What will I study?

Course Structure

Monash Physiotherapy education is based on a fully integrated curriculum and includes interdisciplinary studies. Commencing Semester 1, the curriculum is structured around patient centred learning. Conditions for which people typically seek physiotherapy provide the context for integrating learning about biomedical sciences and physiotherapy skills. In the later years of the course, the focus moves from campus based patient scenarios to learning in a clinical environment. This provides opportunities for students to appreciate the relevance of on-going learning in the context of supervised health care delivery.

Monash Physiotherapy education facilitates development of skills through small group learning. Other features of this degree are opportunities to experience rural health care delivery and Inter-Professional Education (IPE).  In IPE, students spend some time each semester learning and collaborating with students enrolled in other health science courses including Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Paramedic and Social Work.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy is a challenging and demanding course. Students can expect to spend significant time in self-directed learning that supports the course of study. Students will be expected to be fit to undertake the course by accepting responsibility to maintain their health and take adequate rest.

Clinical attachments across all years of the course are compulsory. In the third and fourth years of study, the majority of time is spent in clinical education. Some flexibility may be required of students, both in terms of hours worked at clinics, and scheduling of clinical attachments.

All students can expect to have rural attachments during the course (one week in first year and two weeks in second year).  Some students will have additional rural attachments of 4, 12 or 15 weeks. Students should take these matters into consideration when considering casual employment.

BPT students will complete 1 unit (24 credit points) in each Semester (1-8) over 4 years:

In addition to these units, students will complete their Level 2 First Aid certificate in Year 1 as part of their studies.

Physiotherapy Themes

Theme 1: Personal and professional development

This theme focuses on the development of personal attributes and related skills that assist the student in the transition from student to physiotherapist. It includes verbal and written communication skills, ethics and legal issues.

Theme 2: Population, society and health

Theme 2 provides the structure to develop abilities in dealing with broader society and population issues and is underpinned by an internationally accepted socio-ecological model of health.

Theme 3: Fundamental knowledge of health science

Theme 3 provides the knowledge and skills that underpin physiotherapy clinical practice. It includes biomedical and behavioural sciences as well as physiotherapy clinical skills.

Theme 4: Applied practice

This theme develops clinical competencies integral to physiotherapy practice. It focuses on the incorporation of the best available research evidence with the clinical reasoning skills of assessment, management and evaluation of patients within a range of environments and the delivery of appropriate health care.

Theme 5: Research

Theme 5 focuses on the knowledge and skills that are required to locate, interpret and critically evaluate research that investigates issues relevant to physiotherapy practice.Give a summary of up to half a page; this should be descriptive and not simply a list of the topics to be taught.Indicate how the subject/unit will address the University’s commitment to flexible learning

Years 1 and 2

During the early years of the course, education in the biomedical and behavioural sciences (anatomy, biomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, psychology, radiology, sociology), foundations of physiotherapy practice and research is provided on campus in the context of a Patient Centred approach to learning.

All students will participate in a one week interdisciplinary rural attachment in Years 1 and 2 to gain knowledge and insight into rural health issues.

Years 3 and 4

On-campus learning continues in the early weeks of Year 3. The focus will then change to learning in the clinical setting. Clinical attachments aim to develop knowledge and practical experience in the delivery of physiotherapy services under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists. Clinical education will be undertaken in a diversity of settings, with challenges increasing across Year 3 to Year 4. Year 4 will also include Paediatrics and the opportunity to undertake Elective Units in areas of interest. Some students will undertake rural clinical attachments. An Honours stream will be available for some students.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

An honours program embedded in year two, three and four of the course is offered to some students. Students enrolled in honours receive individualised tuition from an academic supervisor. Honours students are assessed by coursework and a 10-12,000 word thesis.