Fundamentals of Physiotherapy unit (CXA751)

Launceston

Introduction

This unit provides the fundamental concepts that will underpin the teaching for the remainder of the physiotherapy -discipline specific unit content across the areas of musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy. 

You will learn about an overview of the physiotherapy profession, the key approaches to the physiotherapeutic management of the client within a client-centred care approach. The unit covers some of the key concepts in contemporary physiotherapy practice, such as clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice and how they are integrated in clinical practice.  

The unit also covers the link between anatomy/pathophysiology and the clinical presentations seen across a range of physiotherapy areas including musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic and neurological physiotherapy to provide the student the theoretical knowledge to underpin the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of clinical conditions seen by physiotherapists. This is achieved through exploring the different therapeutic approaches used in current clinical practice including exercises, passive manual techniques, electrophysical, pharmacology, and functional rehab. This unit will build on the student’s knowledge of anatomy and physiology and explore how this knowledge is applied to clinical practice with a strong focus on linking structure to function. 

Summary

Unit name	Fundamentals of Physiotherapy
Unit code	CXA751
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Health Sciences
Discipline	Health Sciences
Coordinator	Doctor Nagarajan Manickaraj
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Launceston	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the physiotherapy profession practice and different models of care.
• Review the strengths and weaknesses of different clinical reasoning models and the role of critical thinking skills in person-centred care.
• Critically review the evidence-based practice process and how it integrates with clinical reasoning.
• Conceptually map foundational anatomical, physiological and pathophysiological knowledge relevant to musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological clinical presentations.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
061701	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,919.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	2 x 5 hour workshops per week for 5 weeks; Online session 1 hour per week for 3 weeks; Self directed learning 8 hrs x 8 weeks
Assessment	Quiz (20%)|Clinical pattern notebook (40%)|Critical review paper (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	You will be able to access the topic-specific reading list via the Readings List section on the MyLO homepage. Where applicable you will be able to access the topic-specific mandatory reading links embedded into MyLO to complete related activities on each topic.
Recommended	You will be able to access the topic-specific recommended reading list via the Readings List section on the MyLO homepage.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.