BSc (Hons) Dance Science & MSci Dance Science

Program Overview

The Dance Science program at the University of Chichester combines scientific research approaches with technical dance skills, allowing students to explore the effects of dance on the human body and mind. By blending dance instruction with physiological study, the program prepares students for a wide range of careers in dance education, professional training, fitness consultation, and research. With an emphasis on applied practice, students have opportunities to engage with local and international organizations in the dance and healthcare sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Explore the world of human performance sciences and develop your technical dance skills.

Objectives:

• Learn the science to optimise dance performance
• Develop your technical and performance skills
• Build your studies around your interests
• Choose your qualification level
• Seize performance and career development opportunities
• International exchange opportunities
• BASES-endorsed course
• CIMPSA-endorsed course

Outline:

The Course:

• Choose your pathway
• Applied performance pathway
• Health and Wellbeing pathway
• Professional qualification links

Year One:

• Applications of Psychology in Dance: Dance contexts provide a fascinating and complex opportunity to investigate elements of the psychology of human behaviour.
In this module you will be introduced to the diverse areas of psychology that you will explore throughout your degree. This could be in the context of dance performance, health and wellbeing, or skill acquisition and teaching.
• Dance Techniques 1: You will complete daily technique classes to develop your performance and dance understanding.
You will refine your technical skills through reflective practice. You will explore key elements of dance fitness.
• Fundamentals of Human Physiology: This module will allow you to examine how key systems such as the musculoskeletal system, the cardio-vascular system, and the respiratory system affect human performance.
Specific attention is paid to energy metabolism in the context of the exercising human across the breadth of the energy spectrum. Consideration will be given to the selection of an appropriate data collection environment (i.e. laboratory versus field) and the applicability across a range of activities that spans energy provision.
• Movement Studies: Analysis and Awareness: You will complete practical sessions informed by established models of practice and underpinned with theoretical insight.
You will use the principles of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) to develop an understanding of the concepts of body, shape, space and effort in theory and practice.
• Muscles and Movement in Dance: In this module, you will explore definitions of human movement terms, the human body including health, safety and healing as physics including Newton’s laws of motion, kinetic energy, potential energy, and work power.
You will use biomechanical kinetic and kinematic measurement methods and tools to assess and analyse performance.
• Understanding Science and Dance Practice: This module will introduce you to a range of research procedures and methodologies from the perspective of the performing arts, humanities and the scientific paradigms.
You will develop foundational research skills which will support your research work throughout your degree.

Year Two:

