Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) with foundation year

This module will provide you with a foundation in Sport and Exercise Science as an academic discipline. It is designed to encourage reflection upon current theory and practice across the key disciplines within sport and exercise science, namely: exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport and exercise psychology, nutrition and coaching as well as cultural perspectives. It will provide an opportunity for you to understand mono and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding sport and exercise performance and will draw examples across sport and exercise domains, from elite sports performance to exercise for health benefit.

Compulsory

This module aims to understand and develop the study skills required to promote an evidence-based approach to sport and exercise science. A focus will be placed on developing a range of written, verbal and digital platform skills to enable communication to scientific and non-scientific audiences. You will explore scientific method, research design and how to manage, explore, analyse and interpret different types of information. In addition, the ability to manage your own time effectively in order to balance life, work and university demands will be developed in this module.

Compulsory

This practical skills module will develop an introductory knowledge, understanding, and practice of the key laboratory and field-based practical skills⁴ required to be a safe and effective practitioner within the primary sport and exercise science subdisciplines of physiology, biomechanics, and psychology. You will also be introduced to the professional competencies, expectations, and employment opportunities of a sport and exercise scientist.

Compulsory

This module aims to provide an understanding of human physiological systems and their integration in relation to sport and exercise. The module provides an integrated systems approach to both the function and control of human physiology across the exercise spectrum. The module will focus on the main physiological systems, with supporting laboratory classes designed to apply and demonstrate the underlying physiological constructs from lecture material. This module will complement other level four modules by introducing the areas of the muscular system, nervous system and energy system.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to study the structure and function of the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems in order to understand the principles that govern human movement. You will build their knowledge of human anatomy and relate this to important underpinning mechanics to consider the role of different biological tissues in human movement. The module will further focus on developing an understanding of principal biomechanical theory such as linear and angular kinetics and kinematics and their application to human movement. The module will have a particular focus on standing, gait and jumping mechanics.

Compulsory

The purpose of this module introduces you to the principles of motor learning, skill acquisition and sport and exercise psychology in the sport and exercise environment. You will develop knowledge of the structure and function of the brain, how individuals develop motor control, and methods of structuring the environment to maximise learning and performance. There will also be the opportunity to evaluate current research, and gain and apply practical skills in laboratory⁴ and tutorial settings.

Compulsory

The module aims to build on the fundamental practical skills, analytical techniques and theoretical principles developed as part of the level 4 biomechanics module. You will develop a critical appreciation of more complex analytical techniques and will be able to integrate biomechanical theories to provide robust applied explanation of data related to specific sport and exercise science scenarios. You will also begin to develop a critical appreciation of scientific biomechanical literature and will use this understanding to provide evidence-based reasoning in your scientific communication. The module will further focus on the development of practical competencies of more advanced analytical techniques and will consider the integration of biomechanics across other sport and exercise science sub-disciplines.

Compulsory

This module builds on the knowledge of physiological responses to acute bouts of exercise acquired in level 4 by studying the physiological changes that occur with different types of training. The training types likely to be covered include endurance (aerobic) training, sprint (anaerobic) training and resistance training. The general principles of exercise prescription and training covered at level 4 will be expanded by lectures and laboratory classes⁴ relating to understanding the rationale behind specific training methods such as high-intensity interval training. Training programme design, planning, integration and periodisation will also be covered.

Compulsory

This module examines the theoretical underpinning of key principles within sport and exercise psychology, including motor learning and control. Emphasis will be placed on the application of these concepts to real world sporting examples in order to develop understanding. The theoretical underpinning and application of psychological skills techniques will be introduced as a way in which the practitioner can work with athletes to improve their performance.

Compulsory

The course-based assessment-only module aims to assess the fundamental practical skills, analytical techniques and theoretical principles developed as part of the level 5 biomechanics, physiology and psychology modules, and integrating these in a field-based assessment. It will expand on the Practical Skills in Sport and Exercise Science module and primary sport and exercise science subdisciplines of physiology, biomechanics, and psychology at level 4 by assessing field-based practical skills required to be a safe and effective practitioner.

Compulsory

This module builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in ‘Professional Skills in Sport and Exercise Science’. An understanding of the research process, from asking appropriate questions to interpreting the findings, is an essential skill of the sport and exercise scientist. Understanding research methods and analysis not only helps you as a researcher but also enables you to evaluate evidence and information in applied practice. This assessment provides evidence of this understanding, where you will be required to complete a range of tasks, such as designing theoretical research studies, completing data analysis and interpreting research findings. An independent study will then be designed in the form of a project proposal which will showcase your ability to seek out and identify relevant literature, make evidence-based informed judgments, and conduct appropriate scientific enquiry. Further, research methods and data analysis skills will be developed and demonstrated through completion of a portfolio.

