Courses | B.S. in Nursing
Below are some of the courses you’ll have an opportunity to take as a student in this program. Take a look at the list below to get an idea of the types of available courses. Also, be sure to review core curriculum requirements and the official program requirements in the Biola University catalog.
Prerequisite Courses
Prior to admission into the clinical nursing program, pre-clinical nursing students must complete certain prerequisite courses. Note: Students have a choice for the COMM and ENGL courses; otherwise, all courses are required. See catalog for details.
| BIOS 254 | Human Anatomy |
| An introduction to the basic structure and function of the human body. Laboratory emphasis varies from section to section to meet the needs of the different majors. Lecture/Lab Hours: Three hours lectures, one hour pre-lab, three hours laboratory. Notes: Cadavers are used. Grade Mode: A, N. | |
| BIOS 281 | Physiology |
A study of the basic concepts of physiological regulation from the level of the cell to the integrated intact organism including neural, muscular, and neuro-endocrine regulatory systems. Laboratory includes human systems analysis and electrophysiology. Lecture/Lab Hours: Three hours lecture, one hour pre-lab, three hours laboratory. Grade Mode: A, N. | |
| BIOS 282 | Microbiology |
A study of microbial organisms with emphasis on bacteria and viruses, including their morphology, physiology, metabolism and genetics; host parasite interactions; humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Laboratory practice in handling microorganisms, including identification and culture techniques. Lecture/Lab Hours: Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory. Grade Mode: A, N. | |
| CHEM 120 | Principles of Organic and Biochemistry |
Chemical bonding, structure, properties and reactivity applied to organic and biochemical compounds. Includes basic metabolic processes with application to medicine and health. Lecture/Lab Hours: Three hours lecture; one hour recitation; three hours laboratory, weekly. Notes: Meets the Nursing requirement in Chemistry. This course is also required for some Kinesiology and Physical Education programs. Approved for Core Curriculum Science credit. Grade Mode: A, N. | |
| COMM 100 | Introduction to Public Communication |
| Development of communication skills in public speaking. The course will include presentational skills, attention to multicultural communication encounters, audience analysis, speech opportunities, research, organization and critical thinking. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Communication credit. May count as a lower division COMM major elective only for Torrey Honors program students. Grade Mode: A. | |
| COMM 170 | Small Group Communication |
| This course focuses on the individual's communication in a group setting: leadership in groups; group communication norms and processes with emphasis on problem solving and conflict management techniques. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Communication credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| COMM 181 | Introduction to Argumentation and Debate |
Effective oral communication: invention, analysis, evidence, methods of attack and defense and arrangement of ideas. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Communication credit, and been revised and renumbered from COMM 281. Grade Mode: A. | |
| COMM 280 | Oral Interpretation |
| Learning to read types of literature aloud in a manner that enhances and enriches the audience's understanding and appreciation of that literature. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Communication credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| ENGL 100 | Basic Studies in Critical Thinking and Writing |
| Reading and discussion of ideas and methods in writing, stressing fundamentals of grammar, punctuation, spelling and paragraph writing, along with critical thinking persuasion and evaluation. Lecture/Lab Hours: Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum English credit. All students scoring less than 470 on the critical reading section of the SAT (or 19 ACT) exam must enroll in ENGL 100. Undergraduate students finishing advanced ELL courses must take ENGL 100 within the first term of residence. This course is a prerequisite to ENGL 113. Grade Mode: A. | |
| ENGL 112 | Studies in Critical Thinking and Writing I |
| Reading and discussion of ideas and methods in writing, stressing critical thinking, persuasion and evaluation; experience in writing a variety of expository and persuasive essays. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum English credit. Students scoring 470 or higher on the critical reading section of the SAT (or 19 ACT) exam may enroll in ENGL 112. Prerequisite to ENGL 113. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 112 | Introduction to Professional Nursing |
| This course will introduce the student to professional nursing care of diverse and vulnerable populations across the globe. Course discussion will include the history, education, practice roles, national and state standards of practice and caring ministry of the Christian professional nurse. Notes: This course is required for admission into the clinical nursing program. Grade Mode: A. | |
| PSYC 200 | Introduction to Psychology |
| A survey of psychology as an empirical/behavioral science with a consideration of underlying philosophical bases in light of a Christian worldview. Topics to be surveyed include development, cognition, learning, motivation, physiology, socialization, personality and psychopathology. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Behavioral Science credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
Major Courses
| ENGL 313 | Writing in the Disciplines |
A culmination of writing experiences and practices throughout the Core, this course uses discipline-specific texts and contexts for reading and discussion of ideas and methods in writing. Students will compare and critically analyze academic writing created by themselves and by experts; research and discover customs, values, and hallmarks of writing in their disciplines; use effective invention, drafting, revising, and proofreading methods for written work; learn to find, synthesize, and cite discipline-specific sources; and prepare essays and multi-genre artifacts useful in both academic and professional settings. 16-24 pages of polished prose, or its equivalent required. Notes: Required and Approved for Core Curriculum English credit. A grade of C+ or better will fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement unless otherwise noted by the individual department. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MATH 210 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics |
