This programme is aimed at students who want to study the scientific foundations of sport and exercise across the lifespan, with a view to applying this knowledge in the fields of health science and/or sports performance. We strive to deliver an intellectually stimulating learning experience through excellence and innovation in teaching and learning methodologies. We aim to equip our students with critical and creative thinking skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving that will enhance the work places and communities they connect with as graduates. We provide a rich learning environment where students have access to exercise physiology and biomechanics laboratories of the highest professional standards, in addition to high performance sports facilities. These resources are used for both teaching and student-led research projects throughout the course. Experiential learning with UCD Sport and the wider community, group project work, reflective learning, critical reading and writing and oral presentation are the key learning and assessment approaches of the programme.
- School
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Level
- Undergraduate
- NFQ Level
- 8
- Award
- Bachelor of Science
- Mode of Delivery
- On Campus
- Programme Director
- Dr Sinead Holden
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 180
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 50
Curricular information is subject to change.
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.
1 - Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in exercise physiology and nutrition, biomechanics, sport and health psychology, and strength and conditioning
2 - Critically evaluate, interpret, and use information from the scientific literature in an applied setting
3 - Plan, design, execute and report a piece of independent research of high scientific merit
4 - Design and deliver a tailored training programme in the domain of sport and/or health that adheres to professional standards of safety and established principles of training
5 - Monitor and evaluate sport and exercise performance in laboratory and field settings with due regard of safety and risk assessment
6 - Communicate scientific concepts, experimental results and analytical arguments clearly and concisely, in verbal, written and digital formats
7 - Apply ethical standards in the evaluation and implementation of sport and exercise science and practice
8 - Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving across various disciplines, both within and outside of health and performance science
9 - Collaborate respectfully and effectively within peer groups, with members of other professions, and with athletes/coaches/clients
10 - Develop a meaningful professional direction for life after graduation through personal professional development activity that can be tracked & assessed throughout the programme.
11 - Demonstrate an understanding of the societal and individual importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and adopt values that can build healthy communities at local, national, and global levels
2 - Critically evaluate, interpret, and use information from the scientific literature in an applied setting
3 - Plan, design, execute and report a piece of independent research of high scientific merit
4 - Design and deliver a tailored training programme in the domain of sport and/or health that adheres to professional standards of safety and established principles of training
5 - Monitor and evaluate sport and exercise performance in laboratory and field settings with due regard of safety and risk assessment
6 - Communicate scientific concepts, experimental results and analytical arguments clearly and concisely, in verbal, written and digital formats
7 - Apply ethical standards in the evaluation and implementation of sport and exercise science and practice
8 - Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving across various disciplines, both within and outside of health and performance science
9 - Collaborate respectfully and effectively within peer groups, with members of other professions, and with athletes/coaches/clients
10 - Develop a meaningful professional direction for life after graduation through personal professional development activity that can be tracked & assessed throughout the programme.
11 - Demonstrate an understanding of the societal and individual importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and adopt values that can build healthy communities at local, national, and global levels
This new programme aims to provide a foundation of scientific and evidence-based knowledge and skills in the assessment, promotion and enhancement of human performance in health and sport.
This three-year full-time programme has been developed by the UCD School of Physiotherapy & Performance Science in conjunction with the National Institute of Sport and Health and provides a foundation in the scientific principles underlying human performance in everyday life and in sporting activities.
The development of this programme is a reflection of the growing importance of exercise science and therapy in modern society.
This three-year full-time programme has been developed by the UCD School of Physiotherapy & Performance Science in conjunction with the National Institute of Sport and Health and provides a foundation in the scientific principles underlying human performance in everyday life and in sporting activities.
The development of this programme is a reflection of the growing importance of exercise science and therapy in modern society.
STAGE 1
During Stage 1, you will study basic, applied and social sciences as they relate to human function in sport and health and will be introduced to concepts of physical fitness and exercise physiology.
STAGE 2
In Stage 2 you will continue to study social and applied sciences and will build upon your knowledge of exercise science and training and evaluation of human performance.
STAGE 3
In Stage 3 you will complete a research dissertation as well as studying more specialised areas of exercise and sport science (such as injury management, sport nutrition and molecular exercise science).
