BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Module Title:  

Introduction to Sports Biomechanics   

Level:

4

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 Hours Total

Lectures (24 hrs)

Seminars (10 hours)

Practical Sessions (16 hours)

Self directed academic studies and refinement of practical skills: 150 hours

Rationale

A sound understanding of the forces and physical laws that govern human movement is fundamental to the scientific study of sport. Biomechanics focuses on three basic areas; the description of human movement, explaining human movement, and qualitatively analysing human movement in a range of sporting contexts.

Module Leader:

Kevin Charlton

Module Contributor(s):

Robert Ellis, Mandy Gault

Module Title:

Human Physiology and Biomeasurement

Level:

4

Credit Points:

40

Study Hours:

400

100 contact hours

300 self directed study hours

Rationale

A thorough understanding of human physiology, maintenance of homeostasis and how physiological parameters are measured are key aspects to the study of nutrition and human health.  In this module you will study the ways in which different organ systems contribute to homeostasis both from a theoretical and practical perspective. The module includes study of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, muscular, skeletal, renal and endocrine systems. Practicals will be used to develop laboratory skills and data analysis.

Excluded Combinations:

None

Module Leader:

Robert Ellis

Module Contributor(s):

Richard Farrar, Emma Rose, Kevin Charlton

Module Title:    

Biochemistry and Cell Biology for Nutrition and Exercise

Level:

4

Credit Points:

40

Study Hours:

400

100 contact hours including 25 practical lab work

300 self directed study hours

Rationale

This module is designed to provide a foundation on which to build further study within the sports and exercise science and nutrition and human health degree programmes. The module begins with fundamental biochemistry starting from basic atomic structure and bonding to then focus on the structure, function and metabolism of macromolecules, particularly those consumed in the diet and the relationship between nutritional intake, physical activity and health. The latter part of the module will consider aspects of cell biology such as the structure and function of eukaryotic cells and micro organisms, techniques for studying cells, cell growth and division, an introduction to mendelian genetics and transport of molecules across biomembranes. Students with differing levels of previous knowledge of chemistry and biology will be introduced to the range of chemical substances in food and processes taking place within the body at a molecular level.

Module Leader:

Val Mann

Module Contributor(s):

Emma Rose, Robert Ellis

Module Title:  

Introduction to Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing

Level:

4

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 Hours Total. Lectures (30 hours)

Practical sessions (10 hours). Seminars (10 hours)

Student self directed academic study (150 hours)

Rationale

It is well recognised that physical activity and structured exercise plays and important role in improving physiological and psychological health and well-being. In an attempt to reduce the prevalence of diseases and conditions associated with sedentary behaviour the government is promoting a health life style campaign. Consequently, physical activity and structured exercise is being used increasingly as a means of preventative treatment for a wide range of physical, physiological and psychological conditions. 

In this module you will examine the relationship between physical activity, health and psychological variables, while addressing both the theoretical and practical aspects of this relationship. The module is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to recognise the psychological benefits of exercise participation and effectively encourage physical activity participation across a wide range of population groups. In addition, the module will provide an indication of potential career opportunities in the field of health and fitness and health promotion.

Module Leader:

Mandy Gault

Module Contributor(s):

Kevin Charlton

Module Title:  

Exercise Metabolism

Level:

5

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 Hours Total. Lectures (20 hrs). Seminars (8 hours)

Practical Sessions (12 hours)

Self directed academic studies and refinement of practical skills: 160 hours

Rationale

The human body's ability to metabolise macronutrients is a major factor in controlling lifestyle diseases such as obesity epidemic and type-2 diabetes. 'Metabolic Training' or optimising exercise protocols based on metabolism is becoming important to improve health and exercise performance. This module provides students with a detailed understanding of the scientific principles, concepts and theories associated with the metabolism of nutrients during exercise. It focuses the students' understanding of exercise physiology and nutrition and links it to the metabolism. Furthermore, students will develop the analytical aspects of exercise metabolic testing and prescription necessary for the workplace.

Pre-requisites:

Biochemistry and Cell Biology for Nutrition and Health

Module Leader:

Kevin Charlton

Module Contributor(s):

Mandy Gault

Module Title:

Exercise Physiology

Level:

5

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 Hours Total. Lectures (24 hrs). Seminars (8 hours).

