Sport and Exercise Science

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Mode: full-time

Sport and Exercise Science is a relatively new course at the University of Bedfordshire's Bedford campus, and focuses on the scientific study of performance and participation in sport and exercise, exploring and applying concepts and theories from anatomy and mechanics, physiology and psychology.

Recent topics have included leadership and team cohesion in football, oxygen uptake and body composition of rugby players, and carbohydrate supplementation and energy balance in tri-athletes.

The course has a strong scientific focus and units have a research and data collection element to them which prepares students for the Special Study unit in their final year. Some students use this unit as an opportunity to relate their studies to their future career aspirations. Recent topics have included the relationships among self-confidence, pre-competition anxiety, pre-performance routines and the skill level of golfers, anaerobic threshold and playing position in soccer and the formulation and evaluation of squash training programmes.

During stage one, the course provides a solid foundation in the key subject areas. Areas of study include:

• Psychology: Perspectives and Concepts
• Anatomy and Mechanics
• Introduction to Physiology
• Introduction to Degree Study.

During stages two and three, students will explore the subject of Sport and Exercise Science in more depth, building on the skills and knowledge acquired during year one. Areas of study available during stage two include:

• Psychology in Sport and Exercise
• Techniques in Biomechanics
• Physiology: Control and Adaptations
• Quantitative Research Methods.

Areas of study available during stage three include:

• Special Study
• Applied Physiology
• Exercise and Health
• Sports Injuries
• Applied Biomechanics
• Motor Control
• Advanced Social Psychology
• Applied Sports Psychology.

Why choose this course?

• Staff are experts in their respective fields; many are internationally published
• State-of-the-art sport science laboratories
• Renowned for high quality of teaching
• Sport-related courses are ranked 12th in the UK, according to the Guardian 2007
• Bedfordshire is one of the leading universities in this field
• Sport courses rated 14th in the UK - 2009 Guardian University Guide

Career Opportunities

Recent graduates have progressed to careers in PE teaching, fitness consulting and nutrition. Other related career opportunities include sports performance, health and fitness, coaching and sports development. The emphasis on research gives students a solid base for postgraduate study.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

Teaching is delivered through a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory sessions and individual tutorials.

Assessment

Assessment on the course is through essays, research projects, presentations, laboratory reports, seminar papers and exams.