Course Descriptions Listed by Category:

 


Foundational and Basic Sciences

PT 401 Gross Anatomy (6)
Integrated study of the gross, surface, and microscopic anatomy of the human body including the integumentary, nervous, musculoskeletal, circulatory, digestive, metabolic, respiratory, endocrine, and urogenital systems.

PT 402 Biomechanics (3)
This course provides a survey of various topics in the biomechanics of the human musculoskeletal system, with particular emphasis on understanding mechanics as applied to human movement and musculoskeletal tissue function, and the application of biomechanical principles to patient problems. The course covers three broad content areas: (1) basic biomechanical principles, (2) tissue mechanics, and (3) specific biomechanics for each of the major joints.

PT 403 Applied Kinesiology (3)
This course in applied kinesiology utilizes the principles of biomechanics and movement science to study clinically relevant examples of common human movements. The clinically oriented approach taken in this course includes consideration of both functional and dysfunctional movements using a lifespan perspective. Topics include the applied kinesiology of human posture, gait, and specific movements such as lifting, jumping, throwing, kicking.

PT 404 Applied Exercise Science (2)
The study of muscle, nerve, and cardiorespiratory physiology as they relate to exercise performance, conditioning, deconditioning, and the rehabilitation of disorders involving the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and endocrine systems.

PT 406 Lifespan Development (2)
This course examines normal growth and development across the human lifespan. All aspects of development are considered, including biological, cognitive, emotional, social, moral/ethical and spiritual.

PT 407 Neuroscience (3)
This course is designed to give an in-depth introduction and overview to neuroanatomy, neurodevelopment, neurological function, neuropharmacology, and neurophysiology. This course provides a basis for understanding clinical manifestations seen in neurological disorders.

 

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Medical Sciences

PT 411A Pathology/Medical Science: Orthopedic (2)
This course is focused on the study of regional, tissue specific and system-specific pathology and disease commonly encountered in patients/clients who receive physical therapy in an orthopedic setting.

PT 411B Pharmacology/Diagnostic Technology: Orthopedic (1)
The first component of this course focuses on pharmacology as it impacts the practice of orthopedic physical therapy. The second component of this course will serve as an introduction to a variety of diagnostic technologies commonly used in the diagnosis and medical management of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.

PT 412A Pathology/Medical Science: Neurologic (2)
This course will focus on the pathological processes that result in neurological injury and impairment. The anatomy and physiology of the nervous system will be used first to demonstrate normal function and then to illustrate the physiological basis for loss of function occurring with trauma or disease.

PT 412B Pharmacology/Diagnostic Technology: Neurologic (1)
This course will focus on the use of pharmacology as it impacts the practice of neurologic physical therapy. Content will focus on specific pharmacological agents used in the medical management of neurological patient problems encountered by physical therapists. The second component of this course will focus on diagnostic technologies commonly used in the diagnosis and medical management of patients with nervous system pathology and dysfunction.

PT 413A Pathology/Medical Science: Cardiopulmonary (1.5)
Study of pathologies affecting the cardiac and pulmonary systems, their diagnosis, pathophysiological effects, and clinical manifestations.

PT 413B Pharmacology/Diagnostic Technology: Cardiopulmonary (1.5)
A study of the various diagnostic tests, and the significance of their results in the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. Also includes the pharmacological treatment of these disorders, as well as the indications, contraindications, and potential drug interactions which the physical therapist should be aware of in the treatment of these patients.

PT 415A Integumentary System (0.5)
This course consists of lecture and laboratory components, and is designed to prepare students to safely, legally, ethically, and appropriately evaluate and treat common wound types. Evaluation consists of evaluation of the wound itself, its etiology, the periwound, and the person as a whole. Treatment methods include dressings, debridement options, and therapeutic modalities. Course content includes lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory experiences designed to assist the student in applying concepts of evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, phases of tissue healing, and evaluations, while making appropriate treatment intervention decisions.

PT 415B Women’s Health (0.5)
This course consists of lecture and laboratory components dealing with women’s health care in physical therapy. Course content includes review of female anatomy as it relates to obstetric and gynecologic concerns, pelvic floor muscle training, maternal physiology and responses to exercise, fetal response to exercise, disease/conditions of the urogenital region and the role of the physical therapist. There will also be discussion of pathological conditions pertaining to the pre/post partum patient, as well as medical and surgical interventions used to manage these conditions. The focus of the course will be identifying problems unique to the female patient throughout the lifecycle and demonstrating how physical therapists are perfectly suited for practice with this patient population.