Compulsory

This module aims to expand upon and develop the skills and knowledge required by professionals working within a Sport and Exercise Science setting. In addition, an evaluation of professional development planning (PDP) covering a range of personal development and employability exercises, including reflection, self-awareness, business acumen and opportunity awareness in relation to seeking future employment will be completed. You will be required to find a student on another course who will act as your 'client' over a period of time to complete your experience element of the module.

Compulsory

This module aims to expand both generic and specific skills and knowledge required by professionals working within an applied sport and exercise science setting. The content follows on from Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science in assessing real work scenarios. You will design and perform a needs analysis for a chosen sport or client, collect appropriate data and then design an intervention to improve performance or health. The idea of this module is to gain an appreciation of data collection outside the constraints of conventional laboratory classes. Key skills and underlying theories from the main sport and exercise science disciplines of physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and nutrition will be developed.

Compulsory

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

The module is designed to facilitate you to take control of not only your project planning and execution but reflection on your studies so far. In addition, this module provides the opportunity for you to evaluate and practice specific practical skills and methods relevant to your proposed research. You can also gain valuable experience in exploring ethical and health and safety issues, including completing appropriate documentation surrounding your proposed research where appropriate. The module will allow you to take ownership of your final year project through reflective activities common to most appraisal processes that they are likely to encounter.

Compulsory

This module will critically examine contemporary issues within exercise and health by examining the role of physical activity in the promotion of health through the life course, developing your critical appraisal of the evidence base. The module will critically examine epidemiological and experimental evidence to examine the beneficial effects of physical activity and/or exercise on health-related outcomes, determinants of health and wellbeing, preventative health and critically examine intervention strategies for improving public health.

Compulsory

Within this module, you will conduct, analyse, interpret and communicate a scientific investigation in a specialised area of Sport and Exercise Science. You are expected to demonstrate an ability to work independently and show high levels of organisational skills throughout all phases of your work. Once analysed, data must be presented and critically evaluated in light of the current literature. As part of your project records, you will reflect on your day-to-day experiences when undertaking your project work. You are expected to behave professionally when interacting with research participants, students and module staff at all times. This module allows you some flexibility to choose the format of their presentation. You will be given guidance as to appropriate presentation style, media and length. This allows you to take ownership of your project experience and to consider the most suitable reporting format for your own particular investigation.

Compulsory

Choose two of the following three:

• Contemporary Issues in Physiology – 20 credits
  This module builds on the knowledge gained in both first and second years regarding physiological responses to acute and chronic bouts of exercise. You will apply this knowledge to specific sport and exercise scenarios such as acclimation to different environments, newly developed training techniques or contentious debates within the exercise physiology arena. The module is therefore designed to provide an enquiring and rationale-based approach to current thoughts, theories and practices.
• Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology – 20 credits
  This module focuses on current issues and concepts within the field of sport and exercise psychology. Focus is placed on creating knowledge of the essential skills necessary to successfully fulfil the role of a sport and exercise psychology practitioner. Emphasis is also placed on creating an understanding of the work of a practitioner in different performance environments. Philosophy of practice is considered alongside ethical guidelines and BASES Code of Conduct.
• Contemporary Issues in Biomechanics – 20 credits
  The aim of this module is to apply the fundamental biomechanical principles and skills developed in previous biomechanics modules to real world contemporary issues within the field of biomechanics. You will be introduced to more advanced analyses of isolated and complex systems and will develop a critical appreciation of theoretical constructs and analytical techniques. To achieve this, you will design and conduct biomechanical assessments and evaluate the workings from data collected to inform strategies to enhance performance, improve quality of life or reduce injury risk. You will evaluate evidence relating to contemporary issues in biomechanics to develop robust scientific reasoning and appreciation of limitations within specific fields of investigation. As such, the module will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical competencies required to work within both field and laboratory-based settings within sport and exercise biomechanics.

Optional

Choose one of the following two:

• Coaching Applied Strength and Conditioning – 20 credits
  The aim of this module is to introduce you to the professional knowledge and skills, development pathway, and employment opportunities of a strength and conditioning coach. You will develop the knowledge and skills required to coach fundamental strength and conditioning activities, as well as effectively plan and implement strength and conditioning programmes designed to improve performance-oriented goals.
• Nutrition in Sport and Exercise – 20 credits
  Over the last 30 years sports nutrition has attracted ever increasing attention. Given that it plays such a crucial role in an athlete’s preparation, performance and recovery this interest is likely to continue to grow. The aim of this module is to provide a scientific basis for sports nutrition that covers the background principles and rationale for current nutritional guidelines for athletes. The main findings of both classic and contemporary research studies will be reviewed and their limitations critiqued. The module will also involve critically reviewing the effectiveness and potential mechanisms of action of the latest and / or most popular supplements.

Optional