Health & Performance Science

Programme Short Name:	BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Load (FT vs PT):	Full Time
Levels (UG, G, etc):	Undergraduate studies
Course Information:	CAO Code: DN425 CAO Points Range 2015: 510 - 570 Length of Course: 3 Years Places: 40 Leaving Certificate: Passes in six subjects including English, Irish, a third language, Mathematics, one laboratory science subject & one other recognised subject. Two of the six subjects must be minimum HC3. Click below for equivalent entry requirements information for: A-Level/GCSE Other EU Applicants Non-EU Applicants Mature Entry Route
Why is this course for me?	Health & Performance Science focuses on the scientific principles underlying the promotion and enhancement of sport, physical health and exercise. This BSc degree addresses the application of sport and exercise science to high performance sport and to improving physical health, well-being and fitness across our life span. If you have a particular interest in how sport and exercise science can be applied across numerous disciplines, ranging from adolescents and elite athletes to specific disease populations, then this degree is for you. The programme places a large emphasis on practical skill-based teaching, giving students the opportunity to engage in active learning. This develops critical competencies in analysis, evaluation and testing.
What will I study?	Modules studied on the Health & Performance Science degree include: First Year Anatomy Chemistry Biochemistry Physics Exercise Physiology Theory of Coaching Strength & Conditioning Second Year Exercise Physiology Sports Psychology Biomechanics Sports Nutrition Research Methods Exercise Prescription Third Year Exercise Physiology Sports Injury Management Sports Nutrition Statistics Case Study in Sports Science Exercise Prescription Minor Dissertation (Research Project) Students attend lectures and small group practical classes. Practical classes take place in both the UCD High Performance Gym and an exercise physiology laboratory, which is British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accredited. Assessment is through a combination of end-of-semester written examinations and continuous assessment. In your final year, you will also undertake a group based research thesis. For detailed information on subject content click here.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities	When you graduate you¿ll be skilled in the prescription and management of therapeutic exercise interventions in healthcare and sporting settings. You'll also be an expert in the analysis and evaluation of human sports and exercise performance. Graduates can find employment in: Graduates can find employment in: Sport and exercise consultancy Health promotion Professional athlete or team support Exercise physiology Strength and conditioning Education and research Clinical nutrition and dietetics They are also eligible to apply for MSc and PhD programmes in the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science.
International Study Opportunity:	Health & Performance Science students can apply to study abroad for a semester in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, through one of the Sport & Exercise exchange agreements.
Student Profile	"I chose to go to UCD because of the opportunity to merge my sporting commitments (Airtricity League Soccer) with my interest in sport, physical health and exercise science. The BSc Health & Performance Science degree allows me to develop a critical awareness of the scientific principles underlying the optimisation of sporting performance. The emphasis on laboratory based work is refreshing and we’ve had access to the excellent facilities in the UCD Institute for Sport & Health, for modules in exercise physiology and strength and conditioning. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone with an interest in these areas." Thomas Boyle is a UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholar.
Related Programs:	Biomedical, Health & Life Sciences Physiotherapy Sport & Exercise Management
Pathway
Contact Information:	Linda Stone UCD Institute for Sport and Health Newstead Belfield, Dublin 4 Tel: +353 1 716 3271 Email: sports.institute@ucd.ie