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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2015

This handbook contains information on courses and components (majors, minors, streams and units) at Curtin in 2015.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2014.

MG-PHYTH v.1 Master of Physiotherapy

MPhysio(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 038783F
Registered full-time Duration: 2.4 Years


Course Overview

Master Degrees (Coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This Graduate Entry Master (GEM) of Physiotherapy provides a fast track learning experience for talented students with a degree to gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours expected of an entry level physiotherapist. The course has a hybrid structure using curriculum to efficiently learn foundation knowledge, together with case studies and clinical practice to integrate knowledge into clinical decision making. It emphasises evidence based practice and encourages students in critical thinking. Course quality is under constant review with students participating in this review.


Professional Recognition

All practising physiotherapists must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. This course has been accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. 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 the USA, UK or Canada will be required to provide details of their program of studies to the relevant bodies and may be required to sit a licensing examination.


Career Opportunities

All practising physiotherapists must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students are required to purchase a laboratory coat and an approved clinical uniform.


Special Note

Essential learning strategies demand that all students have the ability to disrobe appropriately, 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 Entry and Completion Details

Applicants for a Master Degree (Coursework) are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.


Specifically, applicants require a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent and completion of units in musculoskeletal anatomy, human biology or physiology and psychology at tertiary level. Desirable units include physics, research methods or evidence based practice and statistics. Students are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent and a swimming qualification (Bronze medal, Aquatic Rescue Award, as per Royal lifesaving awards or equivalent) and criminal record screening and clearance before entering the course. 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.


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.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to Doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Faculty website for more information on Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance.



Course Organisation

Master Degrees (Coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


In this graduate entry masters degree, a series of coursework units provide students with foundation knowledge in a range of specialist and practical areas. Students complete case studies and clinical practice that helps them integrate their knowledge into well-informed clinical decision making. Studies emphasise evidence-based practice and encourage students to think critically when making decisions.



Duration and Availability

This course is of two and one third calendar years and is offered only on a full-time basis.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2015 Bentley Campus Study Period 1 Y        
2015 Bentley Campus Study Period 1 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 Organisation Note

Essential learning strategies demand that all students have the ability to disrobe appropriately, have the ability to participate fully and are willing to act as subjects for their peer group and as mock patients for other students. 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 Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Study Period 1
HUMB5000 v.1   Fundamentals of Clinical Anatomy and Physiotherapy Practice 30.0 25.0
  25.0
Year 1 Semester 1
PATH2002 v.1   Anatomy and Pathology 5.0 25.0
PHTY2002 v.1   Movement Science 4.0 12.5
GMED2004 v.1   Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal Science 3.0 25.0
PHTY5000 v.1   Fundamentals of Communication in Physiotherapy 3.0 12.5
MEDI5001 v.1   Physiotherapy Applied Clinical Science Fundamentals 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
PATH2003 v.1   Neuroanatomy and Pathology 5.0 25.0
HUMB2005 v.1   Applied Movement Science 4.0 12.5
MEDI2007 v.1   Peripheral Musculoskeletal Science 6.0 25.0
PHTY2001 v.1   Basic Physiotherapy Practice 3.0 12.5
GMED2005 v.1   Cardiopulmonary Science 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Study Period 1
PHTY5005 v.1   Long term and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Clinics 30.0 50.0
PHTY6013 v.1   Evidence Based Physiotherapy 3.0 37.5
  87.5
Year 2 Semester 1
GMED6007 v.1   Medical Cardiopulmonary Science Fundamentals 4.0 12.5
GMED3007 v.1   Management of Pain Disorders 5.0 12.5
GMED6002 v.1   Spinal Musculoskeletal Science Fundamentals 6.0 25.0
GMED6003 v.1   Neuroscience Physiotherapy Fundamentals 4.0 25.0
PHTY6012 v.1   Applied Physiotherapy Management 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
GMED6004 v.1   Acute Care Fundamentals in Cardiopulmonary Science 4.0 12.5
GMED6005 v.1   Neuroscience Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Fundamentals 5.0 25.0
PHTY6002 v.1   Integrated Physiotherapy Management 121.5 25.0
GMED6000 v.1   Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Science Fundamentals 4.0 12.5
GMED6001 v.1   Fundamentals of Lifespan Health Science 6.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Quarter 1
PHTY6003 v.1   Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 1 20.0 50.0
PHTY6008 v.1   Evidence Based Physiotherapy Projects 2.0 12.5
PHTY6004 v.1   Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 2 20.0 25.0
  87.5



Further Information

If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details: For Domestic Future Students: Future Students Centre, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 1000 For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 7331


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

The Courses Handbook is the repository of Curtin University ("Curtin") course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavours to keep this handbook up to date, information on this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the: course structure and contents, student assessment, tuition fees and to: withdraw any course or its components which it offers, impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or vary arrangements for any course without notification via the website.

For course and enrolment information please visit our Future Students website.