Programme Specifications

With Integrated Year in Industry

Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism, 2008

September 2017

The degree is designed to increase the student’s understanding of the core disciplines of the Sport and Exercise Sciences via an increasingly integrated programme of study. Students will study modules in the subject areas of physiology, psychology and biomechanics. They will develop understanding of research methods and the ability to apply this to new and interesting topics areas. Students will also undertake modules which encourage personal and professional development.

Subject specific skills

The degree aims to develop subject specific skills through the many student-centred activities such as projects, workshops, problem-solving sessions and tutorials. Laboratory classes feature extensively, with students working in groups of four or five. Students will become skilled in using scientific equipment for sophisticated fitness testing and motion analysis. All modules are designed to develop independence in the appropriate application and use of the equipment.

Generic and graduate skills

Key skills are integrated into all our modules. These will develop the students’ ability to give presentations and speak confidently, to analyse data and produce reports, to write clearly and with substance, to research and analyse information, to solve problems and to work productively with others.

Throughout the three years, students will receive special sessions on developing employability skills such as writing aC.V., IT skills, effective communication strategies, job search strategies, interview techniques, and corporate culture.

Students will develop a strong scientific, analytical mind along with team-working skills, meaning that graduates are well-placed to enter a wide range of general careers. The skills acquired in sport and exercise science degrees are highly valued by employers and will enable a wide range of career choices for students developing the health sector as a viable career path.

The alternative schemes have specific learning outcomes, and therefore subject knowledge, remain unchanged. However, students will be able to demonstrate additional outcomes as a result of undertaking the year in industry. These additional outcomes provide an enhanced student experience and allow students to develop knowledge of their subject areas in applied contexts and to develop work experience and thus enhance their employability. Specifically, the proposed degree aims to advantage students in the following additional ways:

• To apply approaches, concepts, skills, methods and/or theories in a work-based context relevant to their scheme.

• To develop highly valued transferable and professional skills during a work placement, providing a competitive edge in the graduate job market.

• To enable students to learn about an organization and its area of work, providing an excellent opportunity to evaluate future career paths.

Subject specific skills (with Integrated Year in Industry)

The Subject specific skills of the schemes will not change. Nevertheless, on the completion of their degree, students on these four year versions of the schemes will have gained a valuable insight in to a field of employment relating to their subject area in the biological sciences, developing the associated skills and enhancing their employability / networking / establishing industry links.

Generic and graduate skills (with Integrated Year in Industry)

The generic and graduate skills of the schemes will not change. However, the four year version of the schemes ‘with a year in Industry’ will likely develop the skills listed below, though the nature and emphasis will depend on the exact employment; not all of these will be assessed, though most are likely to form part of the employer’s assessment of the student:

• Working independently

• Working as part of a team

• Respecting the views, beliefs, opinions and values of others

• Listening to, and engaging with, other speakers

• Effective verbal communication in a range of settings, including group discussions and debates and formal presentations

• Effective written communication in a variety of forms

• Use of information technologies to process, store, present and communicate information, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, e-mail and the world-wide web

• Identifying, retrieving, sorting and handling information from conventional and electronic sources, including libraries, CD-ROMs, on-line computer resources and the world-wide web

• Time management and self-regulation of work regimes

• Research issues and solve problems

• Adapting to change

• Reading comprehension and interpretation of a range of written material

• Observational skills

• Collating, processing, interpreting and presenting numerical data

• Identifying appropriate career pathways and developing the capacity to compete

The degree aims to develop the knowledge and application of Sport and Exercise Science in real world situations. The degree aims to introduce students to the key subjects and debates in Sport and Exercise Science so that they have the knowledge and understanding to increase athletic performance; there is also a particular focus on how the health of individuals can be improved and how we can prevent disease.

Students will develop knowledge of Sport and Exercise Scientists and will have the practical skills to work as a Sport and Exercise Scientist following graduation.

The degree aims:

• To provide students with a knowledge and critical understanding of the key academic constituencies, which comprise the sport and exercise sciences: biomechanics, physiology and psychology, along with a base of appreciation of relevant aspects of the under-pinning sciences of physics, chemistry and biology.

• To provide opportunities for students to specialise in selected theoretical and applied topics.

• To develop reflective and independent learners who are competent in a range of subject-specific skills.

• To develop critical insight into applied topics with an appreciation of multi-disciplinary and contextual issues.

• To enhance students’ employability through the development of transferable skills and the opportunity for work experience.

