Core Course Descriptions

The Interdisciplinary Healthcare course involves the Colleges of Dental Medicine, Health Sciences, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, and Pharmacy. The course is designed to teach all clinically-based students about each other's clinical programs and how they interact together as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team: cardiovascular sciences, clinical psychology, dental medicine, nurse anesthesia, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy and podiatry students learn about the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to patient care. The class consists primarily of online presentations that are delivered by interdisciplinary team members from each of the clinical programs. Associated quizzes will also be completed online. Occasional lectures will also be given in the classroom in a seminar format or in conjunction with panel presentations.

Credits: 0.5 credits each course

In this two-quarter series, students are introduced through didactic instruction and clinical case sessions to the basic physiologic principles that underline the normal function of the various organs and organ systems. These core principles provide the foundation through which the student develops an understanding of health in physiologic terms and appreciation of diverse regulatory processes that maintain the homeostasis of the human body.

Credits: 4 credits each course

This course explores professionalism in physical therapy practice. Students will gain knowledge about the attributes of a professional association membership, professional association positions and policies, principles of ethics, ethical codes, jurisdictional law, and professional development.

Credits: 2

Students are introduced to the general pathology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, imaging, medical management, and the role of physical therapy. Topics include the immune and lymphatic systems, infectious diseases, oncology, hematology, renal, gastrointestinal, biliary, endocrine, genital/urinal, reproductive, and hepatic disease. Lectures in medical imaging will be introduced and various methods and descriptions of medical imaging will be presented.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites

ANAT 1551 Human Anatomy I/Embryology; PHYS 1571,1582 Human Physiology I, II; PTHE 1580,1581 Kinesiology/Biomechanics I, II

Physical therapy practice embraces an evidence-based approach since the profession is dependent on the efficacy of methods and practices employed in patient treatment. This course provides students with a basic understanding of the research process from an evidence-based perspective. Traditional course content is supplemented with an introduction to data analysis software and select research design methods. Students also select a research topic they will develop for presentation in their final academic year.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PTHE 1501 Clinical Problem Solving I

Health promotion and disease/injury prevention are primary roles fulfilled by physical therapists. This course will provide a conceptual framework for health promotion and disease/injury prevention across the life span. The foundation for the conceptual framework is built on public health policy and basic epidemiological principles. Course content focuses on health promotion and disease/injury prevention, risk and its relation to disease, assessment of risk, interventions to minimize risk/promote health.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites

PTHE 1510 Health Professionalism I; PTHE 1501 Clinical Problem Solving I; PTHE 1640 Biopsychosocial Issues

The multiple roles of the physical therapist across the healthcare delivery system as a patient/client manager, educator, administrator, consultant, and critical inquirer are described and the implications for physical therapy practice are discussed. Current issues in physical therapy practice, healthcare policy, regulation, healthcare reimbursement, patient advocacy, and contemporary practice concepts are analyzed. Ongoing professional development is emphasized.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites

PTHE 1501 Clinical Problem Solving I; PTHE 1510 Health Professionalism I; PTHE 1640 Biopsychosocial Issues

This course provides the foundation for the evaluative process in physical therapy. Course topics include history, systems review, range of motion measurements, manual muscle testing, among other basic assessment techniques. Students are taught to use these assessment techniques to identify patient impairments and perform a basic examination of non-complex patient problems. Students have the opportunity to practice documentation and goal writing.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites

PTHE 1501 Clinical Problem Solving I; PTHE 1510 Health Professionalism I; ANAT 1551 Human Anatomy I/ Embryology; PTHE 1526 Medical Terminology; PTHE 1640 Biopsychosocial Issues

Physical therapists must understand the biomechanics of normal movement and the pathomechanics of the musculoskeletal system in order to prevent, evaluate, and recommend appropriate intervention for patients with movement dysfunction. Course content includes the basic theories of mechanics applied to normal tissues in static and dynamic states. Students will learn to recognize normal and abnormal alignment and movement of the upper extremity, temporomandibular joint, and cervical spine.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

