Occupational Therapy
Courses of study
The discipline of Occupational Therapy offers the following undergraduate program:
- The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) pass and honours degree is offered on a full-time basis over four years. These courses prepare students to practise as an occupational therapist.
A graduate professional-entry qualification is also offered:
- The Master of Occupational Therapy degree is an alternative professional-entry pathway suitable for students with relevant undergraduate qualifications. See Chapter 14 for further information.
A range of postgraduate study options have also been developed:
- The Graduate Certificate and Master of Health Sciences, with an Occupational Therapy major, have been designed to provide specific professional development for occupational therapists who wish to extend their knowledge, skills and attitudes as practitioners, teachers and learners. See Chapter 9 for further information.
Research programs include:
- PhD
- Master of Applied Science.
For further information on the research degrees offered by the faculty, see Chapter 19.
Professional information
Occupational therapy prioritises enabling peoples participation in life as fully as they would like.
Occupational therapists help to overcome barriers and create opportunities for people of all ages who may have been constrained by injury, illness or other circumstances. Often, it is the environment that disables people, including the built environment, social attitudes and assumptions, or public policies and institutional practice. At other times, an activity may be too complex or demanding. New abilities, adapted techniques or assistive devices may be required. Occupational therapists help a diverse range of clients in many different settings to optimise participation and meaning in their daily lives.
Further information
T: +61 2 9351 9161
sydney.edu.au/health_sciences
Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
Occupational therapy involves understanding and promoting human occupations (self-care, school/work, play/leisure) by improving the match between people's capabilities, the tasks they need and want to do and the resources available for performing those tasks and roles. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have experienced developmental difficulties, illness or injury that prevent them from doing what they need and want to do every day.
Study in occupational therapy includes: theories of what people do in daily life and why; knowledge of the development of human capabilities (eg cognitive, motor, psychosocial) and the ways in which injury and illness typically disrupt them; activity and environmental analysis; and theories and techniques for promoting participation in daily life.
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages whose lives have been disrupted by developmental deficits, the ageing process, physical injury, illness or psychological or social disability. Occupational therapists work in healthcare and community settings, schools, work environments and in private practice. Some occupational therapists are researchers; some are educators.
Admission requirements
There are no specific admission requirements to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) course. However, prospective students may benefit from undertaking biology at HSC level.
Honours
For information specific to the occupational therapy honours program students are advised to contact the honours course coordinator. Entry is based on academic performance in Years 1 and 2 of the pass course. The occupational therapy honours program includes the first five semesters of the pass program followed by three semesters when the student is specifically enrolled in the honours program. In order for honours students to have adequate time to pursue their research studies, a number of modifications including internal exemptions, timetabling flexibility and Professional Practice IV flexibility are offered. Students undertake Professional Practice IV at a suitable time in relation to their research studies and in consultation with their supervisor and the Professional Practice IV unit coordinator.
Course outline
The course outlines for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) at both pass and honours levels are presented in Tables 4.1, 4.1.1 and 4.2. Units of study are described in Chapter 7.
