The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services (B.S.) degree is intended to prepare graduates to meet the professional requirements for pre-hospital emergency care providers. Completion of all of the paramedic core courses with a minimum grade of "C" is required for eligibility to apply for National Registry of EMTs examination and New Mexico Licensure.
The program accepts academic credit from accredited institutions of higher education for course work deemed equivalent to program requirements. Of the 132 credit hours required for the degree, a minimum of 30 credit hours in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) major must be taken at the University of New Mexico to satisfy University residency requirements.
All students seeking acceptance to the School of Medicine Paramedic program must meet requirements for admission to the University. See the Admissions section of this Catalog for information on University admission requirements.
Screening for admission to the College is conducted at periodic intervals. All applications, fees and official transcripts must be received by the deadline. Students should submit applications early to allow for adequate advisement and processing of applications.
The School of Medicine, EMS Academy reserves the right to request the student supply any additional information as necessary. Students are required to be fluent in the English language.
The EMS Academy maintains and updates a student handbook whose purpose is to provide important information to help students through the curriculum. The most current student handbook may be accessed on the EMS Academy Web site.
The B.S. in Emergency Medical Services is granted to students upon fulfillment of the following:
All students seeking the B.S. in Emergency Medical Services take the following courses:
The National Registry Paramedic (NRP) to B.S. in Emergency Medical Services degree completion option is available at the UNM EMS Academy through online/distance education courses. This option is designed for students who have a current Paramedic license and have the National Registry Emergency Medical Services (NREMT) Paramedic certification.
All Paramedics seeking entrance into the EMS Academy must meet UNM and EMS Academy requirements for admission. See the EMS Academy Web site for application information. Admission to the B.S. in Emergency Medical Sciences degree as a transfer student requires a current National Registry Paramedic license (which must be kept current throughout enrollment).
Active NRPs currently holding an active license in the U.S. will be awarded 47 transfer credit hours (10: EMT, 37: Paramedic) towards the B.S. in Emergency Medical Services graduation requirements. Proof of current paramedic licensure and NRP certification is required.
A Plan of Studies (POS) for each student is determined at the time of enrollment in the NRP to B.S. in Emergency Medical Services program. Students are expected to follow the POS throughout the program. Each Paramedic student must demonstrate achievement of the outcomes expected of all EMS Academy baccalaureate students.
Students with a minimum overall GPA of 3.50 and a minimum 3.60 GPA in EMS course work are eligible for honors under the following circumstances:
Courses
EMS 106. Emergency Medical Responder. (4)
Emergency Medical Responder is a 60-hours course designed specifically for personnel who are first at the scene of an accident or emergency. This course offers a foundation for advanced EMS courses.
EMS 112. Wilderness First Responder. (4)
This course is intended for individuals who participate in outdoor recreation or are wilderness professionals such as guides or Search and Rescue personnel.
EMS 113. EMT-Basic. (8)
Meets the 1998 EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum requirements and incorporates New Mexico EMT-B scope of practice. Provides lecture instruction to prepare the student to sit for New Mexico and National Registry testing.
Corequisite: 142.
EMS 120. Introduction to EMS System. (3)
Covers the history of emergency medical services and the development of EMS systems and current trends and issues in EMS. Ideal for students considering a career in EMS.
EMS 125. Wilderness EMT Upgrade. (2)
This Wilderness EMT Upgrade course is intended for EMS providers who participate in outdoor recreation or are wilderness professionals such as guides or Search and Rescue personnel. Students must have completed or be currently enrolled in an EMT course.
Pre- or corequisite: 113 and 142.
EMS 142. EMT-Basic Lab. (2)
Meets the 1998 EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum requirements and incorporates New Mexico EMT-B scope of practice. Provides lab instruction to prepare the student to sit for New Mexico and National Registry testing.
Corequisite: 113.
EMS 143. EMT-Intermediate Lab. (1)
Meets New Mexico requirements for EMT-Intermediate skills training, including intravenous fluid administration and pharmacology.
Prerequisite: 113 and 142.
Corequisite: 180.
Restriction: program permission.
