Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice – Albury-Wodonga (HZHSPB), Bendigo (HZHSPB), Melbourne (Bundoora) (HZHSPP), Shepparton (HZHSPS)
This new course commenced in 2009, replacing the Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
Bendigo and Bundoora students will undertake all years at the campus they are enrolled at. Albury-Wodonga and Shepparton students will undertake their first year only, at their respective campuses and complete the remainder of their course at the Bendigo campus.
Division of Allied Health: (03) 9479 5815
Duration: 4 years
Physiotherapists assess and treat patients with temporary or long-term physical injuries, movement disorders or disability, aiming to achieve the highest possible degree of recovery, activity, participation and quality of life. They may work independently or as members of health care teams. Physiotherapists are active in the prevention of illness and injury and in the promotion of health. Physiotherapists are also involved in clinical research, movement rehabilitation, ergonomics and the management of health care organisations. Subjects undertaken during the double degree include general and health sciences, professional, clinical and research-related studies.
Course structure
This course is offered on a full-time basis. The first year of the double degree is an interdisciplinary common year. During this year, students will enrol in subjects with peers across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus is on basic human biosciences and behavioural health sciences, and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors. Year two begins to develop physiotherapy skills and further explores the human biosciences of anatomy and physiology. In the third and fourth years, students apply their knowledge and practical skills to the physiotherapy management of disorders across the life span using enquiry-based learning techniques. There is a focus on small group learning to master the practical aspects of physiotherapy skills. These groups are co-educational with the expectation that students will practise techniques on each other. In order to integrate the theory and gain a sound basis for clinical practice, students treat patients in hospital and other clinical settings under clinician supervision. Students are allocated to a clinical school for their core clinical placements in third and fourth years. Students are required to undertake placements in a variety of health care settings in the areas of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological physiotherapy practice. In fourth year, students have the opportunity to undertake placements in more specialised areas of clinical practice such as women’s health, paediatrics, sports, oncology and spinal cord injury. Clinical placements are not limited to the traditional semester dates.
An honours program, commencing in fourth year, will be available to a limited number of students who achieve outstanding results.
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 on 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 | HBS2APT | Anatomy for Physiotherapy | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2PBM | Physiology and Biomechanics | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY2HDM | Human Development and Movement | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Integrating Evidence Into Practice |
15 | |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS3PAP | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | HBS3ANP | Anatomy and Neurosciences for Physiotherapy | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY3EHW | Exercise for Health and Wellbeing | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY3STM | Soft Tissue Management | 15 |
Third year (not offered in 2010)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4MUP | Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4NEP | Neurological Physiotherapy | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4CAP | Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4IPA | Integrated Physiotherapy Practice A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5IPB | Integrated Physiotherapy Practice B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5IPC | Integrated Physiotherapy Practice C | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5CPA | Clinical Practice A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5CPB | Clinical Practice B | 15 |
Fourth year (not offered in 2010)
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY5EBP | Evidence Based Practice | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY5CDM | Chronic Disease Management | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY5CPC | Clinical Practice C | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY5CPD | Clinical Practice D | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5APA | Advanced Practice A | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5APB | Advanced Practice B | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5CPE | Clinical Practice E | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | PTY5CPF | Clinical Practice F | 15 |
Key: 1. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they satisfy any prerequisites when choosing an elective