DN425 Health & Performance Science (MDS8)

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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.


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
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.
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).
You may apply to study abroad for either a semester or a year through the Erasmus programme or on a non-EU exchange. UCD has over 200 Erasmus partners in Europe and an increasing number of non-EU exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.

Please visit the Erasmus section by clicking on the International Office link at the top of this page.
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.
  • 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.

    Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
    Stage 1 Core Modules
         
    ANAT10130 Anatomy for Sports Science I Autumn 5
    BIOC00010 Chemistry-Biochemistry Autumn 5
    PERS10120 Science of Human Performance I Autumn 5
    PHTY10080 Applied Physics Principles Autumn 5
    SMGT10100 Theory of Coaching Autumn 5
    SMGT10150 Health, Fitness and Nutrition Autumn 5
    ANAT10140 Anatomy for Sports Science II Spring 5
    PERS10010 Fundamentals of Strength & Conditioning Spring 5
    PERS10060 Introduction to Exercise Science Spring 5
    PERS10090 Science of Human Performance II Spring 5
    PHTY10040 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology Spring 5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
         
    Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF:
    Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester.
         
    PHTY20240 Tai Chi for Sport & Health Spring 5
    SMGT10060 Sociology of Sport Spring 5
    Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF:
    Please select ONE of the option modules below or, alternatively, select ONE general elective module (5 credits) for the Spring Trimester.
         
    Stage 2 Core Modules
         
    PERS20010 Advanced Strength & Conditioning Autumn 5
    PERS20020 Introduction to Nutrition for Health and Exercise Autumn 5
    PERS20170 Optimisation of Human Performance Autumn 5
    PERS20200 Exercise and Public Health Autumn 5
    SMGT20250 Psychology of Sport & Exercise Autumn 5
    PERS20190 Testing and Evaluation of Human Performance Spring 5
    PERS20230 Neuromuscular & Biomechanical Laboratory Testing Spring 5
    PHTY20020 Applied Physics and Biomechanics Spring 5
    PHTY30120 Research Methods Spring 5
    SMGT20260 Applied Sport Psychology Spring 5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
         
    Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF:
    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
    PHTY20280 Born to Run: The Science of Human Endurance Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF:
    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.
         
    Stage 3 Core Modules
         
    PERS30060 Research Thesis with Biostatis 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 20
    PERS30020 Molecular Exercise Science Autumn 5
    PERS30260 Sports Injury Management Autumn 5
    SMGT30270 Changing PA behaviour Autumn 5
    PERS30010 Appl Nutr Health Ex & Sp Perf Spring 5
    PERS30070 Skill Acquisition Spring 5
    PERS30250 Case Study in Sports Science Spring 5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
         
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF:
    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
    SMGT10240 Sport Development Autumn 5
    BMGT10140 Business Plan Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
    FDSC20110 Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
    PHTY20240 Tai Chi for Sport & Health Spring 5
    PHTY20280 Born to Run: The Science of Human Endurance Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF:
    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.
         
    See the UCD Assessment website for further details

    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


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