Physical Therapy Course Descriptions
This
is the first of a two-semester sequence of courses and focuses on the anatomy of
the upper and lower extremities and the superficial back.
This course includes full cadaver dissection. (5 credits)
This
course is primarily a study of the development of the human nervous system, the
morphology, classification and basic physiology of neurons, and the neuroanatomy
of the brain and spinal cord. It provides a basic foundation of knowledge
regarding the essential concepts of neuroscience with a focus on the basic
physiology and 3-dimensional anatomy of the central nervous system. (4 credits)
The
purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the historical
development, structure and function of the American health care system and the
profession of physical therapy. The
elements of patient management as described in the APTA Guide to Physical
Therapy Practice and a model of disablement will be used as a framework to
introduce patient management across various practice settings.
(2 credits)
Physical
Therapy Procedures is an introductory clinical skills course that focuses on
infection control, vital signs, clinical emergencies, body mechanics,
positioning and draping, basic wheelchair prescription, transfers, bed mobility,
and gait training of patients referred to physical therapy. In addition, it introduces the student the American Physical
Therapy Association’s Guide approach to
physical therapy practice and documentation.
(2credits)
This
is the first of two sequential courses that examines normal physiology and
pathology of various body systems and the alterations in structure and function.
Emphasis will be placed on the etiology of disease states and disorders
that are commonly encountered by physical therapists practicing in various
clinical settings. Implications to physical therapy clinical practice will be
discussed. (3 credits)
This
course focuses on the study of human development before birth with an emphasis
on clinical embryology and birth defects. Emphasis
is placed on the relationship to the practice of physical therapy.
(3 credits)
This
is the second of a two-semester sequence of courses and focuses on the anatomy
of the head, neck, deep back, spinal column, and body cavities. This course includes full cadaver dissection.
(5 credits)
This
course builds upon the basic neuroscience foundation provided in Neuroscience I
(PT 631). A systems approach is utilized to examine structure and function of
the clinically relevant systems of the peripheral and central nervous systems as
applied to neurological evaluation. An introduction to basic neurological
physical examination methods is included. (4
credits)
Prerequisite: Neuroscience I (PT 631)
This is the second of two sequential courses that examines the physiology and pathology of various body systems and the alterations in structure and function. Emphasis will be placed on the etiology of disease states and disorders that are commonly encountered by physical therapists practicing in various clinical settings. Implications to physical therapy clinical practice will be discussed. Prerequisite: Pathophysiology I (4 credits)
This
course focuses on the theory and physiological effects of selected
instrumentation with indications and contraindications relevant to specific
problems. Therapeutic modalities
include: heat, cold, electrical
current, light, sound, intermittent compression, and traction.
In addition, the American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide will be
reviewed relative to physical therapy modality practice.
(2 credits)
This
course provides an overview of physical therapy for patients during the life
cycle birth to 20 years of age. The
various aspects of health care delivery are incorporated, including but not
limited to pharmacology, diagnostics, medical monitoring, and cultural and
psychosocial implications. (4
credits)
This
course is an introduction to various types of research and the basic concepts of
scientific inquiry. Emphasis is
placed on the development of a research project including rationale, protection
of subjects, and methods. Students
develop and practice skills in critically evaluating the physical therapy
literature. (2 credits)
This
course is taken concurrently with Gross Anatomy I and complements knowledge of
human anatomy with the investigation of normal and pathological human movement
using the physical laws of motion and principles of arthrology. Emphasis on
discussion of Newton's Laws of Motion and application to isolated and gross
movement patterns of the upper and lower extremities. (2 credits)
This
course focuses on physical therapy assessment techniques specifically
goniometry, manual muscle testing, electroneuromyography, and sensory and reflex
testing.(3 credits)
This
course provides the student with an introduction and application of the science
of nutrition. Emphasis is placed on
an understanding of the various nutrients, their functions and availability as
well a realistic means by which to obtain them in the diet.
Implications for the physical therapist will be addressed.
(1 credit)
This
course introduces students to medications, their appropriate uses, side effects,
interactions and adverse effects. Emphasis
is placed on an understanding of medication effects as they relate to a
patient’s progress in physical therapy. The course content will encompass all age groups, but special
emphasis will be placed on adolescent, adult and older adults.