• Biomechanics in Sport and Exercise: The biomechanical principles underpinning performance in a range of sports will be considered in relation to practical performance of sport.
The module content will include analysis methodologies and research, which has enhanced biomechanics knowledge of sports performance. The biomechanics analysis and evaluation of selected sport and exercise activities will be considered e.g. golf, football, tennis, high jump, long jump, javelin, discus, gymnastics, cycling, swimming.
• Clinical Exercise Physiology: This module explores the relationship of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with both the development and control of non-communicable diseases (NCD).
You will examine the physiological responses to physical activity, and methods to assess health and fitness for those individuals suffering from such disease states. This module is aligned to the CIMSPA professional standards Health Navigator and Long-Term Conditions.
• Dance Education: Culture and Community: This module will introduce you to the breadth of opportunities there are to teach dance.
You will be encouraged to undertake independent research and experiment practically with different methodologies to enhance your understanding of dance education in different settings. You will examine the process of journal publishing from both sides of the fence – the writer’s and the publisher’s – looking at the work of an editor in formulating policy and commissioning work, and at the different skills involved in writing; subbing, copy editing and proof correcting. In addition, you will learn how to design pages for publication – and as the finished journal is evolving you will be helped not only with your writing but also with your journal’s design and layout.
• Dance Techniques for Dance Science: This module builds on level four Dance Technique to further develop technical skills in dance practice; integrating motional complexity with qualitative interpretation in relation to particular dance styles and approaches to technique.
You will be guided to apply your technical knowledge to deepen your awareness and application of good working practice reflective of the professional dance sector.
• Developing and Monitoring Physical Performance: This module aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to design interventions for improving both health and skills-related physical fitness.
You will develop the ability to complete a health screening and needs analysis on clients and athletes, establish goals, select appropriate methods of individual physical performance assessments, and design interventions to improve physical performance.
• Improvisation & Performance: This module focuses on further development of performance skills and vocabulary from the solo to the group improvisation.
The use of spontaneous compositional practice within group situations, relationship possibilities and the development of: Awareness Kinaesthetic Spatial Aural Will form the core of issues explored. The course will build toward the setting of structures for performance through an understanding of scores.
• Movement and Character: This module creatively and critically engages you with the skills and processes of working with character, relationships and intentionality in a physical theatre style.
It extends and builds on previous Dance choreography modules by exploring and contextualising the techniques used in physical theatre to devise, sustain, develop and deliver character through movement. Topics covered will include: dietary guidelines, dietary analysis, measurement of energy, macro- and micro-nutrient intake, digestion, absorption and metabolism; the role of micro-nutrients; nutrition and prevalent diseases; obesity; eating disorders; food allergies; under-nutrition and special populations e.g. diabetics.
• Performance Psychology: This module will introduce you to the key theories and concepts in performance psychology, examining theory and research into a range of factors (e.g., confidence, motivation, emotional regulation) that have been proposed to contribute to performance in sport and other achievement domains.
• Physiological Limitations to Performance: This module examines the metabolic, neuromuscular, neuroendocrine and cardiovascular systems of the human body to develop knowledge on the nature of limitations to performance across this intensity spectrum.
• Psychology of Physical Activity and Health: The course will examine contemporary theories relating to the adoption and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
It will also examine the relationship between activity involvement and individual affective responses, cognitions of self and health-related behaviour. Specifically, theories of behaviour change and self-concept will be explored alongside an emphasis on the positive and negative consequences of exercise involvement.
• Researching Dance Science: In this module, you will explore the research process and design a small scale qualitative study and a group experimental study.
This will allow you to gain experience in data collection and in both qualitative and quantitative data analyses.
• Safe Dance Practice: This module addresses the five knowledge areas identified by Safe in Dance International (SiDI) and their 10 associated core principles of healthy dance practice.
You will cover topics including health and safety in the dance environment, injury reduction and management, anatomical and biomechanical principles of alignment, and psychological aspects of dance practice. You will have the option to complete the industry standard Safe in Dance International (SiDI) certification which credits safe dance practice knowledge and application and supports future employability.
• Sports Injury and Prevention: In this module, you will study basic musculo-skeletal anatomy, including features particularly prone to injury in sport e.g.
ligaments; incidence of sport injury. You will explore common injuries to the body and their methods of occurrence, as well as first aid procedures and injury assessment. You will also study the role of biomechanics in predisposing factors, psychology, and prevention of injury, as you consider treatment methods, rehabilitation, and real-world case studies.

Year Three (BSc):

