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Code
SE902
Cao points
🛈270 -559
Level
8
Campus
Cork Road
Duration
4 years
Credits
240 ECTS
Placements
Available
Study Abroad
Yes
International Applications
Accepted
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What is the BSc (Hons) in Health & Exercise Science?

The BSc (Hons) in Health and Exercise Science is a full-time, four year, honours degree course of study that can be chosen within the Exercise Sciences Common Entry Route. The BSc (Hons) in Health and Exercise Science combines the disciplines of exercise science and physical activity.  The Health and Exercise Science programme will give graduates the knowledge and skills needed to assist the general population, distinct population groups and those with health problems as they engage in physical activity and structured exercise programmes.

The programme is built on a broad-based exercise science education in physiology, biomechanics, psychology, nutrition, physical activity, strength and conditioning and exercise programming.

At the end of the programme, graduates will be able to:

  • Evaluate physiological function, fitness, physical activity and well-being in a range of population groups including aged individuals and those with health problems

  • Develop and lead exercise programmes for these specialist groups

  • Apply psychological and behavioural change techniques to promote programme adherence and increase physical activity

  • Devise, implement and evaluate initiatives to increase physical activity and participation, targeting a variety of population groups in a variety of settings

  • Assist in distinguishing fact from fiction with reference to the fitness research literature

Programme features

Staff

Department staff have extensive experience providing health enhancing physical activity support to both local and international organisations. This includes

  • Developing programmes to integrate exercise into the treatment of several health conditions including heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and into the treatment of mental illness

  • Co-writing Ireland’s National Physical Activity strategy

  • Providing leadership on Ireland’s Physical Activity Research Collaboration (IPARC)

  • Providing consultancy services to the World Health Organisation’s Health Enhancing Physical Activity Europe group

  • Serving on the Board of Directors in several Local Sports Partnerships in Ireland

  • Working with county councils to develop programmes and policies to increase cycling for transport in Irish towns

Facilities

Laboratories and apparatus available for practical classes and research projects include 3 human performance laboratories, dance studios, a high-performance gym, access to a DEXA and bio-electrical impedance body composition analysers and ActivPal physical activity motion sensors.  A number of classes are delivered in the teaching and laboratory facilities of the SETU Waterford ARENA.

Placement

A 300-hour work placement offers supervised experience in a fitness, special needs or physical activity promotion environment. The Department has an extensive network of placement opportunities that include:

  • Health and Exercise specialists with community-based chronic illness rehabilitation programmes

  • Physical Activity Officers for people with a disability, older adults or in community settings

  • Cardiac rehabilitation in regional hospitals

  • Sports Development Officers with Local Sports Partnerships to promote participation in physical activity

  • Personal Trainers in community and private enterprises

  • Health and Exercise Specialists in workplaces, charities and sporting NGBs

Further details on our work placement programme can be found here

Research and Project Work

Students in the programme have an opportunity to experience the full research process culminating in the completion of a dissertation in the final year of the programme.  Students will benefit from exposure to the health, physical activity and exercise related PhD research ongoing in the Department including:

  • Developing and evaluating tailored exercise interventions for;
    • men with prostate cancer
    • people with respiratory disease
    • frail older adults
    • cancer survivors
    • people with heart disease
  • Monitoring the impact of recent Olympic Games on physical activity in the general population

  • Measuring the impact of measures to increase walking and cycling in Irish towns
  • Designing and implementing dance interventions for women recovering from breast cancer

  • Measuring the impact of schools-based programmes on children’s attitudes to and participation in physical activity 

  • Measuring the impact of COVID 19 on recreational walking on Ireland’s network of walking trails

  • Measuring the impact of high intensity interval exercise on cardiovascular health and immune cell function

Further details of our ongoing postgraduate research can be found here

Awards

Several REPS Ireland accreditations are built into this programme. After successfully completing year 2, students will be eligible for the Fitness Instruction, Group Fitness Instruction and Personal Training accreditations.  Health and Exercise students are also eligible for the Exercise for Health Specialist accreditation at the end of their programme.

In the Classroom

All programmes within the Department of Sport and Exercise Science adopt a similar approach in terms of timetable structures, teaching and learning approaches, assessment and student support systems. Further details can be found on our In the Classroom page

Want to learn more?

In addition to our SETU Open Days, we offer a number of ways for prospective students to learn more about this and other programmes. Click here for further information

Year 1
Semester 1Semester 2
Fitness and MovementSport & Exercise Biomechanics 1
Functional Anatomy & KinesiologyIntroduction to Exercise Psychology
Promoting Physical ActivityBiochemistry & Cell Physiology
Research & LearningStrength & Conditioning
Human PhysiologyData & Measurement
Introduction to Sport PsychologyBusiness for the Exercise Professional
Year 2
Semester 3Semester 4
Teaching for the Exercise ProfessionalExercise Physiology
Exercise Prescription for Program Design 1Research Methods & Statistics
Nutrition 1Nutrition 2
Motivational InterviewingGroup Fitness Instruction
Physical Activity InterventionsExercise Prescription for Program Design 2
Sport Psychology & Skill AcquisitionPositive Psychology
Year 3
Semester 5Semester 6
Applied Sport and Exercise PhysiologyAdapted Physical Activity
Child and Youth Physical ActivityExercise Psychology in Practice
Pathophysiology of DiseaseExercise as Medicine 1
Physical Activity Assessment & EvaluationMajor Project in Health and Exercise Science 1
Weight Management Physical Activity, Sport & Development
Choose 1
*Sports Medicine
*Nutrition for the Life Cycle
Year 4
Semester 7Semester 8
Work Placement in Health and Exercise ScienceActive Ageing
Advanced Sport & Exercise Physiology
Exercise as Medicine 2
Major Project in Health and Exercise Science 2
Professional Practice and Social Media

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for the BSc (Hons) in Health & Exercise Science:

2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7


How to apply for the BSc (Hons) in Health & Exercise Science on the CAO:

The entry route for this programme is from WD006 BSc (Hons) in Exercise Sciences (Common Entry). Applicants who select degree option WD006 ESH (Health and Exercise Science) are guaranteed a place in that programme, subject to meeting the entry requirements and points. Applicants who are undecided about their degree option should choose WD006 GEN.

At the end of semester 3, students must confirm their degree option and may change their selection up to that date.


Advanced and Equivalent Entry for the BSc (Hons) in Health & Exercise Science:

Graduates of the course may work in the following roles

Exercise for Health Specialists

Sports Inclusion Development Officers

Adapted Physical Activity Specialists

Physical Activity Promotion Officer

Fitness Instructor

Personal Trainers

Sports Development Officers 

Exercise Physiologists

Weight Management Consultants

Active Schools Co-ordinators

Active Travel Officers

Follow-on study for BSc (Hons) in Health and Exercise Science graduates

Graduates of this course can also continue to further postgraduate study in Physical Activity for Health, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Physiotherapy, Sports Science, Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (SETU), Strength and Conditioning (SETU) and Nutrition

Opportunities also exist in the Department of Sport and Exercise Science to undertake research postgraduate degrees to doctoral level in Physical Activity Promotion and Clinical Exercise Programming

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Contact

Course Leader
Barry Lambe
Dr. Barry Lambe
Lecturer in Health and Exercise Science
[email protected]

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