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. 

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of all the learning outcomes (including demonstrating competency of learning outcomes across both neurological and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy), meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. 

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

Grading of Assessments

A number of assessments in PHTY8107 will be marked using course grading. For assessments which are course graded, you will receive a grade for the assessment. 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%

Submission of an incomplete assessment task may result in the Fail (F) grade to be awarded a numerical grade below 40%.

Hurdle Assessment

The PHTY8107 Mastery Register is a hurdle assessment task. A hurdle assessment is defined as an assessment task mandating a minimum level of performance as a condition of passing the unit in which it occurs. Students are required to achieve 60% completion of the Mastery Register for both the 5 upper and 5 lower limb items (i.e., 3/5 items completed for neurological and cardiorespiratory content) by the due date to successfully complete the unit. A student who has obtained a SNG over 50, yet failed the hurdle assessment, fails the unit. Please see Macquarie University's assessment policy for more information about hurdle assessment tasks. Should you fail to meet the requirements of the Mastery Register by the assessment due date, one supplementary opportunity will be provided to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for this assessment. Should you still not meet a pass standard a Fail (Hurdle) grade will be awarded, as indicated by a FH grade upon your transcript.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks

Applications for assessment task extensions may be considered for short-term, unexpected, serious, and unavoidable circumstances affecting assessment. Applications must be submitted via https://connect.mq.edu.au/s/. For further details please refer to the Special Considerations Policy. You can also find out more on the MQ Student Portal at the following link: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration. Should you encounter any personal issues or concerns in regard to health and wellbeing during your studies you can also gain personal support and advice on campus. Please see the following link for further information: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/personal.

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 an 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.

Recommended Readings

Recommended readings can be found in the Leganto reading list on the unit iLearn site and will be clearly indicated to you in your weekly materials.

There are two essential textbooks and additional resources which are indicated in weekly tutorial and lecture notes. Essential textbooks are available online and as hardcopies through the library.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

To participate optimally when off campus you will need to have access to a reliable internet connection to retrieve unit information and at times to complete assessment tasks via iLearn.

Detailed information pertaining to the unit schedule will be available on the unit iLearn site. Key topics will be physiotherapy assessment and management of common neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions.

The schedule of assessments has changed from previous deliveries. The number of assessment tasks has been reduced and weighting of assessment tasks has been modified to reflect the balance of content assessed within the new assessment structure. In 2025, clinical simulation exams have increased weighting from 25-30% and one written examination has replaced two written examinations and a quiz. The number of hours dedicated to each assessment has been modified to align time required to prepare for each assessment based on the new assessment structure.

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, 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.