Bachelor Sport & Exercise Science

Knowledge
By the end of this course, students are expected to demonstrate advanced knowledge in the field of Sport and Exercise Science involving a critical understanding of the theories and principles underpinning the course. Knowledge gained will entail:

• Evaluation of a wide range of theories and conceptual frameworks from the major disciplines relevant to sport and exercise science;
• Analysis general sport and exercise science related areas of study as well as the more specialised and contemporary issues including coaching, leadership, innovation, ethics, diversity and globalisation;
• Explanation of how human bodies adapt to stress and applying the knowledge to train humans for different goals;
• Assessing the impact of the external environment (national and international) in the context of sport and exercise science, including economic, ethical, legal, political, sociological and technological influences;
• Analysis of contemporary sport and exercise science issues and formulate solutions to identified problems in a clear and coherent research plan.

Skills
Students are expected to acquire advanced skills demonstrating mastery and innovation required to solve complex and unpredictable problems in the field of sport science. Skills acquisition include:

• Produce and analyse appropriate information from a variety of sources. Specifically, to use IT to access sources of information and to work with discipline based software programmes;
• Conduct sport scientific analysis using a variety of theoretical tools;
• Search, handle and interpret relevant information in the analysis of the movement and performance of humans;
• Communicate complex ideas and analysis through written and oral expositions;
• Design, plan organise and deliver an individual research project and demonstrate knowledge of appropriate sport and exercise science research methodology;
• Critically apply knowledge to comment on and evaluate real world sport-related scenarios;
• Gain real world sport experience and apply developed skills for the purpose of future career planning.
• Communicate ideas, principles, theories and information effectively by oral, written and visual means;
• Develop personal skills including skills in study, problem-solving, working with others, independent learning, self-awareness, self-management, self-presentation and decision-making;
• Interpret and critically analyse sport and exercise science problems in order to produce solutions which demonstrate an evaluation of the impact of ethical issues and cultural diversity;
• Evaluate the appropriateness of data for alternate purposes and handle complex data with ease;
• Demonstrate development of personal and professional skills relevant for career and personal development planning.

Competencies
By the end of the course students will be able to:

• manage complex professional activities or projects;
• take responsibility for decision-making in unpredictable work or study contexts;
• take responsibility for managing professional development of individuals and groups.

Sport and exercise science pursues to improve and maintain performance, promote health and connect people all over the world. The course is an introduction to theories and principles of sport and exercise science. It seeks to enable participants to understand and appreciate the role of sport science in modern times for performance and health through assessing the different disciplines of sport science.

Assessment: Group Work (60%), Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

This module is an introduction to the human anatomy and its function for human movement and exercise. The module represents the foundation for analysing human movements and its relevance for exercise, training and injuries. Examples in sport and exercise used to integrate structure and function of tissues and organ systems of the human body (musculoskeletal, neuroanatomy, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, reproductive) are used to be reflected.

Assessment: Oral examination based on key criteria and relevant concepts, (1 hour)

This module is an introduction to the human systems physiology and its function of the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, blood, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, urinary and reproductive systems. Students will explore the functions of the various organ systems and their response to sport and exercise.

Assessment: Written examination based on key criteria and relevant concepts, within 3 hours

The course provides a critical overview of the nature and influence of sport in society and the intersection of sport with the fields of science, health, education, politics and the economy. The cultural, psychological, political and economic impacts of sport on society. Sport will be explored as a social practice and institution that impacts health, educational achievement, diversity, national identity and the economy.

Assessment: Group Work (60%), Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

Current demands of the world of sport has made it critical for teams, clubs, associations and companies to analyse huge sums of data and further make decisions based on them. What this implies is that students would need not just to appreciate the relevance of big data to organizations but to also practically received a hands-on training in that regard.

This course is designed to equip students with the necessary skills in quantitative data analysis in the field of sport and statistics. This course is designed to enable students develop their analytical prowess and analyse complex situations using figures.

Assessment: Research Paper (100%) – Research on relevant methods and cases a 3000 to 5000 words report is required

The module provides an introduction to the discipline of human motor behaviour consisting of motor control, learning and development. It introduces students to the sensory-cognitive processes that underlie human movement, characteristics and principles of motor learning and control and how different factors influence learning, control and performance with a focus on sport application. The processes of skill acquisition and the systems and functions of human movement will be discussed.

