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Course Descriptions in Professional/Master's Phase
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PT
300 CLINICAL EDUCATION I |
4 CR |
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An eight week full-time basic physical therapy skills affiliation
scheduled in the summer following the first professional
(junior) year. Designed to provide the learner with
competency in the beginning clinical skills of client-therapist
interactions, case history development, simple musculoskeletal
and functional assessments, application of simple treatment
techniques and modalities, and participation in the
planning and design of treatment programs. |
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PT
410 ANATOMY |
4 CR |
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An in-depth study of gross anatomy with an emphasis
on muscular, skeletal, neural, and cardiovascular structures
and systems. Course content will pay particular attention
to functional anatomy of the appendages and their associated
girdles, the back, and the head and neck.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Permission |
| PT 411 Kinesiology and Biomechanics |
3 CR |
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A comprehensive study of human
movement with an emphasis on biomechanical and kinesiological
concepts of normal and pathological movement of each
body region. The course will include lecture
and laboratory components that will integrate fundamental
mechanical and kinesiological principles in the analysis
of joint motion throughout the body. The course builds
on anatomical knowledge to give students an in-depth
appreciation of how normal and abnormal structure of
the body influence movement.
An appreciation will be gained of how human movement
emerges as a property of the biomechanical and kinesiological
constraints imposed by the structure and function of
the body.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor’s
Permission
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| PT
412 MOTOR CONTROL and LEARNING |
3 CR |
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This
course provides students with an overview of current
theoretical and applied perspectives in the field of
motor control and learning and discusses their implications
for physical therapy. The course will primarily be focused
at the behavioral level of analysis and thus will complement
the neurophysiological approach taken in PT 450. A major emphasis in this course will be to compare and
contrast the theoretical approaches of information processing
and dynamic systems in the understanding of both normal
and pathological human motor behavior.
These approaches have been the focus of much
attention in the recent rehabilitation literature.
Implications for the treatment of patients stemming
from both approaches will be examined.
This will allow students to constructively criticize
current assumptions underlying motor control for neurologic
rehabilitation and to understand how theoretical frameworks
bias evaluation and treatment options. Given a theoretical understanding
of past and current approaches to motor control and
learning, students will be able to flexibly design their
own patient treatment approaches.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor's
Permission
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PT
415 THERAPEUTIC SKILLS I |
2 CR |
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A course designed to introduce students to the
assessment and treatment techniques integral to the
practice of physical therapy. This course is the first
of a four-part series designed to teach the appropriate
selection and use of devices and techniques that all
physical therapists should be capable of using. The
aim of the course is for the student to safely apply
the skills learned in the course to patients during
the first clinical education placement at the end of
year 3.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Permission |
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PT
416 THERAPEUTIC SKILLS II |
2 CR |
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This course is designed
to introduce students to the assessment and treatment
techniques integral to the practice of physical therapy. This is the second course of a four-part series designed
to teach the appropriate selection and use of devices
and techniques that all physical therapists should be
capable of using. The aim of this course is for the
student to safely apply the skills learned in the course
to patients during the first clinical placement at the
end of the year.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor's
Permission
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PT
417 PHYSICAL AGENTS I |
2 CR |
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A course designed to
introduce the students to the scientific and clinical
principles involved in the use of physical agents (modalities)
in patient assessment and treatment.
The course focuses on thermal, light, and mechanical
agents used by physical therapists to treat patients,
and explores the physics, physiology, and clinical aspects
of commonly used modalities. The aim of this course is for the student to understand
the indications and contradictions for each modality
and be able to safely apply the skills learned in the
course to patients during the first clinical placement.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor's Permission
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PT
418 PHYSICAL AGENTS II |
2 CR |
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course continues the study of the scientific and clinical
principles involved in the use of physical agents (modalities)
in patient treatment.
This is the second part of a two-course series,
and focuses on electrical stimulation and biofeedback
used by physical therapists in the treatment of patients.
