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Physiotherapy

Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Bendigo (HBPHBE), Melbourne (Bundoora) (HBPH)

From 2009 this course will only be available for continuing students. Those wishing to study physiotherapy should apply for the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice.

The course involves pre-clinical and clinical study over four years and is offered on a full-time basis. Students are required to complete all of the subjects listed in the course structure and are normally expected to complete all of one year’s work before enrolling in a later-year subject. In each year, the physiotherapy subjects are usually co-requisites for each other. Earlier year Physiotherapy subjects are prerequisites for study in later years.

Students are required to reach a satisfactory standard in both the theoretical/written and practical/clinical components of all physiotherapy subjects in the course. All students have the opportunity to complete 15 credit points of elective subjects in third year.

This degree had its final intake in 2008.

Course structure

During the first part of the course, students study basic biological, medical and behavioural sciences, including anatomy, physiology, psychology, and research methods. The theory and application of specific physiotherapy techniques and the clinical reasoning process are introduced. All students undertake the first two years of study at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus. In the third and fourth years, students build on and apply their knowledge and skills to the physiotherapy management of specific disorders and acquire skills in health promotion, evidence-based practice and outcomes measurement. Students treat patients under supervision in hospitals and other clinical settings, in metropolitan and rural settings, in order to gain a sound basis for clinical practice. For students enrolled in the Melbourne (Bundoora) program, lectures, demonstrations and practical sessions are held at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus. All students enrolled in the Bendigo program will complete third and fourth year studies based at Bendigo Health. Assessment is conducted by means of written, practical and clinical examinations as well as web-based assignments. Details for each subject are available at the beginning of the semester. Attendance requirements for practical classes and clinics must be met in order to be eligible for assessment in these subjects.

Clinical practica are often undertaken outside standard teaching periods. Bundoora program students are expected to undertake at least one five-week clinical practicum in a rural setting and Bendigo program students must undertake at least one in a metropolitan setting. All travel and accommodation costs are at students’ expense.

First year (no new intake in 2010)

Second year (continuing students only)

Third year (continuing students only)

Fourth year (continuing students only)

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

Third year electives

Third year elective subjects (or suitable electives from elsewhere within the University) – these subjects have quotas – please check relevant subject descriptions online.

Core clinical practica

Four 5-week, full-time clinical placements are undertaken between the middle of third year to the middle of fourth year in the course. Students are allocated to a clinical school for the four core subjects. All travel and accommodation costs are at students’ expense. Students undertake two or three of the clinics in third year, and one or two in fourth year. Students must gain experience in the areas of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy, and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. The subject codes and titles are as follows:

Elective Professional practica

The clinical elective comprises two full-time, 5-week professional placements. The specific areas of practice are selected to complement and build on the student’s prior clinical experiences and/or to develop an area of particular interest.

The electives require completion of all four core clinical subjects as a prerequisite.

Professional recognition

Students are required to register with the Physiotherapist Registration Board of Victoria.

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Physiotherapists Registration Board in any state or territory. Registration is an essential prerequisite for physiotherapy practice in Australia.

Honours program

A sequence of subjects in the third and fourth years of the course leads to the award of an honours degree. Applicants are selected at the end of the second year on the basis of academic results achieved in the first and second year subjects of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. From each of these subjects, a grade point average is calculated. Further details are made available at the commencement of the honours program. Honours candidates undertake a research design subject in place of the third year elective and a research project in place of the subject PTY4EBP Evidence-Based Practice in Physiotherapy in fourth year.