Course Descriptions for MSOT 1 Year

Fall Semester

SAR-OT500 Integrative Seminar 1 and LIFW (2cr)

This course is the first integrative seminar in a four-seminar sequence designed to enhance clinical reasoning processes by integrating knowledge from previous educational and work experiences with current courses and weekly fieldwork experiences. Using problem based case scenarios, simulated classroom activities, and fieldwork experiences, this seminar focuses on reasoning related to professional socialization, group processes, diversity, therapeutic relationships, ethical practice and other professional issues related to working with persons and populations of all ages with a variety of needs for occupational therapy practice. This seminar provides multiple opportunities for development of oral and written communication skills, individually and in groups. Self-directed, collaborative learning and class participation are an essential aspect of this seminar.

SAR-OT513 Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation (4cr)

This course introduces students to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (AOTA, the history of OT and the roles of OT practitioners. Students learn general skills of activity analysis, adaptation, and application of occupation. Acquisition of skill in performing and analyzing activities is emphasized. Students also complete several environmental assessments, and learn how environments impact participation and ways to modify the environment.

SAR-OT520 Evidence-Based OT Practice 1 (EBP1) (2cr)

This course is designed to develop beginning skills for conducting evidence-based practice. The focus is on using research evidence to support the first task of therapy: getting to know the client and the client’s needs. The student learns how to find, use, and communicate about two types of published research reports that support the therapist’s task of getting to know a client: (1) reports about the occupational lives and needs of people like the client (ie, similar health care conditions, gender, cultural group, etc), and (2) reports about the quality of different assessment methods for gaining information about a single client’s occupational life and needs. The is structured around actual client cases.

SAR-OT526 Functional Movement Analysis (4 cr)

This course applies the foundation knowledge from gross anatomy to understanding functional movement in typical development and in the context of clinical disorders. Students learn skills related to assessing movement in the context of daily activities and designing appropriate supports for effective functional performance.

SAR-OT529 Occupation Across the Life Course (4cr)

This course examines current theory and research related to the development of human occupation throughout the life course. Human development is viewed from an ecological perspective, emphasizing the inextricable links among person, environment, and occupation. The performance of activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, work/ education, play/leisure, and social participation, especially as potentially affected by disease, injury, or other disorders, will be examined. Students are required to observe, interpret, and describe occupational performance, and apply occupational therapy theories and constructs to understand development of human occupation.

Spring Semester

SAR-HS582  Neuroanatomy (4cr)

This course provides foundation knowledge in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Students learn the gross anatomy of the brain and spinal cord, principles of neural development that guide the organization of the nervous system, basic neurophysiology, including signal generation and propagation, and communication between neurons, organization of the major sensory, motor, and autonomic nervous system, principles of synaptic plasticity, especially as it relates to learning and memory, the neural basis of emotion, cognitive functions, language, and attention.

SAR-OT501 Integrative Seminar 2 and LIFW (2cr)

This is the second course in a four-course sequence. Using problem-based case scenarios and fieldwork experiences this integrative seminar focuses particularly on reasoning about processes of behavior, cognition, and motor learning relative to change and implications for intervention for person of all ages with a variety of disabling conditions. This integrative seminar is linked to the Process of Assessment and Change courses (OT562 and OT524).

SAR-OT524 Introduction to the OT Process (4cr)

This Level I Fieldwork course introduces students to the Occupational Therapy process as described in the OT Framework. The course is organized around the Paired Cooperative Learning (PCL) experience. This is a collaborative student relationship designed to provide a practical context for developing skills in planning, implementing, and documenting assessment and intervention strategies in client-centered, occupation and evidence-based practice. Professional topics related to therapeutic use of self, interviewing, ethical practice, clinical reasoning, professional development and health promotion, wellness-oriented practice are addressed.

SAR-OT562 Learning and Behavior Change (4cr)

This course examines theories of learning and behavior change that underlie current OT theories and practice and examines the impact of specific clinical conditions on learning. The course provides foundation knowledge underlying occupational therapy theories and frames of reference.

SAR-OT620 Evidence-Based OT Practice 2 (EBP2) (2cr)

This course is designed to develop essential skills for conducting evidence-based practice with a particular focus on decisions related to selecting appropriate intervention approaches. The course is conducted in seminar and small-group format involving critical analysis of published research literature.

  • For questions about the MSOT program or to arrange a visit, please email or call the Boston University OT Office at OT@bu.edu or (617) 353-2729.