Assessment: Oral examination based on key criteria and relevant concepts, (1 hour)

This course will enable students to develop knowledge and skills about principles in athletic training required to plan and implement exercise programs for health and performance reasons for individuals within selected special populations or sports. Exercise programs will be outlined and the opportunity provided to develop practical skills in leading and supervising activities in a range of exercise environments. Research information relevant to latest developments and trends in athletic training will be investigated. Risk assessment and safety aspects will be outlined.

Assessment: Project Paper (100%) 3000 – 5000 words

Humans respond differently acute and chronic to exercise. The module discusses the within and between difference, effects of different types of exercise and environments, effects on health and methods of analysing responses, limitations and effects for health and performance. Furthermore students will learn the application of physiological and biochemical principles to understand how muscle metabolism, whole body energetics and physiological systems are impacted by exercise so that performance and health can be altered. The knowledge, skills and competences envisaged in this module will provided through physical and digital laboratory-based sessions that will allow the learner to fully understand the core principles of physiology.

Assessment: Project Report (100%) 3000 – 500 words

Psychology plays a major role for performance and health. This modules aims at providing learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and competences on specific influences of psychological variables and how this affect participation and performance in sport and the influence of it on psychological characteristics of participants

Assessment: Learning portfolio with evidence: The portfolio (3500 words)-75%, Presentation-25%

Communication is considered as a key factors in determining several organizational outcomes. Right from how a vision is communicated, how plans are decided on and how employees are motivated, communication plays a very key role. The purpose of this module is to equip students with the required communication skills and competence to carefully understand how several cues affects overall corporate presentations. In addition, this module shall provide the learners with the necessary knowledge skills and competences to deal client-practitioner and customer relationship matters.

Assessment: Project Paper (60%) 3000 – 3500 words, Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

Biomechanics focus on how people move, what happens when movement goes wrong, and how injuries impact human movement. The module will discuss mechanical principles and analytical techniques that can be applied to understand human structure and function. To examine these issues, the modules anatomy for sport and exercise, physiology for sport and exercise and human motor behavior serve as prerequisites. The latter are all compulsory modules which the student must successfully obtain a pass prior to follow this module

The results from biomechanical research can then be applied to other fields of sport and exercise science such as coaching and exercise planning, strength and conditioning and rehabilitation.

Assessment: Oral examination based on key criteria and relevant concepts, (1 hour)

This module aims at providing the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills and competence required to deal with neurophysiological processes and functional neuroanatomical components involved in the sensory and motor control of movement, posture and balance in the human. Students will discuss the muscle functions (and disfunctions) to generate movement, neural processing and sensory coding through peripheral receptors, integration at the spinal cord via reflexes and sensorimotor functions at the level of the brainstem and brain.

Assessment: Research Report (100%) on relevant projects and cases, A 3000 – 5000 words report is required.

This module, which aims at providing the learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and competences on nutrition and how this supports and limits performance and health, draws on the outcomes of the module entitled Exercise Energetics and Physiology and gives a progressive learning structure to the objectives of this unit. This module introduces the fundamentals of sports nutrition and develops an understanding of the nutritional requirements and issues involved in a variety of sport and exercise settings.

Assessment: Research Paper (100%) – Research on relevant methods and cases a 3000 to 5000 words report is required

The module enables students to undertake an appropriate period of Experiential Learning, related to their course at level 6. The core objectives of this course aim to systematically guide the students in obtaining specific skills by reflecting on the outcomes and processes of hands-on activities. The elements of (i) exploration [of a situation in specific field of study]; (ii) transferability [of theoretical knowledge into practice]; and (iii) problem-solving [which contributes towards a particular sector].  This activity may take various forms; however it should centre around a personal individual project such as: starting a blog related to a sports and exercise science topic, developing an app, develop a start-up strategy, or creating smart spreadsheets or a catalogue which will contribute to the industry/sector in  question. The personal project will allow the learner to ‘test the waters’ of the professional work environment in the sport and exercise sector and contribute towards the learners’ choice in identifying his/her professional path.

