Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required Courses:

OTH 600 Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice

Introduces the philosophy, history, and scope of occupational therapy. Emphasis is placed on the occupational nature of human beings, the OT Practice Framework, and the core values and ethical principles guiding the profession. Students explore the domains and processes of OT practice across diverse populations, fostering a strong professional identity. 3 credits.

OTH 604 Functional Anatomy for Occupational Therapy

Provides an applied study of human anatomy emphasizing movement, function, and occupational performance. Laboratory experiences develop competency in palpation, movement analysis, range of motion, and manual muscle testing while integrating anatomy into occupational therapy practice. 4 credits.

OTH 608 Occupational Therapy Screening and Evaluation

Introduces the occupational therapy evaluation process, including screening, occupational profiles, standardized and non-standardized assessment, clinical observation, and documentation. Students begin developing clinical reasoning for selecting and interpreting evaluation methods. 2 credits.

OTH 612 Occupational Performance and Analysis

Introduces the analysis of human occupation and occupational performance across everyday activities. Students learn activity analysis techniques, task grading, and adaption methods to promote engagement and participation. Students examine the interaction among the person, environment, occupation, and context while developing foundational skills in activity analysis and clinical reasoning. 3 credits.

OTH 616 Professional Identity, Ethics, and Collaboration

Explores professional ethics, legal considerations, and communication strategies essential for occupational therapy practice. Topics include the AOTA Code of Ethics, interprofessional collaboration, therapeutic use of self, cultural humility, conflict resolution, the occupational therapist- occupational therapist assistant relationship, and effective verbal and written communication with clients, families, and healthcare teams. 2 credits.

OTH 620 Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy

Examines the structure and function of the nervous system as the foundation for occupational performance and participation. Students explore the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying sensation, movement, cognition, perception, and behavior. Laboratory experiences reinforce neuroanatomy through hands-on learning and clinical application, emphasizing neurological assessment, clinical reasoning, and occupation-based intervention. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, and 616. 3 credits.

OTH 624 Research I: Scholarship & Evidence-Informed Practice

Introduces the principles of evidence-informed occupational therapy practice through the study of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Students learn to locate, critically appraise, and apply scholarly literature; develop foundational skills in research literacy, clinical decision-making, basic research design, and statistical analysis; and incorporate evidence into occupational therapy practice. Ethical considerations in human subjects research are addressed. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, and 616. 3 credits.

OTH 628 Occupational Therapy Processes in Pediatrics

Introduces occupational therapy evaluation and intervention for infants, children, and adolescents within family-centered and educational practice settings. Topics include developmental milestones, sensory processing, play-based interventions, school-based practice, and collaboration with care partners, families, educators, and interprofessional teams. Students learn to design individualized, developmentally appropriate, occupation-centered intervention plans that promote participation across home, school, and community environments. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, and 616. 4 credits.

OTH 632 Pediatric Level I Fieldwork

Provides structured Level I Fieldwork experiences focused on pediatric occupational therapy that complement concurrent coursework. Through experiences that may include simulation, standardized patients, virtual environments, faculty-led activities, site visits, and/or supervised experiences in practice environments, students apply classroom knowledge while developing clinical reasoning, professional behaviors, therapeutic communication, and an understanding of occupation-centered pediatric practice. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, and 616. 1 credit.

OTH 636 Occupational Therapy Processes in Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being

Examines occupational therapy practice with individuals experiencing mental health and psychosocial challenges across the lifespan. Students explore recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and occupation-based approaches that support participation, health, and well-being. Content includes psychiatric diagnoses, stress management, coping strategies, therapeutic use of self, group interventions, and therapeutic relationships to facilitate engagement in meaningful occupations. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, and 616. 4 credits.

OTH 640 Psychosocial Level I Fieldwork

Provides structured Level I Fieldwork experiences focused on psychosocial occupational therapy that complement concurrent coursework. Through experiences that may include simulation, standardized patients, virtual environments, faculty-led activities, site visits, and/or supervised experiences in practice environments, students apply classroom knowledge while developing therapeutic use of self, professional communication, group process skills, clinical reasoning, and an understanding of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, occupation-centered practice. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, and 616. 1 credit.

OTH 644 Occupational Therapy Processes in Adults and Older Adults I

Examines occupational therapy practice for adults and older adults with neurological and cognitive conditions across the continuum of care. Students develop clinical reasoning skills to evaluate occupational performance, design evidence-informed interventions, and implement occupation-based treatment plans that address motor, cognitive, perceptual, and psychosocial impairments. Laboratory experiences, simulation, and case-based learning reinforce clinical application and professional decision-making. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640. 4 credits.