EMS 151. EMT-I Clinical and Field Experience. (2)
Meets New Mexico requirements for EMT-Intermediate field and clinical training, including emergency department and prehospital experience.
Prerequisite: 113 and 142.
Corequisite: 143 and 180.
Restriction: program permission.
EMS 180. EMT-Intermediate. (5)
Meets New Mexico requirements for EMT-Intermediate lecture content, including intravenous fluid administration and pharmacology.
Prerequisite: 113 and 142.
Corequisite: 143.
Restriction: program permission.
EMS 193. Emergency Medicine Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ)
Titles will vary.
EMS 200. Medical Mathematics. (1)
Medical calculations for paramedics. Students will be able to perform all common medical calculations at the paramedic level, including converting units, properly manipulating decimals and fractions, and finding volumes, dosages and rates.
Prerequisite: MATH 121.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
EMS 309. Prehospital Emergency Medicine and Operations. (3)
This course will introduce the paramedic student to EMS systems, requirements and methods of communications with patients, various rules and regulations unique to the paramedic, and investigate the components of maintaining wellness as a paramedic.
Corequisite: 310 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 310. Prehospital Pharmacology. (3)
Provides the paramedic student with an overview of drug classes, actions, and metabolism, as well as an understanding of considerations in medication administration.
Corequisite: 309 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 311. Medical Assessment and Management. (3)
This course is designed to introduce the paramedic student to advanced medical management and patient assessment in the prehospital environment. The student will assess and manage the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary human systems.
Corequisite: 309 and 310 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 312. Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Emergencies. (3)
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Emergencies course provides students with an overview of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, as well as cardiac rhythm interpretation and introduction to 12-lead ECGs.
Corequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 341 and 351.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 320. Medical Emergencies. (3)
Medical Emergencies course provides students with an overview of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, of the medical patient.
Prerequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Corequisite: 321 and 331 and 342 and 352 and 400.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 321. Special Patient Populations. (2 [2 to a maximum of 4 Δ])
Provides an introduction to the prehospital assessment and management of patients with special considerations, as well as, operations in the prehospital environment.
Prerequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Corequisite: 320 and 331 and 342 and 352 and 400.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 331. Trauma Emergencies. (2)
Introduces the paramedic student to prehospital advanced life support assessment and management of patients with traumatic injury.
Prerequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Corequisite: 320 and 321 and 342 and 352 and 400.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 341. Paramedic Lab I. (2)
Provides instruction in and practice application of advanced life support skills in patient assessment, airway management, medication administration, and advanced cardiac life support.
Corequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 351.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 342. Paramedic Lab II. (2)
Provides instruction in and practice application of advanced life support skills in the assessment and management of patients with medical emergencies. Practice in vehicle extrication skills.
Prerequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Corequisite: 320 and 321 and 331 and 352 and 400.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 351. Paramedic Clinical Rotation I. (3)
Facilitates paramedic students’ progress toward entry-level clinical competence by providing the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge and skills with professional practice under the supervision of clinical instructors.
Corequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 341.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 352. Paramedic Clinical Rotation II. (4)
Observation and supervised care of emergency patients in the emergency department, inpatient units, and prehospital setting.
Prerequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Corequisite: 320 and 321 and 331 and 342 and 400.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 398. EMS Topics. (1-3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)
EMS 399. EMS Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
EMS 400. Advanced Assessment. (3)
Provides paramedics with an in-depth understanding of patient history and physical examination techniques.
Prerequisite: 309 and 310 and 311 and 312 and 341 and 351.
Corequisite: 320 and 321 and 331 and 342 and 352.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 403. Mountain Medicine. (3)
The Mountain Medicine course is intended for medical professionals who participate in mountain recreation or are mountain professionals such as guides or Mountain Rescue personnel with a current EMT-Intermediate, Paramedic or Nurse license.
Prerequisite: 454.
Corequisite: 405 and 406.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 404. Technical Rescue Course. (3)
To understand theory and application of rope rescue. Gain a working knowledge of rope rescue and access problems in mountainous terrain and how to safely navigate it.
Prerequisite: 403 and 405 and 406.