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Practice Management

PT 431 Health Systems I: Introduction to Physical Therapy (2)
An introduction to physical therapy including history, professional issues and development, the Guide to PT practice and written documentation.

PT 432 Health Systems II: Organizational Management (2)
A review of organizational socialization, organizational learning and organizational behavior with an emphasis on the management of change in physical therapist practice.

PT 433 Health Systems III: Reimbursement (1)
An overview of the various methods of health care reimbursement in the United States. Also includes methods for determining an appropriate fee schedule, developing a fiscally sound budget, effective documentation techniques for optimum reimbursement, and a discussion of current legislation affecting health care reimbursement.

PT 434 Health Systems IV: Law and Policy (2)
An overview of health care policy in the United States, health policy legislation and the role of the physical therapist and a thorough exploration of physical therapist practice and the California rules and regulations.

PT 435 Health Systems V: Medical Ethics (2)
This course will explore ethical issues in health care with the focus on the development of skills for ethical decision making in physical therapist practice.

PT 436 Health Systems VI: Entrepreneurialism (1)
This final course in the Health Systems Series considers professional development as a life long activity, and addresses the entrepreneurial, marketing and service aspects of physical therapist practice.

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Integrative Seminar

PT 441 Integrative Seminar I (1)

PT 442 Integrative Seminar II (1)

PT 443 Integrative Seminar III (1)

PT 444 Integrative Seminar IV (1)

PT 445 Integrative Seminar V (1)

The Integrative Seminars are a series of six courses, designed to provide for students situated or contextual learning experience within the academic curriculum, in which to develop clinical reasoning skills and prepare students for practice in the clinical environment before they get there. The Integrative Seminars promote application and integration of newly acquired knowledge (propositional and non-propositional) with previously learned knowledge/experience, within a clinical reasoning framework.

Examples of the types of knowledge/skills that will be integrated are basic sciences, research and evidence-based practice principles, biomedical knowledge, clinical skills, kinesthetic/motor skills, and observation skills, communication skills, collaboration skills, and self-evaluative skills.

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Patient/Client Management


PT 461 Physical Therapist as Educator (1)
Introduction to learning theory and its application to physical therapist practice, including patient/client management, education and consultation.

PT 462A Health Care Procedures I (1)
Introduction to basic healthcare procedures and clinical reasoning utilized in patient care including inpatient physical therapy services.

PT 462B Health Care Procedures II (2)
Introduction to basic physical therapy procedures and clinical reasoning skills utilized in patient care.

PT 463A Therapeutic Interactions I (2)
This first of a series of three lecture/laboratory courses is an experiential opportunity for the student to develop, practice and apply techniques and principles of all phases of effective communication. The course is oriented toward learning about one’s self and will provide opportunities for developing self-reflective skills and awareness of one’s presentation, and communication strengths and areas for improvement, in the context of developing effective patient and peer relationships as a practicing physical therapist.

PT 463B Therapeutic Interactions II (1)
The second of the communications series concentrates on the relationship of self to and with others as revealed and experienced in everyday professional and personal encounters. It explores the role of team member and the interrelated responsibilities of team leadership and team participation.

PT 463C Therapeutic Interactions III (2)
This final course in the communications series explores the various roles of the physical therapist in the context of communication skills in the domains of both health (prevention and wellness)
, illness, injury, and chronic conditions.

PT 465 Therapeutic Modalities (3)
This course consists of lecture and laboratory components, and is designed to prepare students to safely, legally, ethically, and appropriately apply physical agents and modalities such as heat, cold, light, sound, water, wrapping/taping, mechanical compression, and mechanical traction as components of physical therapy intervention. Also included are principles of electrophysiologic evaluation and electrotherapy, and soft-tissue assessment, massage, and soft-tissue mobilization.

PT 466A and PT 466B Therapeutic Exercise (2, 1.5)
This series of two courses consists of lecture and laboratory components focused on the process of examination and evaluation of patients/clients, and intervention with therapeutic exercise. Course content includes management of patients/clients with a variety of underlying neuro-musculoskeletal pathologies and/or disease presentations. The focus of the course is identification and intervention of impairments correlated with functional limitation by application of therapeutic exercise and related interventions. Students will learn to use these interventions toassist patients/clients in regaining optimalfunction.

