2. PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

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1 2. PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION This programme specification presents a summary of the MSc in Sport & Exercise Physiology to allow you to understand what is expected from you, what you can expect from us, and how your MSc will match national standards and guidelines for M level courses. 1. Award 2. Programme 3. Awarding Institution/Body 4. Teaching Institutions 5. Programme Accredited by 6. UCAS code 7. QAA benchmarking group 8. Validation History: first validated, minor validation, next review visit (i.e. When does current validation arrangement elapse). MSc Sport & Exercise Physiology University of Chichester University of Chichester n/a n/a Unit 25: Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism First validated: March Programme Rationale This is a 1 year full-time (with part-time routes available) programme of study designed for graduates seeking to develop specialist knowledge in sport and exercise physiology. Within the past decade there has been a marked growth in the career opportunities available for sport and exercise physiologists (e.g. teaching in further and higher education, World Class Support programmes, occupational roles in the military and uniformed services, and clinical roles in hospitals and medical organisations). Coupled with such growth has also been an increased need for appropriately qualified and accredited individuals to undertake such roles. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences has developed procedures for the accreditation of suitably experienced individuals that stipulate the possession of a relevant form of post-graduate qualification. The MSc in Sport & Exercise Physiology therefore seeks to provide students with an opportunity to study at a post-graduate level to fulfil the initial requirements for BASES Accreditation, to develop their knowledge of the sport and exercise sciences and to increase their skills in applying such knowledge in both sporting and exercise populations. Distinctive Features The course provides the opportunity to specialise exclusively in sport and exercise physiology. The course provides the opportunity to pursue a Supervised Experience Portfolio in place of the traditional dissertation. 10. Aims of Field/Programme. In line with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, the route aims to: 1. Develop a systematic and critical understanding of current theory, research and debates at the forefront of Sport & Exercise Physiology 2. Develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of research methodologies and practical techniques used in the field of Sport & Exercise Physiology 3. Foster a self-directed approach to learning 11. Intended learning outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate the achievement of the following:

2 Subject Knowledge 1. Critically evaluate and synthesise theory and research in Sport & Exercise Physiology to provide informed responses to debates within the field. 2. Critically evaluate the efficacy and limitations of applied techniques used in Sport and Exercise Physiology. Teaching and learning strategies and methods The programme offers the student opportunities to experience and engage in a number of learning approaches in order to develop their subject specific knowledge. A variety of teaching and learning methods, such as lectures, seminars, laboratory activity, group discussion, tutorials and library work are used throughout the modules, but they all have a common theme: a student-centred approach. This is in accord with University s Learning and Teaching Strategy. Assessment Knowledge and learning are assessed through a variety of different assessment forms including essays, examinations, practical exercises and reports, oral presentations, seminar leading, literature reviews and project work. Both formative and summative assessment forms are used allowing the student to receive informed comment and support on their work. The majority of assessments have been designed to be flexible in scope to enable students to take responsibility for the exact nature of their own learning. Intellectual/practical skills 1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of research methodologies employed in the sport and exercise physiology. 2. Demonstrate autonomy and originality in tackling and solving research and practical problems within Sport & Exercise physiology. 3. The ability to make informed decisions in complex and unpredictable situations with varying degrees of information. 4. Demonstrate the ability to apply scientific interventions to sport and/or exercise populations. Teaching and Learning strategies and methods Intellectual and practical skills are developed through lectures, seminars, workshops, individual tutorials, laboratory activities and practical tasks, computer based activities and also via independent, guided study. Assessment Skills are assessed through a range of assessment forms including presentations, essays, examinations, practical performance and project work. The dissertation/supervised experience portfolio allows a range of intellectual and practical skills to be assessed.

3 Transferable Skills 1. The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. 2. The ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility. 3. The ability to structure one s own learning. Teaching and learning strategies and methods Transferable skills are developed through lectures, seminars, workshops, individual tutorials, laboratory activities and practical tasks, computer based activities and also via independent, guided study. The dissertation/supervised experience portfolio is also a valuable learning tool used to enhance the targeted transferable skills. Assessment Transferable skills are assessed through a variety of assessment formats. These include presentations, essays, examinations, practical performance and project work. The dissertation/supervised experience portfolio allows a range of intellectual and practical skills to be assessed. The majority of assessments have been designed to be flexible in scope to enable students to take responsibility for the exact nature of their own learning. 12. Quality indicators The quality procedures adopted in the route are laid down at an institutional level within the University s Quality Assurance: Policy and Procedures Document (June, 1999) and in the Postgraduate Awards Scheme. These have been designed to reflect the QAA Code of Practice on Programme Approval Monitoring and Review (May 2000). In particular, there is a formal annual monitoring process informed by feedback and evaluation. In addition, the following approaches are used to monitor the quality of the MSc: Programme Evaluation i. Questionnaires relating to broader issues concerning the organisation and management of the route as a whole (e.g. induction procedures). These are administered by the Route Leader. ii. Route boards will be used to provide opportunities for student representatives and staff to discuss all matters of the course. iii. Informal evaluation the small and mature nature of the cohort means that much valuable information is available through informal dialogue. Module Evaluation i. Student questionnaires (or open discussion) issued at the end of each module. These will be administered by the Module Co-ordinators with results being communicated to both the Route Leader and the students. ii. Informal evaluation the small and mature nature of the cohort means that much valuable information is available through informal dialogue. The route is committed to feeding back to students the results of all evaluations. This will be done via module handbooks and the posting of minutes and evaluation results on student notice boards.

