Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Occupational Therapy

Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice – Albury-Wodonga (HZHSOW)

The first year of the Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Shepparton courses will be conducted at the Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Shepparton campuses respectively, whilst the second year will be spent in Bendigo. During the third and fourth years professional practice placements may occur throughout regional Victoria based at a La Trobe University regional campus.

Division of Allied Health: (03) 9479 5815

Duration: 4 years

This course provides students with the skills and knowledge to assess and treat people who are limited in their ability to undertake the activities of everyday life. The double degree combines pre-clinical and clinical study, integrating theory and practice. The majority of subjects undertake are core subjects.

Course structure

In first year, students will undertake an interdisciplinary common year in which students enrol in subjects peers across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus of this year is on basic human biosciences and factors influencing health, and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors.

The second year of study will see students begin to develop occupational therapy skills and further explore the underpinning human biosciences and public health aspects. Studies include the theory of occupational therapy, foundation subjects related to human development and health sciences, occupational therapy intervention, research and clinical work.

In both years three and four, students will study, specifically, occupational therapy through a curriculum centred on a hybrid model of problem-based learning (PBL). PBL is an instructional strategy in which students learn, through contextualised problems, and strive to find meaningful solutions to the range of complex human problems manifest in health care settings. During these two year, students will undertake placement in clinical settings.

First year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HBS1HBA Human Biosciences A 15
TE-SEM-1 HLT1IPA Interprofessional Practice A 15
TE-SEM-1 HLT1PHW Perspectives of Health and Wellbeing 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE1IDH Individual Determinants of Health 15
TE-SEM-2 HBS1HBB Human Biosciences B 15
TE-SEM-2 HLT1IPB Interprofessional Practice B 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE1SDH Social Determinants of Health 15
TE-SEM-2 Elective1 Can be taken from anywhere in the University 15
Second year
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 PSY1PYA Psychology A 15
TE-SEM-1 HBS2ALU Anatomy: Vertebral Column, Lower and Upper Limb 15
TE-SEM-1 HLT2IEP Integrating Evidence into Practice 15
TE-SEM-1 Elective1 Can be taken from anywhere in the University 15
TE-SEM-2 PSY1PYB Psychology B 15
TE-SEM-2 HBS3PAN Pathophysiology, Anatomy and Neurosciences 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT3PDC Participation in Diverse Communities through Service Learning 15
TE-SEM-2 SOC2SHI Sociology of Health and Illness 15
Third year (not offered in 2010)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-S OCT4FOT Occupational Therapy: Foundations for Practice 15
TE-SEM-1 OCT4HOB Humans as Occupational Beings 15
TE-SEM-1 OCT4ECA Occupational Therapy: Enabling Change A (Aged) 30
TE-SEM-1 OCT5PPA Professional Practice A 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5ECB Occupational Therapy: Enabling Change B (Adult) 30
TE-SEM-2 OCT5PPB Professional Practice B 15
Fourth year (not offered in 2010))
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit points
TE-SEM-1 OCT5ECC Occupational Therapy: Enabling Change C (Adolescents/Children) 15
TE-SEM-1 OCT5PPC Professional Practice C 15
TE-SEM-1 OCT5ERA Evidence Review 15
TE-SEM-1 Elective1 Taken from an approved list of subjects 15
TE-SEM-2 OCT5APP Advanced Professional Practice: Integrated Practice 30
TE-SEM-2 OCT5PPD Professional Practice D 15
TE-SEM-2 Elective Taken from an approved list of subjects 15

Key: 1. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they satisfy any prerequisites when choosing an elective