Course Descriptions

Premortuary Science Course Descriptions

ENG 101 AND ENG 102: ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND GRAMMAR
A two-quarter sequence designed to help each student improve skills and develop his or her writing style.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

PSY 101 and 102: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
This two-quarter sequence presents the major principles of psychology. It includes learning perception, feelings and motives, normal and abnormal behavior.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

SOC 101 and 102: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Topics include an examination of the principles of human social interaction, roles, conformity and deviance, social inequality, religion and society, population and ecology, and collective behavior.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

BIO 101 and 102: GENERAL BIOLOGY
The course is a two quarter series of biology with emphasis on cytology, diversity and similarity in living organisms, inheritance, fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, and eco-systems. The laboratory demonstrates lecture principles.
(4 credit hours - 3 class hours and 2 laboratory hours per week)

CHEM 101 and 102: GENERAL CHEMISTRY
This two course sequence focuses on inorganic chemistry, including the structure, states and types of matter. The student studies the elements and compaounds, solutions and hydolysis, the molecular theory of gases and how these relate to the chemistry of the embalming process.
(4 credit hours - 2 class hours and 2 labratory hours per week)

Mortuary Science Course Descriptions

First Quarter

MGT 300 ACCOUNTING
Introduction to accounting principles, including double-entry bookkeeping, the accounting cycle, journalizing and posting, the trial balance, and the financial statement. Banking procedures are explained. One learns payroll accounting, depreciation, and the accounting cycle for a personal service enterprise.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

MGT 310 BUSINESS LAW
This course presents the basics of Business Law. One examines the judicial process, contracts, negotiable instruments, agency, bailments, sales and warranties, torts, and other pertinent material.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

SOC 310 SOCIAL ASPECTS OF DEATH AND DYING
Death in America is studied as it affects both the individual and society. Central to the course are sociological phenomena related to American attitudes toward death, children and death, terminal illness, the medical profession, euthanasia, and suicide. Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite to Contemporary Funeral Practices and Psychology of Grief.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

SCI 300 CLINICAL ORIENTATION AND TERMINOLOGY
The course introduces the student to the clinical laboratory setting, equipment, and procedures. It also offers a study of the language used in the clinical laboratory. Successful completion of the course is a prerequisite to Clinical Mortuary Practice in the following academic quarters.
(3 credit hours - 2 class and 2 lab hours per week)

SCI 310 ANATOMY
An introduction to the fundamentals of systemic anatomy including histology, osteology, and topographical anatomy. The instructor places emphasis on the human circulatory system as it applies to the living and dead human body.
(3 credit hours - 2 class and 2 lab hours per week)

SCI 320 EMBALMING THEORY I
A study of the dying process and chemical changes prevalent in death, this course examines technical, sanitary, legal and ethical concerns and methods. The student receives extensive instruction in the vascular system and factors governing pre-embalming case analysis and the selection of vessels during the embalming process. Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite to Embalming Theory II and III.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)


Second Quarter

SOC 300 HISTORY OF FUNERAL SERVICE
A survey of the funerary practices and beliefs of all major western cultures from pre-Egyptian times to the present. American practices are discussed in light of their roots in Judeo-Christian tradition. Emphasis is placed on modern (1880-present) developments in funeral service education, regulation, and associations at both the state and national level.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

SOC 320 CONTEMPORARY FUNERAL PRACTICES
The student studies ethics and the professional code of conduct upon which funeral service is based. One learns the mechanics and dynamics of the funeral process from first notification through committal. Fraternal groups and community support groups are discussed.
(credit hours)

SOC 330 PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN FUNERAL SERVICE
Students are exposed to interpersonal and business communications principles which will help them relate well with co-workers, employers, clients, and the public. Funeral director public relations programs are illustrated, and the student develops a professional resume applicable to funeral service.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

MGT 360 CREMATION FUNDAMENTALS
The student learns historical and legal issues, environmental concerns, and the basics of marketing, consumer research, and demographic trends.
(2 credit hour- 2 hours per week)

