Exercise and Sport Science

Exercise scientists help people to prevent and recover from injury and disease, maximise the fitness and performance of athletes, promote healthy ageing, and improve people's health and well-being. You will work to promote and educate diverse individuals, communities, and populations on the benefits of exercise that encourages lifelong maintenance of positive exercise behaviours using a person-centred approach that is underpinned and informed by the latest scientific evidence.

This course uses authentic learning practices providing you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills within each of the foundational pillars of exercise science: biomechanics, physiology, psychology, behaviour change, and motor control and learning. Foundational knowledge and skills are taught in the first year of the degree. You'll delve deeper into each pillar of exercise science across the second and third year of your degree.

In your final year of study, you will apply your knowledge and skills by completing at least 140 hours of professional practice at two locations. One of these locations will be within our site situated at Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Centre, whereas the other will be at one of our many industry partners that span elite sport, strength and conditioning, corporate health, clinical exercise physiology, and paediatric exercise.

For high-performing students, this course is the steppingstone to the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, which broadens your practise capabilities, and enables you to use exercise to manage and treat chronic conditions. You could also undertake a research honours year where you would manage a research project and contribute to scientific knowledge, while experiencing working as an exercise/sport scientist.

Please note: this is a highly practical course and active participation in practical classes is essential for learning. Some practical classes will involve disrobing, as well as palpation of muscles and bony landmarks for learning anatomy and skills such as anthropometry.

• integrate discipline knowledge and evidence-based approaches to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals and communities through exercise.
• demonstrate cultural competence and ethics in exercise promotion, prescription and delivery in the local and global context.
• appraise current and emerging technologies that are relevant to the field of exercise science and human performance.
• formulate creative solutions to contemporary issues impacting exercise science and human performance.
• select effective ways to communicate ideas related to exercise science and human performance, that enhances client participation, choice and decision making.
• demonstrate ethical personal autonomy and interprofessional practice when collaborating with diverse groups, industries and stakeholders.
• challenge personal and professional knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, and the impact of these on the provision of exercise and human performance services.