The Department of Sport and Exercise Science performs a variety of functions in its work. The three main functions of the department are teaching undergraduate programmes in sport and exercise science, conducting research in the sport and exercise sciences, and a variety of consultancy work with individuals through to nation-wide organisations in both sport and exercise science based projects.

Teaching
The BSc (Hons) sport and exercise science degree began in September 2002 and features innovative learning and teaching methods delivered by well-qualified staff. In addition to lectures and seminars, the course features many student-centred activities such as projects, workshops, problem-solving sessions and tutorials. Laboratory classes are featured extensively and students become skilled in using scientific equipment for sophisticated fitness testing and motion analysis. All modules are backed up by electronic resources to help students’ study outside of the classroom. Key skills are carefully integrated into the curriculum to develop students’ ability to give presentations, analyse data, produce reports, write academically and work in groups. Assessment is based on a combination of coursework, reports and examinations.

Research
The department is research active, and members of staff are involved in various projects including collaborative work with other Universities and organisations. The department has particular strengths in respiratory and endurance physiology, and the role of exercise in mental health and well-being. Members of academic staff have an established record of publications in high-quality peer reviewed scientific journals, as well as contributing to book chapters, popular magazine articles and television and radio broadcasts on issues related to their research work.

Business and consultancy
We have worked with a number of organisations, teams and individuals on consultancy projects. Our laboratories and the sports facilities offered by the Sports Centre are particularly well suited to the fitness assessment of both individual athletes and teams. Incremental exercise tests for the assessment of endurance capacity and aerobic power, all-out tests for the assessment of anaerobic function, as well as body composition assessment and strength testing can be performed. The department also offers a range of more general consultancy services to organisations interested in the wider application of sport and exercise science. A good example of this is the Aberystwyth Calorie Map, which has received interest from a number organisations in both Wales and England.