Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science
Southern Cross University
About
From the elite athlete to the growing teenager, physical and mental health are essential to a balanced life.
In this course you can immerse yourself in the psychology of what drives our behaviour and how this relates to sport and exercise.Our accredited Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science provides a scientific understanding of the structure and function of the human body as it relates to movement, the interrelationships between health and disease, and the psychological basis of physical activity.You will complete core units in exercise science including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, sports conditioning and motor control as well as core units in psychological science that include assessment, methodology and principles of behaviour.
A range of elective subjects is also available.Career opportunities exist as a psychologist (with additional postgraduate training) and in careers that carry therapeutic connections to sport and exercise, such as professional athlete counselling, rehabilitation, or within the education sector.
Structure
Core Units
| Title | Level of learning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | Note 1 |
| HEA00331 - Principles of Behaviour in Physical Activity | Introductory | Note 1 |
| BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | Note 1 |
| BHS11001 - Introduction to Psychology I | Introductory | |
| BIO71003 - Human Physiology II | Introductory | Note 1 |
| BIO00209 - Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy | Intermediate | Note 1 |
| NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory | Note 1 |
| BHS11002 - Introduction to Psychology II | Introductory | |
| BIO71001 - Human Growth, Development and Ageing | Introductory | Note 1 |
| SCI72001 - Mechanics for Movement | Intermediate | Note 1 |
| MNG00301 - Management for Sport and Exercise | Introductory | Note 1 |
| BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | |
| HEA00332 - Exercise Psychology | Intermediate | Note 1 |
| HMS00203 - Sports Conditioning and Training Methods | Intermediate | Note 1 |
| BHS20008 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Intermediate | |
| BIO10493 - Motor Control | Intermediate | Note 1 |
| BIO00203 - Exercise Physiology | Intermediate | Note 1 |
| BHS20001 - Psychological Assessment | Intermediate | |
| BHS30001 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Advanced | Note 1 |
| BIO73003 - Exercise Physiology and Prescription | Advanced | Note 1 |
| HMS00328 - Motor Learning | Intermediate | Note 1 |
| BHS30002 - Abnormal Psychology | Intermediate | |
| HMS00223 - Professional Preparation | Advanced | Note 1 |
| BHS20007 - Learning and Memory | Advanced | |
| BIO00324 - Applied Biomechanics | Advanced | Note 1 |
| BHS30004 - Biological Psychology | Advanced | |
| BHS20006 - Social Psychology | Advanced |
Elective Units
| Title | Level of learning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Five elective units from the University-wide offerings |
Entry requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
- 27 core units (324 credit points); and
- 5 equivalent elective units (60 credit points) from University wide offerings.
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
For units of study accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) - recognition of prior learning (via advanced standing) cannot be granted for previous informal or non-formal learning, or for formal learning completed within a qualification lower than AQF level 7 - Bachelor Degree.
Learning outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the <a href="/staff/teaching-and-learning/graduate-attributes/">graduate attributes</a>.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate the level of critical analysis, problem solving and decision making expected of professionals aligned to psychology and exercise science.Apply knowledge of the scientific method in thinking about problems related to behaviour and mental processes.Use reasoning and evidence to recognise, develop, defend, and criticise arguments and persuasive appeals. |
| Creativity | Demonstrate innovative and creative responses and solutions to problems encountered by health professionals aligned with psychology and exercise science.Demonstrate practical skills in laboratory-based and other research in psychology and exercise science.Demonstrate an attitude of critical thinking that includes persistence, open-mindedness, and intellectual engagement. |
| Ethical practice | Demonstrate a knowledge of – and commitment to – social responsibility, ethics and legal principles consistent with expectations of health professionals aligned to psychology and exercise science.Use information in an ethical manner (e.g., acknowledge and respect work and intellectual property rights of others through appropriate citations in oral and written communication).Promote evidence-based approaches to understanding and changing human behaviour. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate an ability to understand industry best practice relating to psychology and exercise science.Acquire an understanding of core topics in the disciplines of psychology and exercise science. |
| Lifelong learning | Manage personal and professional behaviour in response to the outcomes of self-directed learning and reflective practice.Demonstrate a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in a changing healthcare environment.Apply psychological principles to promote personal development in setting and achieving career and personal goals; incorporate feedback for improved performance; and purposefully evaluate the quality of one’s thinking (metacognition). |
| Communication and social skills | Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of teamwork in health professions aligned to psychology and exercise science.Write effectively in a variety of formats (e.g., essays, research proposals, reports using American Psychological Association conventions) and for a variety of purposes (e.g., informing, arguing).Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (e.g., debate, group discussion, presentation) and for various purposes. |
| Cultural competence | Demonstrate an understanding of social and cultural issues (including prejudice, discrimination, and inequity) relative to the work of health professionals aligned with psychology and exercise science.Recognise and respect social, cultural, linguistic, spiritual, and gender diversity.Reflect on one’s experiences and learn from them in order to identify and articulate one’s personal, sociocultural, and professional values; demonstrate insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes based on psychological principles. |
Institution
