HEALTH SCIENCES AT CURTIN - Health Sciences - Curtin University

PhysiotherapyBachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)HEALTHSCIENCESAT CURTINCourse Code: 303079Cricos Code: 003890CPhysiotherapy involvesthe use of physicalmeans to preventand treat injury ordisease. The types oftreatment used includetherapeutic exerciseand movement,manual therapies andphysical agents.The physiotherapy course aims to develop:• knowledge and understanding of thehuman body• an understanding of growth anddevelopment across the lifespan from bothphysical and psychosocial perspectives• practical abilities and skills in the preventionand management of disability anddysfunction• skills in movement analysis and exerciseprescription.Entry RequirementsAdmission to the course is very competitiveand there is a strict quota on the numberof students entering. In addition to meetingthe standard entrance requirements of theUniversity, applicants must have studied atleast one science subject (Human BiologicalScience or Physics is strongly recommended)at WACE level 3A/3B, or the equivalent. Thefirst round Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) cutofffor school leavers in recent years has beenabove 91.Applicants must include Physiotherapy as oneof their six course preferences if applying viathe Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC).The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT),for mature age students is NOT accepted fordirectly entering into the program and there isno mid-year intake of new students. Applicants(other than International, Curtin/ex Curtinstudents) must also formally apply through TISC.International applicants are required to completean International Application for Admission form,also available from the School or the School’swebsite, and submit it to Curtin’s InternationalOffice. International applications are assessed asthey are received.Career OpportunitiesPhysiotherapists work as members of thehospital health care team with doctors, nurses,speech pathologists, occupational therapists andsocial workers. Team members work together toprovide a total treatment program, which meetsthe needs of the patient/client. Physiotherapistsalso work in private practice where they may seepatients who make direct contact themselvesor are referred by another health practitioner.Approximately 50 per cent of physiotherapistswork in private practice. Other areas in whichphysiotherapists work include communityhealth centres, aged care facilities, sports clubs,industry and schools.Duration and AvailabilityThe Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) isof four years duration and is offered only on afull-time basis. Throughout the course, studentscomplete both an academic and a clinicalprogram.An honours program is available to selectedstudents. This program further developsstudents’ knowledge of current researchmethodology as it is applied to the field ofphysiotherapy. A supervised research projectand an honours dissertation are undertaken.The honours program is full-time and runsconcurrently with the four-year degree programduring the final four semesters.Course ExpensesIn addition to the usual course expenses,eg. text books and school manuals ($A100),healthsciences.curtin.edu.au