Pre-Physical Therapy

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a four-year program leading to acceptance in physical therapy programs at the University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University and Bellarmine University. Our students have also used Murray State preparation to attend Baylor, Ohio State, and the University of Illinois, just to name some of the additional schools.

Physical therapists participate in the evaluation and treatment of patients with various health problems affecting their physical responses. They receive referrals from licensed physicians and maintain contact with them. Students in the physical therapy program are required to have some experience as an aide or volunteer in addition to meeting basic course requirements.

The curricular outlines below incorporate the pre-requisite courses needed to apply to accredited Physical Therapy Schools within the state of Kentucky and other nearby states.

NOTE: Students in the pre-physical therapy program must obtain 100-200+ hours of experience as an aid or volunteer in a physical therapy department in addition to the above requirements.

NOTE: Students applying to the University of Kentucky must also have two years of a foreign language in a secondary school as indicated on transcripts or two semesters of a foreign language in college.

NOTE: Most physical therapy programs require certification in CPR and First Aid and recommend or require that these requirements be completed before entering their program.

NOTE: Student applying to the University of Kentucky must also have two years of a foreign language in a secondary school as indicated on transcripts or two semesters of a foreign language in college.

NOTE: Most physical therapy programs require certification in CPR and First Aid and recommend or require that these requirements be completed before entering their program.

Suggested Curriculum Outline

Total curriculum requirement needed to graduate: 120 hours (minimum)

For First-Time Freshman

Fall Year 1 (16 total hours)

BIO 100T Transitions (1 credit hour)
PSY 180 General Psychology (3 credit hours)
BIO 115 The Cellular Basis of Life (3 credit hours)
MAT 150 Algebra and Trigonometry (5 credit hours)
ENG 105 Critical Reading, Writing and Inquiry (4 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 (15 total hours)

BIO 216 Biological Inquiry and Analysis (4 credit hours)
MAT 250 Calculus and Analytic Geometry (recommended) (5 credit hours)
COM 161 Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
PSY 260 Lifespan Development (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 (15 total hours)

BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form and Function or BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form and Function (4 credit hours)
CHE 201 General College Chemistry (5 credit hours)
CIV 201/202 World Civilizations and Cultures I or II (3 credit hours)
PSY 300 Principals and Methods of Statistical Analysis (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 (16 total hours)

BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form and Function or BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form and Function (4 credit hours)
CHE 202 General College Chemistry & Quantitative Analysis (5 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Elective (3 credit hours)
PHY 130/131 General Physics I & Lab (4 credit hours)

Fall Year 3 (15-17 credit hours)

BIO 120 Scientific Etymology (1 credit hour)
BIO 300 Microbiology or BIO 321 Cell Biology: Mechanisms (3-4 credit hours)
BIO 308 Ethics in Biology (3 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I with Lab (5 credit hours)
XXX XXX Unrestricted Elective (3-4 credit hours)

Spring Year 3 (15 total hours)

BIO 220 Clinical Terminology (1 credit hour)
BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
PHY 132/133 General Physics II with Lab (4 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Global Awareness Elective (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 4 (13 total hours)

BIO 450 Exercise Physiology (3 credit hours)
BIO 322 Animal Physiology (4 credit hours)
HUM 211 The Western Humanities Tradition (3 credit hours)
SOC 133 Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 4 (11-13 total hours)

CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)
BIO 227/228 Human Anatomy & Lab or BIO 320 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4-5 credit hours)
XXX XXX Electives to complete 120 hrs, 42 upper level hrs (3-4 credit hours)

For Transfer Students with an Associate's of Science degree

Fall Year 1 Post Associate's Degree (17 total hours)

BIO 120 Scientific Etymology (1 credit hour)
BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form & Function (4 credit hours)
BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form & Function (4 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (5 credit hours)
PSY 180 General Psychology (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 Post Associate's Degree

BIO 220 Clinical Terminology (1 credit hour)
BIO 300 Microbiology (4 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
PSY 260 Lifespan Development (3 credit hours)
PSY 300 Principles of Statistical Analysis (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 Post Associate's Degree (17 total hours)

BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
BIO 322 Animal Physiology (4 credit hours)
CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
SOC 133 Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Upper Level Electives (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 Post Associate's Degree (17 total hours)

BIO 320 Comparative Anatomy (5 credit hours)
BIO 450 Exercise Physiology (3 credit hours)
BIO XXX Biology Elective (300+ level) (4 credit hours)
BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)
PHY 132/133 General Physics & Lab II (4 credit hours)

Note, the transfer student pathway follows the pre-Biology Curriculum from WKCTC. It assumes that students have taken courses that will transfer as Murray State's BIO 115, BIO 216, CHE 201, CHE 202, MAT 150 and PHY 130/131. See Murray State Transfer Equivalency Tool to help you figure out how courses transfer from your current institution.

Pre-Physical Therapy

Suggested Curriculum Outline

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