Program summary
Drive performance and improve health with the science of exercise.
Exercise scientists use the science of human movement to help people improve their health and fitness, and to prevent common lifestyle diseases. This program teaches you the science and theories behind human movement and sporting performance, and gives you the hands-on skills to work as a qualified exercise scientist.
- Gain in-depth knowledge in areas such as functional anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and learning, and sports nutrition
- Test and train athletes in USC’s nationally accredited sports science labs
- Learn about sports psychology, performance analysis, coaching and exercise rehabilitation
- Get hands-on experience through 140 hours of supervised professional practice
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 140 hours of supervised practice to be eligible for accreditation. Before undertaking placements (eg. by year 3), students must provide evidence of immunisations, first aid training, satisfactory criminal history check, and hold a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check). Students may also be required to complete QLD Health orientation package.
Career opportunities
Sport / exercise science, exercise prescription / programming, strength and conditioning, sports coaching, fitness industry, sports administration.
Membership
Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and Sports Medicine Australia. Please note: Students intending to seek membership with ESSA as exercise scientists are advised that ESSA will allow recognition of prior learning (RPL) for non-university studies to a maximum of 12.5% of load. Students holding TAFE studies in fitness can apply for up to a maximum of three courses RPL upon entering the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.
Accreditation
USC's Exercise Science laboratories are accredited with the Australian Institute of Sport's National Sport Science Quality Assurance program.
The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science is accredited at the level of Exercise Science with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates from this program may identify themselves as exercise scientists. Students enrolled prior to 2016 should refer to the handbook applicable to the time of their admission.
Application and admission advice
Contact Student Central
information@usc.edu.au
+61 7 5430 2890
Ground floor, Building C, Sippy Downs
Related news
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24 November 2017
‘First family of athletics’ inducted into Sports Hall of Fame
Three members of Australia’s ‘first family of athletics’ have been inducted into the Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame at USC.
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13 September 2017
USC students step up as sport statisticians
Two USC Sport and Exercise Science students have become sought-after match statisticians for some of the world’s biggest international netball tournaments.
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4 September 2017
USC project to help make Qld the Sports State
The starter’s gun has fired on a new USC campaign to share the Sunshine Coast’s sporting research, facilities and education with the world.
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27 July 2017
USC researcher is Exercise Scientist of the Year
A USC researcher who helps push elite athletes to their limit has been named Exercise & Sports Science Australia’s (ESSA) Accredited Exercise Scientist of the Year.
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27 June 2017
Student bowled over by national coaching role
A USC Sport and Exercise Science student is now helping a national team take on the “Old Enemy” after being appointed to the coaching staff of the Australian Cricket team for players with an intellectual disability.
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25 May 2017
USC athletes give school students ‘sport for thought’
Emerging triathlete and USC high performance student athlete Hamilton Andrews knows first-hand the power of sport to motivate students to academic success.
What will I study
Select your location, starting year and starting semester below to display your program structure and a recommended study sequence.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
COR109 Communication and Thought
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
PUB104 Introduction to Behavioural Health
SPX101 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
SPX102 Introduction to Coaching Science
SPX120 Sports Field Studies 1
SPX121 Exercise Prescription and Programming I
Developing and Graduate courses (15) 180 units
NUT203 Active Lifestyle Nutrition
NUT310 Advanced Sports Nutrition
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX203 Exercise Prescription and Programming II
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX221 Introduction to Sports Medicine
SPX222 Sport and Exercise Psychology
SPX231 Motor Control and Learning
SPX300 Introduction to Clinical Placement
SPX301 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SPX302 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health
SPX322 Biomechanics II
SPX331 Exercise Physiology II
SPX340 Professional Placement in Sport and Exercise Science
Please note: SPX300 should be studied in Semester 1 of your final year of your degree, and requires course coordinator permission.
Elective course (1) 12 units
Select 1 elective course (12 units) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequence
This recommended study sequence ONLY represents the CURRENT program structure. Students in previous structures should use this sequence to inform order of courses and current course details. For courses in your commencing structure not included in the current sequence, search the course code for current course offerings and requisites.
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. Students in this program should be aware there are restrictions applicable to credit transfer in order to obtain ESSA membership
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
How to apply
Am I eligible to apply?
- Confirm that you meet the program specific admission requirements, prerequisites and recommended prior study outlined on Why study this program?
- Confirm that you meet the general undergraduate admission requirements and English Language Proficiency requirements
- Refer to the application dates for cut-off dates and deadlines
- Check your eligibility for credit
Domestic students
Apply via Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) — Use the relevant QTAC code specified on Why study this program?
Exceptions
The below applicants can apply online directly to USC:
- USC Tertiary Preparation Pathways (TPP) students who are currently enrolled in, or have had an enrolment in the previous two years; or
- USC / TAFE Articulation program students; or
- USC students who have completed an undergraduate program within the last two years, or are due to complete their program prior to their proposed semester of commencement;
- USC students who are currently enrolled in one program and want to study another program concurrently.
International students
Apply direct to USC International
More information
- Search for answers and ask questions in askUSC
- Contact Student Central
International students should contact USC International
How to enrol
New to USC?
Once you have applied and received your offer of a place from USC, follow the steps to Get Started at USC to respond to your offer, plan your study and enrol in the correct courses (subjects).
Continuing students
Before you enrol, visit Planning your study to make sure you are studying the right courses at the right time so you complete the required unit value to graduate from your degree when you plan to.
It is each student's responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements, and to be aware of the academic calendar dates.
Visit How do I enrol? for enrolment instructions and key dates.
Need assistance?
View step-by-step instructions to enrol at How do I enrol?
Refer to the Academic Calendar for key dates, including the last day to add, drop or swap a course or class and Census dateas.
Search for answers and ask questions about enrolling in askUSC, or contact Student Central.