Bachelor of Science Exercise and Health Science
Course Overview
-
3
Year
-
7
Level
-
251
Points
-
US788
CAO Course Code
Why take this course?
This programme is designed to produce specialists in behaviour change across all aspects of health but most specifically in exercise/physical activity and nutrition. Across Ireland and worldwide, many people have poor lifestyles and are at risk of developing ill health. A lack of physical activity and poor dietary habits are risk factors for chronic disease but equally these are entirely modifiable behaviours. This programme focuses on developing graduates who can promote the adoption of healthier lifestyle habits through effective, sustainable and multi layered interventions. This is a unique programme for those interested in exercise prescription, exercise rehabilitation, nutrition, health promotion and public health. The programme encompasses a 24 week practical work placement where students will gain applied experience in a variety of real world settings, reflective of potential job opportunities.
What will I experience?
This programme will include contributions from Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sports Science and Behaviour Change specialists. Students will learn in small class groups ensuring greater access to equipment and training and applied experience of knowledge generated. Students will also be transitioned into the requirements of education at third level and their generic skills will be developed throughout the programme to support greater employability.
What opportunities might it lead to?
Studying Exercise and Health Science will provide students with the appropriate qualifications for many career options, all requiring an expertise to help people, at an individual, community and population level to make favourable lifestyle changes. This may include working as an exercise rehabilitation specialist, a physical activity/sports promotion or development officer, a physical activity/health promotion specialists in the HSE, a wellness professional, working with general community groups/organisations as well as with specialist populations such as youth groups, socially disadvantaged/minority groups, older adults and disability groups. Graduates will also be eligible to pursue further study at an undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Additional Information
In order to safeguard the rights and interests of children and vulnerable groups, students registered to the Exercise and Health Science programme will be required to obtain garda clearance through the Garda Central Vetting Unit.
Course Details
- Course Duration:
- 3 Year
- CAO Course Code:
- US788
- Cut Off CAO Points:
- 251
- Course Award:
- Bachelor of Science
- Course NFQ Level:
- Level 7
- Department:
- Dept of Sport & Health Sciences
- Minimum Entry Requirements:
-
Grade 6 at ordinary level in 5 subjects in the Leaving Certificate. Two of these subjects must be mathematics and a language (english or Irish).
QQI: 2 places reserved. Required to have the module mathematics (5N1833 or 5N0556) included in their award or alternatively Leaving Certificate Maths at O6/H7.
Lecturer Testimonial
Dr Kieran Dowd, Lecturer
Students will study the important factors that influence physical activity and nutritional behaviours, and learn how to effectively change these behaviours. Graduates will be specialists in behaviour change.
Student Testimonial
Adam Thompson
There is a great broad range of modules covered in the first year of my course and the lecturers are all very helpful, friendly and caring.
Course Facilities
Careers & Opportunities
Career Prospects
Studying exercise and health science will provide students with the appropriate qualifications for many career options, all requiring an expertise to help people, at an individual, community and population level to make favourable lifestyle changes. This may include working as an exercise rehabilitation specialist, a physical activity/sports promotion or development officer, a physical activity/health promotion specialists in the HSE, a wellness professional, working with general community groups/organisations as well as with specialist populations such as youth groups, socially disadvantaged/minority groups, older adults and disability groups. Graduates will also be eligible to pursue further study at an undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Work Placement
In year 3, students undertake a six-month placement between early January and late June. During this time, students accumulate approximately 35 hours of work experience per week. Students get the opportunity to focus on a specific aspect of the course working with Local Sports Partnerships to promote physical activity participation in communities, working in community-based physical activity rehabilitation programs, such as Exwell Medical, to design and deliver physical activity interventions in people with chronic disease, working in physical activity and health research centres and working with HSE-based health promotion units to promote physical activity in the community.
Further Study
Students can progress onto Year 4 of the BSc (Hons) in Physical Activity and Health Science subject to meeting defined progression criteria. A subsequent honours degree will then facilitate progression to Masters/PhD programmes across a variety of disciplines, such as Sports Science, Nutrition, Weight Management, Behaviour Change, Health Promotion as well as broader, bespoke research projects.
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Activity and Health Science
Bachelor of Science (Honours)