Bachelor of Science (Honours) Sports Science with Exercise Physiology
Course Overview
-
4
Years
-
8
Level
-
357
Points
-
US951
CAO Course Code
Why take this course?
TUS Athlone Campus’s modern state-of-the-art sports science equipment and facilities makes studying sports science at Athlone different from other colleges. With brand new equipment TUS provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience with the most up-to-date sports science equipment and technology. TUS places an emphasis on practical development equipping students with the skills to enter sports science employment once they complete the degree programme. This includes a four month work placement on Year 3 of the programme.
This four-year BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology will equip students with the necessary skills to meet the needs of elite athletes, as well as the health and fitness requirements of the general population. The degree combines areas such as performance testing, nutrition, exercise therapy for recovery, analytical techniques used for screening performance-enhancing drugs, and biomechanics. Over the course of four years, you will learn how the human body operates, from the physiology of the heart, to the operation and interaction of the respiratory, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems.
David Hughes, Sports Science with Exercise Physiology (US951) student on the TUS Athlone campus, talks about the interpersonal relationships you gain with lecturers and also how meeting people with similar interests makes the transition to third level easy.
What will I experience?
You will also learn about the physics of sport and how mechanics can be applied to biological systems to improve performance. Furthermore, you will study the pathophysiology of injuries and diseases and the use of exercise in rehabilitation from these conditions. You will develop expertise in testing and analysing athletes’ performance, including the physiology of the high performance athlete in a state-of-the-art sports science laboratory (featuring treadmills, exercise bikes designed for resistance training, ergometers, Douglas bags and a gas analysis system, a blood lactate analyzer, force dynamometer for vertical jumping/gait analysis and sphygmomanometers).
The degree also includes modules on sports psychology and coaching. As a student on the degree, you will be facilitated in acquiring coaching qualifications in your chosen sporting activity by liaising with the relevant national governing body and timetabling the training sessions on a specific day. A unique part of this programme is the four-month work placement undertaken in the summer of third year. This will provide you with valuable experience of the working environment in the sports science and exercise physiology field.
What opportunities might it lead to?
The scale of the sports sector can be gauged from the fact that more than 38,000 people are employed in this industry in Ireland, with 270,000 volunteers active across all sporting codes. As a graduate of this degree, you will be eligible to pursue employment in areas such as the testing and monitoring of elite performers, coaching education, sports journalism, sport and exercise consultancy, health promotion and in research.
As a graduate of this degree, you will be eligible to pursue employment in areas such as the testing and monitoring of elite performers, performance analysis, coach education, sport and exercise consultancy, strength and conditioning, health promotion and research. As a graduate you will be eligible to pursue research MSc/PhD programmes in sports science and related areas as well as taught master’s programmes in cognate areas such as sports performance, clinical exercise physiology, performance analysis, strength and conditioning and sports nutrition.
Additional Information
TUS Midlands has invested millions of euro in its indoor and outdoor facilities. The sporting infrastructure on campus includes an IAAF-approved athletics track and a FIFA 2-star astro-turf pitch, while the new indoor sports arena opened in 2013. The indoor facilities include an athletics track, a multi-sport arena (suitable for futsal, basketball, etc.), as well as comprehensive support facilities for elite athlete training.
Students on the BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology programme will be required to achieve learning outcomes in coaching various sports and sports activities. The learning process will involve the coaching of both individuals and teams in a variety of sporting areas. Inevitably, children and vulnerable adults will form a subset of those individuals requiring coaching. In order to safeguard the rights and interests of children and vulnerable adults, students registering on the BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology will be required to obtain Garda clearance through the Garda Central Vetting Unit (TGVCU).
Course Details
- Course Duration:
- 4 Years
- CAO Course Code:
- US951
- Cut Off CAO Points:
- 357
- Course Award:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Course NFQ Level:
- Level 8
- Department:
- Dept of Sport & Health Sciences
- Minimum Entry Requirements:
-
Elite Sportsperson Entry Scheme:
Up to five places will be reserved each year for outstanding candidates who have reached a very high standard of sporting achievement, through performance or coaching and who are committed to further developing their sporting and academic careers. Applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for Level 8 degrees. In addition, applicants must have reached a specified sports standard to be eligible for this very competitive scheme and selection of successful candidates will be based on a range of criteria, including sporting achievements and evidence of a commitment to a career in sports science.
Minimum of Grade H5 at higher level in two subjects plus a minimum of grade O6/H7 at ordinary level in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these six subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).
QQI: Any major QQI award with three distinctions and a pass in 5N1833 or 5N0556 or Leaving Certificate Maths at O6/H7.
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Student Testimonial
Keira Ward, Graduate
This course encompasses a wide range of modules, such as physiology, performance analysis, special populations and psychology, to ensure all students become well-rounded practitioners.
Student Testimonial
Della Daly
On my placement, I worked with Bay of Plenty Rugby Union in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. It has been amazing getting to see all sides of a professional rugby team and being involved every step of the way.
Course Facilities
Careers & Opportunities
Career Prospects
The scale of the sports sector can be gauged from the fact that more than 38,000 people are employed in this industry in Ireland, with 270,000 volunteers active across all sporting codes. As a graduate of this degree, you will be eligible to pursue employment in areas such as the testing and monitoring of elite performers, coaching education, sports journalism, sport and exercise consultancy, health promotion and in research.
Further Study
As a graduate you will be eligible to pursue research MSc/ PhD programmes in sports science and related areas as well as taught master’s programmes in cognate areas. In addition, over the coming years the TUS Faculty of Science & Health intends to develop in-house taught master’s programmes for Sports Science with Exercise Physiology graduates.