| Nature of statistical methods, description of sample data, fundamental concepts of probability, probability distributions, sampling, estimation, correlation and regression, application of same. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Math credit. Grade Mode: A. | |
| MATH 318 | Biostatistics |
| Prepares the student for biostatistical application essential to practice in evidence-based professions. Content includes: descriptive statistics; probability theory and rules; discrete and continuous probability distributions; sampling distributions; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing; experimental design; ANOVA; linear and multiple regression; contingency table analysis; non-parametrics; survival analysis; discussion of the use of statistics in journal articles. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Math credit. Credit given for only one of 210 and 318. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 204 | Essentials of Clinical Nursing Pharmacology |
| Use of the nursing process in the administration of medication. Notes: Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 209 | Nursing of the Patient/Family I - Theory |
| First of three core courses on medical-surgical nursing care of diverse populations. Introduces the student to pathophysiology of disease, the evidence-based knowledge and skill needed for quality nursing patient care, and for nursing as Christian ministry. Notes: Acceptance into the clinical nursing program required. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 212 | Nursing of the Patient/Family I - Clinical |
| Clinical application of NURS 211 content. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 213 | Nursing of the Patient/Family I - Nursing Application Lab |
| Simulation and skills laboratory practice required for NURS 212 clinical application. Notes: Must earn at least 80% on lab exams to receive credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 216 | Nursing of the Patient/Family II - Theory |
| Second of three core courses on medical-surgical nursing care of diverse populations. Expands student learning of disease pathophysiology and the evidence-based knowledge, applied reasoning and skill needed for quality and Christian nursing care. Notes: Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 218 | Nursing of the Patient/Family II - Clinical |
| Clinical application of NURS 217 theory, reasoning and skill. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C, N. | |
| NURS 219 | Nursing of the Patient/Family II - Nursing Application Lab |
| Simulation and skills laboratory practice necessary for NURS 218 clinical application. Notes: Must earn at least 80% on lab exams to receive credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 306 | Nursing Assessment of the Patient - Theory |
| Introduction to nursing assessment and documentation of common signs and symptoms of wellness and illness. Notes: Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 307 | Nursing Assessment of the Patient - Clinical |
| Clinical practice of nursing assessment and reporting. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 341 | Nursing of the Mental Health Patient/Family - Theory |
| Theoretical and evidence-based concepts related to quality mental health nursing care of patients and their families. Notes: Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 345 | Nursing of the Mental Health Patient/Family - Clinical |
Clinical application of NURS 341 knowledge and skill. | |
| NURS 347 | Introduction to Women's Health - Theory |
| Introduction to quality nursing care of women across the reproductive years. Emphasis is on the mother and family in the childbirth years. Notes: Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 349 | Introduction to Women's Health - Clinical |
Clinical application of NURS 347 theory, reasoning and skill. | |
| NURS 351 | Nursing of the Older Adult Patient/Family - Theory |
| Theoretical and evidence-based concepts related to the quality nursing care of the older adult patient and their families. Notes: Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 353 | Nursing of the Older Adult Patient/Family - Clinical |
| Clinical application of NURS 351 theory, reasoning and skill in the quality nursing care of older adults and their families. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 355 | Pediatric Nursing - Theory |
Introduction to quality nursing care of children, adolescents and the family. Notes: Course may be challenged for credits listed. Grade Mode: A, N. | |
| NURS 357 | Pediatric Nursing - Clinical |
Clinical application of NURS 355 theory, reasoning and skill. | |
| NURS 358 | Nursing of the Patient/Family III - Theory |
| Third of three core courses on medical-surgical nursing care of diverse populations. Continues enhancement of student learning of patients with increased complexity of diagnosis and quality nursing care need. Notes: Course may be challenged for credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 359 | Nursing of the Patient/Family III - Clinical |
| Clinical application of complex medical-surgical nursing knowledge, reasoning and skill in providing complex patient care. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 441 | Introduction to Nursing Research |
Introduction to professional nursing's utilization of the research process. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 442 | Applied Nursing Research |
| Application of NURS 441 theory in an established research study. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 450 | Leadership/Management in Nursing - Theory |
| Analysis of leadership theories and health care issues/trends which influence professional nursing practice. Notes: Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 451 | Leadership/Management in Nursing: Transition to Practice - Clinical |
| Clinical application of NURS 450 theory, reasoning and skill in the care of medical-surgical patients. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 452 | Leadership/Management in Nursing: Elective Setting - Clinical |
| Clinical application of NURS 450 theory, clinical site/preceptor availability. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Course may be challenged for the credits listed. Grade Mode: C. | |
| NURS 461 | Community and Public Health Nursing - Theory |
| Integration of nursing knowledge, reasoning and skill in community-based promotion of population well-being. Grade Mode: A. | |
| NURS 463 | Community and Public Health Nursing - Clinical |
| Clinical application of NURS 461 theory, reasoning and skill in various community settings. Notes: Must earn at least a "C" (2.0) for credit. Grade Mode: C, N. | |
Major Courses
Choose three credits from one of the following: INCS, ANTH, SOCI