SCI 340 EMBALMING THEORY II
Building upon the knowledge gained in Embalming Theory I and Anatomy, the student learns fluid dynamics, body positioning, cavity treatment, methods of injection and drainage, and treatment of the autopsied and non-autopsied case. Embalming Theory II elaborates on the influences of disease and chemical conditions on the outcome of the embalming process. Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite to ET III.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

SCI 360 CLINICAL MORTUARY PRACTICE I
CMP is an introduction to practical applied embalming and restoration in the laboratory setting. Students must complete a minimum of 20 embalmings at the college. Those who desire additional experience may volunteer at different times during the year.
(1 credit hour - 2 laboratory hours per week)

SCI 375 RESTORATIVE ART I
Restorative Art focuses on the recreating of the natural form and appearance of the dead human body. One studies bones of the head, shapes, facial proportions, profiles and features. In the laboratory the student gains practical experience in modeling and reconstruction of features. Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite to Restorative Art II.
(3 credit hours - 2 class and 2 laboratory hours per week)


Third Quarter

MGT 320 FUNERAL SERVICE FINANCE AND PRICING
Instruction centers on small business operations. Topics include forms of ownership, marketing plans, FTC funeral rule, service charges, merchandise pricing and accounting statements.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

MGT 340 MORTUARY REGULATION
The course covers current mortuary law theory, state and federal regulations pertaining to funeral homes and their operation, and a variety of laws affecting the funeral home as a business. Various survivor benefits and associated eligibility requirements are examined along with shipping issues and wills and estates.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

MGT 350 PRENEED
The course presents the basics of preneed sales and marketing in funeral service. It identifies attitudes about the pre-arranged funeral service and discusses the realities of sales, marketing, and promotion of funeral contracts.
(2 credit hours - 2 class hours per week)

MGT 370 VITAL STATISTICS
The course explains current methods of gathering vital statistics and their computer requirements and applications in funeral service.
(1 Credit hour- 1 hour per week)

SCI 380 CLINICAL MORTUARY PRACTICE II
A continuation of Clinical Mortuary Practice I in which case analysis is developed and applied to the clinical situation.
(1 credit hour - 2 class hours per week)

SCI 341 EMBALMING THEORY III
Instruction focuses on organic chemistry, particularly those chemicals involved in the embalming of human remains. Students are exposed to theory and practical application of material presented.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

SCI 376 RESTORATIVE ART II
Restorative Art gives advanced instruction on suturing, hypodermic injection, treatment of burns and abrasions. In laboratory the student gains practical experience in modeling, hair replacement, coloring, and reconstruction of features.
(3 credit hours - 2 class and 2 laboratory hours per week)

SCI 400 SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGY
Systemic Pathology treats the terminology of pathology and the various systems in the human body. The instructor describes pathological conditions, physical and chemical changes, and the potential impact of disease states on the embalming process.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)


Fourth Quarter

MGT 400 FUNERAL HOME MANAGEMENT
The role and function of the funeral director as manager is defined. One studies management skills, policies, personnel selection, motivation and training, operations management, and physical expansion.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)

MGT 410 FUNERAL MERCHANDISING
This course is designed to develop product knowledge. Areas of concentration include manufacture and construction of vaults, caskets, monuments, urns, and other merchandise. One learns how to plan funeral home selection areas and how to display merchandise. A knowledge of warranties is imparted. The lab includes trips to manufacturers and role playing. This course must be taken with Funeral Directing Applications and Psychology of Grief.
(4 credit hours - 3 class hours and 2 laboratory hours per week)

MGT 420 FUNERAL DIRECTING APPLICATIONS
This is a capstone course that provides the student with hands-on experience from the first call through disposition. Included are funeral directing, dressing, cosmetizing, casketing, arranging, and the forms and permits involved in burial and cremation. The course includes computer applications in funeral service. This course must be taken with Funeral Merchandising and Psychology of Grief.
(4 credit hours - 2 class hours and 3 laboratory hours per week)

