Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - BPK 481 D100

Musculoskeletal Disorders (3)

Class Number: 4139

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BPK 303 and 326.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides an in-depth understanding of musculoskeletal conditions through the interpretation of patient case studies. An evidence-based practice model will be incorporated to support the use of clinical diagnostic tests and to design client-centered rehabilitation programs. Exposure to populations including but not limited to motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, postoperative, sport, and paediatrics.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

(I) INTRODUCES- Students are not expected to be familiar with the content or skill at the collegiate or graduate level. Instruction and learning activities focus on basic knowledge, skills, and/or competencies and an entry-level complexity.

(E) EMPHASIZES- Students are expected to possess a basic knowledge and familiarity with the content or skills at the collegiate or graduate level. Instruction and learning concentrates on enhancing and strengthening knowledge, skills, and expanding complexity.

(R) REINFORCES- Students are expected to possess a strong foundation in the knowledge, skill, or competency at the collegiate or graduate level. Instructional and learning activities continue to build upon previous competencies and increased complexity.

(A) APPLIES- Students are expected to possess an advanced level of knowledge, skill, or competency at the collegiate or graduate level. Instructional and learning activities focus on the use of the content or skills in multiple contexts and at multiple levels of complexity.

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES

(EX) Midterm Examination/Final examination are handed in individually and may require writing, use of arithmetic, and deductively evaluate clinical presentations

(LR) Lab reports are handed in individually and require writing and interpretation of research findings

(TE) Tutorial exam will assess the practical injury assessment and functional screen components of the course.

After completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. To utilize the different components of a subjective history to help conduct a differential diagnosis as well as develop a client-centred intervention plan (R,A) (EX)

2. To interpret findings from an objective assessment (R,A) (EX,LR)

3. To incorporate a patho-anatomical approach to musculoskeletal conditions (E,R) (EX, LR)

4. To recognize the roles of the different members of the healthcare team (E,R) (EX)

5. To learn about the different aspects of the healthcare system (I,E) (EX)

6. To consider the effects of pharmacological agents when prescribing exercise interventions (I,E) (EX, LR)

7. To explain how the stages of healing for different tissue structures can influence prognosis as well as an intervention (E,R) (EX)

8. To develop a foundation for conducting a differential diagnosis for musculoskeletal conditions (risk factors, epidemiology, signs, symptoms, aetiology, pathophysiology) (E,R) (EX, TE)

9. To interpret psychometric properties of self-report and functional outcome measures (R,A) (EX, LR, TE)

10. To develop a client-centred, evidence-based intervention plan (R,A) (EX)

11. To develop learning objectives as part of collaborative problem-based learning model. (E, R, A) (EX)

12. To communicate self-directed learning to group members in relation to identified learning objectives (A), (EX)

13. To utilize ergonomic assessment tools and determine workplace loads and demands vs abilities to recommend appropriate changes to the work environment. (R, A) (EX, TE)

Grading

  • Lecture Participation Assignments 4%
  • Tutorial Exam 10%
  • Scholarly Paper (Parts 1, 2, & 3) 31%
  • Lecture Midterm Exam 22%
  • Lecture Final Exam 33%

NOTES:

Tutorial Participation Assignments

There will be three tutorial participation assignments during the semester. These will relate to an intervention that a Kinesiologist can provide for the patient in the case studies presented in the course. You will be provided with journal articles related to interventions, where you will provide a brief overview and critical appraisal of the study. The lowest mark will be dropped. The three assignments will be worth 4% of your grade

Scholarly Paper Assignment

There are three parts to the Scholarly Paper assignment. Further details will be provided in the first few weeks of class.

Lecture Exams

The exam format will include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, true-false, and short/medium length answer questions. Short/medium length answer questions may be answered in point form.

Midterm Exam

The midterm exam will occur in week 6

The exam cover Lectures 1 to 5.

Final Exam

The final exam is scheduled for: TBD.

The final is cumulative. It will assess material from the entire semester with a greater focus on material learned after the midterm.

 

Approved BPK Grading Guidelines

SFU Definition Letter Grade Percentage Numerical Equivalent

A+ >=92 4.33

Excellent Performance A 87-91 4.00

A- 82-86 3.67

B+ 78-81 3.33

Good Performance B 74-77 3.00

B- 70-73 2.67

C+ 65-69 2.33

Satisfactory Performance C 60-64 2.00

C- 55-59 1.67

Marginal Performance D 50-54 1.00

Unsatisfactory Performance F <50 0.00

The department reserves the right to adjust actual grades if deemed appropriate.

Late Penalties

A late penalty of 10% per day, including weekends and holidays, will be applied on all late assignments that are not supported with medical documentation. After 5 days the assignment will not be accepted.

Attendance

Class attendance is strongly recommended. Lecture recordings will be provided on request. If extenuating circumstances (unusual circumstances beyond your control, such as death of a close family member or severe illness) cause you to miss a tutorial or other marked activity, you should contact the instructor to make alternate arrangements as soon as you can. If you will need to miss class for a religious holiday or travel related to a university function (e.g., athletic competition), please let the instructor know within the first week of the semester.

Academic Integrity

Read the SFU policies on cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty. The consequences of such behaviour are serious. Also familiarize yourself with the SFU library tutorial on avoiding plagiarism.

In order to review the Plagiarism Tutorial and take its quizzes, you will need to first log out of Canvas, or use a browser that is not currently logged into Canvas, and proceed to the link below (copy and paste it into the address bar): https://canvas.sfu.ca/courses/15986

Note that they will not be evaluated (and so you do not need to submit anything), but it is expected that you will read and complete them

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required textbook for this course. All required course material will be provided to students on Canvas in the form of case studies, outcome measures, power point presentations and tutorial readings.

The following text which is on reserve at the Burnaby campus library:

· Pathology and intervention in musculoskeletal rehabilitation / David J. Magee, James E. Zachazewski, William S. Quillen, Robert C. Manske; editorial consultant, Bev Evjen.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.