ANAT 1551 Human Anatomy I/Embryology

This course covers the implementation and modification of basic interventions for existing/potential mobility problems at both the impairment and disability levels. This course addresses patient handling, positioning and draping, transfers, bed mobilities, gait training, basic wheelchair prescription, positional/transitional equipment use, bandaging, range of motion and soft tissue mobilization. This course applies early mobilization principles, sterile and non-sterile techniques, standard and isolation precautions, safety, and concepts related to acute care, the ICU, incidents and emergencies.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites

ANAT 1551 Human Anatomy I; PHYS 1571 Physiology I; PTHE 1501 Clinical Problem Solving I; PTHE 1575 Physical Therapy Evaluation I; PTHE 1580 Kinesiology/Biomechanics I; and concurrent enrollment in PTHE 1560 Educational Principles for the Physical Therapists

Simulated Physical Therapy Clinic I is the first of two courses in the Simulated Physical Therapy Clinic series. Prior to three weeks of full-time supervised clinical practice in a healthcare environment, students practice skills in communication, time management, patient evaluation, infection control/standard precautions, and mobility training in a simulated physical therapy practice environment with simulated patients.

Credits: 1

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of all coursework through fall quarter in the first professional year

This course is a continuation of the basic research design and methods content introduced in PTHE 1530 Research. The course is intended to help students refine content, organization and presentation skills as they develop their final research product to be presented in PTHE 1706 Scholarly Development in Physical Therapy.

Credits: 1

Prerequisites

PTHE 1530 Research; PTHE 1570 Physical Therapy Roles and Professional Issues I

Simulated Physical Therapy Clinic II is the second of two courses in the Simulated Physical Therapy Clinic series. Prior to ten weeks full-time supervised clinical practice in a healthcare environment, students practice skills in communication, time management, patient evaluation, examination, infection control/standard precautions, treatment planning, intervention, and patient education in a simulated physical therapy practice environment with evaluation of simulated patients.

Credits: 1

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of all coursework through fall quarter in the second professional year

This course addresses the theoretical principles of physiological changes that occur as a result of the application of thermotherapeutic, cryotherapeutic, hydrotherapeutic, and therapeutic application of traction and compression pumps. Students will develop skills in application of these modalities and will study the normal and abnormal responses of tissue following the application of these modalities. Wound care and the management of chronic wounds will be covered as a unit in this course.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites

PHYS 1582 Human Physiology II; PTHE 1517 Life Span Human Development; PTHE 1590,1591,1690 Physical Therapy Interventions I, II, III; PTHE 1673 Applied Neuroscience; PTHE 1675 Physical Therapy Evaluation III; and concurrent enrollment in PTHE 1602 Clinical Problem Solving II

Physiologic factors relevant to responses and adaptations to exercise across the life span are presented. Analysis of the metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and musculoskeletal systems to prescribe and modify exercise is emphasized. Laboratory experiences are utilized to facilitate integration of principles of exercise physiology with clinical practice.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PHYS 1571, 1582 Human Physiology I, II

This course will introduce physical therapy students to pharmacological intervention in patient/client management. The impact that pharmaceuticals have on physical therapy as well as the impact that physical therapy intervention may have on drug metabolism is highlighted. The course will describe basic pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, identify general categories of drugs affecting individual body systems and explore potential interactions of physical therapy treatments and pharmacokinetics.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites

PHYS 1571,1582 Human Physiology I, II; PTHE 1525,1626 Clinical Conditions I, II; PTHE 1573 Human Neuroscience; PTHE 1673 Applied Neuroscience

Course addresses the examination and evaluation of body structure and function impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions of children and adults with neurological dysfunction. Students are introduced to various standardized examination tools and outcome measures.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PTHE 1517 Life Span Human Development; PTHE 1626 Clinical Conditions II; PTHE 1576 Physical Therapy Evaluation II; PTHE 1581 Kinesiology/Biomechanics II; PTHE 1673 Applied Neuroscience

This course focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive treatment plans for adult and pediatric patients with neurological dysfunction. General as well as pathology specific intervention strategies and tactics are addressed.