SOC 400 PSYCHOLOGY OF GRIEF AND COUNSELING PROCEDURES
This course provides an examination of the grief process and the funeral director's role in facilitating grief. Basic counseling theories and skills are presented and applied to the funeral arrangement conference. Counseling principles are explored in a laboratory setting, which includes role-playing. This course must be taken with Funeral Directing Applications and Funeral Merchandising.
(4 credit hours - 3 class hours and 2 lab hours per week)

SCI 410 CLINICAL MORTUARY PRACTICE III
The course focuses on the application of all scientific and artistic skills acquired previously. Case analysis skills are developed, and students receive more individual attention in recognition and working with problems evident in each case.
(1 credit hour - 2 class hours per week)

SCI 420 PATHOGENIC MICROBIOLOGY
A survey of the principles of medical microbiology including the anatomy and physiology of the most common disease-producing microbes. The instructor presents materials on the host-parasite relationship, transmission and control of microbes, and common methods of sterilization and disinfection.
(3 credit hours - 3 class hours per week)


Fifth Quarter

ENG 400 DEATH IN LITERATURE
This elective course examines themes and perceptions of death in literature, including discussion of historical and cultural perspectives on death. Works include poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction.
(1 credit hour. Meets 1.5 hours per week for 7 weeks)

MGT 430 LEGAL ISSUES IN FUNERAL SERVICE
The class discusses various legal issues facing the profession including liability, risk management, buying and selling a business, and legal considerations in human resource management.
(2 credit hours. Meets 3 hrs. per week for 7 weeks)

MGT 440 INTRODUCTION TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT
This elective course orients the student to the role of the funeral service practitioner in the management of disasters that involve multiple fatalities. Topics will include the history of multi-death disasters, radiation accidents, dealing with the mass media, setting up a temporary morgue, guidelines for preparation of the dead, identification of remains, and critical incident stress debriefing.
(2 credit hours. Meets 3 hrs. per week for 7 weeks)

MGT 442 CEMETERY ISSUES
An elective overview of laws and regulations pertaining to the cemetery industry in the United States. The course seeks a better understanding of the relationship between cemeterians and funeral directors.
(1 credit hour. Meets 1.5 hrs. per week for 7 weeks)

MGT 450 FUNERAL SERVICE CO-OP
The student spends the last 4 weeks of the 5th quarter in an off-campus, supervised situation in a funeral home selected by the College. Students participate in all areas of funeral practice. The preceptor and faculty meet weekly with the student.
(5 credit hours. Student works ~30 hours per week for 4 weeks)

SOC 400 DEATH & DYING IN PRE-MODERN WESTERN SOCIETIES

SOC 410 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
This course is designed to assist students in making ethical decisions in business and technical practices. Through case studies, students study effective communication, appropriate emotional involvement, the improvement of interpersonal relationships, and rational principles in the decision-making process.
(2 credit hours. Class meets 3 hours per week for 7 weeks.)

SOC 420 FUNERAL AFTERCARE
This elective course examines the relationship of the funeral home and its support services to the family during the period of bereavement. Lending libraries, literature/packets, visits, and means of facilitating grief are discussed. Special attention is given to memorial services during the holidays.
(1 credit hour. Meets 1.5 hours per week for 7 weeks)

SCI 440 INTRODUCTION TO GROSS ANATOMY FOR THE EMBALMER
A course takes a regional approach to gross anatomy with emphasis on those areas of the human body of interest to the student embalmer, especially the circulatory system.
(2 credit hours. Meets 3 lab hours per week for 7 weeks)

SCI 441 CPR-FIRST AID-FOREIGN BODY AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION
The elective course provides basic skills in CPR, First Aid, and Foreign Body Airway Obstruction.
(1 credit hour- 1 lecture and 1 lab hr per week)