I'm very interested in classes such as exercise physiology, however I realize a degree in this would not have many job oppurtunities. I was wondering, what are the classes like to become a physical therapist? Are classes like exercise physiology involved? Thanks!
Bump
Physical therapy is a three year doctorate program during which you are taught by idiots and learn a bunch of things that aren't true and nothing that is. However, because you obtain a prestigious degree, and are usually ignorant enough to equate prestige with respectability, you come to think you know everything, when in reality know less than nothing, because everything you "think" you know is wrong, and by the time you finish school, you are too miseducated to listen to any rational source who contradicts your established views.
Bacon Eater wrote:
Physical therapy is a three year doctorate program during which you are taught by idiots and learn a bunch of things that aren't true and nothing that is. However, because you obtain a prestigious degree, and are usually ignorant enough to equate prestige with respectability, you come to think you know everything, when in reality know less than nothing, because everything you "think" you know is wrong, and by the time you finish school, you are too miseducated to listen to any rational source who contradicts your established views.
Obviously, don't listen to this guy.
PT is more challenging than Exercise Physiology, but the employment opportunities and pay will be better. Find a school that offers a PT and check out the pre-reqs.
Have degrees in both. Ex. Phys came first. Both complement each other. Having said that never regretted opting for PT.
More options, better pay, just as much if not more personal satisfaction helping others.
Pre req classes in PT are the same as pre med. Understand PT school is an introduction to PT, once you pass state boards it is up to you to develop your career in which ever discipline you choose.
All the best to you in your endeavors.
During undergrad, just concentrate on rocking the basic science courses (bio, gen chem, o-chem, biochem, and physics). Then you'll be set up to pursue either career.
And if someone tries to talk you into an undergrad ex phys program that doesn't involve hard sciences, run the other direction. You come to understand ex phys by first understanding physiology, and then applying that knowledge to athletics. I spent a semester as a kinesiology major, and found the material to be so surface-level as to be nearly useless. They would explain the "what," but gloss over the "how" and the "why" because an actual in depth explanation involved scary chemistry.
Just learn the science and you'll be set.
start with the science wrote:
During undergrad, just concentrate on rocking the basic science courses (bio, gen chem, o-chem, biochem, and physics). Then you'll be set up to pursue either career.
And if someone tries to talk you into an undergrad ex phys program that doesn't involve hard sciences, run the other direction. You come to understand ex phys by first understanding physiology, and then applying that knowledge to athletics. I spent a semester as a kinesiology major, and found the material to be so surface-level as to be nearly useless. They would explain the "what," but gloss over the "how" and the "why" because an actual in depth explanation involved scary chemistry.
Just learn the science and you'll be set.
This is the best post of this thread. It hits the nail right on the head. If you can find an Exercise Science/Kinesiology program that requires and promotes the sciences, that would be best. Our Ex Sci program does that and it is becoming very popular for pre-PT students as their BS degree of choice before entering PT school. (plus we have the flexibility within our curriculum to take the PT school prereqs like chem, physics, precalc, human bio concurrently with the Ex Sci courses so students don't need to take extra time to get the PT school prereqs done.)
I an't speak for exercise physiology, but just finished my first semester of PT (4-year internationally recognised university-level course) and I can tell you what we've done so far.
They have smashed us with the tough stream of anatomy (go into more detail next semester, then neuroanatomy first semester second year), the tough stream of physiology (again, more detail next semester and even more detail first semester next year) a fluff course not worth mentioning and physiotherapy studies. This is in three parts - clinical skills (length and strength testing, passive movement programs etc), clinical reasoning which is extrapolating from patient data exactly what is wrong and the best treatment and probable prognosis, and biomachanics, which is physics applied specifically to the human body.
Bear in mind this is first semester first year.
It's a very intensive course and I was surprised at how much anatomy and especially physiology we do. In the end we will be experts in both - apparently this part of the course is the same as MDs, with biomechanics in place of pathology (although we cover pathology in some detail in physiology). I know MDs have it much tougher than us, but in terms of anatomy specifically we receive the same exact training and graduate with the same level of knowledge.
start with the science wrote:
During undergrad, just concentrate on rocking the basic science courses (bio, gen chem, o-chem, biochem, and physics). Then you'll be set up to pursue either career.
And if someone tries to talk you into an undergrad ex phys program that doesn't involve hard sciences, run the other direction. You come to understand ex phys by first understanding physiology, and then applying that knowledge to athletics. I spent a semester as a kinesiology major, and found the material to be so surface-level as to be nearly useless. They would explain the "what," but gloss over the "how" and the "why" because an actual in depth explanation involved scary chemistry.
Just learn the science and you'll be set.
I also second this. Our program sees many pre PT students as Biomechanics and ExP are foci areas.