The aim of this course is for the student to
understand the indications and contraindications of
these modalities and to be able to safely apply them
to patients during the first clinical placement.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Permission |
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PT
420 LIFE CYCLES I |
3 CR |
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This course, the first
in a two-course sequence, presents the relationship
of structure and function to the development of movement
skills across the entire life span.
Normal physical development and normal movement
of an individual is described from the time of conception
through old age with emphasis on children under five
years and adults over sixty-five years. Students will be introduced to movement disorders that
are characteristic of specific age stages. This course is taught from a life span perspective in
which social, psychological, and physical factors all
interact to impact function.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Permission
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PT
430 PROFESSIONALISM IN PT |
2 CR |
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This experiential course is designed to guide
the student in the attainment of attitudes, behaviors,
and values appropriate to a healthcare practitioner. Through an examination of physical therapy as a profession,
students will identify the changing and emerging roles
of the physical therapist in the current healthcare
environment. Students will identify their own
personality types, ethics, beliefs and communication
skills as they assess their attainment of beginning
professional behaviors. Students will be introduced to the
laws and regulations that define and limit the scope
of physical therapy practice.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor's Permission
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PT
432 HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATION & DOCUMENTATION |
2 CR |
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A course emphasizing
the practice and assessment of effective communication
skills used with patients, families and other health
care professionals. Verbal communication, non-verbal
communication, and medical documentation are included. Issues relevant to physical therapy
practice are used as vehicles for the practice of communication
skills.
Prerequisite:
Year
3 PT Student Status or Instructor's Permission |
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PT
450 NEUROPHYSIOLOGY |
3 CR |
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This course will give students a basic understanding
of the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological substrates
underlying human perception, movement, cognition and
language. The course will pay particular attention
to the sensory and motor systems that contribute to
the control of posture and movement.
Both normal and pathological functioning of the
nervous system will be discussed.
Common dysfunctions of the neuromuscular system
will be addressed through lectures, student literature
reviews, and student presentations. Students will be required to make
presentations of recent neuroscience research investigating
commonly encountered neural pathologies. Clinical illustrations
will be discussed throughout the course.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor's
Permission |
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PT
500 CLINICAL EDUCATION II |
4 CR |
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An eight-week full-time clinical
experience during the spring semester of the second
professional year. This course is designed to provide
the student with competency in the intermediate to entry
level skills of managing musculoskeletal dysfunction,
and in the basic to intermediate skills of managing
patients with neurologic or cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor’s
Permission
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PT
501 RESEARCH METHODS I |
2 CR |
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This course is designed
to provide students with an introduction to the major
research methods used in the allied health sciences
specifically, physical therapy.
Course work prepares students to review, evaluate,
and utilize professional literature, to design a testable
research study, and to summarize and write about research
in a meaningful and stylistically correct way. In addition, this course provides
the theoretical concepts used throughout the Research
Methods curriculum for the development and completion
of a thesis.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or Instructor's
Permission |
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PT
502 RESEARCH METHODS II |
2 CR |
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This course is designed to build upon the concepts
learned in Research Methods I and to provide students
the opportunity to apply research concepts to allied
health sciences specifically, physical therapy. Students will prepare: 1.) a literature review by critically
analyzing current research in their related subject
field, 2.) a research proposal that includes a complete
introduction and methods section, 3.) if appropriate and Institutional Review Board, human
or animal subjects application submission, and 4.) the introduction portion to your
manuscript in the editing style chosen by your advisor. In addition, this course provides
additional theoretical concepts used throughout the
Research Methods curriculum for the development and
completion of a research project. Readings and assignments are planned
to stimulate an analytical perspective towards physical
therapy knowledge towards the integration of research.
Prerequisite: PT 501 Research Methods I
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PT
505 ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY |
3 CR |
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This course is a study
of the basic principles and foundations of mammalian
physiology specifically, the human model.
