Program Overview

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Physical Rehabilitation Science, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy program in physical rehabilitation science emphasizes the development of an individual's expertise as a researcher in rehabilitation science. Through coursework and participation in research, graduates are prepared for academic appointments that emphasize research, scholarship, and teaching.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates possess:

• theoretical and scientific knowledge to perform basic, applied, or clinical-level original research that leads to scientific presentations, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and competition for extramural funding through scientific grant writing;
• breadth of knowledge in exercise physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, or motor control specialty areas as they relate to impairment, functional limitation, and disability; and
• theoretical and practical skills required for college or university teaching at the professional entry and advanced graduate levels.

Program Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy in physical rehabilitation science requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a UI cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00.

Curriculum

• Students and their faculty advisors develop an individualized study plan.
• A preliminary study plan is developed within the first year of study for full-time students and within the second year of study for part-time students; a final plan is submitted to the Graduate College when the PhD comprehensive examination is scheduled.
• To ensure breadth of knowledge, all students complete specific core, research, and scientific specialty area content courses.
• Elective courses are selected to provide in-depth study of the specialty; they are complemented by an advanced seminar course specific to a student's specialty and taken in preparation for the comprehensive examination.
• Students must satisfactorily complete the comprehensive examination, which is taken after all required coursework is completed.
• Doctoral study culminates with 12 s.h. of thesis research and an oral examination.

General Core Requirement

PhD students must complete the following core requirements:

• PTRS:7812: Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement
• PTRS:7820: Seminar in Rehabilitation Science (taken twice for 1 s.h. each)
• PTRS:7880: Teaching Practicum
• BIOS:5120/IGPI:5120/STAT:5610: Regression Modeling and ANOVA in the Health Sciences
• BMED:7270: Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research I
• BMED:7271: Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research II
• PSQF:7385/CSED:7385/EDTL:7385/EPLS:7385/GRAD:7385: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
• One of the following:
  • BIOS:4120: Introduction to Biostatistics
  • STAT:4143/PSQF:4143: Introduction to Statistical Methods

Research Requirement

Students complete at least 27 s.h. from the following:

• PTRS:7826: Scientific Writing in Rehabilitation Science
• PTRS:7884: Practicum in Research
• PTRS:7895: Advanced Seminar in Rehabilitation Science
• PTRS:7900: Rehabilitation Research Capstone Project
• PTRS:7927: Research in Rehabilitation Science
• PTRS:7930: Critical Thinking in Neuro-Mechanical Systems
• PTRS:7931: Critical Thinking in Pain
• PTRS:7932: Critical Thinking in Biomechanics and Human Performance Assessment
• PTRS:7933: Critical Thinking in Activity-Based Plasticity
• PTRS:7934: Critical Thinking in Neural Plasticity
• PTRS:7935: Critical Thinking in Movement Science
• PTRS:7936: Critical Thinking in Cardiovascular Physiology
• PTRS:7990: Thesis: Rehabilitation Science

Specialty Content Requirement

Students must complete at least 9 s.h. in their scientific specialty area. Students may choose courses from the following list, but other courses suited to a student's background knowledge and interest area are considered:

• Anatomy and Cell Biology:
  • ACB:8401: Advanced Human Anatomy
• Epidemiology:
  • EPID:6900: Design of Intervention and Clinical Trials
• Health and Human Physiology:
  • HHP:6130: Advanced Skeletal Muscle Physiology
  • HHP:6150: Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology
  • HHP:6300: Motor Control Seminar
  • HHP:6410: Advanced Integrative Physiology of Exercise
  • HHP:6460: Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology
  • HHP:6470: Advanced Physiology of Aging
• Neuroscience:
  • NSCI:7235/NEUR:7235: Neurobiology of Disease
• Nursing:
  • NURS:3460: Professional Role II: Research
• Occupational and Environmental Health:
  • OEH:4310: Occupational Ergonomics: Principles
• Pharmacology:
  • PCOL:5137: Neurotransmitters
  • PCOL:6207: Ion Channel Pharmacology
  • PCOL:6250: Advanced Problem Solving in Pharmacological Sciences
• Physical Therapy:
  • PTRS:5210: Kinesiology and Pathomechanics
  • PTRS:5206: Cardiopulmonary Therapeutics
  • PTRS:6224: Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity in Health Care
  • PTRS:6250: Critical Inquiry I: Evidence-Based Practice
  • PTRS:6251: Critical Inquiry II: Rehabilitation Research
  • PTRS:6253: Functional Neuroanatomy
  • PTRS:7875: Analysis of Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity
  • PTRS:7899: Introduction to Pain: Overview of Theories, Concepts, and Mechanisms
  • PTRS:7901: Clinical Correlates of Pain: Syndromes and Management
  • PTRS:7902: Molecular, Cellular, and Neural Mechanisms of Pain
  • PTRS:7903: Rehabilitation Management of Pain

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; they should have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 and scores at or above the 50th percentile for each section of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test. A minimum of two years of clinical experience may be considered highly desirable, depending on the research interest area.

Application Materials

Application materials must include a complete Graduate College application form, test scores, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

Personal Interviews

Personal interviews are required of all applicants selected for consideration by the admissions committee. On-campus interviews are preferred, but telephone interviews may be substituted when necessary.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor.

Physical Rehabilitation Science, PhD

Plan of Study Grid (Manual) Academic Career

• Any Semester: 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval.
• First Year:
  • Any Semester: BIOS:4120 or STAT:4143: Introduction to Biostatistics or Introduction to Statistical Methods
  • Fall: BMED:7270: Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research I, PTRS:7812: Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement, PTRS:7820: Seminar in Rehabilitation Science, Research course, Research course
  • Spring: BMED:7271: Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research II, BIOS:5120: Regression Modeling and ANOVA in the Health Sciences, PTRS:7820: Seminar in Rehabilitation Science, Research course
• Second Year:
  • Any Semester: PSQF:7385: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, PTRS:7880: Teaching Practicum
  • Fall: Research course, Specialty Content course, Specialty Content course
  • Spring: Research course, Specialty Content course
• Third Year:
  • Any Semester: Comprehensive Exam
  • Fall: Research course, Research course, Research course, Research course
  • Spring: Research course, Research course, Research course, Research course
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: PTRS:7990: Thesis: Rehabilitation Science
  • Spring: PTRS:7990: Thesis: Rehabilitation Science, Final Exam