Overall aim of the scheme

The overall aims of the schemes will not change. Additionally, the aim of the four year versions of the schemes will aim to develop graduate level skills, as described in the Generic and Graduate level skills section above.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the disciplines, and of the inter-disciplinary relationships, that underpin human structure and function

• Provide a critical appreciation of the relationship between sport and exercise activities in a range of groups in various settings

• Evaluate responses to Sport and Exercise to monitor, analysis, diagnose and prescribe action to enhance health and performance

• Demonstrate advanced level knowledge and understanding of theories and principles in selected areas within Sport and Exercise Science

• Display an awareness of current government policy on disease prevention and the relevance of exercise

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; laboratory practicals; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.

The scheme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the additional following areas:

• Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including initiative, independence and commercial awareness.

Learning and Teaching (with Integrated Year in Industry)

During their integrated year in industry students will embed themselves within a working environment, allowing for the development of a range of transferable and life skills commensurate with the above. Furthermore, students on this scheme will have the potential to utilise the knowledge and skills associated with other outcomes developed in years 1 and 2. This will be in part dependent on the nature of the organization their position is based with.

Assessment Strategies and Methods (with Integrated Year in Industry)

Students on the integrated industrial year will be required to register for the modules BRS0000, BRS0060, BRS0100, and BRS0160. During the integrated Year in Industry, students will be required to submit an Introductory Report (worth 30% of the Industrial Year mark) on the organization that they are working for, its structure, aims and operation; and a Workplace investigation, to investigate a technical aspect of the work that they are doing (worth 40% of the Industrial Year mark). Finally, there will be an AU staff assessment of the final student self-evaluation and employer’s report. These will be marked in order to assess the student’s achievement of learning outcome 10.1 above as well as the other learning outcomes of their scheme.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Appropriately evaluate sources of information

• Construct critical reviews on a range of topics based on a range of information sources

• Solve problems of a numerical and logical nature

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; work experience and laboratory practicals; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable)

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Demonstrate the practical skills and techniques required to monitor and evaluate participants in health and performance contexts.

• Demonstrate an awareness of health and safety, risk assessment and ethical considerations.

Learning and Teaching

Professional practical skills are acquired and promoted through practical laboratory classes, lectures, seminars and other class activities, case studies undertaken in a range of real-life situations and experimental research for the dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Coursework to include: the submission of scientific reports, oral presentations and essays. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced critical, interpretative and analytical skills in both their coursework and written examinations. The dissertation should demonstrate student competence in practical and academic skills.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills (with Integrated Year in Industry)

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME:

• Demonstrate experience of working in a professional environment

Learning and Teaching

Outcome 10.2.1 will be achieved through completing an extended integrated Year in Industry position at a suitable workplace.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Evidence of outcome 10.2.1 will be secured through the completion of the assessment strategy described in 10.1 above.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable) (with Integrated Year in Industry)

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME:

• Applying principles, methods, approaches, concepts, skills and/or theories appropriate to the relevant biological sciences scheme in a professional context, as well as understanding the challenges of working in a professional environment.

Learning and Teaching

The professional skills identified in 10.2.2 will be primarily developed through spending a year in industry

Assessment Strategies and Methods

10.2.2 will be evidenced by the completion of the assessment strategy described in 10.1 above, detailing experiences of a year in industry, as well as reports on associated technical information.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions in both written and oral formats to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

• Use a range of computer packages to analyse data and produce reports

• Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively as part of a team

• Demonstrate time management and the ability to appropriately prioritise tasks

• Demonstrate an ability to self-reflect and identify areas of development

• Demonstrate the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature

• Gather and use information from a range of sources

Learning and Teaching

Transferable/key skills are incorporated within modules and related to relevant assessments as appropriate. Students learn and develop skills through student and tutor-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; self-directed learning, oral presentations and experimental dissertation work. Students are also given the opportunity to produce a CV and will gain feedback. Students will be encouraged to undertake work experience, including access to the Year in Employment Scheme. Students will also develop transferable skills of communication, personal development and career planning.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The skills listed above are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, unseen examinations essays and unseen short answer examinations.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME:

• Professionalism and an understanding of commercial pressures

Learning and Teaching

Skill 10.3 will be developed through undertaking the year in industry component. In addition, and dependent upon the nature of the position undertaken, the year in industry has the potential to further enhance the other generic skills detailed in Section 9 above.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

10.3 will be evidenced by the completion of the assessment strategy described in 10.1 above, but primarily through the AU staff assessment of the final student self-evaluation and employer’s report