Physical Therapy and Health Science

FACULTY Professor Tippett (chair); Associate Professors Peterson, Strubhar; Assistant Professors S. Bertram, Durr, Kelly, Pratt, Reynolds, Sparks, Weaver.

Coordinator of Health Science Advising and Academic Experiences: R. Bertram

The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a health science major in addition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. For more information regarding the D.P.T. degree, please refer to the Graduate Catalog.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science is to develop versatile individuals in a student-centered and collaborative environment that prepares our graduates to lead, educate, advocate, and serve in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Health Science Major

The Health Science major provides students with an excellent preparation for post graduate study in a variety of health care fields as well as opportunities for entry-level positions in the health care industry. Bradley Health Science graduates have successfully gone on to complete graduate work in accelerated nursing, athletic raining, chiropractic, medicine, occupational therapy, physician assistant, physical therapy, as well as other areas.

The Health Science major is a collaborate program with classes taught by all Departments within the College of Education and Health Sciences, as well as courses taught by faculty members in the Slane College of Fine Arts, the Foster College of Business, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The curriculum is designed to assist students in developing skills in communications and problem solving, acquiring knowledge and experiences as health care consumers, and accepting responsibility for pursuing learning over a lifetime.

Students also select a minor or a concentration prior to the end of their sophomore year. Minors that Health Science majors pursue include, but are not limited to biology, business, chemistry, health, leadership, foreign language, neuroscience, and sociology.

Admission Requirements

In addition to University and College of Education and Health Sciences requirements, the following are recommended for students to receive full consideration for admission to the Health Science major as a freshman:

  1. a minimum of three years of high school mathematics and high school science (biology/physiology, chemistry, and physics are recommended);
  2. ACT minimum score of 20 composite or SAT minimum score of 1100.

Focused Course Work in the Health Science Curriculum

Required course work in the Health Science major as well as courses chosen to satisfy the student’s required minor provides flexibility for the student to satisfy prerequisites for graduate study or to enter the work force following graduation. Students are encouraged to explore the various options for their required minor and discuss their plans with their academic advisor before declaring a minor prior to the end of the sophomore year.

Students with plans to pursue graduate study should be aware of courses offered at Bradley that will satisfy admission requirements for their specific field of study. Required courses for the Health Science major include the following:

  • BIO 111 Introduction to Cell Biology - 3–4 hrs.
  • BIO 112 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 3 hrs.
  • BIO 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I - 1 hr.
  • BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 3 hrs.
  • BIO 233 Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II - 1 hr.
  • CHM 110 General Chemistry I - 3 hrs.
  • CHM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 hr.
  • CHM 116 General Chemistry II - 3 hrs.
  • CHM 117 General Chemistry Laboratory II - 1 hr.
  • ENC 310 Statistical Procedures in Health Science or PSY 205 Quantitative Methods - 3 hrs.*
  • ENC 370 Human Relations Development Techniques - 2 hrs.
  • ENC 375 Human Relations Development Laboratory - 1 hr.
  • ETE/HS 402 Educational Methods, Strategies and Evaluation Techniques - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 303 Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • HS 110 Introduction to Health Science - 1 hr.
  • HS 320 Exercise Physiology - 3 hrs.
  • HS 460 Kinesiology - 3 hrs.
  • HS 480 Motion Analysis - 3 hrs.
  • ML 250 Interpersonal Effectiveness in Organizations - 2 hrs. or ML 350 Managing for Results in Organizations - 2 hrs.
  • MTH 115 or 121 Calculus I - 4 hrs.
  • PHY 107 General Physics I - 4 hrs.
  • PHY 108 General Physics II - 4 hrs.
  • PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.

Plus two of the following:

  • HS/FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
  • NUR 217 Men’s Health Issues - 2 hrs.
  • NUR 219 Women’s Health Issues - 3 hrs.

Total Hours 67–69

At least 124 credit hours are required for the bachelor’s degree, with at least 40 hours at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet University core curriculum requirements.

* Health Science students will take ENC 310 unless they are pursuing a neuroscience minor.

With frequent and focused discussions with their Health Science academic advisor, every minor offered at Bradley is a bona fide option for the student. Based on post-baccalaureate fields of study and the current health care environment minors frequently pursued by Health Science students include: Biology, Business, Health, Leadership, Neuroscience, and Spanish. With careful planning some Health Science students have graduated with more than one minor and/or a second major.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Post-baccalaureate educational programs and future employers seek well rounded students who are involved in activities outside of the classroom. Bradley offers more than 200 student organizations that provide opportunities for Health Science students to become engaged on campus and in the local community. The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science sponsor two organizations that include the Health Science Organization and a service dog training program called “Wags for Mags.” Health Science students have also served as tutors for local grade school and high school students who are patients at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, have assisted in the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run, have volunteered side by side with Department faculty for Special Olympics, and have participated in other community programs as well. Health Science students have also taken advantage of unique opportunities to study in London, Dublin, and other foreign cities associated with Bradley’s Study Abroad Program and in doing so have successfully completed the College of Education and Health Science Global Scholars Program. Students have also accompanied Doctor of Physical Therapy students and Department faculty on mission trips to the Dominican Republic.

This is the official catalog for the 2015-2016 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.