(1 credit)
The
purpose of this course is to provide students exposure to the multi-faceted role
fo the profession of physical therapy through a full-time, clinical orientation.
Didactic knowledge and clinical skills will be integrated through
hands-on experience. Students will
be given the opportunity to practice and perfect previously acquired treatment
techniques, skills and knowledge in the clinical setting under the direct
supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
(1 credit)
This
course provides an overview of physical therapy for patients during the life
cycle of 20 to 40 years of age. The
various aspects of health care delivery are incorporated, including but not
limited to pharmacology, diagnostics, medical monitoring, and cultural and
psychosocial implications. Diagnoses
include but are not limited to musculoskeletal, multisystem, neurological, and
cardiopulmonary problems, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, women's
health for this age group, and other. (4
credits)
This
course builds on the foundational concepts covered in Research I. Fundamentals of pypotheses testing, including both parametric
and non parametric statistics, are covered.
Continued study of inferential statistics includes basic and advanced
Analysis of Variance. Students will
also learn to organize and reduce data using SPSS software.
There is continued development and practice critiquing physical therapy
literature and progression of research projects.
Prerequisite: PT 725. (4
credits)
This
course provides students with their initial exposure through a five-week
full-time clinical education experience at the end of the fourth semester.
Students will be given the opportunity to apply examination skills,
documentation, clinical interventions, and patient education on patients under
the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
(3 credits)
Cardiopulmonary
and exercise science focuses on the fundamental components of the knowledge and
practice base of entry-level physical therapists. Concepts of exercise physiology and practical application in
physical therapy are addressed. Emphasis
is placed on clinical application, muscle strengthening, cardiopulmonary
assessment and intervention, and guidelines established by the American College
of Sports Medicine. (3 credits)
The
principles of clinical decision-making and assessment of the results of
subjective and objective examination procedures leading to a differential
diagnosis.
This
course focuses on the study of the principles, procedures, and interpretation of
diagnostic imaging techniques. Emphasis
is placed on plain film radiography, myelograms, CT scans, medical resonance
imaging and nuclear medicine as they relate to the musculoskeletal,
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems.
This course provides an overview of physical therapy for patients during the life cycle of 40 to 60 years of age. The various aspects of health care delivery are incorporated, including but not limited to pharmacology, diagnostics, medical monitoring, and cultural and psychosocial implications. Diagnoses include but are not limited to musculoskeletal, multisystem, and cardiopulmonary problems, breast cancer, arterial and venous insufficiency, lymphedema, and stroke. Prerequisites: Clinical Internship I, (PT 645 ) (4 credits)
PT
742: Health Care Systems II
This
course encompasses communication, ethics, and legal issues that affect the
profession of physical therapy. Communication
will focus on interactions with patients, clients, family, colleagues, and other
members of the health care team with emphasis on cultural sensitivity.
(3 credits)
PT 744: Psychosocial Integration
This course introduces
psychosocial concepts related to the role of the physical therapist in caring
for individuals experiencing acute, chronic and terminal illness.
Explores the relationships and interactions between patients and society
with respect to physical disability and disease. Lecture, discussion, independent reading and experimental
learning are employed to investigate self-awareness, interpersonal
communication, problem solving, stress management, coping mechanisms and
motivation. (2 credits)
PT
740: Neurological Examination and
Intervention
This
course will focus on the advanced study of therapeutic exercise and motor
control for select pathologies and condition.
Students wil lbe exposed to the various neurophysiological approaches
used to treat common lesions and pathologies of the neuromuscular system.
Theoretical and practical applications will be presented.
Special emphasis will be placed on developing the student’s
understanding of how to analyze movement patterns and develop appropriate
therapeutic intervention strategies. Students
will learn to integrate treatment approaches to an outcomes-based model.
Prerequisites: Neuroscience
I, II (66-631, 636), PT Procedures I (66-540), Anatomy I, II (66-630, 635),
Pathophysiology I, II (66-548, 549) .
(4
credits)
This
course builds on the concepts and techniques covered in the two preceding
Research courses. Post-hoc Analysis
of Variance techniques are covered. Other
data analysis techniques include analysis of frequencies (Chi-squared) and
analysis of relationships (correlation, simple and multiple regression,
reliability). Multivariate
techniques are introduced. Students
will be assigned various tasks requiring application of statistical principles
and interpretation of findings as related to physical therapy.
