Degree Requirements for Doctor of Physical Therapy
Degree Requirements: Doctor of Physical Therapy
Pre-Professional Phase:
BIO 111 General Biology I| A rigorous study of basic biological principles, designed for science majors. Topics emphasized include basic biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, embryology, histology, and evolution. |
| This course, also rigorous and designed for science majors, covers concepts in animal and plant physiology, botany, and ecology. |
| Laboratory exercises include protein quantification, enzyme kinetics, isolation and identification of plant pigments, microscopy, and histological techniques. |
| Laboratory exercises include invertebrate dissections, sensory physiology, renal physiology, plant development in angiosperms, stomate response to environmental changes, and an ecological field study of predator-prey interactions. |
| The design of this course is intended to impart an understanding of the basic concepts of human physiology with emphasis on neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and endocrine physiology. Laboratory exercises place emphasis on effective experimental designs and data analysis in the study of physiological mechanisms. Lab exercises cover such topics as muscle contraction measurements, spirometry, and ECG analysis. Does not fulfill a biology major requirement. |
| An introduction to chemistry for the science major. First semester topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, calculations involving chemical concentrations, gas laws and bonding. |
| A continuation of first semester. Topics include kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, oxidation- reduction chemistry, thermodynamics, electro- chemistry and nuclear chemistry. |
| Laboratory course to accompany 111. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to instrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. |
| Second semester laboratory course to accompany 112. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to intrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. |
| This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of human anatomy. The course will cover human muscle origins, insertions, and actions as well as describing in depth systemic anatomy of the skeletal, circulatory, ¡respiratory, renal, reproductive, and nervous systems. The course will use a traditional lecture format and both anatomical models and computer software to aid in learning course material. |
| An introduction to the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure, with laboratory work in each area. |
| Laboratory course to cover the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure. |
| A continuation of PHY 103. Fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure, with laboratory work in each area. |
| A continuation of PHY 105. Laboratory course to cover the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure. |
One of:
MAS 170 Elementary Statistics| An introduction to elementary descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on conceptual understanding. |
| A more advanced version of MAS 170 intended for students with some calculus background. |
| This laboratory course explores the basic quantitative and qualitative statistics and data-based analytical methods used by scientists to interpret and understand behavior. Topics include the logic of the scientific method applied to data analysis, descriptive statistics, the foundations and utility of inferential statistics, and the statistical methodologies of simple and advanced hypothesis testing. Students will also design, analyze, and present the results of their own original data-collection project. |
One of:
PSY 111 General Psychology I| This laboratory course is designed as an introduction to the conceptual and methodological foundations of psychological science. Through an exploration of several content areas in psychology, including physiological psychology, sensation & perception, learning, cognition, and states of consciousness, the course provides a conceptual background for understanding behavior, and active engagement with the scientific process (including theory building, hypothesis testing and critical analysis of empirical data). |
| This survey course examines the relationship between research and theory in the field of psychology, with emphasis on the field of applied psychology. Individual and societal influences on physical and psychological health will be examined. Topics will include psychological testing, personality theory, intelligence, motivation and emotion, social behavior, and psychological disorders and treatment. |
One of:
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology| An introduction to the sociological perspective with a focus on how individual behavior is shaped by the social context. The nature and characteristics of human societies and social life are examined from a perspective known as the "sociological imagination". Topics range from the influence of culture on human behavior, the development of the self, group dynamics, deviance, population, and social inequality. |
| Introduction to both physical and cultural anthropology including human evolution, human variation, and cross-cultural analysis and comparison. |
One of:
PHT 412 Psyc/Soc Asp. Disease/Disabil.| A survey course of the psychosocial implications of illness and disability. Specific attention is given to cultural differences, adjustment models, family stress from caregiving, family violence, and normal grieving processes. |
| An examination of the societal bases of health, illness and health care. The course will include an examination of the three components of medicine: the patient, the medical professional and the health care organization. Specific topics will include: the role of the patient; doctor-patient relationships; the socialization of medical professionals; the hospital as a complex organization, cross-cultural comparisons of health care and current topics of concern such as the AIDS epidemic, new technologies and social response to the terminally ill patient. |
Professional Phase:
PHT 502 Prof. Issues of PT Pract. I| Introduces students to key professional ethical and practice issues, including communication and health policy. |
| Continued study of professional ethical and practice issues and patient care documentation. Students develop an understanding of the impact of ethical decision-making through self-discovery and teaching. Theories of teaching and learning are introduced as a basis to understand the learning process and to investigate patient education in physical therapy practice. |
| Explores human neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary systems. Laboratory exercises include cadaveric dissection. |
| Examines basic human pathology and medical principles, including, but not limited to, inflammation, infection, systemic conditions, diagnostic imaging, genetics, and clinical laboratory tests. |
