B-PHYTH v.1 Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)

Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications. The honours component prepares students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional work, research and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.

This course provides the learning experiences to gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours expected of an entry level physiotherapist. It has a hybrid structure using curriculum based learning to efficiently learn foundation knowledge together with case studies and clinical practice to integrate knowledge into clinical decision making. It also emphasises evidence-based practice and encourages students in critical thinking.

Course Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and is recognised by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Graduates are eligible for physiotherapy registration in any state or territory of Australia.

Professional Recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and is recognised by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Graduates are eligible for physiotherapy registration in any state or territory of Australia. Registration in New Zealand is available under the terms of the Trans Tasman agreement. Graduates applying for licensure in other countries will be required to provide details of their program of studies to the relevant bodies and may be required to sit a licensing examination.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. In addition to the usual course expenses, students undertaking this course will be required to purchase a laboratory coat and an approved clinical uniform. They may also incur some expenses to ensure that they have completed all necessary immunizations.

Bachelor Degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors, streams and/or minors/specialisations for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study. The honours component typically comprises an honours stream equivalent to one year of full-time study undertaken during the last year (or two) of study. Students can take no more than 250 credit points of first year level units.

Prospective applicants are advised that the program requires full participation in laboratory classes where manual skills, including the ability to lift and support severely disabled patients independently and topics such as surface anatomy are presented. Essential learning strategies demand that all students disrobe appropriately in order to act as subjects for their peer group, have the ability to participate fully and are willing to act as subjects for their peer group and as mock patients for other students.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply knowledge of biophysical, behavioural and clinical science for the delivery of PT services in diverse and changing settings

2. critically analyse information to plan, implement and evaluate physiotherapy practice

3. locate, extract and critically appraise evidence and information from a range of resources and apply to practice

4. use appropriate written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills for effective interactions with individuals and groups

5. use new and existing technologies relevant to practice responsibly and effectively

6. understand and implement varied learning strategies, and take responsibility for ongoing professional and personal development

7. understand and apply ways of practicing PT internationally through continued development of cross-cultural awareness within a global health care perspective

8. demonstrate respect for individual human rights and cultural diversity

9. independently and collaboratively apply professional skills in an ethical manner across arrange of professional settings

Duration and Availability

The course is four years' full-time study.

Location and delivery Mode

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 3 SEMESTER 1

* Eligible students may be invited by the School to complete the Honours stream.

Applicants for a Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/ and include flexible entry pathways. Admission to the Honours stream is by invitation and follows high achievement within this Bachelor Degree. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Prerequisites: At least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology. Desirable WACE subjects: At least Physical Education Studies and Health Studies. STAT is not accepted for entry to this course, but may be used to demonstrate English competence requirements. Applicants for this course should refer to the Clinical Health Sciences section of the faculty website. Participation is obligatory in laboratory classes which require appropriate disrobing when acting as clients in the peer group, and physically manipulating patients including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm

Some students admitted to the course who have been granted credit for recognised learning may be required to undertake HUMB2007 Foundations of Clinical Anatomy and Physiotherapy Practice in Study Period One.

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates with a Bachelor Degree may qualify for entry to some Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Master by Coursework degrees. Graduates with a Bachelor Degree with Honours may also qualify for entry to a Master or Doctorate by Research. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.

Specific Course Completion Details

Students are required to show evidence of having completed an Aquatic /Hydrotherapy Rescue Award, or equivalent, before completing the first year of the course. A first aid qualification (Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent) is also required before completing first year.