Course coordinator
Dr Viana Vuvan
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
Focus on developing professional competencies in the areas of assessment, clinical reasoning, diagnosis & treatment selection relating to the physiotherapy management of musculoskeletal conditions of the upper limb.
The course will provide students with the knowledge, understanding, communication and practical skills to manage clients with musculoskeletal pathologies of the upper limb. Themes addressed in this course include the recognition and physical manifestations of upper limb pathologies (including upper limb tendinopathies, instabilities, labral injuries, fractures, ligamentous injuries); the development of clinical reasoning in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment selection and management of upper limb conditions; the development of programs for the prevention of injury or re-injury to the upper limb; and appreciation of the role and scope of physiotherapy in the management of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Biomechanical analyses of static and dynamic postures, joint examination, ligamentous stress tests, special tests, muscle testing and motor control will be covered for upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Specific needs of specialty areas of sport, work and overuse will also be explored. Students will develop the communication and practical skills needed to safely and competently assess, treat and evaluate outcomes in clients with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The course uses lectures, tutorials, practical classes, tutor and peer feedback to deliver material.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students entering this course will have completed all PHTY coded courses across the prior 4 semestersﾠin the undergraduate physiotherapy program. PHTY1110, PHTY1200, PHTY1221, PHTY2101, PHTY2110, PHTY2220,ﾠPHTY2230ﾠand PHTY2240 provide necessary specific background knowledge on which to build on in PHTY3120. It is also assumed that students have sound anatomical knowledge of the upper limb (ANAT1020, ANAT1012, ANAT2012).
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHTY1200, ANAT2012, PHTY2101, PHYL2064
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PHTY2210
Restrictions
BPhty(Hons) students only
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Viana Vuvan
Guest lecturer
Ms Mary Mitchell
Tutor
Mr Stephen West-Newman
Mr Damo McClymont
Mr Alexander Downie
Ms Kristen Eales
Mr Mark Stokes
Dr Anelise Silveira
Ms Mary Mitchell
Mr Joseph Tuppen
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
1. Understand the current research base regarding specific musculoskeletal pathologies and conditions of the upper limb pertaining to injury, overuse, poor use, inflammatory and degenerative conditions as acquired through sport, work, recreation or ageing.
2. Understand the scope of medical investigations, diagnoses and management of upper limb musculoskeletal presentations.
3. Effectively perform physiotherapy assessment and management techniques and procedures for clients with upper limb musculoskeletal injuries or conditions.
4. Be able to use clinical reasoning to effectively plan and implement physiotherapy assessment and treatment for clients with upper limb musculoskeletal injuries or conditions.
5. Develop skills to effectively, accurately and appropriately communicate with clients, carers and other health practitioners in the clinical context.
6. Be able to critically reflect on the evidence for assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal pathologies of the upper limb and apply evidence in a clinical context.
7. Be able to synthesise and analyse complex information to develop a physiotherapy management plan for a client with an upper limb injury or pathology.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
KNOWLEDGE - Integrate knowledge of pathologies, clinical presentations, medical investigations, and interdisciplinary approaches to manage upper limb conditions.
LO2.
PSYCHOMOTOR SKILLS - Conduct and document client interviews, physical examinations (including outcome measures), and treatments (including education) for upper limb conditions safely and efficiently.
LO3.
UNDERSTANDING / CLINICAL REASONING - Interpret information from a client interview to plan a physical examination and establish diagnostic hypotheses.
LO4.
UNDERSTANDING / CLINICAL REASONING - Design and justify client management for upper limb condition based on clinical assessment, client goals and integration of scientific evidence.
LO5.
UNDERSTANDING / CLINICAL REASONING - Evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for clients with upper limb conditions to inform ongoing care.
LO6.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE - Source, interpret, and apply scientific evidence to the assessment and management of upper limb musculoskeletal conditions.
LO7.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE - Summarise scientific literature and engage in peer learning to inform and enhance evidence-based physiotherapy practice.
LO8.
REFLECTION - Critically reflect on your management of clients with upper limb injuries and develop strategies for self-improvement.
LO9.
