Biology – Pre-Occupational and Physical Therapy

Program Overview

The Pre-Occupational and Physical Therapy program at Missouri Southern State University prepares students for admission to physical therapy schools. It provides a strong foundation in biological sciences, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and scientific reasoning skills. The program consists of 120 credit hours of coursework, including core courses, pre-professional courses, and electives. Graduates have a high success rate of admission to physical therapy school.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Pre-Occupational and Physical Therapy program at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) prepares students for admission to accredited physical therapy schools.
The program provides a strong foundation in the biological sciences, including cell biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, and ecology. Students also develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and scientific reasoning.
• Objectives: The program's objectives are to:
• Prepare students for admission to accredited physical therapy schools.
• Provide students with a strong foundation in the biological sciences.
• Develop students' critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and scientific reasoning skills.
• Description: The program consists of 120 credit hours of coursework, including:
• Core courses:
The core courses provide students with a foundation in the biological sciences, including cell biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, and ecology.
• Pre-professional courses: The pre-professional courses provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for admission to physical therapy school, including medical terminology, pathophysiology, and kinesiology.
• Electives: Students can choose from a variety of electives to tailor their program to their individual interests and goals.
• Genetics: The inheritance of traits from parents to offspring, including Mendelian genetics and molecular genetics.
• Anatomy: The structure of the human body, including the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.
• Physiology: The function of the human body, including the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems.
• Ecology: The interactions between organisms and their environment, including population ecology and community ecology.
• Structure: The program is structured around a core curriculum of courses in the biological sciences, pre-professional courses, and electives.
Students can choose from a variety of electives to tailor their program to their individual interests and goals.
• Course schedule: The program's course schedule is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the biological sciences while also preparing them for admission to physical therapy school.
• Modules: The program is divided into several modules, each of which covers a specific topic in the biological sciences.
The modules are designed to be taught in a logical sequence, building upon the knowledge and skills that students have acquired in previous modules.

Assessment:

• Methods: Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
• Exams:
Exams are used to assess students' knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the course.
• Quizzes: Quizzes are used to assess students' progress throughout the semester and to provide feedback on their understanding of the material.
• Projects: Projects are used to assess students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems.
• Presentations: Presentations are used to assess students' ability to communicate their findings effectively.
• Criteria: The criteria used to assess students' work include:
• Accuracy:
The accuracy of the student's work.
• Completeness: The completeness of the student's work.
• Clarity: The clarity of the student's work.
• Originality: The originality of the student's work.

Teaching:

• Methods: The program's faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lectures:
Lectures are used to present new material to students.
• Discussions: Discussions are used to encourage students to think critically about the material and to share their ideas with others.
• Laboratory exercises: Laboratory exercises are used to provide students with hands-on experience with the material covered in the course.
• Field trips: Field trips are used to provide students with real-world experience with the material covered in the course.
• Faculty: The program's faculty are highly qualified and experienced professionals who are dedicated to teaching and research.
• Unique approaches: The program offers a number of unique approaches to teaching, including:
• Small class sizes:
The program's small class sizes allow students to receive personalized attention from the faculty.
• Hands-on learning: The program's emphasis on hands-on learning provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems.
• Interdisciplinary approach: The program's interdisciplinary approach allows students to learn about the biological sciences from a variety of perspectives.

Careers:

• Potential career paths: Graduates of the program can pursue a career as a physical therapist.
Physical therapists work with patients to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities.
• Opportunities: Physical therapists are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and schools.
• Outcomes: Graduates of the program have a high success rate of admission to physical therapy school.