Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy. All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor. Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Grading of Assessments

You will receive a grade for each assessment within this unit. The grades awarded will reflect a holistic evaluation of the work against the criteria outlined within the corresponding assessment rubric. Numerical marks will be calculated for each assessment based on the following percentages, and rounded to the nearest full mark:

• High distinction (HD) – 95%
• Distinction (D) – 80%
• Credit (C) – 70%
• Pass (P) – 60%
• Pass minus (P-) - 50%
• Fail (F) – 40%

Assumed knowledge

This unit builds and integrates material from previous semesters.

Learning and teaching strategy

This unit encompasses an active learning approach where you will be expected to actively engage in enhancing your own learning experience. A blended learning and teaching strategy is implemented within this unit with online modules providing content and interactive activities, which is further built upon in campus-based workshops. The teaching approach will be based on you developing a deep understanding of the principles and the ability to independently think critically and solve problems associated with complex physiotherapy practice in a diverse array of settings. 

Unit organisation

This is a ten credit point unit run over the session. Overall, it is anticipated that you spend approximately 150 hours across the session on this unit. Within this session there will be approximately 25 hours of campus-based workshops, with a further 58 hours of online activities, including preparation for face-to-face workshops. You will also need to allow approximately 67 hours for assessment based work.

Unit materials and readings

There is no compulsory textbook for this unit. Resources enhancing the content of this unit will be referred to throughout the unit and will come from a range of sources, including government reports, journal articles, and multimedia sources. Specific information will be provided on the unit iLearn site.

Technology and equipment

On-campus

Teaching rooms are equipped with state of art audio-visual and ICT equipment including iPads, internet connection, high quality video cameras and multiple LCD screens. 

Off-campus

To study optimally when off campus you will need to have access to a reliable internet connection to retrieve unit information & at times to submit assessment tasks, including multimedia submissions, via iLearn.

Consultation with staff 

All staff will be available for individual consultation. Please email relevant staff to make an appointment. See iLearn or the beginning of this unit guide for contact details.

Across the semester you will engage in the following modules:

• Pharmacology
• Advanced Pain Assessment and Management
• Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Delivery
• Advanced ICU
• Emergency Room Care
• Advanced Spinal Pain
• Imaging

Exercise design and prescription will be a common thread across a number of these modules with a dedicated workshop towards the end of the semester to administer exercise therapy more confidently in the above complex clinical settings. Furthermore, you will all engage in an online Advanced Scope Physiotherapy module during the semester, which will provide important contextual background to this unit of study.

Detailed information pertaining to the unit schedule can be found on iLearn.

The previous offering of APPA was run in accordance with NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines. The current offering continues to align with these guidelines and restrictions as they evolve.

The due date for the Media Presentation Assessment has been moved back to an earlier submission date (week 9), and the inclusion of advanced exercise design and prescription. 

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.

This unit involves essential on-campus learning activities which will be delivered in accordance with a COVID Safe plan. You are expected to attend campus for these activities unless the Public Health Orders and/or University advice changes, you have any symptoms of COVID or you have been identified as a contact of an individual with COVID.