Specific attention and detail will be given to
the molecular mechanisms that share commonality with
all systems. Material will range from the conceptual
understanding of bioengineering covering design through
molecular interactions responsible for specific function. Particular attention will be focused
on the topics of electrophysiology, metabolism, skeletal,
smooth, and cardiac muscle structure and function, cardiac
and pulmonary physiology, endocrinology, renal physiology
including fluid and electrolyte balance and immunology.
This course is designed to dovetail the students
undergraduate science curriculum and build the foundational
principles needed for Exercise Physiology.
Prerequisite: Year 3 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Permission |
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PT
510 NEUROMUSCULAR I |
3 CR |
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This course provides
students with an overview of the assessment and treatment
of the adult client with a neurological lesion. It presents the philosophies underlying the major treatment
approaches currently used, and discusses the applications
as well as the limitations of these philosophies. The course emphasizes evaluation and treatment of a patient
who has had a cerebrovascular accident, however the
principles presented can be applied to any patient who
has suffered a neurological lesion.
This course includes a lab component for practice
of specific techniques used in the treatment of patient
population.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
515 THERAPEUTIC SKILLS III |
3 CR |
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This is the third of
four courses designed to introduce students to the scientific
and clinical principles involved in the use of various
therapeutic skills in patient care.
This course emphasizes orthopedic evaluation
and treatment skills and some neurologic treatment skills.
The emphasis of the class is on development of
manual therapy skills and therapeutic exercise prescription.
Part of the material pertaining to performing
a musculoskeletal screening is taught in the week prior
to the start of Fall semester, thereafter there are
two lecture/lab sessions per week.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
516 THERAPEUTIC SKILLS IV |
3 CR |
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This is the last of
four courses designed to introduce students to the scientific
and clinical principles involved in therapeutic skills
used in patient care.
The two – 2 hr lab sessions per week are
spread over a twelve-week period of time. This course emphasizes orthopedic
evaluation and treatment skills related to PT 552. Musculoskeletal II, especially spinal
and soft tissue procedures and some evaluation and treatment
skills from PT 530, Chronic Conditions, and PT 520,
Life Cycles. The first seven weeks will apply
the concepts discussed in PT 552 and teach and/or practice
manual assessment and treatment techniques along with
appropriate exercises and patient education for orthopedic
type pathologies related to the spine, ribs, and pelvis.
Treatment approaches will emphasize the concept
of identifying the tissue or tissues in lesion and applying
the Optimum Stimulation for Regeneration via manual
therapy techniques and exercise. The last 4 weeks will be used to discuss and practice
topics from PT 530 such as lymphedema, wound care, stump
wrapping and serial casting procedures and PT 520, such
as CP, MS, Stroke, etc.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status
or Instructor's Consent |
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PT
520 LIFE CYCLES II |
3 CR |
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This course, the second
in a two-course sequence, explores the impact of chronic
disorders on growth, development, movement and aging. Students will use information describing the typically-development
and typically aging individual to determine the changes
in structure, function and movement expected from a
specific pathology.
This course is taught from a life span perspective
in which social, psychological, and physical factors
all interact to impact function.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status
or Instructor's Consent |
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PT
525 EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY |
3 CR |
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The course is a combination
of lectures and labs.
The first half of the course examines the body’s
systemic response to exercise and the remainder of the
classes considers the implications of these responses
for training and rehabilitation. The course covers bioenergetics
and metabolism and how these relate to energy production
for activity, endocrine control during exercise, the
cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary and nervous systems’
response to an acute and chronic aerobic exercise stimulus
as well as to resistance training. Participants will learn how the principles of frequency,
intensity, duration, specificity, and reversibility
of exercise affect training for performance. The course will also examine how aging affects the body’s
response to exercise and training. Participants will be able to use the principles of exercise
physiology to develop exercise prescriptions for special
populations such as individuals with coronary heart
disease, chronic lung disease, osteoporosis, spinal
cord injuries, renal failure, and diabetes.
