Course coordinator
Dr Cal Baker
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (27/01/2026 - 10/07/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Human Movement & Nutrition Sci
To undertake this course, students must meet all mandatory requirements as outlined here: Prepare for your Clinical Exercise Physiology placement and provider specific requirements.
EXMD4701 is one of the capstone courses within the Clinical Exercise Physiology program. It provides students with the opportunity to integrate knowledge, skills, principles of evidence based practice, clinical reasoning, and ethical and professional behaviours, in alignment with the competencies required by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).
As a part of this course, students will complete a minimum of 180 hours of practicum experience across affiliated hospitals (public and private), clinics and community settings. Throughout their practicum, students will provide services within ESSA’s defined areas of clinical practice (core, emerging and niche) in order to facilitate their development of professional skills, reflective practice, knowledge & ability to function autonomously as an Exercise Physiologist.
Students undertaking clinical practicum may be allocated to placements outside the Brisbane metropolitan area, including regional and remote settings. Students allocated to these settings are expected to fund the associated costs independently. However, additional supports may available to students undertaking these placements, including assistance with accommodation and financial relief where available. Placement allocations will be managed as equitably as possible, with cases of financial or personal hardship considered at the discretion of the Placement Coordinator.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are assumed to have a knowledge base derived from previous courses in first to third year including anatomical, biomechanicalﾠand behavioural sciences, and specialist clinical exercise physiology areas. They are assumed to have competent exercise physiology skills in areas of assessment, prescription and delivery and clinical reasoning across the range of conditions in core areas of practice (i.e. cardiovascular conditions, metabolic conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, cancer, mental health and neurological conditions).
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
EXMD3070 + EXMD3740/EXMD4740 + EXMD3741/EXMD4741 + EXMD3742/EXMD4742 + EXMD3743/EXMD4743 + HMST3001
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
HMST4314, EXMD4700
Restrictions
BClinExP(Hons)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Cal Baker
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to:
(1) Develop in students the exercise physiologyﾠcompetencies which reflect entry level standards to the AEP profession, commensurate with the Professional Attributes outlined by ESSA.
(2) Integrate foundational biomedical and behavioural sciences, attitudes, behaviours and technical learning in the management of a wide range of clinical areas of practice.
(3) Emphasise the involvement of the exercise physiologistﾠin the development of effective, comprehensive, management plans for the delivery of competent services to clients in a variety of settings, within a framework of holistic care andﾠoptimisation of health.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate ethical and professional decision making and behaviour appropriate to exercise physiology while applying knowledge and understanding of standards of clinical practice, relevant codes of conduct, and client rights.
LO2.
Demonstrate a competent level of effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills applied to all aspects of practice including interactions with clients, professionals and the community.
LO3.
Demonstrate a competent ability to appropriately, safely, accurately, systematically and efficiently assess a client to determine and prioritise problems via gathering, integrating and interpreting appropriate data related to the patient.
LO4.
Demonstrate an appropriate process of clinical reasoning in making decisions related to the client such as developing a hypothesis and determining patient outcomes.
LO5.
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of goal-setting with clients and self-management for return of function, work and leisure activities.
LO6.
Select, develop and implement safe, appropriate and effective exercise physiology interventions to a competent standard using problem solving skills such as critical thinking and judgement while aiming to achieve client treatment goals.
LO7.
Demonstrate the ability to provide advice and education relevant to client goals, health status and individual circumstances.
LO8.
Demonstrate the integration of evidence-based practice into the practicum setting.
LO9.
Demonstrate an appreciation of the scope of practice of an exercise physiologist as well as the roles of other disciplines and participate as a member of an interdisciplinary / multi-professional team.
LO10.
Demonstrate an ability to reflect on one's own professional development and clinical exercise physiology practice.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Logbooks | Pass/Fail |
Logbooks are to be submitted twice throughout the semester: First Submission Due 5:00pm, end of week 2 of placement. Second Submission Due 5:00pm, 10 business days after the last day of placement. |
| Performance |
Professional Attributes Assessments
|
Pass/Fail |
Self-Assessment and Intermediate Supervisor Assessment: Upon Accrual of 90 placement hours. Final Supervisor Assessment: Upon accrual of 180 placement hours. |
| Portfolio |
Record of Student Engagement (ROSE) Form
|
Pass/Fail |
Obtain your practicum supervisor's signature and submit to ePortfolio within 10 business days after the completion of your placement. Your ROSE form cannot be finalised without a valid practicum supervisor signature within the valid timeframe. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Logbooks
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Portfolio
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
Logbooks are to be submitted twice throughout the semester:
First Submission
Due 5:00pm, end of week 2 of placement.