PT 467 Prosthetics/Orthotics (3)
Part I-Introduction to upper extremity, lower extremity and spinal orthotics. Discussion of various orthotic components, devices, and their applications. Assessment for orthotic candidacy. Part 2-Introduction to the principles and use of upper and lower extremity prosthetic devices, their components and application; the biomechanical analysis of normal vs. pathological gait; and therapeutic requirements for rehabilitation and reintegration of this unique patient population.

PT 468 Complementary Health Practices (1)
Provides the student with an understanding of the adjunctive and alternative health care practices in which patients may be participating and/or be appropriate for referral.

PT 471A Patient/Client Management: Orthopedic I (3)
This course is the first in a series of two courses on management by the physical therapist for patients with orthopedic dysfunction for all body regions. Each element of patient/client management will be considered throughout the course, including examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes. This first course consists of lecture and laboratory components, and focuses on introduction to foundational concepts with application to lower quarter body regions.

PT 471B Patient/Client Management: Orthopedic II (3)
This course is the second in a series of two courses on management by the physical therapist for patients with orthopedic dysfunction for all body regions. This second course consists of lecture and laboratory components, and focuses on solidifying the knowledge of foundational concepts introduced during the first course (PT 471A)
, with application to upper quarter body regions. As the course progresses, student performance expectations will demonstrate higher levels of application, analysis, and synthesis of course content.

PT 471C Patient/Client Management: Orthopedic (Advanced) (3)
PT 471C is a lecture and laboratory course designed to facilitate the student in the application and expansion of concepts and skills acquired previously within the orthopedic curriculum, and within the other Patient/Client Management components of the curriculum. Within a strong clinical reasoning framework, students will evaluate and plan intervention strategies for more complex orthopedic patient problems, as well as for patients with primary orthopedic problems complicated by involvement of multiple other factors/systems.

PT 472A Patient/Client Management: Neurologic I (3)
This course is the first in a series of two courses on management by the physical therapist for patients with neurologic dysfunctions for the central and peripheral nervous systems. Each neurologic dysfunction presented will be considered in terms of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and outcomes. The first course will focus on neurologic dysfunction resulting from lesions or pathology of the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord and brainstem.

PT 472B Patient/Client Management: Neurologic II (3)
This course is the second in a series of two courses on management by the physical therapist for patients with neurologic dysfunctions for the central and peripheral nervous systems. Each neurologic dysfunction presented will be considered in terms of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and outcomes. This course will focus on neurologic dysfunction resulting from lesions or pathology of the central nervous system and cranial nerves.

PT 472C Patient/Client Management: Neurologic (Advanced) (3)
A lecture and laboratory course designed to facilitate the student in the application and expansion of concepts and skills acquired previously within the neuro curriculum, and within the other Patient/Client Management components of the curriculum. Within a strong clinical reasoning framework, students will evaluate and plan intervention strategies for more complex neurologic patient problems, as well as for patients with primary neurologic problems complicated by involvement of multiple other factors/systems.

PT 473 Patient/Client Management: Cardiopulmonary (4)
A detailed class on the evaluation, treatment, and implementation of therapeutic procedures for cardiac and pulmonary patients and other critically ill patients. Includes primary and secondary preventative measures and rehabilitation concepts.

PT 475 Patient/Client Management: Pediatric (2)
A lecture/laboratory course designed to introduce the student to the foundations of assessment and management for the pediatric population. The course provides the requisite knowledge-base and analytical skills for preparation as an entry-level general practitioner of physical therapy.

PT 476 Patient/Client Management: Geriatric (2)
This course focuses on complex assessment and management of aging older adult. The student is exposed to advanced applied science of normal and pathological aging, clinical problems, implications for therapeutic interventions, and intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors impacting older adult’s lifespan in order to promote optimal care, functional outcomes, and wellness prevention for older adult.

PT 477 Patient/Client Management: Medical Screening (1)
This course focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist in screening for medical disease. Students will revisit and explore in greater depth the signs and symptoms associated with pathology of multiple systems, introduced in previous pathology courses within the curriculum (i.e., general systems, orthopedic, neurologic, cardiopulmonary).

PT 478 Patient/Client Management: Chronic Pain Management (0.5)
This course focuses on chronic pain as a multidimensional experience. Students will examine the roles of physical therapists in the management of patients/clients with chronic pain conditions.