Prerequisite:Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
528 ETHICAL/LEGAL/MGMT ISSUES IN PT |
3 CR |
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This course allows the student to explore in further
detail the many legal and ethical issues inherent in
the United States health care system. Tools such as
the APTA code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and
the Maine Practice Act for Physical Therapy will be
utilized while students resolve frequently encountered
ethical and legal dilemmas through case study. The course
also examines current issues and trends in physical
therapy clinical management. Topics such as: reimbursement,
human resource management, quality, risk, and information
management are covered, to name only a few.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status
or Instructor's Consent |
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PT
530 REHABILITATION OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS |
3 CR |
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This course explores
a variety of chronic conditions and their sequelae,
including metabolic, autoimmune, malignant, infectious,
vascular and traumatic disorders. The course covers the pathology,
medical and surgical management, psychosocial issues,
and the role of the physical therapist and other health
care team members in patient evaluation and treatment.
This course should be taken concurrently with PT 516,
Therapeutic Skills IV.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
550 MUSCULOSKELETAL I |
3 CR |
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This course provides
an introduction to examination, evaluation and treatment
for orthopedic conditions with the emphasis on peripheral
conditions. Students learn and practice screening examinations
and joint specific examinations including special tests.
Differential diagnosis through selective tissue
tensioning lays the initial foundation for patient case
development and practice throughout the course. Students examine commonly utilized
orthopedic outcome tools for reliability and validity.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status
or Instructor's Consent |
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PT
552 MUSCULOSKELETAL II |
3 CR |
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This is the second of two courses is designed
to introduce students to the scientific and clinical
principles involved in the evaluation and treatment
of orthopedic conditions treated by physical therapists.
This course will allow students to acquire skills
in the evaluation and treatment of spinal, craniomandibular
pathologies and disorders, and special topics in orthopedics.
Manual therapy techniques will be discussed based
on the biomechanics of the skeletal joints. Adjunctive treatment procedures used in orthopedic procedures
will be discussed.
The goal of this course is to prepare the student
to evaluate and treat common disorders of the spine,
craniomandibular joints, and select chronic orthopedic
disorders and to be able to differentiate distal VS
proximal nerve pathologies.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
560 CARDIORESPIRATORY I |
3 CR |
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This course uses a
mix of lectures, labs and small group sessions and independent
study to help the student develop competencies in assessment
and treatment of cardiopulmonary impairments and associated
disabilities so that they can provide safe and effective
client interventions. Students will develop assessment
skills that will enable them to identify acute and chronic
cardiopulmonary/cardiovascular impairments across the
lifespan and to choose and apply treatment strategies
appropriate to the problems identified during their
assessment.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
599 ADVANCED PHYSICAL THERAPY ELECTIVE |
3 CR |
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This course provides advanced study in small groups
of varying areas related to physical therapy practice.
Each student chooses two electives in the fifth year
of the PT program.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
600 CLINICAL EDUCATION III |
4 CR |
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This is the final eight-week
full-time clinical experience, scheduled during the
spring semester of the fifth and final year. This course
is designed to provide the student with competency in
the entry level skills of managing patients with simple
to complex musculoskeletal dysfunction, neurologic dysfunction,
cardiopulmonary dysfunction, integumentary problems,
or complex medical conditions.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
601 RESEARCH METHODS III |
1 CR |
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In this course, students
work in groups to begin the data collection for the
research project that was initiated in Research Methods
I and II. They will also begin to prepare
a paper for publication.
This course is conducted as an independent study,
with student groups meeting regularly with their advisors
to discuss the project.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
602 RESEARCH METHODS IV |
1 CR |
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In this course, students work in groups to complete
the data collection for their research projects, and
will begin the process of data analysis.
They will continue to revise and add to the written
paper that was begun in previous Research Methods courses. This course is conducted as an independent study, with
students groups meeting regularly with their advisors
to discuss the project.
Prerequisite: Year 4 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent
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PT
603 RESEARCH METHODS V |
1 CR |
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In this course, students
work in groups to complete the data collection and analysis
for their research project.
