Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice
Course code/s: Albury-Wodonga (HZHSPW), Bendigo (HZHSPB), Melbourne (HZHSPP), Mildura (HZHPPM), Shepparton (HZHSPS)
NOTE. Bendigo and Melbourne students will undertake all years at the campus they are enrolled at. Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Shepparton students will undertake their first year only, at their respective campuses and complete the remainder of their course at the Bendigo campus.
Course Coordinator: Felicity Blackstock
Contact: ph (03) 9479 5815 email health@latrobe.edu.au
Course 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 combined degree course is offered on a full-time basis. The course uses an enquiry-based learning approach that emphasises client-centred, interprofessional and evidence-based practice. In first year, students undertake an interdisciplinary year in which students enrol in subjects with their peers across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus of this year in on basic human biosciences and developing an understanding of factors influencing health, and the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors. In second year, students begin to develop physiotherapy skills and further explore the human biosciences of anatomy, physiology and pathology. By the third and fourth years, students will be able to apply their knowledge and practical skills to the physiotherapy management of disorders across the life-span. During the pre-clinical semesters, students develop the practical aspects of physiotherapy through a simulated learning environment and by practising on each other.
In the final 18 months of the program students will be allocated to a clinical school where they will undertake, in each semester, two 5-week, full-time clinical placements as well as two theory subjects in a five-week theory block. Prospective students should note that clinical placements, and study, often occur outside normal University teaching periods. 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. Students must comply with the Clinical and Professional Placements policy. Enrolled students must hold current student registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, and adhere to legislative requirements and professional codes of conduct.
| 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 | elective | can be taken from anywhere in the University (subject to satisfying any prerequisites) | 15 |
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2APT | Anatomy for Physiotherapy | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | HBS2PBM | Physiology and Biomechanics of Movement | 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 |
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4MUP | Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Dysfunction | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4NEP | Physiotherapy for Neurological Dysfunction | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4CAP | Physiotherapy for Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | PTY4PCP | Skill Development for Person-Centred Physiotherapy | 15 |
| TE-W40-441 | PTY5MCP | Managing Complexity in Clinical Practice | 15 |
| TE-W40-441 | PTY5ELG | Physiotherapy for Early Lifespan and Gender-Specific Conditions | 15 |
| TE-W35-391 | PTY5PPA | Professional Practicum A | 15 |
| TE-W40-441 | PTY5PPB | Professional Practicum B | 15 |
| Teaching period | Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-W05-251 | PTY5EBP | Evidence Based Practice | 15 |
| TE-W15-191 | PTY5CDM | Chronic Disease Management | 15 |
| TE-W10-141 | PTY5PPC | Professional Practicum C | 15 |
| TE-W15-191 | PTY5PPD | Professional Practicum D | 15 |
| TE-W35-391 | PTY5PPE | Professional Practicum E | 15 |
| TE-W40-441 | PTY5PPF | Professional Practicum F | 15 |
| TE-W30-501 | PTY5APP | Advanced Physiotherapy Practice | 30 |
Key: 1 This teaching period will be changed after enrolment to reflect correct clinical placement block.
Professional recognition
Students are required to maintain registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Registration is an essential prerequisite for physiotherapy practice in Australia.
Honours program
Students will be selected into the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice (Honours) program towards the end of the third year of the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice program, based on academic merit and availability of projects and supervisors in the Department of Physiotherapy. Honours candidates undertake a research design subject and a supervised research project. Students in honours will undertake an additional 45 credit points; enrolling in PTY5HNA Honours A instead of PTY5EBP Evidence Based Practice and PTY5HNB Honours B in the second year. PTY5HNC Honours C is undertaken in their final year.
See the Handbook entry for Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice (Honours) for more details and the course structure.