Table 4.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) Pass
Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
---|---|---|---|
Course code SH111: Pass course; full-time, 4 years | |||
Year 4 (last offered in 2011) |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
Professional electives |
|||
Students choose up to three professional (total 18 credit points) electives of 6 credit points each and at least 6 credit points of Faculty electives. Availability of OCCP professional electives may vary from year to year. | |||
OCCP4079 OT in Learning & Co-ord Difficulties |
6 |
Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 |
OCCP4080 Upper Limb and Hand Rehabilitation |
6 | P OCCP1095 Components of Occupatioanal Performance 1B, OCCP2044 Components of Occupational Performance 2B Weekly attendance is mandatory |
Semester 1 |
OCCP4081 Enabling Participation and Safety in Age |
6 | P OCCP3061 Professional Practice 3A Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 |
OCCP4082 OT in Occ Health, Safety & Rehab |
6 | P OCCP3064 Human Occupations III |
Semester 1 |
OCCP4083 Mental Health Interventions |
6 | A OCCP1091 Components of Occ Performance IA, OCCP2044 Components of Occ Performance IIB, OCCP3066 Components of Occ Performance III |
Semester 1 |
OCCP4084 Child & Adolescent Mental Health in OT |
6 | A Knowledge of typical child development P OCCP1083 Occupations and roles across the lifespan 1 OR OCCP2088 Occupational Performance: Child and Family |
Semester 1 |
OCCP4085 People with Intellectual Disability |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
OCCP4086 Professional Elective - General |
6 |
Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 |
plus Faculty elective [6] | |||
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
OCCP4051 Professional Practice IV |
24 | P OCCP3061 Professional Practice IIIA, OCCP3065 Professional Practice IIIB Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 1, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Note |
|||
Pass students choose electives to the value of 6 credit points during the first three years of the course. Honours students choose 3 credit points. The electives are chosen from outside the Occupational Therapy undergraduate course. |
Table 4.1.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours
Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
---|---|---|---|
Course code SH112: Honours program; full-time, 4 years | |||
Year 4 (last offered in 2011) |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
OCCP4019 Honours Research Seminar II |
4 | Semester 1 |
|
OCCP4071 Professional Practice IV (Hons) |
20 | P OCCP3061 Professional Practice IIIA, OCCP3065 Professional Practice IIIB |
Semester 1 |
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
OCCP4072 Honours Thesis |
24 | Semester 2 |
|
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Note |
|||
The unit OCCP4070 Research Elective Independent Study is an approved elective. |
Table 4.2: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
---|---|---|---|
Course code SH135: Pass course; full-time, 4 years | |||
Year 1 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
HSBH1003 Health, Behaviour and Society |
6 | N BACH1130, BACH1132, BACH1133, BACH1134, BACH1161 |
Semester 1 |
OCCP1096 Understanding Occupation-People-Context |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
OCCP1097 Occ Performance: Self-Care & Mobility |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Elective (non OT) [6] (see note 1) | |||
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
BIOS1168 Functional Musculoskeletal Anatomy A |
6 | N BIOS1136 Functional Anatomy A, BIOS1159 Functional Anatomy A - Exercise Science, BIOS5090 Clinically Oriented Musculoskeletal Anatomy, BIOS5090 Clinically Oriented Musculoskeletal Anatomy |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
OCCP1098 Teaching Occupations and Performance |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP1099 Occupational Performance: Healthcare 1 |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP1100 Professional Practice I |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 2 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
HSBH1007 Health Science and Research |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
OCCP2084 Occupational Performance: Healthcare 2 |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
OCCP2085 Occupational Performance: Home & Family |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
OCCP2086 Professional Practice 2 |
6 | P OCCP1099 Occupational Performance: Healthcare 1, OCCP1100 Professioanl Practice I |
Semester 1 |
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
BIOS1171 Neuroscience |
6 | N BIOS1137, BIOS2103 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
OCCP2087 Occupational Performance: Community |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP2088 Occupational Performance: Child & Family |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Elective (non-OT) [6] (see note 2) | |||
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 3 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
OCCP3061 Professional Practice IIIA |
12 | P OCCP2086 Professional Practice 2 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
OCCP3065 Professional Practice IIIB |
12 | P OCCP2086 Professional Practice 2 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
OCCP3076 Occupational Performance: Education |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP3077 Occupational Performance: Productivity |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP3078 Occupational Performance: Aging |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Elective (non-OT) [6] (see note 2) | |||
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 4 (first offered in 2012) |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
Health Promotion Through Occupation [6] | |||
Elective (OT or non-OT) [6] (see note 2) | |||
Elective (OT or non-OT) [6] (see note 2) | |||
Elective (OT or non-OT) [6] (see note 2) | |||
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
Professional Practice IV [18] | |||
Evaluation in Professional Practice [6] | |||
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Notes |
|||