REFLECTION - Effectively provide constructive feedback to peer learners and suggest strategies to improve their practice.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination, Practical/ Demonstration, Role play/ Simulation |
In-Semester Practical Exam
|
15% |
17/03/2026
Week 4 (during practical class). |
| Examination |
In-Semester Theory exam
|
20% |
24/04/2026 3:00 pm |
| Examination, Practical/ Demonstration, Role play/ Simulation |
End of Semester Practical Exam
|
35% Must Pass |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
| Examination |
End of Semester Theory Exam
|
30% Must Pass |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
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
In-Semester Practical Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Examination, Practical/ Demonstration, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
17/03/2026
Week 4 (during practical class).
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L08
Task description
This practical exam will assess your ability to apply palpation and biomechanics assessment skills in a clinical context, specifically when evaluating a patient with an upper limb injury or condition.
The exam will consist of two tasks, each approximately five (5) minutes duration:
1. Palpation task (5 minutes):
- You will perform palpation of an area of pain on a patient with an upper limb injury.
2. Biomechanics task (5 minutes):
- You will perform a biomechanics assessment, which may include active range of motion assessment, passive range of motion assessment or manual muscle testing relevant to the patient's condition.
This exam will be conducted face-to-face, on-campus at St Lucia.
Artificial Intelligence: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Feedback: You will receive individual written electronic feedback following the exam. In-semester practical exam marks and feedback will be released after deferred examinations are complete. Requests for further feedback must be submitted in writing to the course coordinator, and must include a reflection on exam performance and specific questions for feedback. Additional feedback will be provided within 14 calendar days.
Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 20 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
In-Semester Theory exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
24/04/2026 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08
Task description
The in-semester theory exam will examine all material covered in lectures, practicals and tutorials from week 1 through to week 6 of the course. The exam will be based on clinical cases.
You will be presented with a number of clinical cases and you will be asked a series of multiple-choice questions about each case.
The exam will be an online closed-book exam, conducted face-to-face, on-campus (St Lucia).
Inspera Assessment may be used for this assessment in PHTY3120. Further details, including an introduction to Inspera functionality, practice opportunities, and where to go for support, will be provided via Blackboard during semester.
Artificial Intelligence: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Feedback: Group feedback will be given following the exam via Blackboard. In-semester theory exam mark and feedback will be released after deferred examinations are complete. Requests for further feedback must be submitted in writing to the course coordinator, and must include a reflection on exam performance and specific questions for feedback. Additional feedback will be provided within 14 calendar days.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
End of Semester Practical Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Examination, Practical/ Demonstration, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 35% Must Pass
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
The practical examination will examine all work covered in the course. You will receive 10 minutes of perusal followed by two practical exam stations. The two stations in the exam are:
1) Assessment - You will perform selected assessment tasks on a partner for an upper limb condition (7 minutes).
2) Treatment - You will perform selected management tasks on a partner for an upper limb condition (7 minutes).
In this course the recording of an assessment (oral/practical) performance has been waived, a record of student performance will be taken by other means such as audio recording or detailed written notes that can be referred to if a remark is required at a later date.
Artificial Intelligence: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Feedback: You will receive individual written electronic feedback following the practical exam. This will be released after deferred examinations are complete. Requests for further feedback must be submitted in writing to the course coordinator, and must include a reflection on exam performance and specific questions for feedback. Additional feedback will be provided within 14 calendar days. End-semester practical exam marks will not be released until after the release of the final grade.
In this course the recording of an assessment (oral/practical) performance has been waived, a record of student performance will be taken by other means such as audio recording or detailed written notes that can be referred to if a remark is required at a later date.
Hurdle requirements
The End of Semester Theory Exam and End of Semester Practical Exam are 'must pass' assessment items. You must pass these items to pass this course overall, i.e., even if your final percentage mark is 55% or higher, the individual 'must pass' assessment items must have been passed.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 30 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
End of Semester Theory Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30% Must Pass
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
The end of semester theory exam will examine all work covered in the course. The exam will be based on clinical cases and will consist of short answer questions to test your knowledge and application of that knowledge towards the assessment and management of upper limb pathologies.