• Advanced Biomechanics: This module aims to allow you to develop your conceptual biomechanics knowledge, knowledge of current practice, and independent practical skills.
It gives the opportunity to follow interests within the field that may have been stimulated by either the third year biomechanics techniques module, or by areas you have come across in the course of your independent project work and which you would like to investigate further. It aims to develop your independence in the laboratory. You will be guided to apply your technical knowledge to deepen your awareness and application of good working practice reflective of the professional dance sector.
• Applied Dance Science: Portfolio of Practice: This module provides you with the opportunity to gain first-hand, experience of applied dance science practices.
This module aims to support your personal and professional development as a dance science practitioner, directing the focus of your applied experience to an area of practice that is relevant to both your existing skills and your future career goals
• Applied Sport Psychology: Delivering Mental Strategies: Traditionally, sport psychologists have advocated the use of numerous mental training strategies that are purported to enhance the cognitive, affective, and behavioural states of the performers that they work with.
• Biomechanical Techniques: This module aims to enable you to develop experimental skills that may be of relevance, not only in biomechanics, but also in other scientific fields where accuracy of measurement is important.
• Body Image and Performance: In this module students, you will examine the psychology of body image from the perspective of the social and environmental antecedents of objectification, the psychological consequences of such objectification to the individual’s wellbeing and finally psychological interventions that can be employed with performers to overcome issues encountered.
• Cardiovascular Rehabilitation: This module critically examines the process of rehabilitation as it pertains to cardiovascular disease.
Detailed exploration of the aetiology of coronary heart disease (CHD), lifestyle management, and psychology of behaviour change in relation to lifestyle. The evidence-base for exercise and nutritional interventions will be critiqued within the framework of primary, secondary, and tertiary care alongside the skills required to compile multi-disciplinary interventions for secondary prevention.
• Contemporary Issues in Sport, Exercise and Health: This module will explore a selection of contemporary issues that may have ethical and moral considerations, in relation to sport, exercise and health.
• Dance Movement Psychotherapy: In this module, you will examine the theory and practice of dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) and explore a range of theoretical bases which can underpin your practice.
The module covers psychodynamic, humanistic and transpersonal approaches, and explores integrative creative practice. You will draw upon the related models of Authentic Movement and movement-based expressive arts therapy (deriving from the Halprin/Tamalpa model).
• Exercise and Physical Activity Interventions: This module applies health behaviour change theory and research to the promotion of physical activity in specialised populations, such as those with chronic health conditions or physical disabilities.
It looks at different types of interventions, such as those targeting individuals, groups, and national campaigns.
• Exercise Referral Clinic: This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to complete a unit of directed study incorporating experience in a practical-based setting, relevant to working with clinical populations.
You will develop new knowledge and skills whilst in a practice-based setting, in addition to applying, consolidating and reflecting on the learning gained in their prior modules. You will gain experience that enables them to develop, apply and reflect on the clinical practice of exercise within the health service including, but not limited to GP/ Exercise Referral, cardiovascular rehabilitation, the Obesity 4 Tier approach, and to draw on, and review, the profession’s evidence-base for lifestyle modification.
• Nutrition for Sports Performance, Physical Development and Health: Sports performance and the development of athletic ability relies on the individual being in peak health and having the correct nutrition support to fuel training adaptation and exercise performance.
This module aims to examine the ways in which dietary intake influences energy metabolism, recovery of skeletal muscle after exercise, exercise performance, training adaptation, injury risk, and immunity.
• Planning and Monitoring of Training and Performance: A focus on planning and monitoring training of athletes and how a programme of physiological support can be used to enhance performance.
You will engage in current literature identifying the physiological demands of the athletes chosen sport, key measures of physical fitness, and how we can enhance them. An athlete’s ability to focus on training to gain maximal physiological adaptations, and relax in competition can represent the difference in making the podium or winning major tournaments.
• Principles of Motor Learning for Dance: In this module, you will explore theories and practices of motor learning and control.
Specific topics will cover include: organisation of motor control, perception, anticipation, instructional strategies, conditions of practice, attention and feedback. the intersection of somatically informed approaches to practice will also be considered. Consideration of different learners will be addressed in relevant weeks in relation to the novice or advanced dancer.
• Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation: This module enables you to critically evaluate the psychological, social, and cultural factors in injury risk, theories of psychological responses to injury, recovery, and adherence to rehabilitation programmes.
It will critically evaluate theory and research, and consider practical approaches to working with injured athletes to assist them with their response to and rehabilitation from injury experiences.
• Research Project: ‘The research project provides an opportunity to apply appropriate knowledge, concepts, and techniques to an in-depth study of a particular question or problem relating to sport, exercise or healthcare.
This module aims to foster a greater understanding of the processes to undertake a small-scale research project and marks the culmination of the student’s learning experience over their undergraduate programme of study
• Teaching Dance Technique: You will build on your experience from Teaching Dance Technique and further develop your teaching skills to effectively deliver dance lesson content to different groups of participants.
Where possible your group will observe, work with or teach groups outside of the university to experience real situations in preparation for their final practical teaching assessment. You will use micro teaching and group experiential sessions to focus on exploring appropriate lesson content and teaching methods.
• The Conscious Dancer: This module will give you the opportunity to discover more about your own movement potential through the Feldenkrais Method and the movement practice of Deborah Hay.
By drawing attention to functional anatomy of the skeleton, you will discover more about efficiency and ease of motion through Feldenkrais lessons and become more aware of your potential as a mover by introducing questions within a variety of improvisational scores. This work will be influenced by the philosophy of Deborah Hay, together engaging with the body as an active processing organism, encouraging attention to perception and noticing to enhance the practice of performance and awareness of the body in motion. This learning and enriched body knowledge will provide you with more understanding, potential and confidence as a mover and be valuable preparation for further training or work within the dance field.

Year Four (MSci):

