Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science (Common Entry)

Apply to Tipperary FET College Thurles– Archerstown,

Overview

This programme aims to offer students the opportunity to complete year one of a common entry degree in Sports Science, with Tipperary ETB, before having a guaranteed progression route to years two to four with TUS Midwest (Thurles Campus).

Year one will provide students with the opportunity to begin to learn about anatomy, movement, nutrition, exercise, strength and conditioning, as they relate to the study of sport.

Having successfully completed year one of the degree, students will progress to year two of their chosen degree in one of the following:
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Sport and Exercise Nutrition
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology

Provider Locations and Structure

Year 1 based in the following ETB location:
• Tipperary FET College Thurles– Archerstown, Archerstown Business Park, Thurles, Co. Tipperary E41 YH58

Years 2, 3 & 4 based in the following TUS campus:
• TUS, Thurles Campus, Nenagh Rd, Racecourse, Thurles, Co. Tipperary E41 PC92

Course Content – for all years

This programme, developed and designed with relevant stakeholders, leads to a Bachelor of Science (Honours), in one of three target awards:
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Sport and Exercise Nutrition
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology

Students will commence the degree programme with a common year one, delivered in a Tipperary ETB FET college, with approximately 24 hours of class contact per week. In first year, students will study the following modules:

Foundations in Anatomy
The aim of this module is for the student to gain a foundational knowledge of the human anatomical structures and systems.

IT and Communication Skills
The aim of this module is to develop students personal and interpersonal communication skills for the sports and fitness industries. Students will be introduced to information technology via the Microsoft suite and shown how such software may be used to enhance the effective communication of data for clarity in decision making.

Foundations of Nutrition
The aim of this module is to introduce the fundamental aspects of human nutrition. The sources, structure, functions and metabolism of macro nutrients, together with basic concepts of energy balance will be explored. The sources and functions of vitamins and minerals, together with recommended intakes, will also be introduced, along with the role of hydration.

Philosophy and Ethics of Practice
The aim of this module is to facilitate the student to identify the knowledge and skills related to the development and practice of an ethical framework and philosophy of practice.

Principles of Strength and Conditioning
The aim of this module is to provide an insightful introduction to the principles surrounding resistance training as related to the planning, development and implementation of strength and conditioning programmes for the athlete population.

Physical Activity and Movement Development
The aim of this module is to facilitate the student to understand the development of movement patterns through a life cycle and how these principles inform athletic development and planning.

Fundamental Movement Skills
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the principles and practices of fundamental movement skills and how these skills relate to athletic development.

Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology
The aim of this module is to provide students with a basic understanding of human physiology and physiological responses to exercise.

Strength and Conditioning Methods
The aim of this module is to enhance knowledge and competency of science and application of strength and conditioning for the athlete population.

Foundations in Biomechanics
The aim of this module is for the student to gain a foundational knowledge of the human biomechanics and responses as they relate to exercise and activity. The student will also be introduced to basic principles of human biomechanics as they apply to kinetic and kinematic movement.

Coaching Skills and Athlete Preparation
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concepts of coaching and the principles of training and demonstrate how this knowledge can be utilised practically to develop teams/athletes and the general population interested in exercise and fitness improvement.

Video Analysis
The aim of this module is to develop the student’s technical skills in producing digital material for analysing individual and team-based technical, training and gameplay movements using a varied range of technology.

After year one, modules will depend on which degree programme students progress to year two in; Strength and Conditioning or Sport and Exercise Nutrition or Performance Technology.

In year three of this tertiary programme, students will undertake a work placement or may study abroad.

Accreditation, Embedded and Step Back Awards

This tertiary programme is designed to support academic success over a four-year period. However, if a student leaves before completing the final year, this programme offers embedded awards that formally recognise learning achieved during time on the programme.

The following are the embedded awards associated with this programme:

After successfully completing Year 1
NFQ Level 6 Certificate of Completion, Minor Award, 60 ECTS Credits from TUS.

After successfully completing Year 2
NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning or Higher Certificate in Applied Sports Science with Sport and Exercise Nutrition or Higher Certificate in Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology, 120 ECTS Credits from TUS.

After successfully completing Year 3
NFQ Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning or Bachelor of Science in Applied Sports Science with Sport and Exercise Nutrition or Bachelor of Science in Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology, 180 ECTS Credits from TUS.

After successfully completing Year 4
The final NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning or Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Sport and Exercise Nutrition or Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology is awarded by TUS, 240 ECTS Credits.

Planned intake (number of places)

20 places

Entry requirements and eligibility

Prospective students wishing to be accepted onto this programme must meet the following minimum entry criteria:

Leaving Certificate Students:
A minimum of two H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six leaving certificate subjects, including Mathematics, and English or Irish.

QQI Students:
A full NFQ Level 5 QQI Major Award, that includes Distinctions in at least three modules.

Mature Students:
Those that do not meet the minimum entry requirement, and who are aged 23 years or over (on the 1 January of the calendar year they commence the programme), may be assessed on their merits, considering their life experience, work or community experience, and prior learning.

Additional Information:
All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must demonstrate CEFR proficiency at B2 for access. An Irish Leaving Certificate qualification achieved through English meets this requirement.

Prospective students will be invited for interview to demonstrate their suitability for the programme.

Onward pathways

Graduates of the NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning may take up work in gyms, with sports teams or set up their own sport business.

Graduates can also further their education in sports performance, sports coaching, sports psychology and physiotherapy.

Graduates may gain employment in sports organisations, sports’ national governing bodies, sporting clubs and colleges, the health and fitness industry, community activity programmes and private enterprise.

Graduates of the NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Sport and Exercise Nutrition may gain entry into employment in the private and public sector including National Governing Bodies for Sport, Elite Sports teams, High Performance Centres, Gyms, Local Authority organisations such as Sport Partnerships, Community groups and local sports clubs.

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition register (SENr) and the Association for Nutritionists (AfN) and will have a solid basis for further study at postgraduate and professional levels.

Graduates of the NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology will have developed a wide range of practical skills that are beneficial across various roles within a sporting organisation.

Exposure to exercise science, performance analysis, coaching, and research environments will ensure students are ‘industry-ready’.
Graduates take up work in gyms, coaching, performance analysis or setting up their own sport business.

In addition, successful graduates of the programme may be eligible for NFQ Levels 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.

Special features

Students following this tertiary programme have a unique opportunity in year one to engage with modules that will give them knowledge across three degree programmes; strength and conditioning, sport and exercise nutrition, and performance technology.

Students can then decide during year one which of the three degree programmes they wish to progress to in year two.