105 MU 477. Voice Pedagogy. (3) Principles and techniques for teaching singing, through readings, class discussion, and practical experience. MU 479. Voice Literature. (3) Survey of song literature in English, Italian, German, and French, with emphasis on performance and stylistic characteristics. MU 490. Directed Studies. (3) Under faculty supervision, an advanced study project will be pursued in the area of choice. Prerequisite: Departmental approval. MU 498. Senior Recital. (2) Public performance (45 minutes minimum) for the applied music major in the senior year. Meets the Capstone and Communication Intensive requirement in the major. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
Natural Science (NS) No major or minor is offered. A major in Middle School Education with a concentration in science is available. See the Education section. NATURAL SCIENCE COURSES (NS) NS 150. Fossils of Kansas City. (1) This course provides an introduction to common fossils of the Kansas City area south of the Missouri River. A field trip to collect fossils will be included, and the fossils will be identified by phylum or class. SP, odd years.
NS 180, 280, 380. Topics in Natural Science. (1-3) Presentation and discussion of topics in natural science. Each offering will be titled appropriately. Topics could include: History and Nature of Science and Technology, Space Science, and Astronomy. A student may take any number of different topics. FA, SP, SU. NS 221. Physical Geology. (4) A non-mathematical introduction to the study of the earth. Topics include minerals and rocks; dynamic internal processes including volcanism, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and mountain building; and surficial processes including erosion by streams, glaciers, and wind. Laboratory instruction in identification and classification of common minerals and rocks; introduction to and interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. 3 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory per week. CORE-II. SP, even years. NS 231. Descriptive Meteorology. (4) This course provides a basic understanding of the atmospheric environment at the introductory level. Scientific principles are applied to our understanding of the atmosphere and its processes. Topics for study include atmospheric composition, winds, clouds, moisture, weather systems, storms, weather prediction, and climate. The student receives an introduction to modern synoptic methods, including data collection, presentation, dissemination, interpretation, and application. Elementary forecasting techniques are discussed. The lab emphasizes the interpretation and use of real-time data, weather maps, charts and graphics; radar and satellite
images; and computer forecasting and guidance. 5 hours integrated lecture and laboratory per week. Basic mathematical skills are required. CORE-II. SP or FA, intermittently.
Nursing (NU) Pre-licensure and post-licensure (RN to BSN) programs are offered. The candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing must complete all the general degree requirements. The computer competency will be met by completion of Healthcare Informatics (NU 456) with a minimum grade of ‘C’ or better. Students must meet immunization and other agency requirements (including criminal background checks) prior to the beginning of and continuing throughout nursing clinical courses. Drug screening may be included in these requirements. Students admitted to nursing courses must a) hold current certification in BCLS health care provider course; b) submit annual TB skin test results, and c) carry their own health insurance coverage while in the nursing major. A health insurance form must reflect company and coverage and be on file in the nursing office. Accreditation The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Avila University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (http://www. aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation). The
program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Nursing Major Outcomes and Assessment Assessment activities occur throughout, at the end of the nursing curriculum and post-graduation. Assessment early in the nursing curriculum can provide the faculty a baseline from which to evaluate curricular impact on outcomes. Formative assessments (conducted throughout the program) identify areas of strength and weakness and provide opportunities for focused student attention. Summative assessment activities completed by students may include such things as course assignments or surveys. Post-graduation outcome assessments help to evaluate such things as graduate satisfaction and success on the nursing licensure examination. In addition to general degree requirements stated earlier in this university catalog, nursing majors are expected to meet the following program outcomes: 1. Select and use effective and facilitative communication techniques to deliver evidence-based patientcentered care with emphasis on patient safety and positive professional working relationships (all nursing courses). 2. Perform professional role competencies with an emphasis on the roles of provider of care, designer/ manager/coordinator of care and member of the interprofessional team (all nursing courses). 3. Integrate clinical reasoning and evidence-based decision making to deliver patient-centered care in a changing practice environment (all