Bachelors in Physiotherapy

This course combines pre-clinical and clinical study and integrates theory and practice through enquiry based learning.

There is a focus on small-group learining to master the practical aspects of physiotherapy practice skills. Students treat patients in hospitals and other clinical setting under a clinician (not necessarily during the traditional semester dates).

First year:

An interdisciplinary common year in which students undertake units alongside peers from across the Faculty of Health Sciences. The focus is on basic human biosciences and factors influencing health and on developing an understanding of the roles of health professionals in the health and welfare sectors.

Second year:

Students begin to develop physiotherapy skills and further explore the human biosciences of anatomy and physiology.

Third and fourth years:

Students apply their knowledge and practical skills to the physiotherapy management of disorders across the life span using case-based learning techniques. There is a large focus on small-group teaching to master the practical aspects of physiotherapy skills. Students treat patients in hospitals and other clinical settings under a clinician (not necessarily during the traditional semester dates).

An Honours program commencing in third year is available to selected students with outstanding academic records.

IELTS Requirement :                      6.0

Subjects Offered ( La Trobe)

First year

TE-ALLYR PTY1CLP Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 1
TE-SEM-1 HBS1PPA Physiology A
TE-SEM-1 HBS1APA Anatomy for Physiotherapy A
TE-SEM-1 PHE1PHC Introduction to Public Health C
TE-SEM-1 PTY1PSA Physiotherapy Skills A
TE-SEM-2 HBS1BBE Biophysical Bases of Electrotherapy
TE-SEM-2 HBS1BHM Biomechanics of Human Movement
TE-SEM-2 HBS1APB Anatomy for Physiotherapy B
TE-SEM-2 PHE1RMH Research Methods in Health 1
TE-SEM-2 PTY1PSB Physiotherapy Skills B

Second year

TE-ALLYR PTY2CLP Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 2
TE-SEM-1 HBS2PPB Physiology B
TE-SEM-1 HBS2APC Anatomy for Physiotherapy C
TE-SEM-1 PHE2BDA Behavioural Determinants of Health A
TE-SEM-1 PTY2CDP Child Development in Physiotherapy
TE-SEM-1 PTY2PSC Physiotherapy Skills C
TE-SEM-2 HBS2NSM Neuroscience of Sensation and Movement
TE-SEM-2 HBS2PPY Pathology and Pharmacology
TE-SEM-2 PHE2BDB Behavioural Determinants of Health B
TE-SEM-2 PHE2RMH Research Methods in Health 2
TE-SEM-2 PTY2EPA Electrophysical Agents
TE-SEM-2 PTY2PAE Paediatric Physiotherapy
TE-SEM-2 PTY2PSD Physiotherapy Skills D

TE-ALLYR PTY3PHE Interpersonal Processes and Professional Practice
TE-SEM-1 PTY3CRP Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy – Theory and Practice
TE-SEM-1 PTY3NEU Neurological Physiotherapy – Theory and Practice
TE-SEM-1 PTY3MSP Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy – Theory and Practice
plus
TE-SEM-1 Third year elective(s) taken from anywhere within the university
plus
TE-SEM-2
or
TE-SEM-S Core Clinical Practicum 40

Fourth year

TE-ALLYR PTY4EBP Evidence-based Practice in Physiotherapy
TE-SEM-1 or
TE-SEM-2 HLT3IPA Interdisciplinary Professional Practice
TE-SEM-1 PTY4AMS Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
TE-SEM-1 PTY4PWH Introduction to Physiotherapy in Women’s Health
TE-SEM-1 PTY4PRG Physiotherapy in Rehabilitation and Gerontology 
plus
TE-SEM-1 Core Clinical Practicum 20–
TE-SEM-2 Clinical Electives

TE-SEM-1 HBS2PEA Design for Safe System Performance
TE-SEM-1 PTY3FEL Introduction to Feldenkrais
TE-SEM-1 PHE3SEP Sport and Exercise Psychology
TE-SEM-1 HBS3APP Advanced Physiology and Pathology
TE-SEM-1 OCT3OHS Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Principles and Legislation 

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 units. 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 unit codes and titles are as follows:

TE-SEM-2 PTY3CCA Core Clinical A
TE-SEM-2 PTY3CCB Core Clinical B
TE-SEM-2 PTY3CCC Core Clinical C
TE-SEM-1 PTY4CCC Core Clinical C
TE-SEM-1 PTY4CCD Core Clinical D

Elective clinical practica

The clinical elective comprises two full-time, 5-week clinical 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.

TE-SEM-2 PTY4CEA Clinical Elective A
TE-SEM-2 PTY4CEB Clinical Elective B

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 units 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 units of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. From each of these units, a grade point average is calculated. Further details are made available at the commencement of the Honours program. Honours candidates undertake a research design unit in place of the third year elective and a research project in place of the unit PTY4EBP ‘Evidence-based Practice in Physiotherapy in fourth year.

TE-ALLYR PTY3HON Research Design in Physiotherapy
TE-ALLYR PTY4HON Honours Thesis