This exam will be an online closed book exam, conducted face-to-face on campus (St Lucia). Inspera Assessment may be used for this assessment in PHTY3120. Further details, including an introduction to Inspera functionality, practice opportunities, and where to go for support, will be provided via Blackboard during semester.
Artificial Intelligence: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Please note: Where an assessment item requires the student to "List 'x' number" of responses (for example, "List 2 potential causes" of a specified condition) only the first 'x' responses listed by the student will be assessed. Any further responses listed will not be assessed.
Feedback: Students are given the opportunity to review End of Semester exam papers within 21 days of grade release, and the first two weeks of the following semester. Requests for further feedback must be submitted in writing to the course coordinator, and must include a reflection on exam performance and specific questions for feedback. End-semester written exam marks will not be released until after the release of the final grade.
Hurdle requirements
The End of Semester Theory Exam and End of Semester Practical Exam are 'must pass' assessment items. You must pass these items to pass this course overall, i.e., even if your final percentage mark is 55% or higher, the individual 'must pass' assessment items must have been passed.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 34 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 0 – 34%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 35 - 44%.ﾠ |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 54 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 45 - 54%. A grade of 3 will be awarded to a student who achieves a final mark of 55% or higher but who does not pass the ‘must pass’ assessment items noted below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 55 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 55 - 64% and has passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 65 - 74% ﾠan dﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 75 - 84% ﾠan dﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 85 - 100% ﾠan dﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
Additional course grading information
Final marks falling between whole percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. Tie-breaking will be conducted using the round half up method whereby half-way values are always rounded up, meaning, for example, that 84.5% and above will be rounded to 85% and 84.49% and below will be rounded down to 84%.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course contains ‘must pass’ assessment items, as follows: the End of Semester Theory Exam and End of Semester Practical Exam. ﾠYou must pass these items to pass this course overall, i.e. even if your final percentage mark is 55% or higher, the individual ‘must pass’ assessment items must have been passed.
Please note: All exam times are scheduled in Australian Eastern Standard Time. If you are no longer in Queensland, please ensure you take any time differences into account.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Due Times for Assessment
All assessment/exam times are scheduled in Australian Eastern Standard time. If you are not in Queensland, please ensure you take any time differences into account.
Resubmission/resit of assessment items
The School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences supports the concept of resubmission or resitting of failed assessment items in specific and defined circumstances. After resit, the maximum result is a pass mark for that assessment component. Students who are granted a resit for an assessment item and do not attend onﾠthe scheduled date will not be permitted to reschedule the assessment. In this course, no assessment is eligible for consideration of the resit/resubmission option.
Deferred exams
Students may be eligible for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam.
Further details, including how to apply, can be found at https://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/0#0. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.ﾠ
Submitting assessment in Inspera
Inspera Assessment may be used in PHTY3120 - Physiotherapy Specialities: Musculoskeletal IIA (Upper Limb). The assessment item(s) could include a non-invigilated/invigilated on-campus andﾠdigital assessment and students in this course will complete/submit these assessments using their own device. Details about Inspera Assessment including an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support are available at https://elearning.uq.edu.au/student-guides-original/inspera-assessment-original. Further information will be provided in the Blackboard site for this course in Week 1 ofﾠ the semester, and practice opportunities will be available throughout the semester.
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.
Additional learning resources information
Lecture notes and recordings, manuals, required journal articles and videos will be available on the Blackboard site.
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 From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial sessions Tutorials will be held in person on campus in Weeks 2, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 13. Each session will run for 1 hour and will incorporate inquiry-based learning and small group discussions to explore key concepts in greater depth. These sessions are designed as experiential learning activities, and participants are expected to attend and actively engage. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
Practical |
Skills practice series Students will attend a 2-hour in-person practical session on campus in Weeks 1-13. To prepare effectively for the practical sessions, students are expected to review skill videos and notes associated with the session prior to attending. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
|
Lecture |
Lecture series This weekly series of online lectures is designed for independent, self-paced learning. The online lectures are expected to take approximately 3 hours to complete each week. Please refer to Blackboard for detailed schedule of course content. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
|
Not Timetabled |
Course readings and tasks See Blackboard for assigned readings and tasks. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08 |
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.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: