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Dental Hygiene

Program Admissions

Admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is determined through a selective process and is limited to 24 students each academic year.  The student’s grade point average in the required prerequisite courses determines the admission ranking.  Candidates for the program must be in good health, eligible for dental hygiene licensure, and capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.

To be considered for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Acceptance to the University of Southern Indiana
    • Dental hygiene applications will be considered after the student has applied and been accepted to the University.

  • Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
    • All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
    • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the Dental Hygiene Professional curriculum.

Prerequisite Courses:

Semester I
(4) MATH111 College Algebra (A2) **



111 College Algebra-4 hours. Topics to be emphasized include: Polynomials, rational algebraic expressions, graphs, inequalities, theory of equations and matrices. Special attention is focused on functions and the utilization of appropriate technology. This course satisfies the A2 category of the University's Core curriculum but does not apply toward the major or minor in mathematics. Prerequisites: MATH 100 (grade of C or better) or satisfactory placement score.  NOTE: A TI-83,TI-83 Plus or TI-84 graphing calculator is required for this course. Course coordinator: Mrs. Judy Wells
F, Sp, Su

This course must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the year the student desires admission into the Program.
(3) CMST101 Introduction to Public Speaking (A1)


Introduction to Public Speaking (3) Principles and practices of oral communications with selected experiences in their use. F, Sp, Su
(3) ENG101 Rhetoric and Composition I (A1)



ENG 101 Rhetoric and Composition I: Critical Thinking (3) A course in the critical arts of reading, writing, reflection, and discussion with an introduction to rhetoric and informal logic. Meets University Core Curriculum Goal A1: Composition/ Speech and A3 Critical Thinking. Prereq: A minimum grade of a "C" in ENG 100 or appropriate placement based on such factors as the RCPE score, high school GPA, high school class rank, and DRP. Basic keyboarding skills required. F, Sp, Su
(1) PED Activities Course (B3)


For courses meeting this requirement, refer to section b3 of http://www.usi.edu/LIBARTS/uccore/courses.asp
(3) PSY 201 Introduction to Psychology (C2)


PSY 201 Introduction to Psychology (3) A survey of basic concepts and methods of psychology as a behavioral science and seeks to develop an understanding of the individual and social forces that influence and direct behavior. Prereq for all other psychology courses. F, Sp, Su

Semester II
(4) CHEM141 Principles of Chemistry (C3) **




141 Principles of Chemistry (4) Selected principles and applications of inorganic, physical, organic, and biochemistry with laboratory experiments illustrating the principles covered. Prerequisite: working knowledge of algebra. (3-1) F, Sp, Su

This course must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the year the student desires admission into the Program.
(3) The Arts (B2)


For courses meeting this requirement, refer to section B2 of http://www.usi.edu/LIBARTS/uccore/courses.asp
(3) ENG201 Rhetoric and Composition II (A1)


ENG 201 Rhetoric and Composition II: Argumentation (3) A second course in the critical arts of reading, writing, reflection, and discussion emphasizing the responsibilities of written inquiry and structured reasoning. Meets University Core Curriculum Goal A1: Composition/Speech. Prereq: ENG 101 or approved equivalent. F, Sp, Su
(3) HUM Western Tradition I (C4)



For courses meeting this requirement, refer to section C4 of http://www.usi.edu/LIBARTS/uccore/courses.asp
(3) SOC121 Principles of Sociology (C2)


SOC 121 Principles of Sociology (3) An examination of social dynamics and consequences of social life. The main topics are culture, social groups, socialization, deviance, social stratification, race relations, gender, and family. It is required of majors and minors. No prereq. F, Sp, Su

Semester III
(4) BIOL121 Anatomy and Physiology I (C3) **



121 Human Anatomy and Physiology I  - 4 hours. An introduction to biological and chemical principles as they apply to the human body. Lectures and laboratory work will cover cellular anatomy and physiology, tissues, and the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine. (2-1) F, Sp, Su  Prereq: College Chemistry strongly recommended or concurrent.

This course must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the year the student desires admission into the Program.
(2) HP115 Medical Terminology **



Health Professions (HP) 115*
Medical Terminology For The Health Professions – 2 credit hours
This course focuses on the study of the prefixes, suffixes, and root words commonly found in the field of medicine and health care.

This course must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the year the student desires admission into the Program.
(3) HP 356 Ethics and Health Care (B1)
HP 356 – Ethics and Health Care in a Pluralistic Society
3 Credit Hours
Course Description: The course will provide students with an ethical framework for decision-making in the context of a pluralistic society. Models and principles of ethical justification among a diversity of cultures and belief systems will be analyzed. Specific applications are made to concerns in clinical and healthcare management. Topics include the right to healthcare, community health ethics, end-of-life issues, and
organizational ethics.
Course Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing or Consent of Instructor
(3) NUTR376 Nutrition (B3) **



376 Principles and Applications in Nutrition (3) Principles and Applications in Nutrition emphasize the relationships among the nutrients and how homeostatic relationships are maintained in the healthy person. Students will learn more about themselves and their health in an effort to use this knowledge to improve their health. This knowledge of nutrition will allow the student to personalize information to fit their lifestyle. Special attention to nutrition for the developing human and lectures focusing on nutrition counseling will address the needs of the dental hygiene student and other health professionals seeking concepts in applied nutrition. Prereq: MATH 108 and CHEM 107 recommended. F, Sp, Su

This course must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the year the student desires admission into the Program.
(3)Global Communities (C5)


For courses meeting this requirement, refer to section C5 of http://www.usi.edu/LIBARTS/uccore/courses.asp
(3) HUM Western Tradition II (C4)


For courses meeting this requirement, refer to section C4 of http://www.usi.edu/LIBARTS/uccore/courses.asp

Semester IV
(4) BIOL122 Anatomy and Physiology II (C3) **


BIOL 122 (L): Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4) A continuation of Biology 121 consisting of lectures and laboratory work concerning the following systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, excretory, and reproductive. Meets University Core Curriculum Goal C3: Science. (2-1) Prereq: BIOL 121 required. F, Sp, Su

 

 

 
(3) BIOL272 Medical Microbiology **

272 Medical Microbiology - 3 hours.
The structure, physiology, and general characteristics of medically important microorganisms. Included will be a study of host defense mechanisms, infections of human systems, control of infection, and development of microbiological techniques. Primarily for students in nursing, dental hygiene, and respiratory therapy. (2-1) F, Sp Prereq: One college chemistry course and one college course in Human Anatomy and/or Physiology or BIOL152 or equivalent.

 

 
(3) HP302 Biostatistics **


The course provides students with and introduction to assessing the magnitude, relaibility, validity, and precision of associations (e.g. between exposures and disease) and making inferences about target populations using data from samples in the health professions. Topics include pobability and sampling distribution, research design and analysis of variance, regression and correlation, stochastic processes, and frequency distributions, Prereq MATH III.

 

 
(3) HP225 Pharmacology and Therapeutics **

Course description: This course provides an introduction to modern therapeutic drugs. Dosage forms, sources, prescriptions, and metabolism are covered first, then students study human physiological systems and the most important drugs used to affect these systems. Emergency and new drugs are included. Course prerequisites: BIOL 121 and BIOL 122 and CHEM 107 or consent of instructor

 

 
(3) History (C1)
For courses meeting this requirement, refer to section C5 of http://www.usi.edu/LIBARTS/uccore/courses.asp

**Bold lettering indicates courses that must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the year the student desires admission into the Program.

A grade of C or higher must be earned in all courses to be applied to the Dental Hygiene degree.

 

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