BSc (with Honors) in Sport and Exercise Science

Key Points

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The BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science is a four-year, full-time honors course of study that can be chosen within the Common Entry Pathway of Exercise science. The Sports and Exercise Science program will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to assess athletic and athletic performance from a biomechanical, physiological, and psychological perspective. They will then be able to work with athletes and coaches on an ongoing basis to improve performance, health and well-being. The program will emphasize the traditional sports science disciplines of biomechanics, physiology, and psychology, but also newer disciplines of applied sports science, including strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, and team performance analysis.

At the end of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Measure, analyze and evaluate athletic performance using sports science laboratory apparatus and analysis software.
• Assess psychological profiles and moods using sports psychology assessment tools.
• Helping athletes and coaches improve performance during the training year and in preparation for major competitions in challenging environments.
• Plan sports-specific strength and conditioning programs for athletes and teams.
• Help athletes and coaches distinguish fact from fiction with reference to sports scientific research literature.

The program combines classroom instruction, tutoring with hands-on experience through exercise science labs, and work experience. Assessment approaches use continuous assessment, practical tests, group work, and written tests.

Personal

• Department staff have extensive experience providing sports science support to elite athletes and teams. Current or recent staff
• Help elite teams and athletes in the region monitor changes in body composition during the training year.
• Work with GAA teams across counties and various athletes in strength and conditioning, psychology and nutritional support functions
• Provide ongoing performance testing for elite cyclists and triathletes, as well as teams.
• Work with the Sport Ireland Institute to help develop elite student athletes
• They are providers of sports psychology services accredited with the Institute of Sport, who work with athletes and Olympic teams.
• Provided sports science support to the Irish Paralympic team for 2 Olympic cycles.
• Provided sports psychology and support team support at the London and Rio Olympics.

Facilities

Labs and devices available for hands-on classes and research projects include 3 human performance labs, a high-performance gym, DEXA body composition analyzer, Dartfish performance analysis software . Some classes are taught at the WIT ARENA laboratory and teaching facilities.

Research work and projects

Students in the program have the opportunity to experience the full research process culminating in the completion of a dissertation in the final year of the program. Students will benefit from exposure to sport science PhD research and ongoing exercise in the Department, including:

• Evaluation of functional movement screening for injury prevention
• Effect of relative age on the development of soccer talent
• Psychological distress and mental health in riders
• Sprint performance and resistance training interventions
• Physiological demands of horse racing
• Career transitions in student athletes

Career opportunities

A 12-week job offers supervised experience in a sports and exercise science environment. The Department has a wide network of placement opportunities or students can organize their own. Examples include:

• Performing performance analysis with Premiership football clubs
• Assist with strength and conditioning programs with professional rugby clubs.
• Personal trainer in community and private companies
• Provide sports science support to athletes or teams.
• Work in sports science centers and laboratories

Program structure

Admission requirements

Applicants who are not citizens of the EU member states, nor have resided for full-time undergraduate study courses in Ireland should apply directly to the International Office at WIT. Applications will be accepted until May 31 of each year for programs that begin the following September. Overdue applications will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

For this Program:

• 2 subjects: H5
• 4 subjects: O6 / H7
• English or Irish: O6 / H7
• Math: O6 / H7

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