Cardiopulmonary Science

About the Division of Cardiopulmonary Science

Cardiopulmonary Science (CPS), also known as respiratory therapy, is an allied health profession that provides for the diagnosis, treatment, management, preventive care, and rehabilitation of patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities.

Patients who have asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and coronary heart disease are commonly evaluated and treated by respiratory therapists. Respiratory therapists work with patients in the critical care unit, emergency room, newborn nursery, outpatient clinic and critical care transport.

Working with physicians and other health professionals, respiratory therapists assess the health status of clients, manage complex diagnostic and life support systems, operate and maintain sophisticated monitoring devices, and routinely administer medications, as well as perform other procedures.

Florida A&M University changed the program name from respiratory therapy to cardiopulmonary science in 1998. The CPS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) #200321