BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Our BASES accredited sport and exercise science degree provides an opportunity to study a wide range of topics including human anatomy, exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology, biomechanics, environmental physiology, strength and conditioning, physical activity and health, fitness assessment and sports nutrition. Students can also gain REPs qualifications within their first year of study, at no additional charge.

Year One: Sport and Exercise Science Degree

Exercise Physiology I - 20 credits 

This module aims to familiarise the student with the language of anatomy and to specifically establish their knowledge and understanding of human musculo-skeletal anatomy, as an underpinning subject of exercise physiology and biomechanics.

Nutrition for Health and Exercise - 20 credits - George Rose

This module introduces students to the importance of diet for a healthy lifestyle, methods by which diets can be analysed and the principles of metabolism.

Exercise Prescription - 20 credits - Thomas Owens

This module will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills to plan, prepare, instruct and evaluate gym-based exercise programmes for a variety of different healthy populations. Completion of this module largely contributes to the award of the Chartered Institute Management and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer qualifications.

Measurement and Evaluation of Human Performance - 20 credits - Adnan Haq

This module aims to introduce the student to the areas of measurement, data retrieval, analysis and interpretation, health and fitness assessment, and exercise prescription.

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology - 20 credits - Lee Baldock

The module will introduce the following key areas of sport psychology such as: personality and individual differences; stress, anxiety and performance; group dynamics and team cohesion; motivation and goal setting; psychology of motor learning and control; self confidence in sport; concentration and attentional focus; exercise psychology.

Introduction to Sports Coaching - 20 credits - Andrew Thomas

This module aims to provide the student with the fundamental knowledge and skills to deliver safe and effective sports coaching sessions.

Year Two: Sport and Exercise Science Degree

Exercise Physiology II - 20 credits - Adnan Haq

This module aims to introduce the student to the function, regulation and integration of the main physiological systems during sport and exercise and to many of the key concepts encountered in exercise physiology. In addition, this module aims to provide the student with further experience of laboratory exercise testing and core laboratory skills.

>> Click here to watch a video showcasing The USW Exercise Physiology Lab

Sports Nutrition - 20 credits - George Rose

This module aims to provide the student with an appreciation of how nutritional interventions influence sport and exercise performance, especially the use and purported benefits of selected dietary manipulations. It will also consider the side-effects and possible detrimental consequences of nutritional interventions with reference to current ethical and practical guidelines on usage.

Sports Injuries and Biomechanics - 20 credits

The aims of this module are to introduce the student to the principles of physics that are necessary for the study and understanding of biomechanics in the context of sport and exercise, and to enable the students to solve simple biomechanical problems concerning linear motion of rigid bodies and fluid mechanics.

Exercise for Special Populations - 20 credits

This module will provide the student with an understanding of the physiological and medical issues associated with access to physical activity among special populations. The student will learn to design and evaluate appropriate exercise programmes that are suitable for individual needs among a diverse range of special population groups.

Research Methods - 20 credits - George Rose

This will build on the student’s understanding of research methods and broaden and deepen your appreciation of the range of approaches to research using research for both qualitative and quantitative methods. It will also provide an opportunity for students’ to develop a research proposal in preparation for their Year 3 Dissertation module.

Sport and Exercise Psychology - 20 credits - Lee Baldock

To encourage and enhance critical understanding and ethical application of psychological theories, concepts and constructs within exercise and physical activity contexts, such as theories of exercise and behaviour change; stress management techniques.

Rehabilitation of Sports and Exercise Injuries – 20 credits (option) -Kate Louise Williams

This module will develop a student’s knowledge and understanding of the early and intermediate rehabilitation of common musculoskeletal injuries and illness sustained in the sports and exercise environment, such as; tissue mechanics and stress-strain curves; exercise selection and prescription.

Sport Placement- 20 credits

Students will be provided with the opportunity to conduct their work-related experience within a number of key vocational areas related to the sports industry.

Year Three: Sport and Exercise Science Degree

Dissertation - 20 credits

This will enable the student to design and conduct an independent study and to be able to critically evaluate scientific data and literature.

Applied Professional Practice - 40 credits - Chris Emsley

This module aims to provide the student with a platform upon which they can enhance the effectiveness of their workplace experience and develop their vocational skills.

Exercise Physiology III - 20 credits

This module will consider the relationship between exercise and selected areas of the cardiovascular system. It will also allow you to develop an understanding of specific measurements in cardiovascular physiology and become competent in the performance of these measurements.

Muscle Function and Biomechanics - 20 credits 

The module will incorporate: Newton’s laws of motion with respect to angular kinematics and kinetics; the mechanics and energetics of walking and running. Furthermore, students will develop technical competence and analytical skills using Quintic Biomechanics software.

Environmental Physiology - 20 credits 

This module will consider the physiological responses to a range of different environments (warm, cold, high-altitude and underwater) using our state-of-the-art environmental chamber and what effect these environments have on the body’s response to exercise and exercise performance.

Advanced Sport and Rehabilitation – 20 credits- Kate Louise Williams

This module will allow the student to develop an array of massage techniques and understand how to appropriately record and effectively implement these skills when applying various treatment strategies.

Strength and Conditioning - 20 credits - Morgan Williams

The module will provide students with the underpinning scientific knowledge required to deliver effective strength and conditioning programs.

Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology in Sport - 20 credits (optional) - Lee Baldock

This module will provide detailed and critical overview of factors that impact the delivery of applied sport and exercise psychology support. The module is specifically designed to give students an understanding of the processes involved in working as an applied sport psychologist. The module will explore current issues in applied practice whilst working with elite athletes and athletes at various stages of their development.

Our sport and exercise science degree is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory practicals in our excellent facilities at our Glyntaff campus. Independent learning is also encouraged.

The amount of time spent in formal teaching will vary each year of study due to differences in modules, laboratory sessions, work placements and dissertation/project work in your final year. The average lecture contact time per year is as follows:

• Year One: 12 hours contact time (18 hours of independent study per week)
• Year Two: 12-15 hours (24 hours independent study per week)
• Year Three: 12 hours (24 hours independent study and 7-14 hours of placement per week – depending on module choices).

Much of the contact in years two and three, includes a great deal of time spent in laboratories so that you become proficient in administering exercise stress tests, measuring various health indices and physiological parameters in order to collect, interpret and analyse reliable data.

The sport and exercise science course is delivered over an academic year for 24 weeks from September to May. You will study six 20 credit modules in year one and two. In the final year you will study one 40 credit module (dissertation) and four 20 credit modules.The course tends to be delivered over four days, with Wednesdays specifically ‘free’ for BUCS University Sport competitions.

Your studies will be underpinned by the latest research undertaken by the University’s Sport, Health and Exercise Science Research Group which collaborates locally, nationally and internationally with partners from industry and academia to provide world-leading knowledge and impact. For you, this means you will be taught by academics who are at the forefront of their specialist field.

You will be assessed using a range of methods that include: written assignments, examinations, presentations, scientific lab reports and practical laboratory testing and analysis of data.