Following a carefully planned sequence of classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as supervised clinical practice, students in this major will learn the skills needed to be successful as a respiratory therapist. They will learn diagnostic procedures ranging from physical examination to the use of highly sophisticated computerized equipment. Patient treatment skills will include everything from the administration of medical gases and inhaled medications to maintaining critically ill patients on ventilators. Students will also develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that will enable them to be effective in the education and rehabilitation of their patients.