4 13. Admission Standard Entry Normal indication of adequate prior formal learning is one or more of: A) a good honours degree in a subject deemed relevant to the course (e.g., Sports Science, Exercise Science, Physiology) B) a Postgraduate Diploma; C) other awards offering comparable levels of knowledge and understanding. In addition, students will normally be required to attend an interview and satisfy the panel that they are able to complete the MSc in Sport & Exercise Physiology. However, due to the nature of sport and exercise sciences it is envisaged that the MSc. will attract candidates from a range of academic backgrounds that may prove appropriate for study on the course. Thus, at interview candidates may be asked to show the relevance of their prior study to the MSc in Sport & Exercise Physiology (e.g. degree transcripts). The interview will also seek to establish potential gaps in knowledge that may hinder student progress. Where such gaps are identified candidates may be referred to preparatory study prior to the start of the course. Non-Standard Entry It is recognised that some applicants may not meet these standard academic requirements, but may still be desirable course members with other appropriate and equivalent skills and knowledge (e.g. medical, coaching or teaching experiences). In such cases the applicant may apply for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). The procedure for determining the suitability of such candidates is based on guidelines set down in the Postgraduate Awards Scheme. The process will normally be as follows: a) The candidate completes a portfolio detailing all prior learning and experience to be registered (e.g. course details, experiences with reflection of learning, professional development). b) Candidate interviewed by two members of Programmes tutorial team. c) Application form and portfolio made available to opinion of the External Examiner. d) Following initial decision application materials scrutinised by two representatives of the Scheme Management Group and Scheme Co-ordinator for final ratification of the decision. e) If successful the route leader may ask for a learning package to be completed satisfactorily prior to the start of the course. All judgements are based on the expectation that the candidate will be able to benefit from and successfully complete the route. International students will be expected to demonstrate IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent).

5 14. Award requirements (includes interim awards) Classification of Final Awards The Postgraduate Certificate is awarded following achievement of 60 pass credits. It is awarded on a three-point scale Distinction, Pass, Fail determined by the grades for the three modules that comprise the certificate. Distinction at least two A grades and nothing less than C. Pass any combination of grades except those specified for distinction or failure. Fail an E grade in any one module after re-submission has been allowed will lead to failure. The Postgraduate Diploma is awarded following achievement of 120 pass credits. It is awarded on a three-point scale Distinction, Pass, Fail determined by the grades for the six modules that comprise the diploma. Distinction at least four A grades and nothing less than C. Pass any combination of grades except those specified for distinction or failure. Fail an E grade in any one module after re-submission has been allowed will lead to failure. The Masters Degree is awarded following achievement of 180 pass credits. It is awarded on a four-point scale Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail determined by the grades for the six modules and the research project/ placement that comprise the degree. Distinction at least four A grades, nothing less than C and the Masters element at A grade. Merit at least 2 A s and 2 B s and nothing less than a C and the Masters element at A grade. Pass any combination of grades except those specified for distinction, merit or failure. Fail an E grade in any one module after re-submission has been allowed will lead to failure.

6 Figure 1. Master of Science diagram MSc Level Dissertation/Supervised Experience Portfolio (List ) 120 credits Students must have passed: Research Methods and Statistics 1 Research Methods and Statistics 2 Award MSc Sport & Exercise Physiology 180 credits Diploma Level Sport & Exercise Physiology 6 modules from: Research Methods and Statistics 1 Research Methods and Statistics 2 Skeletal muscle: structure, function and plasticity Cardio-Respiratory Physiology in Sport, Exercise and Disease Professional Skills in Sport & Exercise Physiology: Towards a theoretical framework Applied Techniques in Sport & Exercise Physiology Independent Study Progression 120 credits to include both Research Methods & Statistics 1 and 2 Award Post-Graduate Diploma 120 M level credits Certificate Level Sport & Exercise Physiology 3 modules from: Research Methods and Statistics 1 Research Methods and Statistics 2 Skeletal muscle: structure, function and plasticity Cardio-Respiratory Physiology in Sport, Exercise and Disease Professional Skills in Sport & Exercise Physiology: Towards a theoretical framework Applied Techniques in Sport & Exercise Physiology Progression 60 M level credits Award requirements 60 M level credits