Misericordia University
Introductory Physics for the Life
Sciences Courses
Michael Orleski, Ph.D., Chair & Assistant Professor of Physics
The Physics Department at Misericordia University consists of three full-time faculty members and several
adjuncts. The department offers courses taken by the majority of health sciences students and all life science
students. Pre-Doctor of Physical Therapy (Pre-DPT) majors enroll in two semesters of algebra-based
introductory physics. Occupational Therapy majors take the first semester of the sequence using an integrated
lecture & lab format. Medical Imaging majors take the second semester of the sequence taught in a traditional
format with separate lecture and lab. Speech-language Pathology majors take a one semester physical science
course taught in an integrated lecture & lab format. Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics,
Computer Science, and some Medical Science students take two semesters of calculus-based introductory
physics.
Introduction to Physical Science
Physics Introduction 1 & 2
4-credit conceptually-oriented course with some algebra
and with integrated laboratory component.
The course focuses on physics concepts.
Serves primarily Speech-language Pathology Majors (as
freshmen).
Taught in integrated lecture-lab format using Powerful
Ideas in Physical Science (PIPS) curriculum published by
AAPT with added material on energy, waves, and sound
which meets the needs of the SLP program.
4-credit algebra-based courses with separate laboratory
component.
Serves primarily Pre-Doctor of Physical Therapy (PreDPT) majors (as juniors). See below for details on the PT
program.
Taught in traditional format with separate lecture & lab.
Taught by multiple instructors and adjuncts.
Includes material which specifically meets the needs of the
DPT program: levers, moment arm, impulse.
Physics Introduction 2
Physics Introduction 1
4-credit algebra-based course with separate laboratory
component.
Second semester of the 2-semester sequence.
Serves primarily Medical Imaging students (as juniors).
Students given a list of topics from first semester course
that they must be familiar with prior to taking this course.
Taught in traditional format with separate lecture & lab.
4-credit algebra-based course with integrated laboratory
component.
First semester of the 2-semester sequence.
Serves primarily Occupational Therapy majors (as
freshmen).
Taught in integrated lecture-lab format using Learnercentered Experience in Algebra-based Physics (LEAP)
curriculum with added material on levers which
specifically meets the needs of the OT program.
General Physics 1 & 2
4-credit calculus-based courses with separate laboratory
component.
Serves Biology (juniors), Chemistry, Biochemistry,
Mathematics, and Computer Science majors (all other
majors as sophomores), any of which could be Pre-DPT.
Some Medical Science (Physician Assistant
undergraduates) majors may take this course.
Taught in traditional format with separate lecture & lab.
Includes material which specifically meets the needs of
the DPT program: levers, moment arm, impulse.
A note about MU’s Physical Therapy Program
The Physical Therapy program is a 7 year program leading
to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. There is no
undergraduate PT degree. Students choose an
undergraduate major such as Biology, Biochemistry,
Psychology, Business, etc., which is completed in 3.5
years. Any PT prerequisites must be met regardless of the
chosen undergraduate program. Students are notated as
being Pre-DPT. After completing their undergraduate
degree, students move into graduate-level PT courses.