| Examines tissue and joint structure and function, and the mechanical principles involved in human motion. The laboratory portion will introduce students to the basics of postural and gait assessment. |
| This course will focus on the processes that govern human movement acquisition and control across the lifespan and will prepare students to apply principles of motor development, motor control, and motor learning to clinical practice. Emphasis will be placed on developing a working knowledge of the neural, physical, and behavioral aspects of human movement and the process involved in acquiring and refining motor skills across the lifespan. |
| An introduction to the tests and measurements used by physical therapists in the clinical and research settings. Laboratory sessions will provide the student with an opportunity to integrate concepts and apply the therapeutic interventions discussed in lecture. |
| Provides a critical appreciation of basic science, clinical, and grounded theory research to the evolution of physical therapy as an evidence based clinical health professional discipline. |
| This course serves as the orientation to Clinical Education and Practice for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Students will be introduced to performance expectations and requirements for clinical education, the practice of self-reflection, health-care privacy and confidentiality, Standard Precautions and health-care safety, professional communication and interactions, and the clinical site selection process. |
| An introduction to the basic conversational and medical/technical vocabulary needed to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients. |
| Covers health and health promotion topics across the lifespan. Students will begin to identify community needs that would benefit from a physical therapy program of prevention, health promotion, wellness, and screening services. |
| Neuroscience examines the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and changes that occur across the life-span, relevant pathophysiology and the functional manifestations of this pathology, and acquisition of basic neurologic examination skills. |
| First of a two course sequence designed to instruct students in the use of therapeutic modalities to affect change in human tissues. Laboratory exercises include applying modalities, gait training with various devices, and therapeutic exercise. |
| First of a two course sequence providing an in depth study of the evaluation, assessment, and treatment methods used in the management of musculoskeletal pathology and/or injury. This first component of the two course sequence will emphasize the upper and lower limbs, with an introductory component to the spine. |
| A continuation of Clinical Intervention I. This course will examine edema and integumentary concerns, incontinence, and specific exercise techniques. |
| Second of a two course sequence providing an in-depth study of the evaluation, assessment, and treatment methods used in the management of musculoskeletal pathology and injury. This course will build upon material studied in PHT 728 and emphasize anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological factors relevant to musculoskeletal dysfunction. |
| Provides an examination of techniques used in the examination and assessment of persons with nervous system dysfunction. |
| Presents the aging process in relation to pathokinesiology, the immune system, cardiopulmonary system, musculoskeletal system, neuromuscular function, and therapeutic intervention adaptation. |
| Provides a detailed examination of the physical therapy management of individuals requiring splinting or bracing, as well as individuals with amputations requiring prosthetic devices. |
| The is the second in a series of a four-part course sequence of critical inquiry/evidence-based physical therapy. In this course, the student will begin the process of developing a case study (using a clinical case that was obtained in the student's first clinical affiliation) that is evidenced-based. The concepts of sensitivity, specificity, responsiveness to change and the epidemiologic concepts of prevalence, incidence, ratios, and proportions are covered. |
| This is the third course in a four-part course sequence of critical inquiry/evidence-based physical therapy. The extensive use of Comprehensive Appraisals of a Topic Is the central theme of this semester. Current published research topics include: clinical prediction rules, prognosis, low back dysfunction, shoulder dysfunction and patient satisfaction. |
| Students will be assigned to a supervising Clinical Instructor (CI) and have the opportunity to examine, evaluate, propose, and implement intervention strategies in a full-time clinical experience. Students will complete documentation for patient care management and are expected to demonstrate professional behaviors. |
| A seven-week, full-time supervised clinical learning experience to provide students the opportunity to develop clinical competence in the physical therapy management of individuals in an ambulatory or inpatient environment. |
| The second, seven-week supervised clinical learning experience where students continue to develop clinical competence in the management of various musculoskeletal, cardiovascular- pulmonary, integumentary, and neuromuscular disorders. |
| Examines current issues and trends in physical therapy clinical management. |
| Examines in detail through a case-based approach specific neurologic conditions, the resulting impairments and functional limitations, and the physical therapy management of persons presenting with these conditions. |
| Presents an introduction to the physical therapy management of pediatric patients. Topics include normal motor development, and client examination, evaluation, and intervention aimed at improving function and limiting disability. |
| This course will cover specialized physical therapy practice areas and advanced evaluative, assessment, and interventional strategies for special populations. |
| Designed to integrate the curricular content to date. In this capstone course, students will demonstrate differential diagnosis as it relates to autonomous practice in realistic clinical situations. |
| This is the capstone course in a four-part course sequence of critical inquiry/evidence-based physical therapy. A formal case study is prepared in two formats for presentation at a professional meeting. The poster format is developed using the elements of the "Physical Therapist Patient Management Model" as well as a formal case study document detailing the evidence gathered. |
| Final, full-time supervised clinical learning experience spanning sixteen weeks in a multidisciplinary care environment. Students will demonstrate patient management skills for pediatric or adult patients with complex medical diagnoses utilizing an evidence-based approach. |
No minor is offered in health science.