1. Students entering the program without a science background are strongly recommended to take BIOS1167 Human Cell Biology as the Year 1 elective, in preparation for BIOS1171 Neuroscience in Year 2. | |||
2. Students are required to complete 36 credit points of electives over the course of the degree. At least 6 credit points must come from the Behavioural or Social Sciences (or equivalent) and a minimum of 6 credit points must come from the Biomedical Sciences (or equivalent). Otherwise, students may choose from not-OT units of study as well as Year 4 OT elective units of study (see Table 11.1). |
Table 4.2.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours
Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
---|---|---|---|
Course code SH136: Pass course; full-time, 4 years | |||
Year 1 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
HSBH1003 Health, Behaviour and Society |
6 | N BACH1130, BACH1132, BACH1133, BACH1134, BACH1161 |
Semester 1 |
OCCP1096 Understanding Occupation-People-Context |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Elective (non OT) [6] (see note 1) | |||
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
BIOS1168 Functional Musculoskeletal Anatomy A |
6 | N BIOS1136 Functional Anatomy A, BIOS1159 Functional Anatomy A - Exercise Science, BIOS5090 Clinically Oriented Musculoskeletal Anatomy, BIOS5090 Clinically Oriented Musculoskeletal Anatomy |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
OCCP1099 Occupational Performance: Healthcare 1 |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP1100 Professional Practice I |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 2 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
HSBH1007 Health Science and Research |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
OCCP2086 Professional Practice 2 |
6 | P OCCP1099 Occupational Performance: Healthcare 1, OCCP1100 Professioanl Practice I |
Semester 1 |
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
BIOS1171 Neuroscience |
6 | N BIOS1137, BIOS2103 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
OCCP2088 Occupational Performance: Child & Family |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Elective (non-OT) [6] (see note 2) | |||
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 3 |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
OCCP3061 Professional Practice IIIA |
12 | P OCCP2086 Professional Practice 2 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
OCCP3065 Professional Practice IIIB |
12 | P OCCP2086 Professional Practice 2 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
Choose two of the following three OCCP units (total 12 credit points) | |||
OCCP3076 Occupational Performance: Education |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP3077 Occupational Performance: Productivity |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
OCCP3078 Occupational Performance: Aging |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
plus | |||
OCCP3079 Honours Research Seminar 1 |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
plus Elective: Research [6] | |||
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Year 4 (first offered in 2012) |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
Health Promotion Through Occupation [6] | |||
Honours Research Seminar 2 (6) | |||
Honours Thesis 1 (12) | |||
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS | |||
Semester 2 |
|||
Professional Practice IV (12) | |||
Honours Thesis 2 (12) | |||
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 24 CREDIT POINTS |
Professional practice
Professional practice is an integral part of the occupational therapy program. Fieldwork education may consist of block placements and other guided learning experiences. These experiences provide students with an opportunity to practice skills and take responsibility commensurate with their background knowledge and level of development acquired during the course. Fieldwork block placements are periods of two to ten weeks where students attend a setting five days a week full time for approximately 37.5 hours per week. The placements occur during semester time and during recess periods, at all levels of the courses, and are located in both metropolitan, country facilities and, in some cases, overseas facilities.
Occupational Therapy professional practice/fieldwork education
Professional Practice I
Lectures/tutorials and a five-day placement either during inter-semester recess or at other times during the year.
Professional Practice II
Lectures/tutorials and a 2-week block placement during inter-semester recess. Placements may also occur at different times of the year, subject to availability. Students are also required to complete peer interview/assessment projects.
Professional Practice IIIA and IIIB
Lectures/tutorials, online education and two 7-week block placements during Semester 1. Placements may also occur at different times of the year, subject to availability. Students are also required to attend university before and after placements for professional practice briefing and debriefing classes.
Professional Practice IV
Lectures/tutorials, online education and an 8-week (pass program) or 6-week (honours program) placement during Semester 2. Students are required to attend university for a number of lectures and tutorials before and after placement and to complete assessments both on placement and on-campus.
Uniforms
Students may need to obtain uniforms to be worn while undertaking hospital placements where uniforms are required. Not all fieldwork sites require students to wear uniforms. Polo shirts, with the University crest and course name, can be obtained through the relevant student associations. A faculty name badge is required to be worn at all times during fieldwork placements. These badges can be obtained from the Students' Union.
Women
Short sleeves white blouse; navy blue culotte skirt or navy blue trousers; navy blue cardigan or jumper; navy, black or white closed shoes.
Men
White short sleeved shirt; navy blue trousers; navy blue cardigan or jumper; black or brown shoes.
Course rules
Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
Code | Course and stream title |
---|---|
SH135 | Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) |
SH112 | Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours) |