Undergraduate - Course3891 - Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with Honours)

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop research skills beyond the extensive research component already existing within the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Students undertaking this honours program will be well placed with regard to applying for scholarships to pursue higher degrees by research, obtaining formal post graduate research opportunities and applying complex research skills in clinical practice.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• have a standard of knowledge, skills and technical competency appropriate for an entry level practitioner in physiotherapy
• be prepared to maintain high standards in their professional life through a commitment to lifelong learning
• be aware of the latest advances in physiotherapy and related fields, and be positioned to engage in the expanding knowledge base
• appreciate the value of research and be skilled at accessing, critically appraising and applying the best available evidence to their everyday practice
• be effective users of relevant technology
• understand and show respect for the roles of other professionals and be able to work collaboratively within the discipline of physiotherapy and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• have the knowledge and skills to practise in a safe and ethical manner in relation to themselves, their clients and the community
• be client-centred in their approach, respecting the right of clients and their support networks to participate in decision-making
• demonstrate awareness that people's health encompasses their activities and participation as well as their body structures and functions, personal and environmental factors
• supervise, manage and take responsibility, as appropriate, when working in collaboration with other professionals, students, clients and their support networks
• achieve a breadth of education with a tolerance for ambiguity and differing views
• be reflective and compassionate, with a concern for issues of equity, equality, humanity and social justice
• have the ability to learn independently and be innovative in their approach to analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and evaluation
• effectively and efficiently communicate with other professionals, clients and the public
• demonstrate appropriate oral, written and IT skills, including the ability to present coherent argument, negotiate effectively and manage conflict
• demonstrate awareness of the social, ethical, economic, political and environmental context of illness, health and wellbeing
• be committed to the health of populations as well as individuals and be proactive in prevention-oriented physiotherapy practice and health promotion
• understand the social and ethical dimensions of physiotherapy professional activities
• integrate knowledge of relevant public policy and health and social care systems into their practice
• work effectively with a diverse range of people and settings
• sustain collaboration with an academic supervisor
• develop a focused research question
• complete a sophisticated and comprehensive search for relevant information
• construct a systematic review using the principles argued by the Cochrane Collaboration
• extract relevant data from studies included in a review using systematic methods
• apply knowledge of appropriate research design in the development of a high quality research proposal
• demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ethical research through the development and submission of an ethics application to conduct research
• determine and apply data analysis methods appropriate for a research question
• implement a focused research project
• demonstrate the ability to collect, manage and analyse data collected during the conduct of research
• demonstrate the ability to accurately document research findings and develop defensible conclusions
• demonstrate the ability to present research findings and respond in an educated way to enquiries about the research findings
• utilise feedback appropriately
• write a scholarly account of a research project in a 10,000-12,000 word thesis
• demonstrate the ability to adhere to project timelines
• archive relevant documents arising from the conduct of research
• write a final report to the approving ethics committee describing project completion

Eligible students undertaking the Bachelor of Physiotherapy may be offered a place in the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the end of first year.

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Police checks

Students must have a current Police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Information available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html.

Working with Children checks

Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Information available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html.

Immunisation and infection procedures

Students must comply with procedures to minimise the risk of cross-infection of communicable diseases, and obtain documentary evidence of relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placements. Information available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation.

Health requirements

Students will be required to comply with the faculty Immunisation and Infection Risk Policy, and current recommendations and procedures, to enable them to proceed through the course with an acceptably low level of risk.

Prospective and enrolling students will be provided with detailed written information and, as appropriate, counselling about the effects that HIV or hepatitis B infection may have on the ability of health care workers to practice their profession.

First aid

In addition to the units outlined below, students will complete their 'Apply First Aid' certificate as part of their studies.

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

This course consists of 17 compulsory units.

First year

• PTY1011 Physiotherapy 1
• PTY1022 Physiotherapy 2

Second year

• PTY2000 Honours systematic review
• PTY2031 Physiotherapy 3
• PTY2042 Physiotherapy 4

Third year

• PTY3000 Honours research proposal
• PTY3051 Physiotherapy 5
• PTY3162 Physiotherapy 6A: clinical
• PTY3262 Physiotherapy 6B: clinical
• PTY3362 Physiotherapy 6C: clinical
• PTY3462 Clinical placement

Fourth year

• PTY4000 Honours thesis
• PTY4171 Physiotherapy 7A - campus
• PTY4172 Physiotherapy 7B - clinical
• PTY4281 Physiotherapy 8A - clinical
• PTY4282 Physiotherapy 8B - campus
• PTY4283 Physiotherapy 8C - Campus

Conversion to Higher Degree by Research

Students who achieve an honours grade of H2A or above in this course can elect to graduate without honours in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and continue their honours research as a master's by research or PhD candidate.

Students may exit this course with a Bachelor of Human Sciences after successfully completing at least 144 points of study.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with Honours)