students participate in laboratory practice sessions. Restricted to NDSS Majors, Advanced undergraduates (instructor permission required).
A study and focus on information technology and analytics used specifically in Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science. Emphasis is placed on development of the knowledge and competencies necessary for selective use and evaluation of research, data acquisition, computer transfer of acquisition studies, acquisition interpretations, and data management in the healthcare of Neurodiagnostic and Sleep Science patients.
Sleep disorders center and clinical neurophysiology laboratory clinical experience. Students participate in direct working experience in clinical neurophysiology and sleep laboratories (note that students may not be substituted as staff). Students may participate in practicum rotations in private practices and acute care centers accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and/or The American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists, or other accreditation as deemed appropriate by the instructor. Majors only.
This course provides a foundation in the principles and practice of healthcare education. Topics include the educational process, learner characteristics, and teaching and learning theories, techniques, and strategies. Restricted to NDSS Majors, Advanced undergraduates (instructor permission required).
Admittance in to NDSS program required. Students will be introduced to the concepts of project development and management related to Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science. Administration, financial, human resources, legal and policy concepts and issues in outpatient, public, and private sector settings. Topics and emphasis may vary. Students will be required to solve a clinical question using an inter-professional team-based approach.
Students will learn advanced clinical procedures performed in clinical neurophysiology laboratories and operating rooms. Topics include evoked potentials, nerve conduction studies, autonomic testing, and intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring. Students participate in laboratory practice sessions. NDSS majors only.
Admittance into NDSS program required. This course focuses on the theories and practices of leadership in health care. Global, social, legal, political, economic, and ethical issues are explored.
Sleep and Clinical neurophysiology laboratory educational and management internship with mentoring component. Direct working experience in one or more of the following setting: educational facility; clinical facility or hospital; NDSS related company or business; other as deemed appropriate by the instructor. The student and internship supervisor negotiate a learning contract outlining the internship schedule and specific tasks to be learned and completed. Majors only.
Students complete a research project and presentation culminating from the undergraduate course of study. Project topics provide students the opportunity to summarize, evaluate, and integrate knowledge gained throughout the undergraduate major. Teaching methods include direct student exposure and significant time spent in a healthcare/clinical/educational environment specific to practice interests. The capstone project is in the form of research, or other scholarly activity that articulates the design, organization, statistics and data analysis used. Majors only.
This course is a continuation of NDSS 697. Students complete a research project and presentation culminating from the undergraduate course of study. Project topics provide students the opportunity to summarize, evaluate, and integrate knowledge gained throughout the undergraduate major. Teaching methods include direct student exposure and significant time spent in a healthcare, clinical, or educational environment that is specific to practice interests. NDSS majors only.
RADI–Radiologic Science
This overview of radiologic science encompasses patient care, imaging modalities for diagnosis and treatment, radiation protection, health care trends, and information management systems. Pass/Fail course.
This course includes lecture and lab sessions to strengthen knowledge of human anatomy and to guide the application of this material for medical imaging. Students will participate in laboratory activities to better understand the spatial relationships between anatomic regions and specific structures. The emphasis of the course is on thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, and musculoskeletal anatomy. Course previously offered as AHSC 440. Radiologic Science majors only.
Majors only. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and laboratory exercises are combined to introduce topics including patient assessment, image characteristics, radiation protection, positioning skills, medical terminology, and the role of imaging sciences in health care.
Prepares students for standard radiography of upper extremities, lower extremities, axial skeleton, bony thorax, chest, abdomen, and the basic skull, considering pathologies and gross, radiographic, and cross-sectional anatomy. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
An overview of radio-graphic imaging methods examining the imaging process as a sequence of events from X-ray production through hard copy processing. The imaging equipment is discussed in terms of function, influence on the image, the impact of alteration on image characteristics, and compensation techniques for changes in the sequence. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
A clinical course focusing on the application and evaluation of radiography in the hospital setting. With supervision, the student develops clinical skills through observation and participation in radiographic procedures. Twenty practicum hours.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography track. The course includes intra-abdominal organs, abdominal vessels, peritoneal spaces, and retroperitoneal structures and introduces normal/abnormal sonographic findings. Integration of findings with clinical history, exam, and laboratory findings are included along with skills with scanning protocols, technical factors, and image quality developed in the lab. Majors only.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Track. The course provides comprehensive instruction on the principles of ultrasound, including wave characteristics and propagation, acoustic variables, transducers, pulsed waves, real time imaging, and image display and image archiving. More topics include Doppler physics, equipment instrumentation and operation, quality assurance, and biological effects of ultrasound. Majors only.
The course content prepares students for standard radiography of cranial bones, facial bones, and special cranial projections. Contrast studies include gastrointestinal, urinary, biliary, cardiovascular, and other special procedures. The course includes pathologies, and gross, radiographic, and cross-sectional anatomy. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
A detailed study of specific elements of the radiographic process, with an emphasis on the interrelationships of the radiographic parameters, refinement of image analysis and problem-solving skills, and quality control testing for evaluating the performance of the radiographic equipment and accessories. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
A continuation of RADI 463 with emphasis on the application and evaluation of more complex radiographic studies. Twenty practicum hours.
