Physical Therapy Program - Specific Course Descriptions

PT 502 Research in Physical Therapy I (3) An introductory course in physical therapy research.  Validity and reliability issues in clinical research, basic clinical tests and measures and research consumerism that articulate with the professional courses taught during the first year fall semester will be emphasized.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester.  Offered yearly.

BIO 513 Clinical Correlation in Anatomy (1) This course is taught concurrently with PT 532 – Applied Clinical Anatomy and is intended to provide the first semester PT student clinical examples relevant to gross anatomy.  Students will be exposed to clinical perspectives and the application of gross anatomy knowledge to physical therapy clinical practice. Permission of Program Director required.  Summer semester. Offered yearly.

BIOL 515 Dissection Laboratory in Human Anatomy (4) This course provides a guided experience in the dissection of the musculo-skeletal and peripheral nervous system of a human cadaver to students in the Physical Therapy Program.  Permission of program director and course director required.  Summer semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 516 Psychosocial Responses to Illness, Disability, and Health Care (3) Examination of factors at the individual and society levels that affect the health care system and influence illness behavior.  There will be opportunity to explore the factors that affect successful patient-provider interaction, touching on communication, cultural issues and values of the client and provider.  The student will also study issues of the dying patient and professional burnout. Permission of the program director required.   Summer semester. Offered yearly.

PT 524 Basic Patient Management (3) An introduction to patient care procedures necessary for physical therapists, especially in in-patient settings.  The course will emphasize patient and practitioner safety, including prevention of nosocomial injuries and infections and the scientific and clinical application of exercise to a patient population.  The role of exercise in physical therapy and the foundation of basic exercise principles will be presented.  Introduction to and delivery of basic types of exercise, including passive, active-assistive, active range of motion, stretching, and progressive resistive exercise will be presented.  Introduction to the basic principles of documentation using the Problem Oriented Medical Record, SOAP format and the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice will be presented.  Permission of the program director required.   Summer semester. Offered yearly.

PT 525 Human Performance and Health Promotion (5) This course will prepare the student to perform a health risk assessment, fitness and exercise evaluation, and body composition analysis and interpret the results to develop an exercise prescription for the well individual.  Factors that affect exercise performance and the body's adaptation to strength and endurance training will be covered.  Basic nutrition needs for health, athletic performance, and rehabilitation will be addressed.  Alternative nutritional delivery methods such as IV’s and feeding tubes will be explored as well as the nutritional needs of patients with burns, cancer, or skeletal fractures and osteoporosis. (This course formerely called Exercise Physiology and Nutrition.)  Permission of program director required.  Spring semester. Offered yearly.

PT 532 Applied Clinical Anatomy (3) This course will integrate physical therapy clinical practice concepts with basic musculoskeletal and neuromuscular anatomy and basic histology.  Kinesiological concepts of movement will be introduced. Permission of program director required.  Summer semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 535 Pharmacology (2) Students will be introduced to principles of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and classifications of drugs used in the treatment of disease.  Physical therapy implications of pharmacological treatment will be addressed, including recognition of adverse drug effects in patients commonly treated by physical therapists.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester. Offered yearly.

PT 540 Functional Anatomy (3) Basic clinic applications of static situations, connective tissue biomechanics, and vertebral and extremity muscle kinesiology.  Clinical applications of joint mechanics, arthrology, normal and pathological human locomotion, and other movement patterns will be discussed.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester. Offered yearly.

PT 545 Neuroscience for Physical Therapy (4) This course is designed to prepare the physical therapy student to apply basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to patient populations.  From this understanding, theories of motor control and movement science will be addressed.  Permission of the program director required.  Spring semester. offered yearly.

PT 555 Orthopedics for Physical Therapists (3) The role of the physical therapist in the management of common orthopaedic problems will be presented.  Etiology, pathology, evaluation, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of the patient will be presented.  Permission of program director required.  Spring semester. Offered yearly.

PT 560 Basic Patient Problems (5) A study of the methods by which one can identify, quantify and assess basic patient problems such as joint mobility, flexibility, muscle strength, posture, functional mobility, sensation and soft tissue integrity.  The course will also provide instruction and experiences in the proper methods of documentation of patient evaluation and assessment.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester. Offered yearly.