Second Submission
Due 5:00pm, 10 business days after the last day of placement.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10
Task description
To meet ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) Practicum Standards, students must maintain a logbook documenting all practicum hours completed during placement. A minimum of 360 hours (180 hours for EXMD4701 and 180 hours for EXMD4702) is required across a range of clinical exercise physiology activities to demonstrate competency in assessment, exercise prescription, and delivery within the AEP scope of practice.
Practicum hours are recorded across three dimensions:
• Type of Activity - what you are doing
• Area of Practice - the clinical context or population the activity relates to
• Service delivery mode - how the service was delivered (in-person, telehealth, or other approved format)
Practicum hours are completed within three areas of AEP practice: core, niche and emerging. At least 200 hours must be completed in AEP core areas of practice and up to 160 hours across any area of AEP practice, with no more than 100 hours from niche or emerging areas.
Practicum activities are recorded under one of the following categories:
• Assessment (A) – e.g. screening, clinical testing, data collection, interpretation of results
• Prescription (P) – e.g. program design, progression/regression, planning interventions
• Delivery (D) – e.g. supervising or delivering exercise sessions, monitoring responses
• Professional Practice / Indirect Activities – non-client-facing or indirect activities where AEP knowledge and clinical reasoning are applied
As part of your course requirements, you must set three practicum goals that reflect areas you want to develop within your scope of practice. Your progress toward these goals will be reviewed at mid-placement and end-placement with your placement supervisor.
Submission guidelines
Submission via ePortfolio
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Discretionary extensions are not available for this task.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
As this task is Pass / Fail, students who submit beyond the specified due date/time without an approved extension, will fail this task.
Professional Attributes Assessments
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Performance
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
Self-Assessment and Intermediate Supervisor Assessment: Upon Accrual of 90 placement hours.
Final Supervisor Assessment: Upon accrual of 180 placement hours.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10
Task description
Throughout your placement, you will complete three key assessments designed to support your professional development and evaluate your performance:
Assessment Structure
All assessment (Self-Assessment, Intermediate Supervisor Assessment, and Final Supervisor Assessment) are evaluated using a consistent Likert scale:
- Not Meeting Expectations
- Development Required
- Meeting Expectations
- Exceeds Expectations
Each assessment is based on the following eight Professional Attributes:
- Professionalism
- Client facing skills
- Collaboration and reflective practice
- Technical skills/knowledge
- Exercise prescription
- Exercise delivery
Self-Assessment
As student practitioners on practicum, you are required to critically reflect on your performance and self-assess your developing capabilities. This self-assessment supports your development as a reflective practitioner, a key capability embedded within the ESSA Professional Practice Standards. You will assess yourself against the ESSA Professional Standards based on your experiences from the first half of your placement.
This self-assessment must be completed immediately prior to your supervisor completing the Intermediate Professional Attributes Assessment, ensuring that both you and your supervisor review your perceived performance at the same point in the placement and use this as a basis for discussion of strengths, progress, and areas for development.
This task is assessed by the University on a Pass/Fail basis. A Pass is awarded when the student meaningfully engages with the tool by providing accurate self-ratings and thoughtful, reflective commentary for each standard. A Fail is awarded when the submission is incomplete, superficial, or does not demonstrate genuine self-evaluation against the professional attributes.
Intermediate Supervisor Assessment
As student practitioners on practicum, you are required to receive structured feedback on your developing professional capabilities. At the mid-point of your placement, your supervisor will assess your performance against the ESSA Professional Standards and provide ratings and commentary based on your progress to date.
This assessment mirrors the structure of your self-assessment but is completed by your supervisor, who will rate your performance using the same four-point scale. The purpose of this assessment is to support your development as a reflective practitioner, guide professional growth, and identify strengths and areas requiring further improvement during the remainder of your placement.
The supervisor’s ratings do not contribute directly to your course grade; however, receiving a rating of "Development Required" or "Does Not Meet Expectations" in any Standards requires the student and supervisor to work together to develop a plan to support progress and ensure the student can meet expectations by the end of the placement.
Final Supervisor Assessment
As student practitioners on practicum, you are required to demonstrate competency across the ESSA Professional Standards by the completion of your placement. At the end of your placement, your supervisor will conduct a Final Professional Attributes Assessment to evaluate your overall performance and readiness for professional practice.
This final assessment provides an opportunity for you and your supervisor to review your performance, acknowledge strengths, identify any remaining areas for development, and confirm that you have met the minimum professional competency required for successful course completion.
