Program Overview

Sport and Exercise Science (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

Overview

Sport and exercise science involves the practical application of scientific principles from different disciplines (physiology, psychology, biomechanics, motor learning, and sociology) to improve sports performance and the health and wellbeing of society.

Course Details

Foundation Year Core Modules

• Big Data
  • Explore the concept of big data, its creation, and its role in society.
  • Examine how groups and communities use and share big data to help keep themselves safe in disaster zones around the world.
  • Value the role data plays in helping to make sense of community relationships in society.
• Fundamentals of Nutrition
  • Focus on the fundamentals of food, nutrition, and human physiology.
  • Learn about dietary intake and analysis and how to use evidence to give dietary guidance and change behavior in positive ways.
• Global Grand Challenges
  • Examine how science can help address some of the global grand challenges that face society.
  • Develop innovative answers to some of the biggest issues of our time based on health and wellbeing, resilient and secure societies, digital and creative economy, sustainable environments, and learning for the 21st century.
• Introduction to Sport and Psychology
  • Examine the principles of sport and exercise psychology and the relationship between physical and psychological functioning in a health and wellbeing context.
  • Develop research skills.
• Life Science
  • Gain an appreciation of how knowledge of issues in health and disease relate to modern society.
  • Focus on the life sciences from a human perspective, develop an understanding of human biology, and explore the role of different but interconnected life science disciplines in modern life.
• Teaching Exercise
  • Gain the knowledge and skills needed to teach exercise in a variety of settings.
  • Reflect on modern approaches to teaching exercise, including the national occupational standards for the sector.

Year 1 Core Modules

• Designing and Delivering Physical Activity
  • Learn how to design, deliver, and evaluate applied physical activity sessions.
  • Develop communication skills and professionalism.
• Future Graduate Destinations
  • Meet professionals working in PE teaching, sports coaching, personal training, exercise referral, the health and fitness industry, and others.
  • Discuss career plans with potential future employers.
• Performance Analysis: Physiology and Biomechanics
  • Introduce competency-based scientific methods for assessing human performance.
  • Assess the physiological systems of the body and investigate the biomechanical principles underlying movement technique.
• Performance Analysis: Psychology and Motor Learning
  • Introduce the professional and interpersonal skills needed to work with and assess the human performer.
  • Acquire practical knowledge in delivering psychological and motor behavior assessment tools.
• Sport in Society
  • Examine sport and its role within society.
  • Use social scientific theory to identify, analyze, and evaluate the social values relating to power and hierarchy, fairness and deviance, money, and sport as a commodity.
• The Sport and Exercise Science Consultant
  • Work like a real-life sport and exercise science consultancy service.
  • Assess athletes' sporting performance using a variety of cutting-edge techniques.

Optional Module

• Sport and Exercise Vocational Practice 1
  • Study the role of a personal trainer, covering anatomy and physiology.
  • Explore safe and effective exercise for a range of clients and the health benefits of physical activity and healthy eating.

Year 2 Core Modules

• Current Research in Sport and Exercise Science
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise science and the research processes that underpin them.
  • Explore a range of contemporary topics including physiology, biomechanics, motor control, psychology, and sociology.
• Health Physiology
  • Focus on the immediate and long-term effects of exercise on the physiological systems of the human body.
  • Explore key areas of exercise physiology, including introduction to health physiology, chronic diseases, the aging process, and issues surrounding digital health.
• Human Movement in Sport and Exercise Science
  • Study biomechanics and motor learning in sport and exercise settings.
  • Design, conduct, and evaluate a research project involving a 3D analysis of movement.
• Psychology of Exercise and Health
  • Explore a range of topics related to mental and cognitive wellbeing.
  • Examine the efficacy of various public health promotion campaigns.
• Sport and Exercise Work Placement 1
  • Expand and consolidate links with employers.
  • Identify a challenge or problem in their line of work, propose solutions, and present the findings in a student conference.
• The Health and Wellbeing of Society
  • Learn how methods can promote wellbeing and positive outcomes in communities facing health inequalities.

Optional Module

• Sport and Exercise Vocational Practice 2
  • Cover a variety of topics relevant to the role of a personal trainer.
  • Assess the client's current fitness level and develop a customized fitness plan.

Final-Year Core Modules

• Interventions for the Human Performer
  • Deliver a short-term intervention for a named case study involving a human performer.
  • Report and evaluate the outcomes with reference to issues of evidenced-based practice and ethical issues.
• Physical Education and School Sport
  • Explore contemporary issues in the promotion and delivery of physical education, activity, and school sport.
  • Use a variety of resources to critically evaluate research in children's physical fitness and sport.
• Science Research Project
  • Complete an in-depth, independent investigation into a specialist aspect of your field of study.
  • Bring together a range of practical and academic skills developed in previous study.
• Sport and Exercise Science Work Placement 2
  • Further expand and consolidate links with employers.
  • Identify a challenge or problem in their line of work, propose solutions, and present the findings in a student conference.
• The Assessment of the Human Performer
  • Examine a variety of topics related to analyzing human performance.
  • Consider the sociological context of the performer and use needs analysis to propose an intervention for performance improvement.

Optional Module

• Sport and Exercise Vocational Practice 3
  • Study group exercise in one of seven possible disciplines.

Entry Requirements

• Any Level 3 subject is acceptable for entry to this course.
• Normally entry qualifications can be accumulated from any combination of Level 3 qualifications.
• Successful candidates will have qualifications in English language GCSE English language and mathematics at grade 4, or a pass in Level 2 Functional Skills.
• Non-EU international students who need a student visa to study in the UK should check our web pages on UKVI-compliant English language requirements.

Employability

• A core objective of the degree is to equip you with a range of skills, competencies, and knowledge for embarking on a successful career.
• Examples of professional roles and industries related to the field of sport and exercise science include:
  • Secondary school PE teacher
  • Primary school teacher
  • Exercise referral specialist
  • Sports development officer
  • Head coach
  • Performance analyst
  • Health promotion specialist
  • Researcher
  • Lecturer
  • Manager, through a graduate scheme
  • Outdoor adventure coach
  • Clinical cardiac physiologist
  • High-performance physiologist
  • Biomechanist
  • Sport scientist
  • Fitness instructor or personal trainer
  • Strength and conditioning coach
  • Owner of a lifestyle business

Information for International Applicants

• International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting our website.
• Useful information for non-UK students and applicants can be found on our international pages.

Professional Accreditation

• The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences has endorsed this course.
• This degree encourages students to develop as a sport and exercise scientist and understand how their skills apply to sports performance and health-based settings.

Other Course Routes

• Full-time: £9,535 a year (UK applicants), £17,000 a year (international applicants)
• Part-time: Not available part-time

Choose Teesside

• iPad, keyboard, and up to £300 credit for learning resources
• Affordable accommodation from only £100 a week
• Study in our town-centre campus with £280m of recent investment
• Adobe Creative Campus and develop your creative and digital skills

Sports Facilities Tour

• World Champion Boxer and Teesside University student Savannah Marshall – meet the Teesside Sport and academic staff who support her.

Student and Graduate Profiles

• Lynsey Edwards: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise (Sports Science)
• Tom Bell: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
• Neal McCausland: BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science

More Information

• Teesside Sport: We offer the highest quality experience for you to get involved in sports during your student journey.
• Get in touch: UK students, international students, online chat (general enquiries)

Open Days and Events

• Undergraduate open day: Saturday, 6 September, 9.00am - 3.00pm, on campus

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