This course presents a basic grounding and practice in the academic reading process, reading comprehension, and vocabulary development.

A course in composition and rhetoric that helps students hone a style appropriate for upper-division work that integrates the close reading of nonfiction and the writing of expository and argumentative essays. Focus on sharpening critical thinking skills, analyzing and evaluating texts, and writing text-based prose.

College reading, writing, and critical thinking applied to literature, including poetry, drama, and fiction. Essay writing employing methods of literary analysis, academic research, and critical thinking.

Capstone field internship with a paramedic preceptor on an ambulance for evaluation of baseline competency as safe, entry level paramedic pursuant to national and state standards and regulations in the emergency medical services (EMS) professions. Course completes with a review of terminal competency requirements, exit examinations and medical director review of student competency as a safe, entry level paramedic. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.

Didactic and psychomotor competency evaluations in the Paramedic program and supervised patient care in a variety of clinical settings. Paramedic students must successfully pass all competency evaluations in this course to be approved for the Capstone Field Internship.

Prehospital assessment and management of patients with special healthcare challenges. Special populations topics include geriatrics, abuse/neglect, homelessness, poverty, hospice, and home care. Also reviews EMS operations, including crime scene awareness, and patient and scene management at multiple casualty incidents.

Prehospital assessment and management of gynecological, obstetric, neonatal and pediatric emergencies.

Prehospital assessment and management of patients with medical emergencies, including allergic, anaphylactic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, toxicologic, psychiatric, environmental, infectious, and immunologic emergencies.

Prehospital assessment and management of patients with altered mental status, seizures, strokes, diabetes, and other dysfunctions of the neuroendocrine systems.

Assessment and management principles in EMS advanced life support care of patients with respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies in the emergency setting. Includes ECG interpretation of dysrhythmias,12-Lead ECG, and cardiorespiratory pharmacology. Advanced cardiac life support guidelines and preparation for certification.