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Clinical Experience

PT 481 Clinical Practicum (0.5)
This courseintroduces the student to the responsibilitiesof clinical practice.Students may find themselves in a variety ofsettings with the aim of developing basic patienthandling skills, professional behaviors and socialization under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

PT 482 OrthopedicPracticum (0.5)
This course continues the student's increasing responsibilities of clinical practice.The use of musculoskeletal interventions will be the primary focus along with the development of professional behaviors. The student will begin developing examinations, evaluation and intervention skills while under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

PT 483 OrthopedicPracticum (0.5)
This course is the first of four long-term clinical affiliations designed to develop student clinical competencies in a variety of clinical settings with diverse patients. PT 483 focuses on settings where the primary pathologies, impairments and functional limitations experienced by patiens are musculoskeletal. The student will examine, evaluate, diagnose, prognose and design/implement physical therapy interventions while under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PT 483 will provide students the opportunity to develop skills directly impacting patient outcomes and professional behaviors.

PT 484 NeurologicalPracticum (0.5)
This course is the third of four practicums introducing students to various aspects of physical therapy practice. The primary pathologies, impairments and functional limitations experienced by patients in this practicum will be neuromusculoskeletal. The student will examine, evaluate, diagnose, prognose, and design/implement physical therapy interventions while under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PT 484 will provide students the opportunity to develop skills directly impacting patient outcomes and professional behaviors.

PT 485 NeurologicalClinical (3)
This is the second of four long-term clinical affiliations designed to develop the clinical competence of students in a variety of clinical settings with diverse patients. PT 485 focuses on acute and/or out-patient rehabilitation. The primary pathologies, impairments and functional limitations experienced by patients will be neuromusculoskeletal. The student will examine, evaluate, diagnose, prognose, and design/implement physical therapy interventions while under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. In addition, student's will experience multi-disciplinary interactions, administrative responsibilities and professional duties that are unique to this patient population.

PT 486 SpecialtyPracticum (0.5)
This course is the last of four practicums introducing the student to various aspects of physical therapist clinical practice. The student will examine, evaluate, diagnose, prognose, and design/implement physical therapy interventions while under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Students will experience a variety of settings with the emphasis of specialty or non-traditional practice settings.

PT 487 ClinicalAffiliation (5)
This 10-week affiliation is designed to develop the clinical competence of the student for generalist physical therapist practice. The setting selected is coordinated with the setting of the final affiliation (PT 488) and the two prior full-time affiliations (PT 483 and 485) to ensure the student has the appropriate complement of clinical settings and patient diagnoses. The student will examine, evaluate, diagnose, prognose and design/implement physical therapy interventions while under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The student will also develop skills in professional and practice management.

PT 488 Final Affiliation (6)
This 12-week affiliation is the final of four clinical affiliations designed to develop the clinical competence of the student for generalist physical therapist practice. the setting this semester will be chosen by the student to complement the previous assignments within the scope of physical therapy practice the student will examine, evaluate, diagnose, prognose, and design/implement physical therapy interventions while under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The students will also develop skills in professional development and practice management.

PT 489 Repeat Affiliation

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Critical Thinking/Research

PT 490 Research I: Quantitative Research Design and Statistics (1)
The first course in this series ofeight research courses focuses on the development of skills necessary to understand quantitative research design and analysis. Students will learn to recognize the application of quantitative research to studying issues related tophysical therapy and gain perspective on the limitations and appropriate use of quantitative research methods.

PT 491 Research II: Qualitative Research Design and Statistics and Case Reports (1)
The second coursein this series of eight research courses focuses on the development of skills necessary to understand qualitative research design and analysis. Students will learn to recognize the application of qualitative research to studying issues related to physical therapy and gain perspective on the limitations and appropriate use of qualitative research methods.

PT 492 Research III:Research III: Evidence-Based Practice (1)
The third course in this series of eight research courses focuses on the development of skills necessary to incorporate research evidence into clinical practice. Students will learn to recognize the strengths and limitations of the clinical research paradigm in the study and practice of physical therapy. This course will introduce students to the concepts and philosophies of Evidence-Based Practice.

PT 493 Research IV: Survey Research (0.5)
The fourth course in this series ofeight research courses will introduce the students to the use of surveyand outcomes research in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Students will learn the importance of these research methodologies in decision making/planning in a clinical and research setting.

PT 494 Research V: Proposal Writing (0.5)
The fifth course in this series of eight research coursesfocuses on writing a research proposal. Under the supervision of faculty, students will utilize their clinical and didactic knowledge of physical therapy to create/develop a research project related to physical therapy practice or education.

PT 495A Research VI: Research Development A (1)

PT 495B Research VII: Research Development B (1)

PT 495C Research VIII: Research Forum (1)

The final three courses in this series of eight research courses will focus on developing,conducting and presenting the research projects.

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