Course summary
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.
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.
Exercise science: anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, sports conditioning and motor control.
Psychological science: assessment, methodology, principles of behaviour.
Course Learning Outcome |
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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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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). |
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. |
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. |
You will complete a 140-hour exercise science professional placement in the third year of the course. Placements might be in health and sporting centres, clubs, schools and academies or sport and recreation centres under professional supervision. As part of your professional placement you might assist personal trainers, health educators, strength and conditioning or sports coaches, sporting event coordinators or recreation officers.
Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain pre-requisites (e.g. a working with children check, immunisation and National Police Certificate). Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.
The Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and has qualifying accreditation from Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). All graduates may apply for full membership as Exercise Scientists with ESSA and are eligible for registration as an Exercise Professional with Fitness Australia (FA) and as a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
Graduates may also choose to pursue further training to gain registration as a psychologist or as an accredited exercise physiologist.
Course overview
Course code
3207113
Course abbreviation
BExScPsychSc
Credit points
384
Equivalent units
32
Duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
Duration
4 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
---|---|---|---|
Coffs Harbour | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
Fee information
International
Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
---|---|---|---|
Coffs Harbour | Session 1 | $29,600 ($3,700 per unit) | 098568E |
Gold Coast | Session 2 | $29,600 ($3,700 per unit) | 0102160 |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
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.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1, Session 2 | |||
BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | ||
NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory | ||
Year 1, Session 3 | |||
BIO71003 - Human Physiology II | Introductory | ||
Year 2, Session 1 | |||
BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
HEA00331 - Principles of Behaviour in Physical Activity | Introductory | ||
BHS11001 - Introduction to Psychology I | Introductory | ||
Year 2, Session 2 |
|||
BIO00209 - Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy | Intermediate | ||
BHS11002 - Introduction to Psychology II | Introductory | ||
Year 3, Session 1 | |||
From Year 3, following the Session 1 Commencement course progression from Year 2 |
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1, Session 3 | |||
Complete one or both of the below units and then follow the course progression for Session 1 Commencement excluding the completed unit/s. | |||
BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory |
Notes
Note 1: | ESSA Accredited Unit |