Description
Programme Specification for the 2020/1 academic year
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences with Professional Training Year
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences with Professional Training Year | Programme code | UFS4EMSSHS01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
Taught jointly by Medical Sciences at the University of Exeter Medical School and Sport and Health Sciences, Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences (SEMS) programme blends a deep understanding of the pathophysiology, prevention, diagnostic tests and treatment of acute, traumatic, or chronic disease or injury, alongside an insight into the science underpinning the optimal preparation, performance and rehabilitation of the athlete or healing patient. It has been developed through the careful consideration of modules from existing programmes to create a new programme that fits with the wider ethos of both colleges to promote health and wellbeing, within a framework of medical translational science. This reflects an increasing NHS and public health agenda to integrate physical activity, lifestyle related-health behaviours, and nutrition education into university curricula to prevent disease and treat targeted disorders. Thus, the combination of medical sciences and sport and health sciences enables you to develop a holistic understanding of the human body and exercise and physical activity.
The Professional Training Year (PTY), offers you the opportunity to undertake a relevant work placement (through a competitive entry process) with an employer within the health sector, the academia, or another appropriate knowledge industry. SEMS programme responds to a growing public health agenda which seeks to prevent disease and treat targeted disorders through appropriate physical activity, lifestyle-related health behaviours and nutrition. It provides a broad range of career opportunities particularly within medical sciences, rehabilitation, sport science, health and wellbeing sectors. On graduation, you will be well positioned to support the preparation and rehabilitation of athletes, with patients recovering from injury or illness, and to undertake roles aimed at improving lifestyle through increasing levels of sport and exercise in the population at large. You will also be well placed to pursue further postgraduate study in, for example, Sport and Exercise Medicine, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Sports Nutrition, Nursing.
A substantial part of your study involves student-centred focused group sessions designed to explore key scientific concepts and systems presented in the form of triggers. The style of trigger varies week by week but will include authentic patient-based clinical case studies, current media-worthy medical science breakthroughs and extracts from research papers. We then build on this foundation to see how things could go wrong in the body due to injury or disease and how normal function might be restored. In this way you will develop a whole range of transferrable skills that you can put into practice in a clinical or health setting as well as robust research skills such as,creative and inquisitive communication, leadership, critical appraisal and problem formulation and problem solving. Supplementing these sessions you will attend module specific lectures, workshops and laboratory practical sessions throughout the programme.
All students complete the same first year. However, there will are an increasing range of modules in the second and final year designed to address your career inspired postgraduate choices.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. To develop skilled, creative and inquisitive graduates who are well prepared for successful graduate-level employment (e.g. in research to improve the health of individuals and the community by translating findings into diagnostic tools, medicines, , life-style changes, policies and education etc);
2. To provide you with knowledge and understanding of translating science into medical, health and athletic improvement, from the fundamentals to the frontiers of the subject;
3. To provide you with the basic scientific, intellectual, and practical training that will prepare you for lifelong learning, demanded by todays competitive professional environment worldwide;
4. To offer you the opportunity to develop a more detailed understanding of the discipline by specialising in an area linked to the Medical Schools international research strengths and those of Sport and Health Sciences (SHS) of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES).
5. To provide an opportunity to develop and apply knowledge, theory and skills within a professional training placement setting; and
6. To enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters evidence-based academic and reflective personal development.
The programme introduces you to a foundation in the Medical and Sport and Exercise Sciences and subsequently enhances this development of intellectual capabilities within an institution that is committed to advancing research, scholarship and learning, and to disseminating knowledge and best practice. With this in mind, and underpinned by core biomedical and physiological sciences, successful students will develop a holistic understanding of social, health and environmental factors that impact human health and how new scientific discoveries across these areas are translated into practice to benefit front-line clinicians, sport and health practitioners, their multidisciplinary teams and, ultimately, their clients or patients.
N.B. This programme does not train students to be clinicians. Sport and Exercise Medicine and Physiotherapy is a branch of medicine within the NHS, which requires one to study medicine (please see: http://www.bma.org.uk/). As a life-sciences graduate, however, you may be able to enrol on the accredited (competitive-entry) postgraduate NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). For further information on NHS careers, please visit http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/ .
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
For full details of the programme, including module details and career prospects, please visit the Medical School and College of Life and Environmental Sciences websites (http://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/ and http://lifesciences.exeter.ac.uk/).
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The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site: |
In addition to required Core Modules, you may take Option modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and if you have not already taken the module in question, nor its equivalent. Brief descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Medical School and CLES websites.
Stage 1
In your first year you will follow a compulsory programme of 120 credits which is carefully drawn from BSc Medical Sciences and Sport and Health Sciences programmes. You will explore the science that underpins the advancement of modern medical practice, sport nutrition, physiology and psychology. There is an emphasis on basic cellular and molecular biology that enhances your understanding of the normal functioning of the human body, from enzymes through to whole biological systems. Without this core knowledge of how the body works, it would be impossible for us, as scientists, to devise the new diagnostic tests, drugs or treatments that will best benefit sport athletes and patients.
Alongside traditional lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals, you will engage in structured group work where you are given the freedom to explore a scientific topic under the expert guidance of our tutors (in the Integrated Human Physiology and Fundamental Skills for Medical Scientists modules). Further tutor-guided learning occurs within our Life Sciences Resource Centre and exercise physiology and biomechanics laboratories, supported by state-of-the-art technology-enhanced learning resources (in the Integrated Human Physiology module). Your core laboratory skills will be developed through laboratory-based practicals that run alongside and support your other sessions. Some sessions also involve a doctor, scientist and patient to explore key clinical cases from three different perspectives.