Practical Sessions (8 hours)

Self directed academic studies and refinement of practical skills: 160 hours

Rationale

This module relates the human physiology knowledge gained at level 4 to a more focused and in depth knowledge of the specific aspects of human physiology related to sport. Students will develop an understanding of adaptations of the various human body systems to exercise and training.

Pre-requisites:

Human Physiology and Biomeasurement

Module Leader:

Mandy Gault

Module Contributor(s):

Kevin Charlton

Module Title:   

Physical Conditioning and Functional Assessment

Level:

5

Credit Points:

40

Study Hours:

400 Hours Total. Lectures (24 hours). Practical sessions (40 hours)

Seminars (16 hours). Student self directed academic study and refinement of practical skills (320 hours)

Rationale

Preparing athletes to deliver optimal performance in competition and the maintenance of health and fitness in the general population are topics which are receiving increased focus in the applied sport and exercise science domain, primarily due to London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics and the governments new fitness campaign. As a consequence research in the area of physical conditioning has increased dramatically over the last 5 – 10 years. The research includes studies examining the basic nature of muscle force production, applied research with a focus on sports performance, injury prevention and rehabilitation as well as conditioning for paediatric and elderly populations.

This module is designed to emphasis and explain to students the main theoretical concepts and practical principles that underlie both physical conditioning and the assessment tools used to measure and monitor health and fitness. The module will explore the physiological demands of, and the limiting factors for, performance in a variety of health and sport related activities as well as developing practical skills related to physical conditioning. The students will gain valuable experience in the use of physiological assessment equipment used in the Health and Sport and Exercise science industry and will develop skills and competencies associated with a range of physiological tests. Students will be able to apply the knowledge gained from this module by conducting general fitness assessments on pre screened healthy clients as would be expected in the work place. Students will study the science and rationale behind the tests. In addition students will research the validity and reliability of the tests in order to be able to select and apply them appropriately.   This module also assists students in the development of their interpersonal communication and professional skills, and will educate them with due regard to matters in health and safety.

Pre-requisites:

Human Physiology and Biomeasurement

Module Leader:

Kevin Charlton

Module Contributor(s):

Module Title:   

Work-based Experience (Optional)

Level:

5

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 total student hours comprised of 100 hours work experience. 10 hours e-learning, 10 hours seminars and tutorials, 80 hours self directed learning

Rationale

This module has been conceived to provide students with the opportunity to enhance their employability skills and experience through undertaking a 100 hour period of work-based experience in a field related to their degree programme. This will enable students to develop work related skills; enhance and apply the knowledge and skills gained during their studies to the workplace, and reflect on their career and personal development. Additionally, students can continue to develop their graduate key skills including problem solving, communication and working with others, within the work environment. This module can also be undertaken by students who are already in relevant employment, thereby enhancing their career development. The choice and nature of work placement will be carefully negotiated between student, work place provider and module leader to ensure that the learning opportunities are appropriate and of sufficient rigour for a level 5 undergraduate degree programme. Consequently, the work experience would involve activities where students can be given (supervised) responsibility for a task and to be able to exercise a degree of decision making and personal responsibility.

Module Leader:

Richard Farrar

Module Title:   

Research Methods and Statistics

Level:

5

Credit Points:

40

Study Hours:

400 Hours total. 80 contact hours. 320 self directed study hours

Rationale

Effective scientists need to understand how experimentation and numerical analysis of data drives science forward via the process of attempted falsification and ho this is communicated. This module prepares students for further study and employment by providing an understanding of what science is and how it works; it also prepares them for the Dissertation module at Level 6. It introduces students to the principles of scientific research and the planning and design of experiments. Students will learn about literature searching and the preparation of papers for publication and/or oral presentation to the scientific community. It will enable students to understand, interpret and apply most of the statistical techniques that they will see in published articles and allow them to emulate such analysis in their own work. Students will also study the detailed aspects of research design by planning their level 6 dissertation.

