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Events Landing PageThe 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
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:
Monitoring the impact of recent Olympic Games on physical activity in the general population
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
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fitness and Movement | Sport & Exercise Biomechanics 1 |
Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology | Introduction to Exercise Psychology |
Promoting Physical Activity | Biochemistry & Cell Physiology |
Research & Learning | Strength & Conditioning |
Human Physiology | Data & Measurement |
Introduction to Sport Psychology | Business for the Exercise Professional |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
---|---|
Teaching for the Exercise Professional | Exercise Physiology |
Exercise Prescription for Program Design 1 | Research Methods & Statistics |
Nutrition 1 | Nutrition 2 |
Motivational Interviewing | Group Fitness Instruction |
Physical Activity Interventions | Exercise Prescription for Program Design 2 |
Sport Psychology & Skill Acquisition | Positive Psychology |
Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
---|---|
Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology | Adapted Physical Activity |
Child and Youth Physical Activity | Exercise Psychology in Practice |
Pathophysiology of Disease | Exercise as Medicine 1 |
Physical Activity Assessment & Evaluation | Major Project in Health and Exercise Science 1 |
Weight Management | Physical Activity, Sport & Development |
Choose 1 | |
*Sports Medicine | |
*Nutrition for the Life Cycle |
Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
---|---|
Work Placement in Health and Exercise Science | Active Ageing |
Advanced Sport & Exercise Physiology | |
Exercise as Medicine 2 | |
Major Project in Health and Exercise Science 2 | |
Professional Practice and Social Media |
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
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.
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
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