Sport And Exercise Sciences BSc (Hons)

The award will enable you to develop your critical understanding of key areas in sport and exercise science, including sport and exercise physiology, psychology, movement analysis, coaching, nutrition, practical sport, and exercise and health. Throughout the course you will develop your practical skills by working in laboratory and field settings, using our first class facilities to plan, design and carry out analysis and interpretation of human performance. You will develop your interpersonal skills through working with real athletes, and with individuals in a healthcare context or community setting, so that you can communicate eloquently, both verbally and in writing. These skills will be invaluable to you when seeking a career in this growing sport and exercise industry.

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences award facilitates a curriculum for students wishing to maximise exposure to recognised human science-related study areas associated with sport and exercise performance. The award focuses on the scientific interventions in the continuum between the individual with dysfunction to the individual approaching optimal function for sport and exercise performance.
A range of learning and teaching strategies will be employed to suit the various types of learner, and to meet the needs of the specific learning outcomes of the modules. Typically the Sport and Exercise Science award modules employ lectures that are supported by smaller-group seminars, workshops, laboratory practicals, and coaching / teaching practicals which are led by experienced staff. Students are actively engaged in these sessions. Students are also given independent learning activities. Where appropriate, student learning is supported by materials, tasks and activities, which are provided via a virtual learning environment. The balance of lecture to tutorial/laboratory/seminar/practical time is a deliberate attempt to allow theoretical and generic knowledge taught in lectures to be given context and meaning in real-world scenarios, which are achieved through the use of 'hands-on' laboratory work (Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics modules at levels 4, 5 and 6), research data (Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology at level 5), the students' own experience and discovery learning or experiential approaches (Coaching and Teaching in Sport a level 4 module).
There are 3 levels of study for the Sport and Exercise Science award: Levels 4, 5 and 6 as indicated in the Award structure. There will be a shift over these three levels to promote independent learning. In level 4, students will receive a high level of direction in the identification and solving of problems given during tutorial and practical time. In level 5, students will still receive a high level
of direction in problem identification but will notice a greater emphasis on student-led problems and solutions. In level 6, students will receive less direction in identifying the key aspects of presented problems and will be encouraged to develop their own solutions to these problems (Personal and Professional Development module at level 6). The Award is designed so that skills and knowledge gained in core modules (Coaching, Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Psychology, Research and Employability) can be transferred, applied and developed within other modules both within and between levels. The modules which focus on developing students research skills and enhancing their personal success, require students to meet with tutors regularly, and in which Personal Development Planning (PDP) will be incorporated (through the development of skills needed for higher education in level 4, skills required for successful completion of a dissertation at honours level, and skills developed for ensuring a successful career path) will ensure that students are constantly reflecting upon, adapting and enhancing their learning. Tasks which link to `Employability will be strongly featured in many learning activities, requiring reflection upon key skills which prepare students for, and enhance their contribution to, the world of work. Students will be strongly encouraged to seek work experience and reflect upon the skills being developed. Students will be enabled to gain valuable vocational experiences throughout their award.
The widening of access to programmes by students of an increasingly varied educational background, which includes mature students, has focused tutors to consider innovation in the learning and teaching of students for the Awards. Applicants with disabilities and learning needs will be identified and counselled as to the reasonable adjustments that can be made to learning and teaching to ensure that they achieve the Award outcomes.