The assessment must be completed on your final day of placement or within five (5) days of finishing, ensuring your supervisor evaluates your most recent and complete performance across the placement. Unlike the mid-placement assessment, the final supervisor assessment is summative and contributes to your overall course result. To pass the placement, you must meet or exceed expectations in all Standards.
Hurdle requirements
A "Development Required" or "Does Not Meet Expectations" grade for any of the eight professional attributes in the Final Assessment will result in a fail grade overall.Submission guidelines
Self and Supervisor Intermediate assessments
- Self and Supervisor Intermediate assessments are conducted by the student and their practicum supervisor in week three of their placement. Both the student and supervisor are required to submit assessments via ePortfolio
- It is strongly encouraged that students email their practicum supervisor by the end of their first week of placement to arrange and book the intermediate assessment.
- Students should attend the meeting with their self assessment completed, the meeting is designed to discuss students individual reflection on their progress and the supervisors assessment of your progress. This meeting should clearly highlight focus areas for the rest of your placement to ensure development of all attributes.
- A “How-To” video has been made to guide you in sending the ‘intermediate supervisor assessment link’ to your practicum supervisor.
- Students and practicum supervisors will complete the intermediate supervisor assessment and submit via ePortfolio.
Final Assessment
- Final assessments are conducted by the practicum supervisor (the course coordinator or the student are not required to be present).
- Final assessments should be organised during the intermediate assessment.
- Students are required to send the final assessment link to their practicum supervisors at least 7 business days prior to the end of their placement.
- Students are required to communicate with their practicum supervisors to ensure that the final assessment is competed before the end of their placement. A “How-To” video has been made to guide you in sending the ‘final assessment link’ to your practicum supervisor.
- Practicum supervisors will complete the final supervisor assessment and submit via ePortfolio.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Discretionary extensions are not available for this task.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
As this task is Pass / Fail, students who submit beyond the specified due date/time without an approved extension, will fail this task.
Record of Student Engagement (ROSE) Form
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Portfolio
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
Obtain your practicum supervisor's signature and submit to ePortfolio within 10 business days after the completion of your placement. Your ROSE form cannot be finalised without a valid practicum supervisor signature within the valid timeframe.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L09, L10
Task description
To demonstrate that you have met the ESSA Practicum Standards during your placement, you are required to complete and submit a Record of Student Engagement Form. This form is an ESSA requirement used to verify your practicum hours and document your engagement in activities appropriate to your enrolled practicum pathway (Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, or Sport Science).
The Record of Student Engagement provides a structured summary of the activities you undertook during placement, drawing on evidence contained in your practicum logbooks, and a reflective account of how your placement contributed to the development of the ESSA professional attributes required for accreditation.
The Record of Student Engagement must be completed using the ESSA-approved template that corresponds to your practicum pathway and must be reviewed and signed by your practicum supervisor. The submission timeframe ensures compliance with ESSA submission requirements.
Hurdle requirements
Submission of a ROSE form after 10 business days after the completion of placement will result in a fail gradeSubmission guidelines
Submission via ePortfolio
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
As this task is Pass / Fail, students who submit beyond the specified due date/time without an approved extension, will fail this task.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: Completes all required tasks to a satisfactory level. |
| F |
Course grade description: Fails to completeﾠall required tasks to a satisfactory level. |
Additional course grading information
This course contains two hurdle assessment items, specifically:
- A "Development Required" or "Does Not Meet Expectations" grade for any of the eight professional attributes in the Final Assessment will result in a fail grade overall.
- Submission of a ROSE form after 10 business days after the completion of placement will result in a fail grade overall.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
The assessment tasks in this course have been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass these assessments, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Supplementary assessment on a grade of N will only be awarded where, in the judgement of the Associate Dean (Academic) of the faculty that administers the course, the student has marginally failed to attain the level of competence required for a passing grade.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Placement |
Practicum Complete minimum 180 hours of practicum in a clinically relevant setting as per ESSA AEP accreditation guidelines Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
Lecture |
Clincial Practicum Orientation Course content, overview of course assessment and revision of professional standards Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10 |
|
Workshop |
Professional Development for AEPs - 1 Clinical Reasoning (via Zoom) Learning outcomes: L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L10 |
|
Workshop |
Professional Development for AEPs - 2 NDIS (via Zoom) Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Professional Development for AEPs - 3 Workcover/Health Insurance (via Zoom) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L07, L08, L09 |
|
Workshop |
Professional Development for AEPs - 4 Medicare/DVA (via Zoom) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L08, L09 |
|
Workshop |
Professional Development for AEPs - 5 Employability (via Zoom) Learning outcomes: L02, L08, L09, L10 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: