Sport and Exercise Science
BSc (Hons)

Introduction to Research (Core)

This module will introduce you to fundamental issues in research methods and design. It will cover basic data handling and manipulation skills within quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Physiology of Exercise (Core)

This module introduces you to fundamental principles underlying exercise physiology, focusing on the structure and function of physiological systems. You should be able to identify key physiological responses to exercise within theoretical frameworks and concepts, and you should also be able to assess and record physiological responses to exercise using newly learnt laboratory techniques to further your understanding and present your findings within pre-defined criteria associated with the study of exercise physiology.

Introduction to Sport Psychology and Skill Acquisition (Core)

This module aims to introduce key theoretical and applied concepts in sport psychology and skill acquisition.

Basic Biomechanics (Core)

The module will provide you with knowledge of basic biomechanical principles and experience of collecting, analysing, and interpreting data. The module will involve a series of lectures to identify and explain the key principles of biomechanics, and associated smaller group laboratory or seminar classes to allow you to further explore and understand these topics. Laboratory classes will provide you with hands-on experience of biomechanical data collection, particularly collection and analysis of force data.

Sport Performance (Core)

This module aims to introduce you to a variety of sporting activities as a context for understanding how sport science disciplines can contribute to successful performance.

Sport, Culture and Society (Core)

This module introduces you to the social and cultural context of sport - from participation through to performance.

We consider how issues associated with gender, social class, race and ethnicity, among others, can influence involvement and performance on the individual to wider structural levels. We assess this module through group work and an essay.

Research Methods (Core)

This module is designed to introduce you to fundamental issues in research methods and design. The module will allow you to engage in the interpretation and critical evaluation of existing research in sport science. It also aims to increase your understanding of the purpose and production of a scientific review of literature.

Physiology of Training (Core)

This module will enable you to develop an integrated approach in the physiological aspects of training. This includes developing sound theoretical knowledge and practical skills to understand the physiological responses to training and how these can be manipulated to maximise performance. You will also begin to develop the ability to assess determinants and limitations of performance from an integrated and mechanistic viewpoint.

Social Psychology of Sport (Core)

This module aims to critically examine the impact of interpersonal and intra and inter group contexts on the experience of sport and sports performance. The module more specifically, aims to explore the impacts of others (e.g. opponents, crowd) on the psychology of sports performance and the understanding of a range of factors influencing the effective functioning of sport groups.

Sports Biomechanics (Core)

Module description coming soon.

Science in Practice (Core)

This module will enable you to understand the mechanics and physiology of training in the context of specific types of sport.

Through a series of lectures, seminar discussions and practical sessions, you will address the specific needs of sports performers and subsequently analyse the science and evidence which underpin different approaches to training. 

You will also gain an awareness of a number of ergogenic aids and how they may potentially improve the performance of different types of athlete.

Sport, Power and Deviance (Optional)

This module is designed to develop your understanding of sport as a context for deviant behaviour both on and off the field.

Theories in Sport Sociology (Optional)

This module is designed to develop your understanding of sociological theories and their application to sporting issues. 

Skill Acquisition I (Optional)

This module is designed to provide an understanding of how skills are acquired and what practitioners can do to expedite the learning process. Key evidence-based methods for enhancing skill acquisition will be covered alongside theoretical explanations of key research findings. You will have opportunities to put these methods into practice.

Notational Analysis (Optional)

The module aims to introduce the fundamental concepts of objective analysis of sports and coaching performance. The module will provide a foundation and awareness of the variety of uses and types of notational analyses. In addition, you will develop an understanding of sport-specific coaching preparation processes based on the analysis of a variety of sports.

Muscle Physiology (Optional)

The aim of the module is to understand detailed information of the structure and function of human skeletal muscle and its associated physiological processes. This includes developing an understanding of the molecular responses and adaptations to different forms of exercise. You will begin to develop a greater understanding of skeletal muscle and its responses to exercise from an integrated and mechanistic viewpoint.

Contributing to the Community (Optional)

As local employers and suppliers of services, businesses are an integral part of any community or society. On this module, students with business or management ambitions will develop an appreciation of social issues and concerns. This module provides you with practical work experience in a community-focused service, such as a charity, social or education service. You will develop your societal awareness and gain a greater understanding of local-level organisations. The placement acts as a case study for you to explore issues of social justice and community action. The module also helps to develop your employability skills through the process of self-reflection and evaluation and by applying theory to practice.

Experience and Employment in Education (Optional)

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to experience the workplace and to develop skills and knowledge in a relevant discipline. The module will help prepare you for the workplace by raising awareness of workplace issues within the education sector, encouraging you to reflect on the development of your professional practice.

It will also help you to define and then develop the specific work-related skills that you need in order to become more employable. You will be encouraged to share experience in order to encourage learning and to help you articulate your strengths.

Experience and Employment in Business (Optional)

This module will give you the opportunity to analyse and reflect on your own core competencies, personal qualities and areas for development using in-depth psychometric testing. Having undertaken these tests, you will identify and explore key areas for development within the context of your future career aspirations.

The module incorporates a period of work experience which will enable you to focus on both the practical application and development of your key skills, whilst simultaneously exploring and defining the corporate culture of your workplace to enable you to define your own cultural fit. The combination of psychometric testing, reflection and analysis of the workplace will culminate in the production of a focussed career action plan.

Experience and Employment in Sport (Optional)

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to experience the workplace and to develop skills and knowledge in relation to working within the sport sector.

The module will help prepare you for the workplace by raising awareness of workplace issues, and encouraging you to reflect on your own personal and professional development. It will also help you to define and then develop the specific work-related skills that you need in order to become more employable in a sporting field. You will be encouraged to share experience in order to encourage learning and to help you articulate your strengths.

Ergogenic Aids in Sport (Optional)

This module aims to develop a critical awareness of the ergogenic affects of legal and illegal substances on sports performance through the physiological processes that underpin sport and exercise. 

Science in Practice (Optional)

This module will enable you to understand the mechanics and physiology of training in the context of specific types of sport.

Through a series of lectures, seminar discussions and practical sessions, you will address the specific needs of sports performers and subsequently analyse the science and evidence which underpin different approaches to training. 

You will also gain an awareness of a number of ergogenic aids and how they may potentially improve the performance of different types of athlete.

Research Project (Core)

This module aims to give you the opportunity to utilise and further develop skills you have gained at Levels 4 and 5 (years one and two) by carrying out an independent piece of research within your chosen area of interest. 

Organisation of Training (Core option)

A module designed to develop your critical awareness of how to design, monitor and manage issues associated with the training programmes of sports performers. The module covers how to conduct a thorough needs analysis of a sport and an athlete, and subsequently how to use this information to plan an effective training programme.

Management of Specific Populations (Core option)

A module designed to develop your critical awareness of how to manage athletes from specific populations with unique needs. This will include how monitoring tools can be utilised to assess readiness to perform and prevent over-training. It also includes how to assess athletes with injuries and support their rehabilitation back to full health. The needs of young, female, elderly and disabled athletes will also be addressed on this module.

Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology (Optional)

The aim of this module is to give you applied competence and knowledge in a range of physiological testing procedures.

Environmental Physiology (Optional)

This module aims to give you an understanding of the effects of environmental factors on sport performance and to enable you to critically evaluate strategies to improve performance.

Applied Sport Psychology (Optional)

The module aims to assess your ability to understand, critique, and apply various assessment methods unique to the domain of applied sport psychology. You will demonstrate a critical understanding of theoretical frameworks and models which underpin the psychological techniques implemented by an applied practitioner.

Skill Acquisition II (Optional)

This module provides you with an in-depth and critical understanding of contemporary theory, research, and practice in the field of skill acquisition and motor behaviour. This module also aims to enhance applied practice by allowing students to plan, develop, and implement sessions that are evidence-based and grounded in theory.

Sporting Lives (Optional)

This module aims to develop your understanding of the process of socialisation through sport and to apply that understanding to critically assess the significance of sport to particular social groups. 

Sports, Media and Representation (Optional)

This module develops your understanding of the media-sport nexus.

Experimental Biomechanics (Optional)

The module aims to develop knowledge, understanding and experience of kinetic and kinematic measurement techniques involved in biomechanical analysis of sport performance. 

Applied Biomechanics (Optional)

Module description coming soon.

Performance Analysis (Optional)

The module aims to introduce the fundamental concepts of objective analysis of sports performance. The module will provide a foundation and awareness of the variety of uses and types of notational analyses. In addition, you will develop an understanding of sport-specific coaching preparation processes based on the analysis of a variety of sports.

Professional Observation (Optional)

In this module you will develop critical appreciation of the relevance of sport science in real sporting contexts. The module provides you with the experience of arranging, managing and attending a work placement.

Issues in Sport, Health and Exercise (Optional)

This module provides the opportunity for critical analysis of current issues within sport science and to develop your interactive communication skills. 

Managing in the Workplace (Optional)

In this module, you will consider the challenges of leadership and management. You will learn how these practices impact on the culture and success of an organisation through real-life examples. You will identify, observe and develop skills required to promote positive management practice and will analyse your own management style. You will be encouraged to consider leadership qualities and how you can demonstrate these at all levels in an organisation.

The Enterprising Workplace (Optional)

This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace whilst reflecting on, identifying and improving your own skills, knowledge and professional identity. You will be introduced to the concepts of enterprise, entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship and will explore how these exist within organisations.