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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

303079 v.3 Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)

BSc(Curtin) OR BSc(Hons)(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 003890C
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Course Overview

Bachelor honours 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.


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.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways. Admission to the Honours stream is by invitation and follows high achievement within this bachelor degree.


Prerequisites: A least one science course 3A/3B from the following list: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biological Science, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology. STAT is not accepted for entry to this course, but may be used to demonstrate English competence requirements. Note: Physical Education Studies do not satisfy a science prerequisite


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.


Some students admitted to the course who have been granted credit for recognised learning may be required to undertake 309226 Clinical Anatomy and Physiotherapy Practice 250 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.


Course Entry/Completion Note

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.



Course Organisation

Embedded bachelor honours degrees typically comprise an honours stream equivalent to one year of full-time study undertaken during the last year (or two) of study.


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


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Study Period 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

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.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
303084 v.1   Physiotherapy Practice 151 6.0 25.0
313391 v.3   Human Structure and Function 100 4.0 25.0
313401 v.3   Functional Anatomy 100 4.0 25.0
313394 v.3   Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
314512 v.1   Evidence Informed Health Practice 130 2.0 25.0
314510 v.1   Health and Health Behaviour 130 3.0 12.5
312649 v.4   Indigenous Cultures and Health 130 2.0 12.5
313402 v.3   Introduction to Pathophysiology 100 4.0 25.0
313459 v.1   Clinical Anatomy and Physiotherapy Practice 152 5.0 25.0
  OR  
314834 v.1   Clinical Anatomy and Physiotherapy Practice 251 30.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
311537 v.1   Applied Clinical Science 251 5.0 25.0
7704 v.9   Anatomy and Pathology 251 5.0 25.0
303092 v.2   Physiotherapy Practice 251 3.0 12.5
313991 v.1   Movement Science 253 4.0 12.5
313988 v.1   Musculoskeletal Science 255 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
11112 v.5   Musculoskeletal Science 252 6.0 25.0
11113 v.5   Movement Science 252 4.0 12.5
303094 v.2   Physiotherapy Practice 252 3.0 12.5
314425 v.1   Cardiopulmonary Science 254 5.0 25.0
7706 v.9   Anatomy and Pathology 252 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
304122 v.2   Honours Physiotherapy Stream 400.0
  OR  
303108 v.2   Physiotherapy Third and Fourth Year Stream 400.0
  400.0

*    309926 is undertaken in Study Period 1 for students entering this course with Credit for Recognised Learning




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.