Assessment: Learning portfolio with evidence: The portfolio (3500 words)-75%, Presentation-25%

This module is an examination of the scientific bases for coaching and training athletes and clients in sport and exercise. In deconstructing the process of sports coaching, the module emphasizes philosophical underpinnings and theoretical foundations in the psychological, physiological, pedagogical, and managerial bases of sport coaching.

Assessment: Group Work (60%), Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

This module provides knowledge and skills in relation to the type, care and use of performance analysis in individual sports. It provides the opportunity to conduct a range of assessments, record and analyse results and report the findings.

The module will also outline the interaction of theoretical and practical aspects related to exercise and sport assessment and the role of research from various disciplines. The module uses a mixed analytical approach, using qualitative and quantitative methods, to evaluating and improving individual performance in sport and exercise.

Assessment: Group Work (60%), Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

This module provides knowledge and skills in relation to the type, care and use of performance analysis in team sports. It provides the opportunity to conduct a range of assessments, record and analyse results and report the findings.

The course will also outline the interaction of theoretical and practical aspects related to exercise and sport assessment and the role of research from various disciplines. The module uses a mixed analytical approach, using qualitative and quantitative methods, to evaluating and improving individual performance in sport and exercise.

Assessment: Group Work (60%), Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

The module enables students to undertake an appropriate period of Experiential Learning, related to their course at level 6. The core objectives of this course aim to systematically guide the students in obtaining specific skills by reflecting on the outcomes and processes of hands-on activities. The elements of (i) exploration [of a situation in specific field of study]; (ii) transferability [of theoretical knowledge into practice]; and (iii) problem-solving [which contributes towards a particular sector].  This activity may take various forms; however it should centre around a personal individual project such as: starting a blog related to a sports and exercise science topic, developing an app, develop a start-up strategy, or creating smart spreadsheets or a catalogue which will contribute to the industry/sector in  question. The personal project will allow the learner to ‘test the waters’ of the professional work environment in the sport and exercise sector and contribute towards the learners’ choice in identifying his/her professional path.

Assessment: Learning portfolio with evidence: The portfolio (3500 words)-75%, Presentation-25%

Everyday life displays some rich dynamics within which we try to think things through to logical conclusions; determine the value of claims and thoughtfully construct arguments to present to others in a variety of conversational situations.

This course provides instruction and practice in written inquiry and critical thinking. It introduces writing as a way of developing, exploring, and testing ideas. The course also orients students to informational literacy, and writing technologies.

Class discussion focuses on the central role of rhetorical positioning in the development of a clear, interesting, and rigorous science research paper. An important course goal is the refinement of students’ skills as critical readers so that they are able to offer explicit and useful feedback to colleagues and co- writers.

Assessment: Research Paper (100%) – Research on relevant organisational projects and cases/6000 to 8500 words report is required

Sport Psychology

1. Social & Personality Psychology
The module addresses responsiveness of individuals to various sources and forms of social influence. Students will discuss the major study areas including persuasion, conformity, obedience, prejudice, attitude formation and change, social behavior, altruism, aggression and the influence of the mass media.
In contrast to that, the study of psychological characteristics of the individual that endure in stable form for substantial periods of time examines influential theories of personality and supporting research.
Assessment: Project Paper (60%) 3000 – 3500 words, Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

2. Cognitive Psychology
The study of psychological functioning in the area of sport and exercise science is largely uninfluenced by individual differences in personality or motivation. This encompasses the areas of attention, pattern recognition and other perceptual achievements, memory, problem solving, categorization and concept formation, language acquisition and use, textual interpretation and decision making.
Assessment: Oral examination based on key criteria and relevant concepts, (1 hour)

3. Applied Sport Psychology
This module examines the application of psychological theories and research to sports and exercise behaviors. The students will explore case studies from a variety of sports to develop a set of psychological skills that can be applied across sports.
Assessment: Project Report (100%) on relevant organisational projects

Athletic Conditioning & Rehabilitation

1. Strength & Conditioning
The module addresses evidence-based practice for sport-specific conditioning to reduce the risk of injury and improve performance in athlete populations. Students will learn classic methods of strength and conditioning for different sports and performance levels.
Assessment: Project Report (100%) on relevant organisational projects

2. Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Effective rehabilitation post injury is vital for long-term athlete well-being and performance. The initial phases of injury rehabilitation are the responsibility of the physiotherapist while the later phases for return to play are managed by a strength and conditioning coach.
Performance gaps left by ineffective post-injury conditioning may result in career-limiting recurrent injuries. For the athlete’s safe return to sport, the rehabilitation team must work together to bridge the rehabilitation-conditioning-performance gap. Students will examine athletic conditioning for rehabilitation and optimal return to play results utilising principles of motor control, physiology and biomechanics.
Assessment: Research Paper (60%) 3000 – 3500 words, Presentation 15 Mins (40%)

3. Planning Sport & Exercise Programs
Students learn to use information obtained from sport profile and gap analysis to plan and design high performance programs to enable athlete progression related to athlete pathway. The module focuses on quadrennial, annual, meso- and micro-cycle planning to integrate key factors that will impact athlete performance and progression.
Assessment: Project Report (100%) with 3000 – 5000 words

Nutrition

1. Biochemistry for Nutrition
Biochemistry describes life by applying the molecular approach of chemistry to the study of biological molecules. In this module students will explore the molecular basis of disease, generating insights into how disease can be managed and treated. Biochemistry occupies a central place in the life sciences.
Assessment: Oral examination based on key criteria and relevant concepts, (1 hour)

2. Nutrition for Health & Performance
This module discusses the influence of nutrition on health and performance involved in a variety of sport and exercise settings.
Assessment: Group Work (100%)

3. Nutritional assessment
In this module students will learn principles and methods used in nutritional assessment. The students will gain an overview of dietary, biochemical and anthropometric assessment as well as foods and food patterns for application in sport and exercise.
Assessment: Research Paper (100%) with 3000 – 5000 words

Fitness Studies

1. Foundations of Fitness Leadership
This module focuses on the foundations of fitness leadership for coaching and training client. In deconstructing the process of sports coaching, the module emphasizes philosophical underpinnings and theoretical foundations in the psychological, physiological, pedagogical, and managerial bases of fitness coaching.
Assessment: Research Paper (100%) with 5000 words

2. Diagnostics, Intervention & Evaluation in Fitness
In order to improve and maintain performance, professionals in fitness need to conduct diagnostics, implement interventions and evaluate the results.  In this course students will discuss various methods and tools to analyse performance, plan and execute interventions as well as perform evaluations adapted for the audience.
Assessment: Project Report (100%)

3. Effective Fitness Coaching
This module examines the relationship between fitness and coaching intervention strategies to ensure enhanced development and skill acquisition for clients. Examine structure and function of practice and feedback strategies to enable a resilient and self-regulated client capable of creating podium performance.
Assessment: Group Work (60%), Presentation (40%)

Research methods enables individuals to appreciate the world we find ourselves in by understanding situations and how they come by. This module has been developed to equip students with advanced practical research skills, develop their quantitative and qualitative analytical skills as well as appreciate the role of theory in our modern world.

The module is also designed to enable students determine how hypotheses are formed and how proper data collection affects the findings of a particular project.

Assessment: Project Report (100%) on relevant organisational projects and cases with 3000 – 5000 words

The module is framed in terms of a dissertation. The student undertakes an enquiry into a topic of his or her own choice and, based on this enquiry, develops an extended critical study. The module involves individual supervision designed to support the student’s ambitions and confidence in becoming an independent learner, building on techniques and knowledge developed in previous years, and providing scope for initiative and development. The dissertation demonstrates the student’s ability to thoroughly research a topic, use appropriate methods of investigation, and work methodically and productively.

The subject matter of the dissertation can be practical, theoretical, technical, or historical, should be closely related to the student’s main field of study and be complimentary to their practice. In case the student creates a practical work, it should be brought into academic scientific context which is further elaborated in the written assessment. The dissertation may be professionally oriented and include field-work; or it might be academic and theoretical in its source material and methodology. Its form and approach can reflect a broad range of discipline-specific approaches based on discussion and agreement with the supervisor and/or course leader.

Assessment: Part draft dissertation (Presentation) 15 min./ dissertation with a minimum of 15,000 words