Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

at University of South Australia - City East Campus Australia

Start your unstoppable career in the discovery, formulation, approval, evaluation and marketing of medicines, with this unique double degree.

Offering the only degree of its kind in Australia, at UniSA you'll be equipped with a breadth of skills to research, develop and advise on the use of effective treatments and products for the benefit of human health.

You’ll also learn how to deliver expert patient care to ensure that medicines are used to enhance health outcomes and minimise harm, as you embark on a pathway towards becoming a registered pharmacist.

What you'll learn
This double degree will equip you with the knowledge, expertise and practical skills needed to embark on a range of diverse roles in the ever-changing fields of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science.

You’ll develop a strong understanding of drug product development, drug use in the community, and trends affecting drug formulation in the future. 

As part of this degree, you’ll complete a pharmacy-related research project and be able to tailor your study to particular areas of interest when you select from a range of specialist courses. In addition, you’ll get practical industry experience with a field placement or an industry-focused research project under the supervision of an academic or staff member.

Start your unstoppable career supporting people's health and wellbeing, with a double degree in exercise and sport science, combined with counselling and interpersonal skills.

This unique double degree – the only one of its kind in South Australia – will develop your expertise in physical, social and psychological science. You'll be prepared for work providing counselling to athletes, enhanced rehabilitation services and enhancing the physical health and mental wellbeing of the population.

This double degree can form the first part of a pathway to becoming a practising Psychologist (including sports psychologist) with further study in the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), and the first part of a pathway to teaching with further study in the Master of Teaching (Secondary).

What you'll learn

This unique double degree will provide you with expertise in the science of exercise and sport, human thought and behaviour. You’ll develop cognitive and creative skills to solve real-world scientific problems and apply your knowledge in diverse contexts such as sports and mental health.  

You'll learn how to provide exercise advice, deliver strength and conditioning services, do biomechanical analyses, and share skill acquisition knowledge to enhance people's physical and mental wellbeing from children, to elite athletes, to older people. 

Your courses in psychology theory and counselling will help you enter the workforce with a strong understanding of the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

In the first two years, you’ll study exercise and sport science courses, with an introduction to psychology, which will give you a solid understanding of:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Fundamental movement skills
• Skill acquisition
• Physical activity and health

The third and fourth years have a strong practical focus. You’ll develop critical thinking and practice-based skills to:

• Develop influencing skills and intervention strategies
• Gain knowledge of psychological disorders, including their causes and range of treatments
• Study the relationship between psychology and physical activity

Communication is critical for building human connections and living a fulfilling life. Speech Pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with speech, language, fluency, and voice.

As a Speech Pathologist, you’ll support and empower people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke , brain injuries, learning disability, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, dementia and hearing loss, as well as other problems that can affect speech and language.

What you'll learn

Speech Pathologists work with a wide range of people across different settings and manage complex and difficult issues. You’ll acquire theoretical and clinical knowledge; as well as hands-on skills to assess, diagnose and provide intervention for children and adults affected by communication difficulties. For example, brain injuries can result in difficulties understanding or producing language, slurred and imprecise speech; and changes to cognition such as attention, memory, and personality.

In your studies, you’ll learn about the role of technology in speech pathology practice. For example, technology for understanding acoustic signals of speech and parameters of voice production, as well as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

Pharmaceutical scientists are experts in the chemistry, biology, and biotechnology required to design and develop medicines. UniSA’s Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is the only degree of its kind in South Australia, equipping you with skills which are globally relevant.

What you'll learn
This degree places a unique emphasis on the development and commercialisation of a range of pharmaceutical products, such as injections, tablets, creams and ointments.

In your first year you’ll develop an understanding of basic sciences. You’ll learn about career development and factors influencing the pharmaceutical industry domestically and internationally.

During the second and third years you’ll focus on:

• Pharmaceutical sciences (including formulation)
• Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics
• Drug discovery, development and commercialisation

You’ll also get the opportunity to fine-tune your study to your own personal interests and career aspirations when you choose from a range of specialist courses during your final two years.

You may choose to specialise in areas such as:

• Research and development (including drug discovery)
• Manufacturing and pharmaceutical chemistry (including quality control)
• Drug development (including clinical trials)
• Business (including sales, marketing, legal, regulatory and drug information)

In the only degree of its kind in South Australia you’ll learn to diagnose and treat disorders of the foot and lower limb. If you’re interested in working with people and promoting wellbeing, this is the degree for you.

Healthy feet are an important part of the body’s holistic health, and many of us at some point in our lives will experience foot problems. In the Bachelor of Podiatry, there’s a major focus on practical skills for keeping feet healthy every day, as well the ability to diagnose and manage illness and disability. You’ll get the opportunity to practice these skills within a vast range of industry organisations.

What you'll learn

You’ll gain an advanced understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of podiatry, as well as the physical, biological, and social sciences relevant to working in healthcare. The curriculum covers the scope of a podiatrist’s practice, including paediatrics, diabetes, sports injuries, musculoskeletal problems, treatment of the elderly, and general foot care.

During the first year, you’ll cover topics to give you an introduction to health sciences including:

• human anatomy
• human physiology
• biomechanics
• disease groups and conditions

You’ll develop advanced communication skills and explore the assessment and treatment of common problems. The second year will expand your knowledge in clinical sciences, including skills to enable comprehensive and holistic assessment and management of patient conditions. During your third and fourth years, you’ll work on your clinical practice skills, including surgery (and other orthopaedic management), paediatrics, wound management, high-risk foot management, chronic pain and sporting injuries.