Pre-requisites:

Human Physiology and Biomeasurement

Module Leader:

Robert Ellis

Module Contributor(s)

Module Title:  

Strength and Conditioning for Health and Sports Performance

Level:

6

Credit Points:

40

Study Hours:

400 Hours Total

Lectures (40 hours)

Seminars (12 hours)

Practical sessions (28 hours)

Student self directed academic study and refinement of practical skill (320 hours)

Rationale

Achieving success in competitive sport requires an athlete to master a series of complex skills, have intricate tactical knowledge of their sporting discipline and a psychological disposition that enables them to cope with the rigours of competition and training. To complement these qualities the athlete must be at the peak of their physical fitness. Preparing athletes to compete at their optimal physiological state is a complex task and increasingly, physical preparation of athletes is being designed and implemented by specialist Strength and Conditioning coaches. Equally, physical inactivity and its associated lifestyle diseases are one of the current challenges for sport and health practitioners. The impact of a sedentary lifestyle varies depending on the specific population. For example, loss of functional strength can lead to a loss of dependence in the elderly population. Physical inactivity in the female and paediatric population can lead to a myriad of health problems, including diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, osteoporosis and several types of cancer. Research shows that exercise can help to ameliorate the effects of these life threatening diseases and reduce prevalence of them in the wider population.

This module is designed to provide the students with a detailed understanding of the scientific principles, concepts, theories and practice associated with Strength and Conditioning across a range of subject groups. Students will relate their experience and knowledge gained from level 4 and 5 modules to specific populations. In addition, students will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to enable them to embark on the UK Strength and Conditioning Association accreditation process.

Pre-requisites:

Physical Conditioning and Functional Assessment

Exercise Physiology

Module Leader:

Kevin Charlton

Module Contributor(s):

Mandy Gault

Module Title: 

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Science

Level:

6

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 Hours Total

Lectures (8 hrs)

Seminars (20 hours)

Practical Sessions (12 hours)

Self directed academic studies and refinement of practical skills: 160 hours

Rationale

In line with reflecting recent advances in sport and exercise science students will be expected to bring information gained during the course of their degree and from their own research for this module in order to construct reasoned debate on current contemporary issues concerning sport, health, and exercise science. This module assists students to develop their interpersonal communication, enhance their mechanisms for employability in the sport science field, and enhance their analytical and research skills.

Module Leader:

Mandy Gault

Module Contributor(s):

Module Title: 

Exercise in Extreme Environments

Level:

6

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 Hour Total. Lectures (20 hours). Seminars (14 hours)

Practical sessions (6 hours). Student self directed academic study (160 hours)

Rationale

Physical activity and strenuous exercise undertaken in challenging environmental conditions can impose profound stresses on physiological and psychological function. This module will consider physical activity and exercise in some of the more extreme environments and discuss how humans survive and adapt to their surroundings and minimise or maximise the effects of the stresses imposed on them. The module will focus on activities undertaken in hot and cold environments, hyperbaric and hypobaric environments and physical activity and exercise in a micro-gravity environment. In addition the module will examine the combined effects of the environmental stressors.

Pre-requisites:

Exercise Physiology

Module Leader:

Kevin Charlton

Module Contributor(s):

Module Title:  

Independent Study (Optional)

Level:

6

Credit Points:

20

Study Hours:

200 total student learning hours

10 hours tutorials and workshops; 190 independent learning hours

Rationale

This module has been developed with the understanding that a number of students may develop careers which involve communicating their subject to a wider audience, for example in an educational or advisory setting. As such this module is particularly suitable for those students wishing to pursue a career in science education, or a career which may involve translating complex scientific information and communicating it to a wider audience, for example nutritional advice.

The module thus enables you to gain an in-depth knowledge of an advanced research topic and to organise, analyse and evaluate that topic through a literature review. The outcomes from the literature review will then be used to produce a communication or education piece which demonstrates an ability to simplify and communicate complex scientific information, and has utility for a named client group.

Module Leader:

Richard Farrar

Module Title:

Dissertation

Level:

6

Credit Points:

40

Study Hours:

400

10 Supervisor hours

10 Group tutorial hours

380 Practical and self directed study hours

Pre-requisites:

Research Methods and Statistics

Rationale

The dissertation will provide an opportunity for individuals to develop an area of scientific interest arising from either course-based or work-based experience. The focus of the dissertation will be a research-based study, central to which will be some form of hypothesis testing or problem solving. It will enable students to utilise practical, intellectual and decision making skills in novel situations. The dissertation will provide a mechanism for the development of autonomy and self direction whilst undertaking a problem solving approach to a research topic.

Module Leader:

Robert Ellis

Module Contributor(s):

Team (Supervisors)