|Find A PhysicianHome | Library | myDownstate | Newsroom | A-Z Guide | E-mail | Contact Us | Directions|
Physical Therapy Program
Course Descriptions - Interdisciplinary
The College of Health Related Professions is dedicated to education of allied health professional students in an interdisciplinary environment, to better prepare them for working with an interdisciplinary team upon graduation. The physical therapist student is required to take a number of interdisciplinary courses, as noted below.
ANAT 3010 Human Gross Anatomy
Regional dissection and observation of the human body is combined with lectures and use of computer programs, web-based instruction, models, and films. Palpation laboratories are correlated with specific areas of dissection.
Lecture/laboratory. Summer. 6.0 credits
INDI 3110 Kinesiology
This course involves an analysis of human motion including kinematic and kinetic analysis, muscle action, arthrokinematics and osteokinematics, and the biomechanical principles of human motion. The information presented in this course builds upon the knowledge gained in Human Gross Anatomy. This course forms an important foundation for the students' analysis and synthesis of how the body moves through space, and the specific internal and external constraints on the body. This foundation will be essential for all clinical courses in physical therapy. Classroom instruction includes traditional lecture, interactive lecture, and demonstrations of biomechanical principles.
Lecture. Fall. 3.0 credits
PHTH 3303 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice
Designing and critiquing research studies in the health professions. Lectures include the fundamentals of defining a research problem, constructing a rationale, conducting a literature review, formulating hypotheses, designing a study, measuring variables, selection a sample and analyzing data. In a separate program seminar, students critique literature and apply general research concepts to the physical therapy profession. This course forms the research foundation for the final research project that will be undertaken in Research Study I - V. The students use their knowledge gained from Human Gross Anatomy, Professional Development I and Clinical Decision-Making, as well as from courses taken concurrently, such as Kinesiology, Physical Therapy Examination I, and Patient/Client Management I and II, to understand concepts gleaned from the physical therapy literature.
Lecture/seminar. Fall. 2.5 credits
PHYS 3110 Principles of Human Physiology and Biochemistry
A study of basic physiological and biochemical principles governing the properties of living tissue and their participation in the coordinated function and control of various organ systems of the body with emphasis on the underlying unity of biological processes in response to and adjustment to environmental change.
Physiology is defined as the science that deals with the functions of the body. It logically follows, therefore, that a sound, comprehensive knowledge of human physiology should occupy a significant part of the academic training of personnel in Medicine and related fields. It is essential, if these personnel are to understand and carry out effectively their designated responsibilities in their respective professions.
Lecture/laboratory. Fall. 6.0 credits
ANAT 3210 Human Neuroanatomy
This is a lecture and laboratory course in Human Neuroanatomy. There will be 17 two-hour lectures, 4 two-hour lab sessions, and one lab review session (practice practical) distributed throughout the semester. Lecture material in the first half of the course covers regional descriptions of brain organization, and additionally, covers such topics as the blood supply of the central nervous system, neuronal development and neurohistology, fine structural organization of selected brain regions and the organization of transmitter systems. Lecturers will provide handouts and assign required readings from the textbook. The midterm and final written exams will include both lecture material and assigned readings.
The laboratory sessions use whole and sectioned brain material in exercises on brain and the vascular structure. In the second half of the course, neuroanatomy is taught with emphasis on how an intact nervous system leads to perception and behavior and how a damaged nervous system fails.
Lecture/laboratory. Spring. 2.5 credits
MSCI 3211 Medical Sciences
Study of patients with medical, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary conditions across the lifespan. Lecture, case-study presentations and discussion of etiology, symptoms and medical management of patients by faculty from the College of Medicine and College of Health Related Professions are provided. This course is divided into four modules: Pediatrics, Medicine, Neurology, and Orthopedics. Each module is worth one credit.
The Medicine module is one of four course modules that constitute Medical Sciences. This course module provides Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy students with an understanding of a wide variety of medical conditions. The etiology of these conditions and their treatment are discussed. The role of the Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist in recognizing these conditions and how they may affect rehabilitation will be discussed.
The Pediatrics module is one of four course modules that constitute Medical Sciences. This course module provides Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy students with an understanding of several developmental disorders of children, as well as child abuse, well baby care, and common pediatric illnesses. The etiology of these conditions and their treatment are discussed. The role of the Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist in recognizing these conditions and how they may affect rehabilitation, as well as further development of children in adolescence, will be discussed.
In the Neurology module of Medical Sciences, students learn to discriminate between different neurological signs and symptoms associated with different neurological disease processes occurring at the peripheral, central and autonomic levels of the nervous system. The course is taught using a lecture/discussion format and case examples.
In the Orthopedics module of Medical Sciences, students will apply their prior knowledge about biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system to understand key principles and procedures in the medical diagnosis and management of common orthopedic conditions.
Lecture. Spring. 4 credits.
This course offers a comprehensive overview of psychiatric diagnoses and symptom complexes of children and adults. Students are introduced to various modalities of treatment and clinical reasoning, with emphasis on the biopsychosocial dimensions of psychiatric and physical disability relevant to occupational and physical therapy. Case assignment applies course content relevant to occupational and physical therapy practice.
Lecture. Fall. 2 credits
ADMN 5400 Health Care Delivery in the U.S.
This foundation course provides an introduction to the present day health care system in the United States. It provides an overview of historical perspective of health care to present day. This course also explores the changes expected in the future. Health care reform and its impact on financial reimbursement will be covered. The course will provide an overview of the progressive disciplinary process in the union environment of health care and patient decision-making tools in use today.
On-line Lecture/Discussion. Fall. 1.5 credits