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

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 I	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 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 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 and Health 1	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	Psychology of Sport & Health II	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF: Please select the option module below and one general elective spring module at 5 credits, or select TWO general elective modules at 5 credits each.
PHTY20250	Tai Chi for Sport and Health II: Qigong	Autumn	5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF: Please select the option module below and one general elective spring module at 5 credits, or select TWO general elective modules at 5 credits each.
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 the option modules below or, alternatively, select TWO general elective modules at 5 credits each.
PHTY20260	Mindfulness for Health	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
PHTY20240	Tai Chi for Sport & Health	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: Please select the option modules below or, alternatively, select TWO general elective modules at 5 credits each.

		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