RN to BS Prerequisite Course Descriptions
See a list of courses from other institutions that have been accepted as prerequisites in the past.
NURSING COURSES
Anatomy and Physiology I*: Study of the structure and function of cell, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems in the human
body. Integration and regulations of system function from an applied perspective through clinical applications. The UMass Amherst courses are Kinesiology 270/271.
Anatomy and Physiology II*: Study of structure and function of the following systems: endocrine, digestive, urinary, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Integration and regulation of system function from an applied perspective through clinical applications. The UMass Amherst courses are Kinesiology 272/273.
Human Growth and Development Throughout the Lifespan**: The study of human growth and development from a lifespan perspective, emphasizing the evolution of the whole individual. Gross and fine motor development, cognitive growth, language development, and social growth at each age level. The interaction of such variables as culture, ethnicity, class, and gender. Major trends and issues with a focus on individual, institutional, contextual, and cultural influences and effects. The UMass Amherst course is Nursing 210. Nursing 210 (UMass students not in Nursing must request permission to take this class from the instructor (check www.spire.umass.edu -> Course Catalog for current instructor).
**The following Psychology courses are accepted for the Human Growth prerequisite provided all three are taken: Child Psychology 350, Adolescent Psychology 355, and Psychology of Aging 365.
General or Medical Microbiology*: Overview of the microbial world including a survey of the structure, functioning, and diversity of microorganisms. Introduction to the fundamental concepts of microbial physiology, ecology, genetics, and pathogenesis. The UMass Amherst courses are 310/390B. Medical Microbiology 255 is only open to the Traditional Prelicensure nursing students.
Human Nutrition*: Introduction to the science of human nutrition. Relationship of health to food intake. Description, digestion, absorption, metabolism, interactions and functions of nutrients. Nutrient and energy requirements of young adults, athletes, older individuals. Nutrient deficiency symptoms. Body weight control. Eating disorders. Vegetarianism, other dietary preferences. Planning adequate diets that fit life-styles. The UMass courses are Nutrition 130 or 230.
Statistics: Descriptive statistics, elements of probability theory, and basic ideas of statistical inference. Topics include frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, commonly occurring distributions (binomial, normal, etc.), estimation, and testing of hypotheses. The UMass Amherst courses are: Statistics: Statistics 111, Statistics 240, ResEcon 211 (Spring) or ResEcon 212 (Fall).
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
Curriculum Area |
# of courses required |
# of credits earned |
Fulfilling the Requirement |
Writing |
2 courses |
6 credits |
One course (CW) or exemption (see Writing Program) and one upper level 3-credit course in your major department |
Basic Mathematics |
1 course |
0-3 credits |
One course (R1) or a passing score on the Tier 1 Math Exemption Exam |
Analytic Reasoning |
1 course |
3 credits |
One course (R2) |
Biological & Physical World |
2 courses |
8 credits |
One course (BS) and one course (PS) |
Social World |
4 courses |
16 credits |
One course (AL/AT), one course (HS), one course (SB), and one course (AL, AT, SB, I, or SI) |
Social & Cultural Diversity |
2 courses |
One course focusing on UNITED STATES diversity (U, ALU, ATU, HSU, IU, or SBU) and one course focusing on GLOBAL diversity (G, ALG, ATG, HSG, IG, or SBG) |
|
Integrative Experience |
varies by department |
3 credits |
A variety of options will be offered during junior or senior year in your major department. (*) |
* Microbiology, Nutrition, and Anatomy and Physiology may be fulfilled through NLN Achievement Tests ** Human Growth and Development may be fulfilled through CLEP
An additional 30 credits may be earned via submission of RN licensure, of which 15 credits will be considered UMass Amherst residence credit.
A grade of C or higher is required in all coursework.