Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Science - MS
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Part-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

The programme aims to deliver contemporary training for careers in sport and exercise physiology. Our philosophy is that completion of the MSc should be a tangible stepping stone bridging the gap between an undergraduate foundation in sports science and employment in principal onward careers in academic research and applied practice. Our aim is to develop confident independent-thinkers that are equipped with the knowledge and skills to drive the evolution of the exercise physiology sector through their contributions to impactful research and research-led practice. Our graduates will display mastery of complex knowledge in exercise physiology, including the theoretical underpinnings of human exercise performance and the application of advanced technical skills to enable research or professional activity in the field of exercise physiology. The MSc in Exercise Physiology also aims to develop high-level cognitive skills and personal skills that will enable graduates to continue their own development. We hope the content of this course will serve to stimulate interest, such that students are eager to delve deeper into the topics using an investigative mind and critical appraisal. Above all, we hope to engender a strong proactive approach to postgraduate learning and students should perceive this course as an opportunity to read widely, take advantage of the world-class facilities and expertise available to them, and invest heavily in self-learning to develop their career.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The MSc in Exercise Physiology encompasses a broad selection of teaching, learning and assessment strategies. Overall our philosophy has been to maximise opportunities for students to gain practical experience and, secondly, to assist students in developing the skills required to continue their own academic and professional development. The taught modules of the programme provide opportunities for students to experience practical training in lab-based or field-based physiological techniques, wet-lab biochemistry, computer practicals in statistical analysis and interactive scientific debates. The remaining taught delivery consists of student-centred learning strategies, including task-based and problem-based learning either individually or in small groups, and interactive lectures. Timetabled taught provision is supplemented with directed studies and tutorial support, and the delivery of each module includes instances of diagnostic and formative feedback to help students prepare for summative assessments. Our approach to assessment is similarly diverse and encompasses practical assessment in exercise physiology and an array of written scientific essays, laboratory reports, an examination and assessments based on communication to lay and scientific audiences.

Opportunities for work related learning

Principal onward careers include, doctoral research, exercise physiology assessment and performance-orientated training. The MSc dissertation process and practical modules provide training, mentorship and experience in work-related environments, including (i) laboratory based physiological and biochemical assessment, (ii) Field-based physiological assessments using wearable technologies, and (iii) scientific research environment.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

Students that gain 180 credits are eligible for the Master of Science (MSc) award, classified based on their average grade weighted by module credit rating. All taught modules are mandatory to the MSc award. Modules 7108SPOSCI, 7161SPOSCI and 7162SPOSCI are delivered in Semester 1 only. Modules 7163SPOSCI, 7164SPOSCI and 7165SPOSCI … For more content click the Read More button below. The Research Project 7109SPOSCI is year-long. Research Methods (7108SPOSCI) is prerequisite to completion of the Research Project. Students that gain 120 credits are eligible for a Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) and those achieving 60 credits are eligible for a Post-graduate Certificate (PgCert). There is no requirement for specific modules to be completed for either the PgDip or PgCert exit awards.  When studied part-time, students complete Research Methods (7108SPOSCI) in the first year and the Research Project (7109SPOSCI) in the second year. Generally, part-time students complete 2 modules per semester in year 1 and the remaining 1 module per semester in year 2. Students are free to choose which modules to study in year 1 versus year 2, but the delivery of modules (i.e. either Semester 1 or Semester 2) is defined by the schedule of the full-time programme.

Entry Requirements

Alternative qualifications considered
Other international requirements

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH03-02) sport and exercise sciences