Misericordia University Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences Courses

1. Misericordia University Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences Courses Michael Orleski, Ph.D., Chair & Assistant Professor of Physics The Physics Department at Misericordia University consists of three full-time faculty members and several adjuncts. The department offers courses taken by the majority of health sciences students and all life science students. Pre-Doctor of Physical Therapy (Pre-DPT) majors enroll in two semesters of algebra-based introductory physics. Occupational Therapy majors take the first semester of the sequence using an integrated lecture & lab format. Medical Imaging majors take the second semester of the sequence taught in a traditional format with separate lecture and lab. Speech-language Pathology majors take a one semester physical science course taught in an integrated lecture & lab format. Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, and some Medical Science students take two semesters of calculus-based introductory physics. Introduction to Physical Science 4-credit conceptually-oriented course with some algebra and with integrated laboratory component. The course focuses on physics concepts. Serves primarily Speech-language Pathology Majors (as freshmen). Taught in integrated lecture-lab format using Powerful Ideas in Physical Science (PIPS) curriculum published by AAPT with added material on energy, waves, and sound which meets the needs of the SLP program. Physics Introduction 1 & 2 4-credit algebra-based courses with separate laboratory component. Serves primarily Pre-Doctor of Physical Therapy (Pre-DPT) majors (as juniors). See below for details on the PT program. Taught in traditional format with separate lecture & lab. Taught by multiple instructors and adjuncts. Includes material which specifically meets the needs of the DPT program: levers, moment arm, impulse. Physics Introduction 2 4-credit algebra-based course with separate laboratory component. Second semester of the 2-semester sequence. Serves primarily Medical Imaging students (as juniors). Students given a list of topics from first semester course that they must be familiar with prior to taking this course. Taught in traditional format with separate lecture & lab. Physics Introduction 1 4-credit algebra-based course with integrated laboratory component. First semester of the 2-semester sequence. Serves primarily Occupational Therapy majors (as freshmen). Taught in integrated lecture-lab format using Learner-centered Experience in Algebra-based Physics (LEAP) curriculum with added material on levers which specifically meets the needs of the OT program. General Physics 1 & 2 4-credit calculus-based courses with separate laboratory component. Serves Biology (juniors), Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Science majors (all other majors as sophomores), any of which could be Pre-DPT. Some Medical Science (Physician Assistant undergraduates) majors may take this course. Taught in traditional format with separate lecture & lab. Includes material which specifically meets the needs of the DPT program: levers, moment arm, impulse. A note about MU’s Physical Therapy Program The Physical Therapy program is a 7 year program leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. There is no undergraduate PT degree. Students choose an undergraduate major such as Biology, Biochemistry, Psychology, Business, etc., which is completed in 3.5 years. Any PT prerequisites must be met regardless of the chosen undergraduate program. Students are notated as being Pre-DPT. After completing their undergraduate degree, students move into graduate-level PT courses.