Corequisite: 408.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 405. Austere Medicine. (3)
Students will learn management of medical and trauma cases under austere conditions: Low resources, little or no back-up, prolonged contact/responsibility for the patient. We will consider present recommendations and student will evaluate those recommendations.
Prerequisite: 454.
Corequisite: 403 and 406.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 406. Mountain Medicine Lab I. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course will be arranged curriculum to satisfy the field practice Summer requirement for DiMM/CiMM. Including skill/scenario stations in a mountain setting, practical evaluation in medicine and technical rescue.
Prerequisite: 454.
Corequisite: 403 and 405.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 408. Mountain Medicine Lab II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course will be arranged curriculum to satisfy the field practice Winter requirement for DiMM/CiMM. Including skill/scenario stations in a mountain setting, practical evaluation in medicine and technical rescue.
Prerequisite: 403 and 405 and 406.
Corequisite: 404.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 411. EMS Systems Management and Public Policy. (3)
An introduction to all of the components of EMS systems from the local, regional, state, and national system levels; system design; and the interface with health care in the U.S.
Prerequisite: 454.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and permission of program.
EMS 412. EMS Service Operations. (3)
An overview of EMS management functions when operating an EMS service, including staffing, deployment, logistics, quality improvement, and planning.
Prerequisite: 454.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and permission of program.
EMS 413. EMS Management Internship. (3)
The internship provides a real-life EMS management project or function operating within an EMS system or Emergency Services environment.
Prerequisite: 454.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and permission of program.
EMS 421. EMS Education Internship. (3)
The student is assigned to an instructor mentor and will participate, under supervision, in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of EMS training programs.
Prerequisite: 454.
Corequisite: 441.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 441. Principles of EMS Education. (3)
This course covers the development, design, implementation, and evaluation of EMS training programs.
Prerequisite: 454.
Corequisite: 421.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 443. Educational Technology and Medical Simulation. (3)
This course will introduce the EMS educator student to technologies utilized for educational purposes both in the classroom and online. It will also introduce approaches to utilizing medical simulation to enhance learning.
Prerequisite: 454.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and permission of program.
EMS 454. Paramedic Field Internship. (4)
Paramedic students develop EMS team-leadership skills and learn to operate independently, under supervision, at entry-level competence.
Prerequisite: 320 and 321 and 331 and 342 and 352 and 400.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 455. Disaster and Emergency Management. (3 [3 to a maximum of 6 Δ])
Introduces students to the dynamic world of disaster, and emergency management. Through the review of the history, social, political, and economic implications of disasters, students explore the world of emergency management.
Prerequisite: 454.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 456. Social Dimension of Disaster. (3 [3 to a maximum of 6 Δ])
Introduces students to the dynamic world of disasters and the effects disasters have on human behavior. An overview of how individuals, groups, families, communities, and organizations handle disasters before, during, and after they occur.
Prerequisite: 454.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 461. Advanced Pathophysiology. (3 [3 to a maximum of 6 Δ])
System-focused content addresses the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease that serve as the foundation for advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and management.
Prerequisite: 454.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 465. Advanced Paramedic Clerkship. (1-6, may be repeated once Δ)
Students will assess undifferentiated patients, coming up with your own diagnostic and therapeutic management plan, integrating and applying risk stratification, triage and differential diagnosis.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Prerequisite: 400 and 461.
EMS 469. Epidemiology and Statistics. (3)
To introduce and review basic tools of biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design; to teach students to critically evaluate relationships that seem to be cause-effect.
Prerequisite: 454 and STAT 145.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 470. EMS Research Analysis. (3)
This course provides the student with an overview of the research process and teaches skills in critical analysis of medical literature.
Prerequisite: 454 and STAT 145.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Emergency Medical Services and program permission.
EMS 475. Research in Acute Care. (3)
An introduction to clinical research in the UNM Emergency Department. This course will provide students with tools and training to work independently on screening and enrolling subjects in research studies currently conducted in the ED.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
EMS 481. Community Paramedic: Public Health and Wellness. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course will introduce the student to public health and will learn to apply principles of public health in your work and recognize opportunities to positively impact community health.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
EMS 498. EMS Topics. (1-3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)
EMS 499. EMS Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
