Course coordinator
Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
Advances student's knowledge of biological and behavioural sciences relevant to musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice.
This course will advance the graduates’ level of understanding of the relevant biological and behavioural sciences of musculoskeletal health care and advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice. This will be achieved through a series of problem/case scenario based learning and assignment work that build on previous online course learning activities.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Successful completion of PHTY7931, PHTY7932, PHTY7933, PHTY7934
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHTY7931, PHTY7932, PHTY7933 and PHTY7934
Restrictions
MPhty students only
Course contact
Course staff
Facilitator
Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary
Dr Zhiqi Liang
Mr Tim Duffy
Dr Viana Vuvan
Associate Professor Michelle Smith
Pbl case expert
Associate Professor Julia Treleaven
Mr Quentin Scott
Ms Helen Fleming
Associate Professor Natalie Collins
Mr Andrew Hislop
Program director
Associate Professor Michelle Smith
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Timetable is available on Blackboard.
Aims and outcomes
To develop an advanced understanding of the physiotherapeutic and medical management of musculoskeletal disorders.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Critically appraise the biological and behavioural sciences of musculoskeletal pain, injury and health.
LO2.
Discuss the physiological and behavioural basis for physiotherapy techniques used in the management of musculoskeletal pain, injury and health
LO3.
Critically appraise models on mechanisms, pathogenesis and management of musculoskeletal disorders
LO4.
Describe the role of medical and healthcare practitioners and industry professionals in the management of musculoskeletal pain, injury and health.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Professional Participation and Contribution | Pass/Fail |
17/03/2025 - 26/05/2025 |
| Presentation |
Problem-Based Learning Viva Exam
|
70% Must Pass |
31/03/2025 9:00 am 14/04/2025 9:00 am 12/05/2025 9:00 am 26/05/2025 9:00 am |
| Presentation |
Podium Presentation
|
30% |
31/05/2025 8:30 am |
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
Professional Participation and Contribution
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
17/03/2025 - 26/05/2025
Task description
You will be required to demonstrate the ability to contribute to and work as part of a team with a common professional purpose. This will include planning and preparation, communication, contribution and active participation in all aspects of the problem/case based scenario learning series.
This is a pass/fail component and must be passed in order to achieve a passing grade in the problem-based/case-scenario oral exam (Viva Voce).
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Problem-Based Learning Viva Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 70% Must Pass
- Due date
31/03/2025 9:00 am
14/04/2025 9:00 am
12/05/2025 9:00 am
26/05/2025 9:00 am
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
There will be 4 problem-based/case-scenario learning activities in this course.
For each of the problem-based/case-scenario learning activities, you will be given a case scenario to work on as a group(s) over a 2-week period. A tutor will facilitate group learning. You will then present your response as a group in the form of a seminar to a panel of experts on the follow dates:
PBL 1 - March 27th
PBL 2 - April 10th
PBL 3 - May 8th
PBL 4 - May 22nd
Following each seminar there will be a VIVA Voce (oral exam). This exam will be at least 2 days after the seminar, during which time you will reflect upon your learning, and your clinical practice. For the VIVA Voce you will receive 10 minutes perusal time and then a 10-minute oral exam. There will be 1 VIVA Voce for each of the 4 problem-based/case scenarios. Each viva is weight 17.5% of the total course. The VIVA Voce are scheduled on the following dates:
PBL 1 VIVA Voce - March 31st
PBL 2 VIVA Voce - April 14th
PBL 3 VIVA Voce - May 12th
PBL 4 VIVA Voce - May 26th
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students must pass this assessment (a passing grade of 60% or higher in the average of the 4 VIVA Voce) to pass PHTY7942.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Podium Presentation
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
31/05/2025 8:30 am
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students will deliver an individual presentation at a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Conference Day at the end of semester. The conference will be open to the wider physiotherapy profession. The student will collaborate with the co-ordination team to select a conference topic to present.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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 - 49 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 35ﾠ- 49%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 50 - 59 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 50ﾠ- 59%. A grade of 3 will be awarded to a student who achieves a final mark of 60% or higher but who does not pass one (or more) of the must pass assessment items noted below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 60 - 69 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 60ﾠ- 69% andﾠhas passedﾠthe 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 70 - 79 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 70ﾠ- 79%ﾠandﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 80 - 89 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 80ﾠ- 89%ﾠandﾠhas passed the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 90 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of 90ﾠ- 100%ﾠandﾠhas passedﾠthe '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 89.5% and above will be rounded to 90% and 89.49% and below will be rounded down to 89%.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course contains ‘must pass’ assessment items, as follows: Professional Participation and Contribution, and Problem-Based Learning Viva Exam ﾠ(average of the 4 VIVA Voce). You must pass these items to pass this course overall, i.e., even if your final percentage mark is 60% or higher the individual 'must pass' assessment items must have been passed.ﾠ
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.
Resubmision/Resit of assessment items
A resit or resubmission of assessment items is not available for this course.
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.ﾠ
Further details, including how to apply, can be found at -ﾠhttps://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/0#0. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitin
When assessment is submitted through Blackboard you will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt. This information will also be sent to your student e-mail account.ﾠPlease ensure you keep this email.
When assessment is submitted through Turnitin you will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom yourﾠAssignment inbox.ﾠIt is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.
Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at: https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.
Use of Generative AI in Assessments
Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
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
Audiovisual resources are available within the Division of Physiotherapy
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 4 To Week 13 |
Problem-based learning |
Problems-based/case-scenario learning seminars There will be 4 problems-based/case-scenario learning seminars, each with an associated Viva Voce. You will work as a group to address a case scenario and present your findings to a panel of experts. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 13 |
Team Based Learning |
Podium presentation feedback sessions Staff will facilitate sessions to provide feedback on the progress of your podium presentation. During these sessions you will receive feedback on your planning and development of your podium presentation from staff and your peers. You are also expected to provide feedback to your peers on their planning and development of their presentations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.