PT 580 Gerontology (2) An overview of social, psychological, emotional, and physiological changes that occur with aging and their cultural and socioeconomic influence on the aged adult population, with special emphasis on physical therapy management and intervention.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 591 Service Learning In Physical Therapy I (2) The first of a series of service learning practicum courses where students provide service to individuals and select groups from the Bellarmine University and surrounding communities.

PT 592 Service Learning In Physical Therapy II (2) The second of a series of service learning practicum courses where students provide service to individuals and select groups from the Bellarmine University and surrounding communities.

PT 600 Physical Therapy Modalities (3) This course provides instruction to the first year students in the Physical Therapy Program about the physiological effects, mechanical operation, and appropriate application of massage; superficial heat and cold; ultrasound; diathermy; hydrotherapy; ultraviolet radiation; traction; intermittent compression; topical hyperbaric oxygen; electrical stimulation; and biofeedback.  The course will also describe the role of the physical therapist assistant in the delivery of the above modalities. Laboratory included  Permission of program director required.  Spring semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 605 Research in Physical Therapy II (3) Students will be instructed in the effective development of illustrations, graphics, tables, slides, and videotapes to enhance written and oral professional presentations.   Integration of current research with the second year courses will be emphasized. Development and design of research projects will be carried out by the students unders the supervision of the instructor.  Permission of program director required. Fall semester. Offered yearly.

PT 610 Clinical Measures and Treatment I (5) A study of the clinical evaluation and treatment skills necessary to effectively manage the patient with extremity musculoskeletal dysfunction. Permission of program director required. Summer semester. Offered yearly.

PT 611 Clerkship I (5) The first clinical experience in the curriculum consists of 4 weeks (160 hours) full time in a clinical facility in the last half of the summer. Development of therapeutic skills in musculoskeletal evaluation and therapeutic intervention will be emphasized.  Permission of program director required. Summer semester. Offered yearly.

PT 612 Tissue Trauma and Healing (3) This course deals with the healing response to wounds and factors affecting the healing of wounds.  The role of the physical therapist in management of wound and burn patients in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of rehabilitation will be addressed.  Students will develop skills related to assessment of tissue trauma and therapeutic intervention to facilitate healing.  Format includes lecture, discussion, laboratory, audiovisuals, and patient interaction.  Permission of program director required.  Spring semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 622 Clerkship II (5) The second clinical experience in the curriculum consists of 4 weeks (160 hours) in the clinic scheduled at the end of the fall semester. Development of skills related to cardiopulmonary and/or pediatrics will be emphasized. Settings may be inpatient or outpatient. Permission of program director required.  Spring semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 625 Neurology for Physical Therapists (2) Neurological conditions and pathologies will be presented with an emphasis on the general medical approaches for the etiology, diagnosis, pathology, prognosis and the general medical treatment of the neurological patient.  Pathology, medications, diagnostic tests, and the neurological exam will be covered in depth to enhance the physical therapist's understanding of the neurological patient.  Permission of the program director required.  Spring semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 630 Management and Treatment of the Adult Neurological Patient (3) Basic clinical application in attempting to design and understand treatment programs for the neurophysiologically damaged adult patient.  Concepts in motor control, motor relearning and treatment philosophies will-be discussed and opportunities to apply them to real and simulated patients in order to create an effective rehabilitation program will be available.  Permission of program director required.  Spring semester. offered yearly

PT 635 Pathophysiology of Complex Patient Problems (3) Students in this course will analyze the physical therapy management of patients with multiple medical problems.  The pathophysiology of medical problems related to nutritional disorders, infectious disease, gastrointestinal disorders, hepatic disorders, endocrine dysfunction, metabolic dysfunction, renal dysfunction, genitourinary dysfunction, connective tissue disease, hematological disorders, oncology, and immunodeficiency will be discussed in depth.  Age and gender related factors will be integrated into the course. Permission of program director required.  Spring semester. Offered yearly.

PT 640      Pediatric Physical Therapy (3) This course will be an overview of normal motor and cognitive development in the first five years of life; the common motor and cognitive delays treated by physical therapists in children under 5 years old; assessment of developmental delays in children and treatment planning for delays.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester. Offered yearly.

PT 645 Rehabilitation Techniques in Physical Therapy (4) The rehabilitation management of patients with selected disabilities (spinal cord injury, arthritic patient, amputee) and the application of the specialized knowledge of the physical therapist to the long term rehabilitative setting.  Information on orthotics, prosthetics, and wheel chair prescription will also be presented.  Permission of program director required.  Spring semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 650      Clinical Measures and Treatment II (4) A study of the clinical evaluation and treatment skills necessary to effectively manage the patient with vertebral column and trunk musculoskeletal dysfunction.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester. Offered yearly.

PT 655 Teaching and Learning in Physical Therapy Practice (2) Basic principles of teaching and learning will be applied to physical therapy practice.  A variety of instructional strategies will be utilized to prepare students to teach patients, family members, peers, other health professionals requiring on-the-job training, and other students.  Sensitivity to age, gender, literacy, disability, and cultural differences will be addressed.  Permission of program director required.  Summer semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 665 Special Topics in Physical Therapy (1-6) Elective course, offered each semester.  The student will be introduced to a special topic through directed study and /or research in physical therapy.  Program and/or university faculty will provide individualized instruction with expertise in a particular area of research or knowledge related to physical therapy.  Prerequisites:  Student enrolled in physical therapy program.

PT 666 Special Clinical Enrichment (1-6 credits) Elective course offered as necessary for students requiring additional time in clinical education placement.  Clinical experiences will be determined by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education in conjunction with the program director to best meet the students’ individual needs. Permission of program director required.  Offered as needed.

PT 670 Management in Physical Therapy (3) This course is designed to introduce the student to management and supervision issues common to physical therapy clinics and practices from all segments of the health care industry.  The intent of the course is to increase the student's awareness and knowledge of management issues from the perspective of both the staff therapists and the manager or supervisor of a physical therapy practice.  Permission of program director required.  Fall semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 680 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy (4) This course will prepare the student to perform specialized evaluation procedures, including vital signs, auscultation, and cardiovascular and pulmonary assessments, as appropriate for program planning in physical therapy.  This course will prepare the student to treat the pediatric, adult, and geriatric patient with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary dysfunction in all settings ranging from acute care, to rehab, to home health, to long term care.  This course will also cover physical therapy management of the diabetic patient as it relates to exercise.

PT 685 Professional and Legal Issues in Physical Therapy (2) This course provides definitions of professional and legal theories and practice applications pertinent to practitioners.  A variety of topics including professional decision making, reimbursement, patient rights, confidentiality, continuing education, whistle blowing, and other health and physical therapy related issues will be discussed.  The students will also have to arrange for and report on an experience in health care in which professional and legal issues are exerting a critical influence.  Permission of program director required.  Summer semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 691 Service Learning In Physical Therapy III (2) The third of a series of service learning practicum courses where students provide service to individuals and select groups from the Bellarmine University and surrounding communities.

PT 692 Service Learning In Physical Therapy IV (2) The fourth of a series of service learning practicum courses where students provide service to individuals and select groups from the Bellarmine University and surrounding communities.

PT 710 Acute Care Internship (10) One of a series of three 8-week internships that are scheduled following completion of all didactic course work.  PT 710 is a fulltime internship in acute care physical therapy practice.  Students will be assigned to a facility or facilities providing acute care physical therapy to patients requiring medical and/or surgical intervention, such as hospitals and subacute units.  Permission of program director required.  Summer and fall semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 720 Rehabilitation Internship (10) One of a series of three internships that follow completion of all academic course work.  PT 720 is an 8-week, full-time experience in physical therapy rehabilitation.  Clinical experiences will include one or more of the following: rehabilitation following spinal cord injury, cerebral vascular accident, traumatic brain injury, amputation, burns, or multiple trauma.  Appropriate facilities include rehabilitation hospitals, hospitals with rehabilitation units, extended care facilities or subacute units with appropriate patient populations.  Permission of program director required.  Summer and fall semester.  Offered yearly.

PT 730 Community Based Internship (10) One of a series of three internships that follow completion of all academic course work.  PT 730 is an 8-week, full-time experience in community-based physical therapy, most often in outpatient settings.  Students may select an area of interest, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, ergonomics, or sports medicine.  Appropriate experiences include providing physical therapy intervention in private practice, schools, pediatric clinics, home health, industry, hospices, extended care facilities, adult daycare, and community reentry programs.  Permission of program director required.  Fall and summer semester.  Offered yearly.

Course Descriptions available in .pdf