Students

CHIR2103 – Chiropractic Sciences 3

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Michael Swain
Contact via 98504053
75T, room 2232
Open door & by appointment
Tutor
Alexander Alevras
75T, Level 2
By appointment
Tutor
Stephen Sharp
75T, Level 2
By appointment
Tutor
Kristin Webb
75T, Level 2
By appointment
Tutor
Megan Yanz
75T, Level 2
By appointment
Unit Co-convenor
Annie Young
Contact via 98506420
75T, room 2240
Open door & by appointment
Unit Co-convenor
Aron Downie
Contact via 98506382
75T, room 2229
Open door & by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BChiroSc and (CHIR1101 or CHIR113) and (CHIR1102 or CHIR114)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides an introduction to biomechanics of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities. Clinical application of biomechanical concepts will relate to the skills of patient observation, joint range of motion assessment, tissue palpation, and muscle testing. Clinical reasoning will begin whereby students will learn to reconcile pathomechanics with clinical findings for musculoskeletal injuries. Psychomotor skills will be introduced and developed for chiropractic techniques and joint manipulation skills of the lumbar spine and lower extremity.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Describe biomechanics of the lumbar spine and pelvis, joints of the lower extremities, and gait.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate respect and empathy for patients while performing physical assessment techniques for the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities.
  • ULO3: At the level of precision, perform chiropractic techniques and joint manipulation skills on the lumbar spine and lower extremity
  • ULO4: Demonstrate basic clinical reasoning by applying knowledge of lumbopelvic and lower extremity pathomechanics to interpret information derived from a physical assessment.

General Assessment Information

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 127-8).

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:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Portfolio 20% No 11/04/2025
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) 40% No 27/05/2025
Final examination 40% No Semester 1 Examination Period

Portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 11/04/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

You will create a portfolio that contains video recordings of chiropractic techniques, reflections on your chiropractic skills, and quizzes that relate to biomechanics and clinical reasoning. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe biomechanics of the lumbar spine and pelvis, joints of the lower extremities, and gait.
  • Demonstrate respect and empathy for patients while performing physical assessment techniques for the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities.
  • At the level of precision, perform chiropractic techniques and joint manipulation skills on the lumbar spine and lower extremity
  • Demonstrate basic clinical reasoning by applying knowledge of lumbopelvic and lower extremity pathomechanics to interpret information derived from a physical assessment.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 27/05/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

You will be assessed on your competency in performing chiropractic techniques. You will demonstrate a series of chiropractic procedures taught in this unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate respect and empathy for patients while performing physical assessment techniques for the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities.
  • At the level of precision, perform chiropractic techniques and joint manipulation skills on the lumbar spine and lower extremity

Final examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Semester 1 Examination Period
Weighting: 40%

 

This written test will assess all theoretical material for the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe biomechanics of the lumbar spine and pelvis, joints of the lower extremities, and gait.
  • Demonstrate basic clinical reasoning by applying knowledge of lumbopelvic and lower extremity pathomechanics to interpret information derived from a physical assessment.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including online lecture modules, hands-on tutorials, readings, and video resources. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Recommended Readings

1. Oatis, C. A. (2016). Kinesiology : the mechanics and pathomechanics of human movement (Third edition). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

      Available at Macquarie University Library Level 1 / Level 2 QP303 .O38 2016

OR

2. Comparative Kinesiology of the Human Body: Normal and Pathological Conditions, edited by Salih Angin, and Ibrahim Simsek. Elsevier Science & Technology, 2020 Available

      Via ProQuest EBook Central

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.

Unit Schedule

Tutorial classes will be held in the Chiropractic Skills Laboratories, Level 3, 11 Wallys Walk  

Week

Online lecture

Tuesday tutorial

Thursday tutorial

Week 1

Introduction to Clinical Biomechanics 

No class

No class

Week 2

Lumbar: structure and function

Introduction. Lumbar: observation, surface palpation and active ROM

Lumbar: passive ROM, prone motion palpation. Case Study 1

Week 3

Lumbar: muscle function

Lumbar: muscle length, seated motion palpation, BLR setup 

BLR setup. Lumbar traction and sitting thumb techniques. Case Study 2

Week 4

Pelvis: structure and function

Revision tutorial - reflective practice

SIJ motion palpation and sacral rocking. Case Study 3

Week 5

Hip: structure and function

Hip: observation, surface palpation, active/passive ROM and functional assessment

Hip: motion palpation and chiropractic techniques. Case Study 4

Week 6

Hip: muscle function

Hip: muscle length, strength and soft tissue techniques

Hip: chiropractic techniques. Case Study 5

Week 7

Knee: structure and function

Knee: observation, surface palpation, active ROM and muscle strength

Knee: motion palpation and chiropractic techniques. Case Study 6

Week 8

Knee: muscle function

Patella: motion palpation and soft-tissue techniques

Knee: chiropractic techniques. Case Study 7

Week 9

Ankle/foot: structure and function.

Ankle/foot: observation, surface palpation, active ROM, muscle strength

Ankle: motion palpation and chiropractic techniques. Case Study 8

Week 10

Ankle/foot: muscle function

Ankle/foot: passive movements and soft tissue techniques 

Foot: motion palpation and chiropractic techniques. Case study 9

Week 11

Gait 

Foot and toes: chiropractic techniques. Case study 10

Revision tutorial -reflective practice

Week 12

Clinical assessment of the lower limb

OSCE

 No class

Week 13 

Unit summary and questions

Supplementary OSCE

 No class

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

The unit has undergone several changes in alignment with the Faculty's new assessment principles. The number of summative assessment tasks has been reduced from four to three. Existing assessments have been redeveloped and reweighted to better align with the unit's learning outcomes. Additionally, the unit learning outcome related to applying epidemiological knowledge and biostatistical skills has been removed. This change focuses the unit on core competencies and aligns with the updated curriculum framework. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please reach out to the unit convenor.

Inclusion and Diversity

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.

Professionalism

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.


Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook