Department of Biology Advising for Biology Major – Physical Therapy Track

This page will help you see what courses you should take and when you should take them.  There are two basic things you should keep in mind

BE AWARE – Getting admitted to a graduate program in Physical Therapy is as difficult as entry into many medical schools. For example, for entry into the Indiana University Physical Therapy graduate program you need: an overall GPA minimum of 3.2 and average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), while the GPA for math and science prerequisite courses is a minimum 3.2, average 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.  You also need a minimum 450 verbal GRE score and minimum 450 quantitative GRE score.  This is definitely not the major for you if you struggle to get Cs in science. If you did not get A’s and B’s in High School science courses, you should look into the advising pages on the Biology Home Page for other possible areas of interest.  The home page links to other areas of biology and in each link you get help on what courses to take and what your minor should be. Click here for more information on Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy as a major and a career. If you are sure you want to go into Physical Therapy, read on.

FIRST PRIORITY - REQUIRED COURSES – complete the required courses to obtain your degree in Biology with a Physical Therapy Track.  This means NOT JUST the required Biology courses listed below, but also the special minor that must be taken with this track.

You have two options for your minor with this track. One is a Health Therapy Minor. The other is an Athletic Training Minor.

NOTE: The requirements are changing. If you choose to stick with the pre 2009 requirements, then you don't need tell registrar anything. If you choose to switch, then tell registrar that you'll follow the 2009-2010 catalog when you register for fall 2009 classes. 

- Athletic Training Minor. This is the simpler minor and is a realistic selection for students with a B-C average in High School sciences or a GPA less than 3.0 in College. The courses you must have are: PE 327_Physiology of exercise, PE 328_Therapeutic modalities, PE 323_Advanced athletic training, PE 221 Kinesiology, PE 222_Basic athletic training, PE 223_CPR, PE 224_Red Cross, PE 250_ Concepts of fitness, plus Bio 121 & 122 Human Anatomy & Physiology (which count as Biology credit)

- Health Therapy Minor. This is a designer minor. You have more choice on which courses to put into the minor. Physical Therapy Schools have differing admission requirements. This means you should CONTACT PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOOLS IN YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR in order to find out their admission requirements. Click here to get a web page that lists Physical therapy programs by state. Look at the pages of the schools you will apply to in three years. As you take the courses they require, you can make them part of your Health Therapy minor. Click here for a checklist that tells you which courses fit this minor and let you keep track of your courses for the major and minor.

You should take courses shown in bold letters at the times stated here or there will be trouble fitting those courses into your schedule in later years.  Some courses are only offered every other year, so look in the College Catalogue where the courses are listed.

FRESHMAN YEAR (if you want fewer hours or less science, do NOT drop chemistry, instead save Bio 121 Human Anatomy & Physiology for Sophomore year
Fall - 4h Biol 111 (general), 4h Chem 121 (general), 6h Core 1, Bio 121 HAP

Winter - 4h Biol 112 (general), 4h Chem 122 (general), 6h Core 2, Bio 122 HAP
ELECTIVES

- NOTE - Only Biology Majors taking the Health Therapy or Athletic Training Minors can count Human Anatomy & Physiology for the Biology Major

- If you want to save HAP for sophomore year, take a course in Psychology, Statistics, Sociology, Art, Mathematics or Physical Education that you need for the minor

FIELD EXPERIENCE: Most Physical therapy Schools want you to have significant actual experience in Physical therapy. It is up to YOU to arrange field experience with licensed Physical Therapists. We can help, especially with gaining experience in our town. Our majors have often helped with procedures at the Jasper County Hospital Physical Therapy Department and received Independent Study credit as well as hours of experience. Other students have found summer jobs as therapists, thus getting paid as they gained experience. Schools usually desire that you spend at least 60 hrs with accredited therapists. Freshman year is a good time to start – do NOT wait until your senior year

SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall - 4h Bio 225 (CVA), 4h Chem 233 (organic), 6h Core 3, HAP if not yet taken, precalculus or Calculus1, Math342 Statistics, or PSY110 or SOC111
Winter - 6h Core 4, and 10-12h from such courses as HAP, Bio 337 Genetics, Math125 Calculus 1, or get courses need for your minor like Psy225 Statistics, SOC111 (Intro Sociology), PSY110 (Intro Psych), PSY124 (Child Psych), PSY324 (Abnormal Psych.) or Chem 234 (organic), or other elective

ELECTIVES The following courses can be taken in sophomore, junior or senior year – NOTE pay attention to the College Catalogue, some courses are offered every other year.
- Math125 Calculus 1 is needed for Physics if you had no Calculus in high school. You may need PreCalculus first.

- Statistics is offered every semester, as PSY225 or as Math342

- Introductory Psychology or Sociology PSY110 or SOC111 are in both the Fall and Winter,

- Biology: Intro Microbiology, Animal Behavior, Amphibian Research, Forensics electives, Independent Study

- PE or Art courses for minor if needed

JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR - NOTE pay attention to the courses you need to complete your major and minor.
Cores 5-10
Genetics and Biochemistry are required for the major

Physics I & II – best done in junior year are required for the major
Work on getting your required courses

ELECTIVES - The following courses can be taken in junior or senior year:
- Fall - Chem379 Biochemistry, PSY110 (Intro Psych), SOC111 (Intro Sociology) or PSY324 (Abnormal Psych.)

- Winter - PSY110 (Intro Psych), SOC111 (Intro Sociology), PSY124 (Child Psych),

- Biology: Advanced Microbiology, Forensics electives, Amphibian Research, Conservation Biology, Human Medical Physiology, Histology, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Junior Biology Research, Senior Biology Research

- PE or Art courses for minor if needed

KEEPING TRACK of the courses you've taken and those you still need - click here for a checklist where you can keep track of your required courses for the major and the minor plus your electives.
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