OTH 648 Adult & Older Adult Level I Fieldwork

Provides structured Level I Fieldwork experiences focused on occupational therapy practice with adults and older adults that complement concurrent coursework. Through experiences that may include simulation, standardized patients, virtual environments, faculty-led activities, site visits, and/or supervised experiences in practice environments, students apply classroom knowledge while developing clinical reasoning, professional behaviors, and an understanding of evidence-informed, occupation-centered practice across adulthood and older adulthood. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640. 1 credit.

OTH 652 Assistive Technology

Introduces assistive technologies, adaptive equipment, and environmental modifications that enhance occupational performance and participation across the lifespan. Students develop clinical reasoning skills to evaluate, select, and implement low- and high-tech solutions, including wheelchair prescription and seating, ergonomics, and emerging technologies, and therapeutic monitoring to support client-centered practice, functional independence, and community participation. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640. 2 credits.

OTH 656 Community & Population Health

Examines the role of occupational therapy in promoting health, participation, occupational justice, and well-being within communities and populations. Students explore prevention, health promotion, and community-based practice across diverse settings while developing skills in community needs assessment, program planning, and population-based interventions. Emphasis is placed on addressing social determinants of health and advancing equitable access to meaningful occupations for underserved and underrepresented populations. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640. 2 credits.

OTH 660 Research II: Scholarly Project

Builds upon the principles of evidence-informed occupational therapy practice through the design, implementation, and dissemination of a scholarly project that integrates research, theory, and clinical practice. Students conduct a comprehensive literature review, identify a clinically relevant question or practice need, develop and implement a quantitative or qualitative scholarly project, analyze and interpret findings as appropriate, and disseminate results through professional presentation and scholarly writing. Emphasis is placed on critical inquiry, knowledge translation, ethical scholarship, and the application of evidence to advance occupational therapy practice. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640. 3 credits.

OTH 700 Occupational Therapy Processes in Adults and Older Adults II

OTH 704 Therapeutic Interventions & Modalities

Examines therapeutic interventions and selected physical agent modalities that support occupational performance and participation. Students develop clinical reasoning skills to safely select, apply, and integrate evidence-informed therapeutic modalities, including heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and manual techniques, within occupation-based intervention plans. Emphasis is placed on indications, precautions, contraindications, client safety, and the appropriate use of therapeutic modalities to enhance occupational performance. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640, 644, 648, 652, 656, and 660. 2 credits.

OTH 708 Leadership, Advocacy, & Occupational Justice

Examines the roles of leadership, advocacy, and occupational justice in contemporary occupational therapy practice. Students explore leadership theories and styles, ethical decision-making, professional identity, advocacy strategies, policy development, and the occupational therapist's role in advancing health equity and occupational justice. Emphasis is placed on promoting inclusive, client-centered, and culturally responsive practice; addressing barriers to occupational participation; and leading change at the individual, organizational, community, and systems levels. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640, 644, 648, 652, 656, and 660. 2 credits.

OTH 712 Occupational Therapy Administration & Management

Examines administrative and management principles that support the effective operation of occupational therapy services across healthcare, educational, and community settings. Students develop competencies in financial management, reimbursement, staffing, supervision, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, risk management, operational decision-making, and organizational performance. Emphasis is placed on managing established occupational therapy services, ensuring quality care, efficient resource utilization, and continuous organizational improvement. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640, 644, 648, 652, 656, and 660. 3 credits.

OTH 716 Professional Development & Transition to Practice

Prepares students for successful transition from didactic education to advanced clinical education and entry-level occupational therapy practice. Students integrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the curriculum through advanced clinical reasoning, comprehensive case analysis, and professional readiness activities while preparing for the NBCOT certification examination and future state licensure. Content includes NBCOT examination preparation, professional behaviors, ethical decision-making, interprofessional communication, reflective practice, continuing competence, and lifelong learning. Emphasis is placed on developing the clinical reasoning, professional identity, and self-assessment skills necessary for success during Level II Fieldwork and the transition to professional practice. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640, 644, 648, 652, 656, and 660. 2 credits.

OTH 720 Level II Fieldwork A

Provides the first full-time, in-depth clinical experience in an occupational therapy practice setting. Students apply evidence-informed, occupation-based practice while demonstrating clinical reasoning, ethical decision-making, professional behaviors, and interprofessional collaboration. Emphasis is placed on delivering client-centered occupational therapy services and achieving entry-level competence in accordance with professional standards. Graded pass/fail. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640, 644, 648, 652, 656, 660, 700, 704, 708, 712, and 716. 9 credits.

OTH 724 Level II Fieldwork B

Provides a second full-time, in-depth clinical experience in a different practice setting. Students apply and demonstrate entry-level competence in occupational therapy through evidence-informed, occupation-based practice, effective clinical reasoning, professional behaviors, ethical decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration across diverse service delivery settings. Graded pass/fail. Prerequisites: OTH 600, 604, 608, 612, 616, 620, 624, 628, 632, 636, 640, 644, 648, 652, 656, 660, 700, 704, 708, 712, 716, and 720. 9 credits.