Credits: 5

Prerequisites

PTHE 1517 Life Span Human Development; PTHE 1581 Kinesiology/Biomechanics II; PTHE 1602 Clinical Problem Solving II; PTHE 1626 Clinical Conditions II; PTHE 1673 Applied Neuroscience; PTHE 1675 Physical Therapy Evaluation III; PTHE 1690 Physical Therapy Interventions III

This course is a ten-week, full-time, supervised clinical experience. Students practice patient management skills in the clinical environment under the direct supervision of an experienced physical therapist. Students perform patient examination techniques, the evaluation and interpretation of examination results, determine a physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis, design and safely implement a plan of care, and evaluate patient outcomes. Students will develop and provide an in-service presentation to physical therapists at the clinical site.

Credits: 11

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of all coursework through winter quarter in the second professional year.

This course is designed to reinforce and enhance the reasoning process used to make clinical decisions. In this course, clinical problem solving and patient management decisions focus on children and adults with neurologic, cardiopulmonary, integumentary or musculoskeletal dysfunction. The course format emphasizes efficient use of evidence-based practice within the context of clinical physical therapy practice. The course includes a combination of independent study, group discussions, student projects, and individual rationale defense through case study documentation assignments.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PTHE 1501,1602 Clinical Problem Solving I, II; PTHE 1675 Physical Therapy Evaluation III; PTHE 1691 Physical Therapy Interventions IV; PTHE 1573 Human Neuroscience; PTHE 1530 Research

This course introduces principles of physical therapy practice with older adults and children. This course will focus on comprehensive physical therapy management of children and older adults incorporating evidence-based practice, critical decision making, and service delivery across the continuum of healthcare. Adult and neonatal intensive care unit, early intervention and educational settings, geriatric rehabilitation/care settings, and issues related to legislation and reimbursement will be applied to outcomes measures and patient management plans.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PTHE 1517 Life Span Human Development

This course introduces students to the use of upper and lower extremity prosthetics and orthotics. Components, materials, design, fitting, alignment, prescription, training, and total patient management are discussed. Emphasis is placed on lower extremity prostheses, development of basic analytical and psychomotor skills for adapting tools, equipment, environments, and activities to enhance function and patient management.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PTHE 1779 Applied Management Skills in Physical Therapy Systems; PTHE 1792 Physical Therapy Interventions V; PTHE 1719 Pediatric and Geriatric Interventions; PTHE 1700 Human Anatomy II

This course illustrates the student's understanding of the role of the physical therapist in contemporary clinical practice. Each student completes a written case report, based on a client he/she managed during Clinical Experience III, which illustrates all the parts of the patient/client management model and multiple examples of evidence-based practice.

Credits: 1

Prerequisites

PTHE 1697,1798 Clinical Experience II, III

Physical therapy assessment and interventions are addressed in the areas of home health, occupational health, acquatics, lymphedema, chronic pain, pregnancy, and pelvic floor dysfunction. Unique treatment approaches are examined from the perspective of evidence-based practice.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PTHE 1575,1576,1675 Physical Therapy Evaluation I, II, III; PTHE 1590,1591,1690,1691 Physical Therapy Interventions I, II, III, IV; PTHE 1604 Clinical Conditions III

This course is a ten-week, full-time, supervised clinical experience. Students practice patient management skills in the clinical environment under the direct supervision of an experienced physical therapist. Students perform patient examination techniques, the evaluation and interpretation of examination results, determine a physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis, design and safely implement a plan of care, perform interventions, and evaluate patient outcomes. Students will also practice a variety of professional skills critical to professional development.

Credits: 11

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of all coursework and clinical experience through winter quarter in the third professional year.