There are two components to the traditional BSN curriculum. The lower division (pre-professional) component is for students admitted to the university with a nursing major. The upper division (professional) component includes the clinical component of the nursing curriculum and is restricted to students who have been admitted to the nursing program. Please refer to the Admissions Requirements for criteria of admission to the upper division.

Jump to Upper Division Curriculum

BSN Lower Division Curriculum

Semester 1

CourseDescriptionSemester Hours
Total Semester Hours 14 hours
EH 101 College Writing 3 hours
PY 101 Psychology 3 hours
BYS 119 with BYS 121 lab Biology w/lab 4 hours
MA 110 or MA 112 Finite Mathematics or Pre-Calculus Algebra 3 hours
FYE 101 Charger Success 1 hours

Semester 2

CourseDescriptionSemester Hours
Total Semester Hours 16 hours
EH 102 College Writing 3 hours
HY 103 or 104* History 3 hours
CH 151 with CH 155 lab General, Organic, Biochemistry w/lab 4 hours
SOC 100 or 103 Sociology or Criminology 3 hours
PHL or CM Philosophy/Ethics/Logic/Speech 3 hours

Semester 3

CourseDescriptionSemester Hours
Total Semester Hours 14 hours
BYS 214 Infection and Immunity w/lab
(a Microbiology course)
4 hours
NUR 220 Health Promotion for Nursing Majors 3 hours
EH 207 or 242* Literature I or Mythology 3 hours
BYS 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology I w/lab 4 hours

Semester 4

CourseDescriptionSemester Hours
Total Semester Hours 16 hours
BYS 216 Human Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab 4 hours
EH 208 Literature II 3 hours
MSC or PSC or PY or SOC
Statistics 3 hours
PY 201
Lifespan Development (Human Growth and Development course) 3 hours
AR or FMA or MU or TH* Fine Arts (Art/Music/Theatre) 3 hours

Lower Division Total Hours = 60 Semester Hours

Summer semesters are optional and are great alternatives to decrease credit hours or satisfy coursework.

Note: No grades of "D or F" are accepted in prerequisite courses.

* Fine Arts: Choose one of the following: ARH 100 or 101 or 103 (Art History/Appreciation) or ARS 160 (Drawing) or FMA 123 (Film Studies) or TH 122 (Theatre) or MU 100 (Music Appreciation)

* History: Choose one: World History (HY 103/104) or US History (HY 221/222)

* Literature: Literature I (EH 207) or Mythology (EH 242) and Literature II (EH 208)

Sequence Requirement: A two course sequence in Literature is preferred.


BSN Upper Division Nursing Curriculum

* Curriculum available fall and spring terms only

Grading Scale

The grading scale for upper-division nursing courses:

60 or lower = F, 60-74 = D, 75-79 = C, 80-89 = B, 90-100 = A

Semester 1

Course Description Semester Hours Clinical Hours
Total Hours 12 hours 90 hours
NUR 301 Professional Concepts in Nursing 3 hours -
NUR 303 Health Assessment 5 hours 90 hours
NUR 304 Applied Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan 3 hours -
NUR 311 Clinical Calculations in Nursing 1 hour -

Semester 2

Course Description Semester Hours Clinical Hours
Total Hours 12 hours 180 hours
NUR 310 Professional Practice in Nursing I 6 hours 135 hours
NUR 312 Gerontological Nursing Care 3 hours 45 hours
NUR 321 Pharmacology in Nursing 3 hours -

Semester 3

Course Description Semester Hours Clinical Hours
Total Hours 15 hours 225 hours
NUR 305 Nursing Process for Mental Health and Illness 4 hours 45 hours
NUR 307 Inquiry into Evidence-Based Nursing Practice 3 hours -
NUR 308 Nursing Care of Adults; Alteration in Health I 8 hours 180 hours

Semester 4

Course Description Semester Hours Clinical Hours
Total Hours 13 hours 180 hours
NUR 401 Nursing Care of the Critically Ill Adult 5 hours 90 hours
NUR 403 Maternal-Infant Nursing 4 hours 45 hours
NUR 404 Family Centered Nursing Care of Children 4 hours 45 hours

Semester 5

Course Description Semester Hours Clinical Hours
Total Hours 14 hours 270 hours
NUR 405 Community Health Nursing 4 hours 45 hours
NUR 407 Professional Practice in Nursing II 8 hours 225 hours
NUR 408 Professional Practice in Nursing III Seminar 2 hours -

Upper Division Total Hours = 66

Total Clinical Hours = 945

Total Program Hours = 126

BSN Summer Elective Courses

The UAH Undergraduate Nursing Program is pleased to offer optional summer elective courses. Designed to enrich and build upon the required entry level curriculum, these courses offer unique opportunities for specialized clinical experiences and skills enhancement. Taught by clinical experts on the UAH nursing faculty, courses are offered in 5-week sessions. Current courses include: Emergency Nursing, Perioperative Nursing, Critical Care Transport, and The Art of ECG Interpretation. Enrollment is competitive and offerings may vary from summer to summer.