Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science)

An exercise and sport scientist applies a comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of human movement to the effective design, management and evaluation of exercise interventions (and related lifestyle factors) in the areas of sport and health. The exercise scientist would take into account the effect of a change in a person's activity level on such factors as nutrition, the stress placed on body parts, the demand on the heart and lungs, chemical changes in body organs, and the psychological and social environment.

These principles may be applied to facilitate recovery from injury, to maximise performance or to generally increase the quality of life of the able and disabled individual within the person€™s work, sport and recreation environments.

Admission requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) is competitive. Most applicants are considered on the basis of the ATAR obtained in the New South Wales Higher School Certificate or equivalent, but about one third of students are admitted based on a tertiary record or through the Mature Age Entry Scheme.

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course will appeal to you if you have an enthusiasm for sport and physical activity and an interest in the biological and physical sciences from a human perspective. Although there are no subject requirements for entry into the course, students are assumed to possess knowledge equivalent to the study of chemistry and mathematics at HSC level. Students would benefit from having also studied physics, PDHPE and biology. Students who have not recently completed studies in chemistry and mathematics are strongly advised to attend bridging courses prior to commencing the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course. Bridging courses are also available in physics.

For further information on general admission requirements and details of bridging courses, visit http://sydney.edu.au/health_sciences

About the course

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the scientific aspects of exercise and sport science. Such an understanding requires the application and integration of the methods, theories and knowledge of a wide range of disciplines, including the biological sciences (anatomy, biochemistry and physiology), the physical sciences (chemistry, physics and mathematics) and the social sciences (psychology and sociology). Students follow a prescribed program of study with a total of 144 credit points, including a few elective units in Year 3. Formal teaching is mostly through lectures, tutorials and practical classes. Students engage in a wide range of additional learning activities, including studying textbooks and research articles, answering review questions, case studies and problems, completing investigative assignments and conducting projects. Such activities may be required to be completed individually or by working collaboratively with other students.

A distinguishing feature of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course is that students have frequent access to laboratory facilities and equipment. The course has a substantial integrated program of laboratory and practical work. Projects are undertaken at all stages of the course; often these projects enable skills and knowledge to be applied to a problem of interest to the individual student.

The most important goal of every university course is the development of the students capacity and enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Highly developed learning skills allow a graduate to adapt to the changing demands of their work environment, and a skilful learner is able to easily acquire the new skills, approaches and perspectives necessary for a successful transfer to a new career path. University courses also aim to develop the students generic skills, which are those skills that are applicable in many diverse situations. The Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course is based on a framework of systematic development of learning skills and generic skills. Particular attention is given to developing responsibility for learning, self-evaluation, problem solving, critical thinking and skills in computing and analysis, scientific writing and public speaking.

Course structure

Professional experience

Students will enrol in the unit of study Professional Practice in Semester 1, Year 3 in which they will complete a minimum of 140 hours of approved professional experience (practicum) by the end of Week 13, Semester 1, Year 3. The purpose of the professional field experience program is to apply theoretical knowledge to practice in a variety of community settings. The 140 hours of practical experience is also a requirement for membership of the professional body for Australian exercise scientists (Exercise and Sport Science Australia). Students will develop professional skills and competencies, and an appreciation of the responsibilities and commitments of the workplace.

Workload

In the Faculty of Health Sciences, one credit point requires approximately two hours of student effort per week over the semester. These hours include both class contact hours and time spent on study in the unit. A standard full-time student enrolled in units totalling 24 credit points in each semester has a total workload of approximately 48 hours per week.

Careers

A student who completes the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course will graduate as a scientist, with a wide range of theoretical knowledge, practical skills and expertise. The career paths followed by graduates are many and varied and depend mostly on the specific interests and aspirations of the individual. Broadly defined, the areas of employment entered by recent graduates include the sport industry, fitness industry, health industry, occupational health and safety, public health, rehabilitation, research and technology, education and medical insurance.

For graduates seeking further career development or professional accreditation, the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) course meets the prerequisite requirements for entry into postgraduate courses in Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Safety Science and Education.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) and accreditation as exercise scientists.

Honours

The honours program is an additional year of full-time study in which the student conducts a research project and writes a thesis under the supervision of a member of the academic staff. Admission is competitive and based on the student's marks across all units of study. The student must be eligible for the award of a pass degree, and be considered by the head of the academic unit to have the aptitude to conduct a research project.

Further information may be obtained from the program coordinator.

Exchange programs

Exercise and Sport Science students may participate in the University-wide exchange programs. These programs give students the opportunity to experience education in a different culture and environment. The exchange programs are open to undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of study and who have a credit grade average. For further information phone +61 2 9351 9161.

FHS Abroad

Students from the Faculty of Health Sciences have been working collaboratively on community projects in the developing world for more than 30 years, enriching their understanding of global health and making a lasting difference in communities worldwide.

Under an exciting new initiative called FHS Abroad, senior students across all undergraduate and graduate entry master€™s programs will now have the opportunity to take part in these experiences as part of their study program. For further information phone +61 2 9351 9161.

Course outline

The course outlines for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) at both pass and honours level are presented in Tables 2.1 and 2.1.1.

Table 2.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) Pass

Table 2.1.1: Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) Honours

Course rules