• Advanced Performance Psychology: This modules examines psychological characteristics that have been proposed as important determinants of success in sport with specific focus on mental toughness.
• Developing As An Applied Practitioner in Biomechanics: This is an opportunity to develop your skills in delivering applied consultancy in the biomechanics of sport and exercise.
• Enhancing Physical Activity Participation and Wellbeing: This module deepens your knowledge of health behaviour change in the context of exercise and physical activity.
You will also explore key concepts of self-concept, motivation, and behaviour change, whilst appreciating the range of psychosocial barriers and facilitators that can result in positive or maladaptive affective responses, cognitions, and behaviours.
• Pedagogical Approaches: Through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical tasks, you will analyse, deconstruct and reconstruct technical exercises and phrases in order to build a critical base of teaching material.
Planning, phrase construction and giving corrections will be explored in the context of somatic development and consideration of issues relating to health and safety. You will also be expected to undertake critical analysis and evaluation of professional dance classes. You will be introduced to lesson planning, devising schemes of work appropriate to different teaching situations such as primary and secondary syllabus work, special needs and working with the elderly and community-based groups.
• Principles and Practice of Public Health and Physical Activity: This module offers a broad introduction to the subject matter of public health and physical activity.
You will develop your understanding of epidemiological measures and explore a selection of contemporary areas of physical activity research such as data modelling, physical activity in green/blue space, and health economics.
• Research Dissertation or Applied Dance Science: Supervised Research Portfolio: In this module, you will either undertake a final research dissertation project or an applied dance science research portfolio.
the research dissertation acts as the culmination of your postgraduate study. You will develop a substantial dance research project of your choice. You can choose to include a varying amount of dance practice alongside written critical commentary. for the research portfolio, you will gain real-world experience of the demands of applied dance science and have an opportunity to learn and develop research-informed applied skills, whilst having access to specialist support and equipment.
• Techniques for Performance: This module will include daily technical training to develop your interpretive and presentational skills in preparation for performance.
You will explore motion complexity, qualitative interpretation, musicality, alignment, flexibility, core strength, and stamina as you develop the technical skills you will need as a professional dancer.
• Whole Body Metabolism: Measurement and Application in Exercise Physiology: This module examines the application of whole-body metabolism to a variety of contexts within sport and exercise physiology ranging from elite sporting performance to clinical settings.
Existing knowledge will be challenged through critical evaluation of relevant peer reviewed publications. Additionally, through a theoretical and practical evaluation of measurement techniques available in the area of whole-body metabolism, an appreciation will be given to validity and reliability of methodological approaches.

Assessment:

• Typical study weeks include:
• Dance technique classes
• Laboratory skills sessions
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• You could work in professional, training, educational, recreational, or community-based dance and exercise settings.
• You could become a:
• Dance teacher or lecturer in community or educational settings
• Gym instructor or personal trainer
• Fitness consultant
• Dance science advisor or support personnel in educational or professional settings
• Dance science informed dancer / choreographer
• Advocate for dance-science informed dance practice
• Employee within professional bodies representing dance science and healthy dance practice
• Health promotion worker
• Benefit from department links with local, national, and international organisations including:
• The International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS).
• The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
• The British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
• Safe in Dance International (SiDI)
• The Point Eastleigh
• One Dance UK
• Our department links with professional and pre-professional dance companies include:
• Lîla Dance
• Flexer & Sandiland
• Ceyda Tanc Dance Company
• Tribe Company
• AKA Dance Theatre Company
• Mapdance
• Further Study:
• If you complete the BSc (Hons) Dance Science degree, you may choose to continue your studies to postgraduate level.
You could apply to postgraduate programmes in Education, Dance, Dance Science, Sport and Exercise Science, or Somatics.
• The University of Chichester offers a range of postgraduate programmes across the field of dance and sport disciplines.
Our research interests stem from extensive applied experience and a desire to deliver meaningful research findings that relate to the ‘real world’ of dance, dance science or sports and exercise.
• Study options at the University of Chichester include:
• PGCE Dance
• MSc Dance Science
• Masters in Sport Science, Sports Therapy or similar
• MSc Physiotherapy
• MA Dance Research
• MA Dance, Somatics and Dance Science
• MA Choreography (Independent Research)
• MA Dance: Advanced Practice
• MA Performance: Dance (MapDance)
• MA Choreography and Professional Practice
• University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Other:

• Both pathways are recognised education partners of CIMPSA
• This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), in recognition of covering the necessary foundation of sport and exercise science knowledge, technical skills and professional development competencies required to succeed across dance, sports or exercise professional contexts.
• This course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), which shows that it provides the scientific theory and practical skills required to work as a sport and exercise scientist, or health and exercise practitioner, with a dance science specialism.
• In your third year you will choose a focused pathway of Applied Performance or Health and Wellbeing for your final year(s) of study.
You will shape your pathway by choosing from optional modules during the course.
• Some modules are aligned with professional standard qualifications and certifications, such as those offered by Safe in Dance International (SiDI), the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
• Depending on your module and pathway choices, you will have the opportunity to undertake work placements during your degree to help prepare you for a range of careers after you graduate.
Work placements are a chance for you to use the skills you learn during your degree in a real-world context.
• You could complete a placement with a specific dance company or dance organisation working in the community or in health settings.
You could also complete a placement with a sports centre, mainstream school, afterschool club or special educational needs organisation.
• Previous students have worked at companies including:
• Motionhouse
• Loop Dance
• Stop Gap
• Jasmin Vardimon
• South East Dance
• Sussex Dance Network
• The Point
• Yorke Dance Project
• One Dance UK
• Scottish Ballet
• National Dance Company of Wales
• Pavilion Dance South West
• Far Flung Dance Theatre
• Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their dance horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.
The city of Chichester is a beautiful and historic place for you to get to know.
• You are also close to the lively cities of Brighton, Portsmouth and Southampton as well as a train journey away from getting into London.