Normal and abnormal anatomy/physiology/sonographic features of the nongravid and gravid female pelvis. Normal and abnormal fetal growth and anatomy, fetal well-being, and sonographic measurements associated with the second and third trimesters of pregnancy are included in the content. Students will engage in correlations of sonographic findings with patient clinical history, clinical exam, and laboratory findings. Lab skills covered: scanning protocols, technical factors, and image quality. Majors only.
This course presents topics of advanced sonographic imaging techniques including advanced abdomen and obstetric concepts, superficial structures, pediatrics, introduction to vascular, and interventional procedures. This course presents the normal and abnormal sonographic findings, along with the relationship of these findings to patient clinical history, clinical exam, and laboratory findings. Skills related to scanning protocols, technical factors, and image quality are developed in the lab. Majors only.
This course continues topics of advanced sonographic imaging techniques and presents new technologies, superficial structures, pediatrics, advanced obstetrics, and transplants. This course also presents the normal and abnormal sonographic findings of these structures along with relationships of these findings to patient clinical history, clinical exam, and laboratory findings. Skills related to protocols, technical factors, and image quality are developed in the lab. Majors only.
Under general supervision, the student will function at an increased level of responsibility in general diagnostic radiography in a variety of clinical settings outside of the university setting.
Under general supervision, the student will function at an increased level of responsibility in radiography in clinical settings outside of the university setting. The course includes a comprehensive review examination and case studies.
A clinical course utilizing contract learning to provide students an opportunity to gain additional competency in specialized areas of radiology. Twenty-four education and independent study hours.
This course is a continuation of RADI 583 using learning contracts to allow students to explore and gain additional expertise in various areas of radiology. Twenty-four clinical hours.
A course in the physics of diagnostic radiology, including radiation effects on tissue, radiation detection and measurement, protection methods and techniques, and environmental radiation issues. Three lecture hours.
Majors only. The major part of the course is devoted to an investigative project on a discipline-related topic of student interest. Select issues affecting professional affairs of radiologic technologists are also included.
This course offers an elective clinical experience in an area of student interest.
Majors only. This course provides for a brief cognitive and skills approach to communication skills, the teaching/learning process, and methods and materials of instruction and delivery. Three lecture/discussion hours per week.
Majors only. In this course students will analyze the theoretical literature on leadership and apply that knowledge in the analysis of various radiology environment situations. Three lecture hours.
Majors only. This course will enhance and integrate the student's knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology related to all human body systems. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how structure, function, and disease are interrelated. Three lecture hours per week.
This course involves students in situational problem solving and radiographic analysis. Integration of concepts and knowledge of anatomy, pathology, procedures, patient care, and imaging principles are emphasized. Four lecture hours.
A detailed study of specific elements of the radiographic process, with an emphasis on the interrelationships of the radiographic parameters, refinement of image analysis and problem-solving skills, and quality. Three lectures hours and two laboratory hours.
Majors only. The course covers issues related to health care systems, medicolegal ethics, and practice and quality assurance. Three lecture hours per week.
Majors only. Students complete a research project involving a major clinical or policy issue in radiologic science. This course is an expansion of the fall semester research culminating in both a paper and presentation.
Majors only. This course involves the pharmacology of common radiology medications and advanced patient assessment techniques. With the additional knowledge and skills, students can make informed decisions regarding patient care. Three lecture hours.
SPHS–Speech and Hearing Sciences
Supervised undergraduate directed research on communication science topics of mutual interest to the student and a faculty member.
Students have 30 hours of service-learning with individuals with autism at community partner sites. Class discussions introduce students to diverse topics related to autism spectrum disorder. This is an APPLES course.
This American Sign Language (ASL) course includes topics on linguistic features, cultural protocols, and core vocabulary for students to function in basic ASL conversations on a variety of topics. All instructions and discussions in the classroom will be conducted in ASL. Students minoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences have priority in registering.
Students in the Speech and Hearing Minor have priority in registering. The American Sign Language (ASL) course focuses on developing conversational skills on a variety of topics. All instructions and discussions in the classroom will be conducted in ASL.
Introductory overview of communication disorders, including the nature of communication across the lifespan; cultural and linguistic issues that impact communication; communication modalities; speech disorders; language disorders; hearing disorders; swallowing disorders.
Development of human communication processes across the lifespan, including linguistic and cultural bases of communication.
Development of human communication processes across the lifespan, including linguistic and cultural bases of communication. Includes a minimum of 30 service hours related to human communication. 12 spaces reserved for Juniors in Speech and Hearing Sciences Minor.
A detailed study of the International Phonetic Alphabet with emphasis on the sound system of American English. Application of phonetics to problems of pronunciation and articulation. Includes broad and narrow phonetic transcription.
Introduction to the science of speech, including production, acoustics, and perception.
Anatomy and physiology of the speech producing and aural mechanisms.
Theory and practice of the measurement of hearing, causative factors in hearing loss, evaluation of audiometric results, and demonstration of clinical procedures.
Introduction to diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders, including articulation, fluency, voice, and language, and those resulting from autism and hearing loss.
Chair
Stephen R. Hooper