There is continued progression of student research projects and
development of skills in critiquing the professional literature.
Prerequisite: Research II
(66-726) (4 credits)
This
course focuses on the principles of education, prevention and wellness as they
apply to physical therapy. Emphasis
is placed on theories and practice related to adult education. (2 credits)
This course provides an overview of physical therapy for patients during the life cycle following age 60. The various aspects of health care delivery are incorporated, including but not limited to pharmacology, diagnostics, medical monitoring, and cultural and psychosocial implications. Special emphasis is placed on the age related changes in the body and their impact . Topics include but are not limited to musculoskeletal, multisystem, and cardiopulmonary problems, urinary incontinence, dementia, depression, falls and balance dysfunction, and issues related to this life cycle. Prerequisites: PT 716. (4 credits)
This course is the final course in the Research series. Emphasis is placed on how to prepare, deliver and submit professional research presentations, prepare and submit journal-quality manuscripts and conduct physical therapy research in a clinical environment. Students complete the final stages of their research projects and prepare a journal-quality manuscript. They prepare and deliver a formal presentation of their work to their peers, faculty and other university and non-university guests. Prerequisite: 66-727 (2 credits)
PT
750: Cardiopulmonary Physical
Therapy
This
elective builds on prior the curricular content in the area of cardiopulmonary
physical therapy with emphasis placed on special topics and cases encountered,
case studies, special topics, and clinical considerations.
(2 credits)
This
course provides an overview of the anatomical and neurophysiological
foundations, basic principles, and common techniques associated with
electrophysiological evaluation of the peripheral nervous system utilizing
electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS).
Emphasis is place on developing the student’s skills in correlating
patient history and clinical examination findings used in formulation of
differential working diagnoses with EMG/NCS findings in the evaluation of the
differential diagnoses.
This
course builds on the student’s prior pediatric coursework.
Emphasis is placed on the following topics: assessment, cognitive development, the high risk infant,
adaptive equipment for the physically challenged, physical therapy in the school
setting, special topics, issues and concerns of parents with children with
disabilities, maturation of the child with disabilities into adulthood. (2
credits)
This course focuses on the study of the concepts and exponents of mobilization, manipulation and manual therapy as related to the examination and treatment of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system. (2 credits)
This
course focuses on the evaluation and management of athletic injuries.
Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis of and physical therapy for acute and
overuse injuries to the musculoskeletal system, and the recognition and on-site
care of life-threatening conditions and injuries to the head and spinal column.
Geriatrics focuses on the study of all aspects of aging: biological, psychological, and social. The study of diseases in the elderly and rehabilitation of the older adult are emphasized. (2 credits)
This
course focuses on the administration role of the physical therapist. Emphasis is placed on business operations, budget
development, supervision of support personnel, risk management, utilization
review, quality improvement, accreditation and reimbursement.
In addition, the student will work on resume writing and interviewing
skills. (2 credits)
This course is the first of two Residencies and provides the student with a 15-week residency experience to transfer didactic laboratory knowledge to the clinical environment. Students will have the opportunity to refine their clinical skills in a practice area such as outpatient sports and orthopedics, acute care, rehabilitation, skilled care, home care, school settings, industrial rehabilitation, or other. (6 credits)
This
course is the first of two Residencies and provides the student with a 15-week
residency experience to transfer didactic laboratory knowledge to the clinical
environment. Students will have the
opportunity to refine their clinical skills in a practice area such as
outpatient sports and orthopedics, acute care, rehabilitation, skilled care,
home care, school settings, industrial rehabilitation, or other.
Following this course is a Capstone Professional Week where students
attend in-depth workshops on various facets of physical therapy.
(6 credits)
PT
816: Professional Exploration
This
course provides students with an opportunity to spend time with a mentor in an
area of physical therapy that the student wishes to further explore. These areas include physical therapy specialty fields,
research, education, administration, the professional organization, and service
learning. (2 credits)
Professional Inquiry is the final course in the PT curriculum in which emphasis is placed on various areas of physical therapy practice. Presentations are scheduled based on student and faculty-identified interests. (1 credit)