This unit of study introduces the basic concepts in musculoskeletal anatomy prior to a more detailed study of the gross anatomical structure of the upper limb as it relates to functional activities. Students will also study the histological structure of musculoskeletal tissues and surface anatomy of the upper limb. Material will be presented in lectures, practical sessions and online. Students will also be expected to undertake some independent learning activities (e.g. online video tutorials and practice quizzes) to supplement the lectures and practicals. This unit includes laboratory classes in which human cadavers are studied; attendance at such classes is compulsory.

This unit of study introduces students to the profession of occupational therapy, including: values and beliefs, philosophical bases, foundational concepts, key constructs of occupational performance, and the scope of current occupational therapy practice. Learning opportunities address: humans as occupational beings including cultural and anthropological perspectives; relationship between occupations, health and occupational therapy practice; and the evolution of the occupational therapy profession in Australia and internationally. Through the use of case-based studies and input from consumers of occupational therapy, occupational therapy clinicians and occupational therapy academics, students learn how to use key constructs of occupational performance to begin the development of the professional reasoning capacity required to determine an existing problem of occupation and subsequent focus of therapy. Experiential learning focuses on the development of professional behaviours, communication, and reflection, with particular emphasis on core oral communication skills required for practice. Assessments are supported by learning opportunities which target expected procedures to be used in theoretical and case-based reporting and referencing used in scholarly written work.

The ability to analyse and teach people how to perform daily occupations is a fundamental occupational therapy competency, applicable to all areas of occupational therapy practice when providing direct or consultative services. This unit of study uses information from theories of learning as well as evidence based principles of systematic instruction to assist students to understand how people learn and change their behaviour. Students learn how to: conduct activity and task analysis of daily occupations and occupational performance of people with and without disability; identify factors which enable and hinder people's participation in daily occupations; and use information from analyses to set occupation-focussed goals. Students develop proficiency using a wide range of teaching/learning strategies which can be used during occupational therapy to facilitate change in performance of day to day activities.

In this unit of study, students will explore how physical capacity supports occupational performance and how difficulties arising from acute or chronic conditions reduce function. Students learn ways of working with individuals who experience challenges in relation to their physical capacity and how the impact of these challenges can be measured, minimised and overcome. Using case studies from across the continuum of care in various health settings and integrating knowledge from occupational therapy and biomedical science, students will: apply information from upper limb and body system anatomy and physiology to understand the impact of disorders of physical capacity on every day function; learn methods for measuring and assessing functional capacity within the context of occupational performance; apply evidence based interventions in order to build physical capacity to engage in everyday task performance; design and fabricate a range of upper limb orthoses for various needs and conditions. This unit includes learning activities that will contribute to practice education hours.

In this unit of study, students explore how interpersonal and intrapersonal (psychosocial) components of performance can influence occupational performance. In this unit of study, students will develop an appreciation of the diverse factors and experiences that contribute towards mental ill health or psychosocial challenges. Students will explore ways to develop a shared assessment or understanding of the needs of individuals who experience challenges in relation to their psychosocial capacity and how these impact on their occupational lives. Learning from lived experience educators (educators with their own lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery) as well as occupational therapy academics, students will develop basic communication skills, information gathering techniques and rapport building skills to set a foundation for culturally safe practice. Students also learn about group work theory and practice; concepts of mental health, mental illness and recovery; and strategies to support person-directed planning. This unit includes learning activities that will contribute to practice education hours.

This unit of study introduces fundamental concepts of nervous system organisation and function. Anatomy of the brain and spinal cord is studied using models to understand the cortical and subcortical pathways as well as integrating centres that control movements and posture. The physiology component introduces students to mechanisms of signal generation and transmission, basic mechanisms of spinal reflexes, the function of the sensory systems and autonomic nervous system and motor pathways. Case studies aimed at identifying simple neural problems associated with sensory and motor systems are specifically designed for students following professional preparation degrees. This unit includes a few laboratory classes in which human cadavers are studied. Successful completion of practical class pre-tutorial quizzes is compulsory.