| AQF Level |
Level 7 Bachelor Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
028866G |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Bachelor of Chiropractic Science offers students the opportunity to attain knowledge and develop a broad range of skills in the health science domain. It is a three year, full time degree program, and comprises the first stage of training required for professional chiropractic practice. The program provides students with a strong scientific foundation, leading to comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the human body, the dynamics of biological change and variability, and the exploration of human interaction with the environment in states of both health and disease.
Students study the basic sciences, anatomy, histology, physiology, bio-mechanics, microbiology, pathology, radio-graphic physics and research methodology, in addition to chiropractic diagnostic and manipulative skills.
By the conclusion of this degree, graduates will be able to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and skills to a broad range of relevant clinical problems, using appropriate communication skills, judgement and problem solving capabilities.
This degree is accredited by the Council of Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA).
Graduates of this program who wish to practice as an Australian registered chiropractor must also complete the 2 year Master of Chiropractic program. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the structure and function of the human body (K, T, P, C, E)
2. explain how the interaction of humans with their environment can potentially alter homeostasis, resulting in the development of disease processes (K, T, P, C)
3. interpret and communicate the principles of evidence - based health care via a range of research skills including: the ability to critically appraise relevant literature, familiarity with levels of evidence, basic bio-statistical and epidemiological analysis (K, T, P, C)
4. explain the hypotheses and scientific rationale which relate to the practice of chiropractic (K, T, C)
5. demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and explain its clinical application (K, T, P, C)
6. relate the underlying physical principles of medical radiation science to chiropractic practice (K, T)
7. demonstrate proficiency in performing the core group of chiropractic techniques (K, C, E)
8. demonstrate attainment of psychomotor skills related to chiropractic diagnostic and management procedures to an appropriate level (K, C, E)
9. use your understanding of medical sciences to analyse clinical scenarios, determining a differential diagnosis for each situation (K, T, P, I, C, E, J)
10. demonstrate communication skills through the written and the spoken word (C)
11. apply chiropractic principles and skills to determine solutions to unfamiliar scenarios (K, T, P, I, C, E, J). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
During this program, you will be exposed to a number of different teaching methods which aim to facilitate your learning. These methods are not identical for each subject (called units), but essentially consist of varying combinations of lectures, practical classes and tutorials, plus set activities which you need to complete in addition to the face to face teaching sessions.
The goal of the Bachelor of Chiropractic Science is to ensure that you complete the degree having attained a set of defined competencies (known at Macquarie University as ‘Graduate Capabilities’). In order to develop these, every unit you study will utilise a specific combination of teaching methods which are most appropriate for that purpose.
Lectures in this degree largely aim to provide a framework upon which you can build further knowledge and skills. Tutorials usually provide the opportunity to enhance your understanding of specific topics, as well as allowing you to communicate with your peers, share opinions, and develop more complex ways of thinking. Practicals have many functions, depending on the subject area. Essentially, they will require that you apply your knowledge in a practical setting, and complement your ‘thinking’ with ‘doing’.
Anatomical sciences are studied in the first 2 years of the program, incorporating lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. The practical sessions use a variety of resources, including anatomical models, skeletons, X-rays and cadavers. Learning human anatomy by seeing it in three dimensions is highly effective. Having the opportunity to ‘feel’ anatomical structures on living subjects is another invaluable method used in the teaching of these units.
Chiropractic Science units include lectures and practical classes. Much importance is placed on the latter, as it is here where you will develop your psychomotor skills, preparing you for higher level clinical training in the Master of Chiropractic degree. We also will provide you with specific times during each session during which you can practice your skills in a safe and supervised environment.
In some subjects, you will have the opportunity to become involved in ‘peer assisted learning’ programs, in which students who have recently completed a unit help current students with any problems that they may have in understanding the subject material.
What you do ‘outside’ the formal classes, such as completing selected readings, completing specific exercises, and researching for assignments, is just as important. It is here that you develop your ability to acquire information from reliable sources, develop organisational and critical thinking skills, allow for self-reflection, and become a responsible learner, an essential requirement for life as a future health professional. |
| Assessment |
Assessment in the Bachelor of Chiropractic Science program has a number of purposes. For you, the student, it is fundamentally about helping you with your learning. This includes helping you to learn what is required in each individual subject (unit), but also in the bachelor program as a whole. By successfully completing the various assessment tasks you will have satisfied the requirements of the course.
When you complete the degree, you will have attained a wide variety of skills. The reason we can say this with confidence, is because of the assessment process. There are two major processes at work here, known as formative assessment and summative assessment. Both are important. Formative assessment aims to improve your learning, determining where you are having problems, and generally how to fix them. Examples of this type of assessment used in the program include quizzes, homework activities, assignments etc. The assessments in the course serve two functions; A) they facilitate your learning and B) after the successful completion assessments represent evidence that you have learnt the course content.
Summative assessment allows the teaching staff - and ultimately you - to determine if you have achieved the learning outcomes for each unit. It assesses whether learning has taken place. Final examinations – written and practical - are one type of summative assessment that we use.
The chiropractic program utilises a wide variety of assessment methodologies. Apart from the ‘usual’ types such as written assignments, class tests, laboratory reports and final examinations, there is also special attention given to tasks which assess your chiropractic technique. These tasks are distributed throughout each session, with different weighting assigned to them depending on whether they are used for formative or summative purposes. In anatomy, you will be given ‘spot tests’, which require you to identify structures on bones, models and cadavers.
A part of the assessment process which is fundamental to your learning is feedback. This is where you are given information about your performance in your assessment tasks, and highlights topic areas on which you need to improve. It aims to help you achieve the competencies required in your studies. Feedback may be formal or informal, written or oral, individual or group based.
As you progress through the program, assessment tasks require you to demonstrate progressive levels of competency. They are devised so we can determine how well you can apply your knowledge, analyse clinical scenarios, and demonstrate the acquisition of psycho-motor skills which can be used in the appropriate clinical context in future years. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. In addition, the B.Chir Sc is subject to regular review by the Council of Chiropractic Education Australia (CCEA), which is the professional accrediting body for chiropractic education in Australasia. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Most graduates of this degree continue their studies in order to complete the requirements for professional chiropractic registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulating Agency (AHPRA). This requires completion of the 2 year FTE Master of Chiropractic. However, as the Bachelor of Chiropractic Science provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the medical sciences, graduates who do not wish to practice as a chiropractor have a number of options which they can take. These include:
• applying for postgraduate medicine or physiotherapy
• enrolling in the Master of Research
• working as a chiropractic assistant
• employment in a diverse range of health related settings. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| External Benchmarks |
This program is benchmarked against standards set by the Council of Chiropractic Education Australia (CCEA), which is the body responsible for accreditation of all chiropractic programs in Australasia, and is a member of the Council of Chiropractic Education International (CCEI), the overarching regulating body for chiropractic education worldwide.
The Bachelor of Chiropractic Science, together with the Master of Chiropractic which follows this program, have been granted accreditation status. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
The Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia.
Last inspection completed August 2013. Result due early 2014. |