Practical learning is a major focus, so your training will take place in our on-campus podiatry clinics, as well as during external placements in metropolitan and rural South Australia. You’ll also get the opportunity to fine-tune your podiatry skills with 3D printed feet, created as part of a world-first podiatry training initiative.

This is the only degree of its kind in South Australia, preparing you for a rewarding career in the highly specialised field of medical imaging.

Start your unstoppable career as a professional diagnostic radiographer, responsible for producing high quality medical images using various technologies and types of radiation to monitor and help diagnose injuries and illnesses.

What you'll learn

Medical imaging professionals are responsible for producing high quality medical images using various technologies and types of radiation to monitor and help diagnose injuries and illnesses. Their work includes general radiography such as x-rays, fluoroscopy, theatre or emergency imaging.

Throughout your degree, you’ll learn how to produce optimal images using complex equipment while caring for patients. You’ll also complement your clinical skills with valuable interpersonal skills, such as communication and collaboration.

During your first year, you’ll focus on basic sciences at the core of the study and practice of medical radiation science. You’ll cover a range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology and radiation physics. These core subjects introduce you to the scientific principles surrounding medical radiation.

You’ll apply these concepts to professional practice through clinical placements, which begin in your second year and continue through third and fourth years.

Throughout your degree you’ll take part in regular pre-clinical preparation workshops to further extend your skills as you move into advanced areas of practice.

This master's degree will help health or medical professionals looking to develop their leadership, management and business skills.

What you'll learn
This master’s degree will expand your knowledge and skills in management, administration, leadership, project management, strategic management, financial management and more.

Through a unique blend of health and business courses, you'll learn to:

• Provide the overall strategic direction and management for a service, facility, organisation or centre.
• Work in senior levels of management influencing high-level organisation, financial and administrative decisions.
• Prepare for leadership roles in health within Australia and internationally.
• Develop and strengthen project management processes to plan, manage, execute and deliver successful projects.
• Develop competencies in designing rigorous quantitative research to inform healthcare knowledge, practice, and policy.
• Undertake administrative operations such as reporting and budget planning.
• Understand business analytics, the accounting environment and health economics within organisations.

This unique double degree combines a deep understanding of the human body’s physicality with business skills in sports performance, marketing and leadership.

Through theoretical and practical learning, you’ll be ready to make an impact on the nutritional and physical health, fitness and wellbeing of the community, sporting professionals and sporting organisations alike. Further study opportunities may include a Master of Health Services Management.

What you'll learn

Through this four-year double degree, you’ll complete core courses across both human movement and sport and recreation management.

Your first year will give you foundational knowledge in human anatomy, as well as the evolving discipline of human movement, exercise and sport science, health and physical activity, physiology and leisure concepts in modern Australian society. You’ll develop mathematical and statistical skills for business and management, learn about group and team psychology, and gain an understanding of motor development.

From your second year, you’ll get to broaden your knowledge in exercise physiology, marketing and economics principles, and develop a sound understanding of sport and recreation governance, structure, legislation and policy frameworks.

You can choose to study a sub-major (six courses) in Sports Coaching or you can complete four electives across a range of complementary areas including Exercise and Sports Science, Health, Physical and Outdoor Education or Nutrition.

Your third year of study will give you advanced skills in motor control and learning, nutrition, business intelligence and management, the sociology of health, physical activity and sport, sport governance, and entrepreneurship for social and market impact. You can also choose an advanced health elective or study the psychology of health, exercise and sport.

Your final year will develop your professional practice skills through an industry placement in either Human Movement or in Sport and Recreation Management. You’ll further develop your skills in strategic management, leadership in recreation and sport, recreation planning in the urban environment, and international business environments.

You'll learn how to expertly provide midwifery care, along with the legal and ethical responsibilities of midwives. You'll also explore the political, socio-cultural, economic and technological influences on midwifery practice today. 

There is a strong focus on theory and practical experience, so much of your learning is done in our clinician-led, simulated hospital environment. Here you'll have the opportunity to practice your skills through real-life scenarios and feel confident and prepared for clinical practice. This simulated hospital environment and community of women is the only one of its kind in South Australia.

All midwifery students will need to complete clinical placements and Continuity of Care experiences in South Australia. They must be completed on a full-time basis, and shift work will be required over a seven-day roster. Due to the on-call nature of 'continuity of care', students may be required to carry these out over more than one study period.

Public health practitioners address social and environmental factors which prevent disease and prolong the lifespan of the greater public. You’ll work with individuals, groups, communities and organisations across public and private sectors. You’ll learn diverse approaches including policy development; data analysis and reporting; media and advocacy; public events; community-based education and interventions to create positive change. These methods may be used to tackle global health issues such as COVID-19, heart disease, cancer and mental health.

What you'll learn
Your studies will equip you with an understanding of the social and commercial determinants of health and wellbeing. You will learn how to engage with communities and populations to promote wellbeing through locally-relevant information and activities. You will learn the principles and purpose of evaluation in public health, the importance of lived-experience perspectives, the role of advocacy, and the responsible dissemination of public health information. You’ll also learn epidemiological techniques to identify patterns in population health, such as the prevalence of mental health conditions or cardiovascular disease, novel associations between risk factors and diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and COVID-19.

During your first year you’ll understand core areas of practice and in your second year you’ll get to apply that knowledge. In the final year, there will be an emphasis on becoming a public health practitioner and entering the workforce, and career development. You will also have the opportunity to showcase your industry project and placement experiences at the annual student conference.

Throughout the degree, you’ll focus on equitable access to health programs and services for priority population groups such as, but not limited to, people experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse people, veterans, people living in rural and remote locations, young people, and older adults.