They will generate and submit an abstract for
submission to a professional conference, and will continue
to add to and revise their research papers. This course is conducted as an independent
study, with student groups meeting regularly with their
advisors to discuss the project.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Student Status
or Instructor's Consent |
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PT
604 RESEARCH METHODS VI |
2 CR |
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This course meets once a week to discuss
the presentation of research results using a variety
of media. Students
work in groups to complete their research projects,
and to prepare presentations of their results in using
at least three different media. In addition to class sessions, students
will continue to meet with their research advisors to
discuss their research presentations.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Students or Instructor's
Consent |
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PT
605 DISSECTION ANATOMY |
3 CR |
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This course has two major purposes. The first
is to provide a review of neural, vascular, and musculoskeletal
anatomy initially covered in the first gross anatomy
course. This review will make use of previously prosected
cadaveric specimens. The second purpose of this course
is to provide an opportunity for intensive and detailed
dissection of selected anatomical regions such as the
spine, appendicular articulations, the face, the pelvic
floor, and the brain.
Prerequisite: PT 410 |
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PT
610 NEUROMUSCULAR II |
3 CR |
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This course is the
second part of the clinical series in neurological rehabilitation
in the Physical Therapy program.
It builds on the foundational courses of Neurophysiology
and Neuromuscular I, and covers the neuropathology,
medical management, and physical therapy intervention
for a number of neurological conditions. In addition to mastering new treatment
techniques and interventions, students will learn to
apply some of the principles and skills learned in previous
courses to different patient populations. This course
also exposes students to current scientific research
related to the conditions studied, and emphasizes critical
analysis of primary scientific literature.
Prerequisite: PT 450 and 510 |
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PT
620 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE |
2 CR |
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This course provides
students with an overview of patient interview and evaluation
techniques for the primary health care provider. Screening procedures for each major physiological system,
and relevant issues pertaining to pharmacology, mental
health screening, epidemiology, radiology and lab testing
will be presented and discussed.
Prerequisite: PT 410, 550 and 552 |
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PT
630 PHYSICAL THERAPIST AS EDUCATOR/CONSULTANT/ADVOCATE |
2 CR |
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This seminar course is designed to provide
an examination of the educational factors supporting
successful adult learning within health care settings. Students will examine the impact of identity differences
(race, ethnicity, class, gender, disability and other
identity differences), adult development theories and
learning theories in the education of adults.
Students will explore the educational principles
and methodologies needed to educate various constituencies
with healthcare. Through the application of theories,
principles, and methodologies in a community health
project, students will acquire the pedagogical and andragogical
foundations to develop, deliver, and evaluate educational
products for their clients, professional peers and physical
therapy students.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
650 PATIENT CARE SEMINAR I |
2 CR |
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This two-semester hours
course is the last in a six-part series devoted to professional
issues related to physical therapy practice. This course will focus on the presentation of important
current issues relevant to physical therapy and the
rehabilitation environment.
Classes will be conducted in presentation and
discussion format in two hour, half-day, or full day
sessions depending on the topic. The course will include invited speakers who are very
knowledgeable in the issue they will be presenting.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
652 PATIENT CARE SEMINAR II |
1 CR |
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This course provides an opportunity for students
to discuss actual case scenarios and the approaches
they pursued in patient evaluation and treatment.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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PT
660 CARDIORESPIRATORY II |
3 CR |
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This course is divided
into 3 modules: critical care, cardiac rehabilitation
and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Students will participate in lectures, labs,
and observational experiences in hospital and community
settings to develop the skills needed to assess and
treat complex patients with multi-system involvement.
The goal of this course is to build on the assessment
and treatment skills that students’ developed
in PT 560. Students
will develop greater expertise in assessment of acute
and chronic cardiopulmonary and associated impairments. Students will be able to assess
individuals with multi-system involvement and to apply
and modify evidence – based treatment strategies
appropriate to the problems identified.
Prerequisite: Year 5 PT Student Status or
Instructor's Consent |
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