Curriculum Overview
The Physiotherapy program at S R University Warangal is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human movement, function, and health. The curriculum spans four academic years and includes core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and practical laboratory sessions designed to build both theoretical knowledge and clinical skills.
Year 1: Foundation and Introduction
The first year of the program focuses on building a strong foundation in basic sciences that are essential for understanding human physiology and function. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory sessions.
First Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS101 | Human Anatomy | 3-1-2-6 | None |
| PHYS102 | Human Physiology | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS101 |
| PHYS103 | Biochemistry | 3-1-2-6 | None |
| PHYS104 | Introduction to Biomechanics | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS101, PHYS102 |
| PHYS105 | Basic Mathematics for Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | None |
| PHYS106 | Introduction to Clinical Sciences | 3-1-2-6 | None |
| PHYS107 | Lab Practical 1 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS101, PHYS102 |
Second Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS201 | Pathology | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS102, PHYS103 |
| PHYS202 | Pharmacology | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS103 |
| PHYS203 | Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS101, PHYS102 |
| PHYS204 | Biostatistics | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS105 |
| PHYS205 | Introduction to Research Methodology | 3-1-2-6 | None |
| PHYS206 | Basic Clinical Skills | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS106 |
| PHYS207 | Lab Practical 2 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS201, PHYS202 |
Year 2: Building Clinical Knowledge
The second year builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in the first year by introducing students to more specialized topics in clinical sciences. The focus shifts toward understanding pathological conditions and their impact on human function.
Third Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS301 | Neurological Disorders | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS203, PHYS201 |
| PHYS302 | Musculoskeletal Pathology | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS201 |
| PHYS303 | Cardiovascular Pathology | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS201 |
| PHYS304 | Pulmonary Pathology | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS201 |
| PHYS305 | Pharmacology of Therapeutic Agents | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS202 |
| PHYS306 | Introduction to Therapeutic Modalities | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS206 |
| PHYS307 | Lab Practical 3 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS301, PHYS302 |
Fourth Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS401 | Diagnostic Procedures and Assessment Techniques | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS305, PHYS306 |
| PHYS402 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Principles | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS302, PHYS301 |
| PHYS403 | Manual Therapy Techniques | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS302, PHYS301 |
| PHYS404 | Health Education and Community Outreach | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS206 |
| PHYS405 | Professional Ethics and Legal Aspects in Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS206 |
| PHYS406 | Research Methods and Data Analysis | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS205, PHYS204 |
| PHYS407 | Lab Practical 4 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS401, PHYS402 |
Year 3: Core Specialization and Clinical Exposure
The third year focuses on core physiotherapy subjects that provide students with specialized knowledge and skills in treating patients across different medical conditions and age groups. This is also the period when students begin their clinical internships.
Fifth Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS501 | Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS402, PHYS403 |
| PHYS502 | Neurological Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS301, PHYS401 |
| PHYS503 | Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS303, PHYS304 |
| PHYS504 | Pediatric Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS401 |
| PHYS505 | Geriatric Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS401 |
| PHYS506 | Women's Health Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS401 |
| PHYS507 | Lab Practical 5 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS501, PHYS502 |
Sixth Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS601 | Orthopedic Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS501, PHYS502 |
| PHYS602 | Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS301, PHYS401 |
| PHYS603 | Advanced Therapeutic Modalities | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS403, PHYS502 |
| PHYS604 | Research and Development in Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS406, PHYS507 |
| PHYS605 | Clinical Internship I | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS501, PHYS502, PHYS503 |
| PHYS606 | Professional Development and Career Planning | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS405 |
| PHYS607 | Lab Practical 6 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS601, PHYS602 |
Year 4: Advanced Specialization and Capstone Project
The final year of the program is dedicated to advanced specialization and the completion of a capstone project. Students have the opportunity to explore areas of personal interest through elective courses and engage in independent research or practical application.
Seventh Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS701 | Advanced Sports Physiotherapy | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS501, PHYS601 |
| PHYS702 | Research Methodology and Evidence-Based Practice | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS406, PHYS604 |
| PHYS703 | Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS502, PHYS602 |
| PHYS704 | Telehealth and Digital Therapeutics | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS404, PHYS604 |
| PHYS705 | Capstone Project Proposal | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS604, PHYS605 |
| PHYS706 | Elective Course 1 | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS601 or PHYS602 |
| PHYS707 | Lab Practical 7 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS701, PHYS702 |
Eighth Semester Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS801 | Final Capstone Project Implementation | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS705 |
| PHYS802 | Professional Presentation and Portfolio Development | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS701, PHYS702 |
| PHYS803 | Clinical Internship II | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS605 |
| PHYS804 | Graduation Thesis and Research Presentation | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS701, PHYS702 |
| PHYS805 | Elective Course 2 | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS701 or PHYS702 |
| PHYS806 | Lab Practical 8 | 0-0-4-2 | PHYS801, PHYS804 |
| PHYS807 | Final Evaluation and Certification | 3-1-2-6 | PHYS801, PHYS804 |
Detailed Departmental Elective Courses
Departmental electives in the Physiotherapy program provide students with opportunities to explore specialized areas of interest and gain deeper insights into specific aspects of clinical practice. These courses are designed to complement the core curriculum and enhance students' professional development.
Advanced Sports Physiotherapy (PHYS701)
This course delves into the complexities of sports-related injuries and rehabilitation, focusing on prevention, assessment, and treatment strategies for athletes across different disciplines. Students learn about sport-specific biomechanics, injury mechanisms, and evidence-based interventions that can enhance performance and reduce injury risk.
The learning objectives include understanding the physiological demands of various sports, identifying common injuries in different athletic populations, developing personalized rehabilitation programs, and implementing advanced therapeutic modalities such as cryotherapy, heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound therapy.
Relevance to clinical practice: This course prepares students for careers in sports medicine clinics, athletic training facilities, and professional sports organizations where they can work with athletes to optimize performance and prevent injuries.
Research Methodology and Evidence-Based Practice (PHYS702)
This course equips students with the skills necessary to design, conduct, and evaluate research studies in physiotherapy. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making and provides students with tools to critically appraise existing literature and apply findings to patient care.
The learning objectives include understanding research design principles, mastering data collection and analysis techniques, interpreting statistical results, and applying evidence-based guidelines to clinical scenarios. Students also learn about ethical considerations in research and how to communicate findings effectively.
Relevance to clinical practice: This course prepares students for careers in academia, research institutions, or roles that require critical evaluation of new treatments and interventions in physiotherapy.
Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making (PHYS703)
This course focuses on developing the cognitive skills necessary for effective clinical reasoning and decision-making. Students learn to integrate patient information, clinical findings, and evidence-based practices to formulate appropriate treatment plans.
The learning objectives include analyzing complex clinical scenarios, identifying relevant diagnostic information, formulating differential diagnoses, and making sound therapeutic decisions based on available evidence. The course also covers communication skills and professional judgment in clinical settings.
Relevance to clinical practice: This course is essential for all physiotherapists as it enhances their ability to make informed decisions in complex patient cases and ensures quality care delivery.
Telehealth and Digital Therapeutics (PHYS704)
This innovative course explores the use of technology in delivering physiotherapy services, including remote monitoring, virtual consultations, and digital rehabilitation tools. Students learn to leverage technological advances to improve access to care and patient outcomes.
The learning objectives include understanding telehealth platforms and their applications in physiotherapy, designing digital interventions for home-based rehabilitation, evaluating the effectiveness of technology-assisted therapies, and ensuring patient safety and privacy in digital environments.
Relevance to clinical practice: As healthcare becomes increasingly digitized, this course prepares students for careers in telehealth services, digital health startups, or roles that involve integrating technology into traditional physiotherapy practice.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning is rooted in the belief that real-world application of knowledge leads to deeper understanding and better preparation for professional practice. Projects are designed to simulate actual clinical challenges, encouraging students to think critically and develop innovative solutions.
Structure: Projects are typically conducted in teams of 3-5 students and span multiple semesters. Each project begins with a problem statement that reflects real-world clinical issues or research questions. Students are expected to conduct literature reviews, design interventions, collect data, analyze results, and present findings to faculty members and peers.
Scope: The scope of projects ranges from developing new assessment tools for specific patient populations to designing rehabilitation programs for chronic conditions. Advanced students may also engage in research projects that contribute to the body of knowledge in physiotherapy or lead to innovations in clinical practice.
Evaluation Criteria: Projects are evaluated based on several criteria including project design, methodology, data analysis, presentation quality, teamwork, and practical application of findings. Students receive feedback throughout the project cycle to ensure continuous improvement.
Mini-Projects: In addition to major capstone projects, students complete several mini-projects throughout their academic journey. These projects are shorter in scope but equally important for developing specific skills such as data collection, literature review, and presentation techniques.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project: The final-year thesis or capstone project represents the culmination of a student's academic journey. Students select a topic of personal interest or relevance to current clinical challenges, conduct independent research under faculty supervision, and present their findings in a formal thesis format.
Project Selection Process: Students work closely with faculty mentors to identify suitable projects that align with their interests and career goals. The selection process involves reviewing project proposals, discussing feasibility, and ensuring adequate resources and support are available for successful completion.
Mentorship: Each student is assigned a faculty mentor who provides guidance throughout the project development phase. Mentors help students refine their research questions, identify appropriate methodologies, troubleshoot challenges, and prepare for final presentations.