Universities and Online Degrees Guide

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in Health Professions is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 4 YEARS.

Subjects: 28.

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy offerd by the University of the Witwatersrand

The BSc OT degree aims to skill students in helping clients who are temporarily or permanently impaired by illness, accident, disability, environmental limitations or developmental delay.

Occupational Therapy is the therapeutic use of self-care, work, education, play, leisure, and social activities to increase independent function, enhance development, promote health and wellbeing, and prevent disability. It is indicated when people lose their ability to carry out their everyday activities, due to temporary or permanent illness, disability, environmental limitations, and developmental delay.

What do occupational therapists do?

Occupational therapists assess a person’s ability to engage in daily activities. They then engage the person in meaningful and culturally appropriate activities to maximise their functioning and wellbeing. This engagement empowers the person to be as independent as possible, and enhances dignity and quality of life at work, school, at home, and during leisure. Intervention may include adapting the person’s environment to help them to cope. Occupational Therapy is practised in a wide range of public, private, and voluntary settings, like the person’s home, schools, workplaces, health centres, supported accommodation, housing for seniors, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, and forensic services.

Curriculum

First year

• Introduction to Medical Sciences
• Chemistry I
• Fundamentals of Occupational Science
• and Occupational Therapy I
• Physics I
• Introduction to Psychology I
• Basic Principles of Group and Individual
• Psychology I
• Human Behavioural Sciences I

Second year

• Anatomy for Physiotherapy and Occupational
• Therapy Students II
• Fundamentals of Occupational Science
• and Occupational Therapy II
• Physiology and Medical Biochemistry I

Third year

• Occupational Therapy III applied to Physical Conditions
• Occupational Therapy III applied to Psychiatric Conditions
• Medicine and Surgery for Occupational
• Therapy
• Science of Occupation II
• Psychiatry in Relation to Occupational
• Therapy
• Health Psychology
• Research Design and Analysis

Fourth year

• Science of Occupation III
• Occupational Therapy as applied to
• Psychiatric Conditions
• Occupational Therapy as applied to
• Physical Conditions