Campus Connection

Four courses with tongue-twisting titles that offer a clear impact for students

At UW-La Crosse, the course catalog is filled with titles that may sound intimidating or difficult to pronounce. But don’t let the challenge or jargon discourage you — these courses are essential to building a strong foundation for future careers in fields ranging from physical therapy to business. 

Throughout the 2024-25 school year, we’ll introduce you to four of these complex courses, sharing student stories about how their challenging content provides clarity and direction for their professional paths. The first in this series is Pathophysiology. 

Pathophysiology, the study of the physiological processes altered by injuries, diseases, or other conditions affecting the body, is a cornerstone course for students entering healthcare professions such as physical therapy, nursing, and medicine. Though the name may sound daunting, its real-world impact is clear — particularly for students like Alex Olver, a UWL physical therapy student currently immersed in clinical rotations. 

Olver credits Pathophysiology as one of the most pivotal courses in his educational journey. Now working with baseball players recovering from “Tommy John” surgery — a procedure to repair a torn or unstable ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow — Olver applies his knowledge of the body’s healing processes daily. 

“Pathophysiology has been crucial in shaping how I approach patient care, especially when it comes to selecting interventions tailored to each patient’s specific condition,” he says. “For example, with the baseball players, understanding the healing process of graft tissue has been vital. New research shows that starting throwing exercises earlier in recovery can help the graft adapt to higher stress levels, potentially reducing the risk of reinjury.” 

The official title of the course —"Pathophysiology and Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy"—reflects the depth of the material, notes Steni Sackiriyas, UWL assistant professor of physical therapy. Required for all graduate-level physical therapy students, the course covers both fundamental and applied aspects of pathophysiology. While the content is complex, the outcomes are clear: it equips future physical therapists with the critical skills needed to assess and treat patients effectively. 

Sackiriyas explains that understanding pathophysiology is essential for physical therapists, who must differentiate between musculoskeletal pain and pain caused by other underlying health conditions. For example, conditions like kidney dysfunction can present as back pain because of the kidney’s proximity to the spine and the nerves from kidneys and back and skin sharing the common pathway to the brain. This process of distinguishing musculoskeletal pain from other health conditions, known as differential diagnosis, is a key component of the course. 

“Physical therapists are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing pain. It’s crucial that students learn how to distinguish between conditions that require physical therapy and those that may need further medical evaluation,” Sackiriyas says. 

Preparing for real-world patient care 

For students like Olver, the course goes beyond theory and into practical application. During his clinical rotations, Olver was able to apply his knowledge when treating an elderly patient with thoracic pain and a history of cancer. By drawing on his understanding of pathophysiology, he was able to assess the pain’s origin with confidence.  

“My understanding of Pathophysiology helped me rule out serious conditions by evaluating her pain characteristics, location, and mechanical reproducibility,” Olver explains. “I reassured her that her pain was musculoskeletal in nature and would respond well to physical therapy. This not only put her mind at ease but also helped establish a trusting relationship moving forward.”  

In addition to diagnosis, physical therapists must develop customized treatment plans for each patient. Pathophysiology helps students understand the complexities of human systems, enabling them to formulate safe and effective interventions. 

The ultimate goal of the course is to prepare future physical therapy professionals to be critical consumers of current pathophysiology literature, so they are empowered to make timely, informed, and safe decisions in patient care, says Sackiriyas.  

“By applying the knowledge and skills gained in this course, PT professionals can critically evaluate patient conditions, differentiate between diagnoses, and deliver effective treatments while serving their communities,” he says. “This course equips students with the ability to think critically, synthesize information at an advanced level, and position themselves as safe, efficient, and effective practitioners.” 

Sackiriyas is especially proud of students like Olver, who take the principles learned in class and apply them in clinical settings, using current evidence to make independent, well-informed decisions. This ability to translate classroom learning into practical, real-world action ensures that UWL graduates are ready to deliver exceptional care in their communities and beyond.