Sport and Exercise Science

• New and innovative BSc
• Focus on the scientific base to sport and exercise
• Practical work in well-equipped laboratories
• Work experience and qualifications to prepare for a career
• Modern approaches to learning and teaching
• Supportive development of key skills
• Superb sports and exercise facilities

The Sport and Exercise degree at Aberystwyth provides a programme which offers a strong education in science along with the application of knowledge to practical situations. You will study the psychological, physiological and mechanical bases to sport and exercise and develop an understanding of how these are important across the range from the sophisticated training regime of the sports competitor to the person who wants to exercise to keep healthy.

Degree Structure

The degree structure is modular and follows three themes. The first theme is concerned with the study of the core scientific disciplines of psychology, physiology and biomechanics. You will study all of these in the first two years and in the final year you can choose from a range of specialist modules. The second theme is concerned with applied studies. In these modules you will take seminars, meet visiting speakers, follow short four-week courses, and, most importantly develop a deep understanding of a topic of your choice. So if you are interested in a sport such as football, you can choose this and apply your knowledge to produce a file on the Science of Soccer. Or maybe you are interested in exercise and ageing, or studio classes, or netball. The choice is yours. The third theme is research. You will take modules in research methods, data handling and analysis, and in your final year undertake a research project.

Learning and Teaching

In addition to lectures and seminars, the course features many student-centered activities such as projects, workshops, problem-solving sessions and tutorials. Laboratory classes featured extensively and you will become skilled in using scientific equipment for sophisticated fitness testing and motion analysis. All modules are backed up by electronic resources to help you study outside of the classroom. Key skills are carefully integrated into the curriculum to develop your ability to give presentations, analyse data, produce reports, write academically and work in groups. Assessment is based on a combination of coursework, reports and examinations.

Resources

The department has well-equipped specialist laboratories. In biomechanics computer-based digital video allows sophisticated analysis of movement and dynamometers allow measurement of forces. In physiology cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic analysers monitor the exercising body. In psychology reaction timers, heart rate and breathing monitors can be used to study stress. A human environmental chamber allows special study of responses in hot, cold or humid environments. The University sports centre provides superb facilities including a fitness suite, extensive playing fields, swimming pool, sports hall, and all-weather pitch. Numerous university sports club offer competitive sport and recreational activities.

The library houses a wide collection of books and journals, supplemented by the comprehensive facilities of the National Library of Wales. Powerful IT systems provide all the software needed and students can use the 600 PCs located around the campus including halls of residence.