Research Methods: This course provides an overview of foundations of research design and the uses and
interpretation of results. Content includes: reviewing the literature; developing
research problems/questions; hypothesis testing; experimental, quasi-experimental
and other research designs; and evaluating research studies.
Research Methods & Design: This course provides an introduction to qualitative and quantitative approaches to
research design and methodology. Through the use of specific research cases, students
will analyze the practical problems faced by a researcher and the solution he or she
selected. Students will also learn to evaluate the researcher's solutions and consider
alternatives.
Statistics I: This course is an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics
addressed in this course include: basic statistical and research concepts, graphical
displays of data, measures of central tendency and variability, standardized scores,
normal distribution, probability, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, sampling
distributions, correlation, simple linear regression, and t-tests.
Statistics II: The major topics focused upon are analysis of variance and multiple regression.
Specific areas include: one-way ANOVA, factorial ANOVA, post-hoc analysis, model assumptions,
repeated measures analysis, analysis of covariance, and regression procedures. In
addition, the evaluation of model assumptions and power analysis will also be discussed.
Statistics III: Major topics focused upon are preliminary data screening, multivariate analysis of
variance and covariance, multiple regression, factor analysis, discriminant function
analysis, and logistic regression.
Qualitative Research: Study of philosophical and methodological foundations of qualitative inquiry combined
with practical experience of working on a project. Content includes: theoretical principles
and models; data collection and interpretation; and examining qualitative research
studies.
Clinical Outcomes and Evidence Based Practice Research: This course will analyze the theories and methods behind developing, conducting,
and interpreting research related to clinical outcomes and evidence-based practice.
Current literature will be appraised and areas of future research will be outlined
and explored. Potential projects will be developed and systematically critiqued.
Theories of Teaching and Learning: This course provides the student opportunities to analyze assumptions about knowing,
teaching, and learning; to study theories of human learning and their relationships
to motivation, development, and teaching; and to reflect on and project your own teaching
and learning practice based on theoretically sound principles.
Technology and Education: This course provides the student an overview of technology in the classroom. The
course is based on an examination of the pedagogy of teaching digitally and how technology
serves as another teaching strategy for the classroom. Use of computers, networks,
video, and distance learning tools will be discussed. The impact of school-related
legislation will include copyright laws, censorship, standards, and school board interaction.
A review of the various leadership roles available in the field of instructional technology
will be conducted.
Psychology of Learning: Several theoretical mechanisms of learning and cognitive processing are examined.
The goal of the course is to establish the practical utility of the major learning
theories.
Bioinstrumentation: This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to become
proficient with several pieces of instrumentation commonly employed in biomechanics
laboratories for orthopedic research.
Grant Writing: This course provides the student an opportunity to gain an introductory experience
with the process of grantsmanship. The experience includes but is not limited to developing
a long term research agenda, meeting with and identifying the role of the Office of
Sponsored Research at Duquesne University, identifying appropriate funding sources
and the writing & submission of a grant proposal.
Directed Research: This laboratory-based course gives the student an opportunity to gain experience
in conducting a faculty-driven and directed-research project. Additionally, the course
serves as a means by which the student gains in-depth and first-hand experience with
investigative techniques that are used in biomechanical and orthopedic research.
Supervised Research: This laboratory-based course gives the student an opportunity to gain experience in
conducting a student-driven research project which is supervised by a faculty member.
This course will expose and involve the student in all aspects of the research process
with a small scale (faculty-approved) project.
Scientific Writing: This course gives the student experience in the process of scientific writing and
the tasks associated with and related to this skill. Ultimately, it is the intent
of this course to create a manuscript that could be submitted for publication in a
scholarly journal. To facilitate this goal, the student will be required to assist
the instructor with the writing related to an ongoing research project.
Physical Modalities: This course provides the student with content on advanced topics in the physical
modalities that are used to treat patients in clinical practice. The indications,
contraindications and evidence to support the use of the modalities is also presented
and discussed during class meetings. This course provides the student with opportunities
to make sound and justifiable clinical decisions based on a patient's medical history
in the selection or discontinuation of specific modalities. Course activities and
assignments develop clinical reasoning skills that rationalize and justify modalities
as part of a comprehensive treatment program.
Integrative Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity: This course requires the student to integrate the anatomy, biomechanics, and pathology
of the hip, knee, foot and ankle and develop a comprehensive understanding of the
structures and functions of the lower extremity. The student will examine how these
segments interact with one another to influence the function of the entire lower extremity
and ultimately influence the examination, evaluation and therapeutic interventions
of lower limb pathologies.
Cadaver Anatomy I & II: These courses examine the anatomical details of a specific joint or region of the
human body. The joint or region studied in these courses is determined by the student,
his or her designed program, Faculty Advisor, Program Committee, and the course instructor.
The student participates in human cadaver dissection of the specific joint or region
of interest. The dissection approach is determined by the goals of the student and
agreed on by the course instructor. In addition to cadaver dissection the student
is expected to review and discuss current literature pertinent to his or her dissection.
Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries: This course requires the student to explore the epidemiology and etiology of injuries
to the major joints of the human body as well as the effectiveness of intervention
programs aimed at preventing these injuries. The student also is required to complete
assignments which detail his/her perception of how injuries occur to the major joints.
This perception is based on objective findings and an evidence-based rationale.
Musculoskeletal Biomechanics: This course requires the student to examine the responses of musculoskeletal tissues
(bone, skeletal muscle, tendon, ligaments, cartilage) to stress and injury. Additionally,
the student will investigate the repair process for these tissues and the factors
that influence this process.
Orthopedic and Biomechanics I: This course requires the student to explore the biomechanics of normal and abnormal
human motion. Through examination of the spine, upper extremity and lower extremity
the student explores various mechanisms of joint stability (static & dynamic), mobility
and how these elements become integrated into human function. The student will apply
these biomechanical concepts to physical assessment, surgical procedures, and current
best practice interventions.
Orthopedics and Biomechanics II: These courses require the student to delve into the biomechanics, physical assessment,
imaging and rehabilitation of specific body segments. Updates in surgical procedures
and post-operative rehabilitation will also be explored. While these courses primarily
have a clinical theme, the underlying intent of this content is to provide substance
by which the student becomes familiar with the reliability/validity and the sensitivity/specificity
of the techniques used to arrive at a diagnosis. The courses will also investigate
the available scientific research related to the effectiveness of conservative and
surgical interventions for common orthopedic conditions. A main outcome of these courses
is to identify a list of unanswered research questions that may assist the student
in identifying potential research questions.
| Orthopedics and Biomechanics II: Shoulder |
3 credits |
| Orthopedics and Biomechanics II: Elbow |
3 credits |
| Orthopedics and Biomechanics II: Wrist & Hand |
3 credits |
| Orthopedics and Biomechanics II: Hip |
3 credits |
| Orthopedics and Biomechanics II: Knee |
3 credits |
| Orthopedics and Biomechanics II: Ankle & Foot |
3 credits |
Teaching Practicum: The teaching practicum requires the student to integrate and apply educational knowledge
and theory in a classroom setting. The student will use appropriate educational methodology
for the course content. The student will incorporate evaluation tools that complement
the learning material. The student will design course content and demonstrate sound
teaching skills. The student will be required to integrate instructional technology,
and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and appropriate use of constructive criticism.
The course will be team-taught by a content expert in orthopedics and clinical biomechanics
and a content expert in education.