During Stage 1, you will study basic, applied and social sciences as they relate to human function in sport and health and will be introduced to concepts of physical fitness and exercise physiology.
STAGE 2
In Stage 2 you will continue to study social and applied sciences and will build upon your knowledge of exercise science and training and evaluation of human performance.
STAGE 3
In Stage 3 you will complete a research dissertation as well as studying more specialised areas of exercise and sport science (such as injury management, sport nutrition and molecular exercise science).
When you graduate you will be skilled in the prescription and management of therapeutic exercise interventions in healthcare and sporting settings. You will also be an expert in the analysis and evaluation of human sports and exercise performance.
Graduates can find employment in:
Sport and exercise consultancy Health promotion Professional athlete/team support Exercise physiology Strength and conditioning Education and research
They are also eligible to apply for MSc and PhD programmes in the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science.
Graduates can find employment in:
They are also eligible to apply for MSc and PhD programmes in the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science.
UCD Sport and Performance,
UCD Institute for Sport & Health,
Newstead Block C (Ground Floor),
Belfield,
Dublin 4
+353 1 716 3271
Email: performance.science@ucd.ie
Web: www.ucd.ie/sportandperformance
Stage 1
Offerings for practicals for Stage 1 students can not be selected as students will be manually registered to them.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ANAT10130 | Anatomy for Sports Science I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BIOC00010 | Chemistry-Biochemistry | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PERS10120 | Science of Human Performance I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PERS10150 | Health, Fitness and Nutrition | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHTY10080 | Applied Physics Principles | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
SMGT10100 | Theory of Coaching | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ANAT10140 | Anatomy for Sports Science II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PERS10010 | Fundamentals of Strength & Conditioning | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PERS10060 | Introduction to Exercise Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PERS10090 | Science of Human Performance II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHTY10040 | Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester. |
FDSC10010 | Food Diet and Health | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester. |
IA20060 | Entrepreneurship for Social Good | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester. |
PSY10050 | Introduction to Psychology | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester. |
PSY10040 | Introduction to the Psychology of Perception and Cognition | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester. |
PSY10090 | Introduction to Applied Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester. |
SMGT10060 | Sociology of Sport | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PERS20010 | Advanced Strength & Conditioning | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PERS20020 | Introduction to Nutrition for Health and Exercise | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PERS20170 | Optimisation of Human Performance | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PERS20200 | Exercise and Public Health | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
SMGT20250 | Psychology of Sport & Exercise | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PERS20190 | Testing and Evaluation of Human Performance | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PERS20230 | Neuromuscular & Biomechanical Laboratory Testing | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PHTY20020 | Applied Physics and Biomechanics | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PHTY30120 | Research Methods | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
SMGT20260 | Applied Sport Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select the two option modules from the list below (one module for each trimester) OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
PERS10130 | Intro to Sports Injuries | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select the two option modules from the list below (one module for each trimester) OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
PHTY20250 | Tai Chi for Sport and Health II: Qigong | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select the two option modules from the list below (one module for each trimester) OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
PHTY20280 | Born to Run: The Science of Human Endurance | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
PERS30060 | Research Thesis with Biostatis | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 20 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
PERS30020 | Molecular Exercise Science | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
PERS30260 | Sports Injury Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
SMGT30270 | Changing PA behaviour | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
PERS30010 | Appl Nutr Health Ex & Sp Perf | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
PERS30070 | Skill Acquisition | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
PERS30250 | Case Study in Sports Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select two option modules from the list below, one module for each trimester OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
SMGT10070 | Sports Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select two option modules from the list below, one module for each trimester OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
SMGT10240 | Sport Development | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select two option modules from the list below, one module for each trimester OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
BMGT10140 | Business Plan | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select two option modules from the list below, one module for each trimester OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
FDSC20110 | Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please select two option modules from the list below, one module for each trimester OR select two general elective modules (5 credits each), one module for each trimester OR select one option module below and one general elective module (5 credits) ensuring there is one module for each trimester. |
PHTY20280 | Born to Run: The Science of Human Endurance | Spring | 5 |
See the UCD Assessment website for further details
Module Weighting Info
Module Weighting Info
| Award | GPA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme | Module Weightings | Rule Description | Description | ||
| BHLSC003 | Stage 3 - 70.00% Stage 2 - 30.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
| Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
| Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
| Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |
|||