You will begin to compile your Personal Development and Professionalism Portfolio, in which you chart your progress from a new student to a professional individual ready for the world of employment. You’ll do this by analysing your academic performance through reflection and the frequent feedback offered by the school to identify opportunities for personal, academic and professional development, in order to help you achieve your career goals.
Support for your academic progress and career planning is provided by your allocated Academic Tutor. Additionally, training and support is provided through various workshops and seminars organised by the Programme’s Academic Lead for Careers and Employability within the compulsory core module, Fundamental Skills for Medical Scientists (CSC1004, 15 credits) and the non-credit-bearing module, Academic and Professional Support (CSC1905). Some of these sessions are delivered by the dedicated Careers Consultant assigned to the college. At this level, you will begin to compile your Personal Development and Professionalism portfolio, a collection of evidenced work and feedback that documents your development into a highly employable, skilled graduate. Additional leadership and teamwork skill development may be acquired through central university’s Exeter Awards scheme.
You will also receive lectures and information during Stage 1 to preview different specialist optional modules available to inform your choice in Year 2 if you decide to study a topic in more depth. Please note that successful completion of the University’s training on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism, within the CSC1004 module, is compulsory in order for you to progress to Stage 2 of study. In order to pass, you must achieve at least 80% on the assessment, but you may attempt the assessment as many times as is necessary.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESS1204 | Foundations of Biomechanics | 15 | No |
| ESS1502 | Sports Training Physiology | 15 | No |
| ESS1606 | Nutrition and Metabolism | 15 | No |
| ESS1605 | Foundations of Exercise and Sport Psychology | 15 | No |
| CSC1004 | Fundamental Skills for Medical Scientists | 30 | No |
| CSC1005 | Integrated Human Physiology | 30 | No |
Stage 2
The second year focuses on the scientific basis of nutrition, sport physiology and related important diseases, beginning with some fundamental insights into the ways in which human biology goes awry in disease. This knowledge is then used to explore how cutting-edge scientific technologies can be exploited to advance disease diagnosis and treatment.
Within a variety of learning environments, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory practicals and structured group learning, you will have opportunities to investigate and debate how disease / injury develops and how healthcare can be improved. Key aspects of applied research are explored including clinical and medical research methods and its design and setting (including governance, ethics, funding, testable hypothesis development, data handling and communication) within healthcare environments. Your understanding of these areas develops through a variety of hands-on learning opportunities which enhance your practical research skills and knowledge of contemporary medical and sport science research issues.
When choosing modules for Stage 2, you will need to consider whether you will accrue prerequisites of final year modules, as some final year modules require prior learning.
Specialist designation of all modules, and final year research projects, dissertations etc will be confirmed by the University of Exeter Medical School (CMH) as the lead college and may be granted, withdrawn or amended by the CMH accordingly.
You will progress on to the stage 2 of the programme where they are required to take 60-75 credits with the code CSC and 45-60 credits with the code ESS, shown in Table 2.
Please note that no more than 120 credits may be studied at Stage Two and you are recommended to avoid taking more than 60 credits in each term.
In addition to the core/optional modules, you will participate in a number of activities and complete the Academic and Professional Support module (CSC2905, 0 credits) as a core requirement managed by the Academic Lead for Careers and Employability. You will continue to build your Personal Development and Professionalism portfolio and will receive dedicated careers support and advice from your Academic Tutor, the college Careers Consultant and the Academic Lead for Careers and Employability.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC2012 | Disease, Diagnostics and Therapeutics | 30 | No |
| CSC2023 | Experimental Design and Statistics | 30 | No |
| ESS2001 | Exercise Physiology | 15 | No |
| ESS2004 | Biomechanics and Kinesiology | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC2009 | Anatomical Sciences | 15 | No |
| ESS2509 | Sports Nutrition and Metabolism | 15 | No |
| ESS2808 | Sport Psychology 2: Skill Acquisition | 15 | No |
| CSC2004 | Medical Genetics | 15 | No |
| CSC2005 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 15 | No |
| CSC1009 | Chemistry of Life | 15 | No |
| CSC2007 | Introduction to Health Research | 15 | No |
| CSC2008 | Immunopathology | 15 | No |
| CSC2017 | Ethical Issues in Health Research | 15 | No |
| CSC2022 | Key Approaches in Health Research | 15 | No |
Stage 3
Professional Training Year placements
The Professional Training Year (PTY) provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable experience of working as part of a cutting edge research team. This gives you the chance to discover what it is like to work in a real research laboratory or a health intervention setting and will enhance your career prospects. You may even get the opportunity to attend a national or international science conference to present your research data, or may get your name on a research paper. Undertaking a PTY placement will enhance your professionalism, independence and confidence; increase your subject knowledge and research skills; improve your problem-solving, team-working, leadership, communication and project management skills; and prepare you for working in a professional work environment.
Our students have been awarded prestigious placements in major pharmaceutical companies, such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Placements with these companies are open to all UK undergraduates, and our students are closely supported by us throughout their application. In the past, students have completed research projects at the following institutions (for indicative purposes only):
• Research laboratories within the NHS
• Harvard Medical School (USA)
• Johns Hopkins University (USA)
• University of California (USA)
• Health Protection Agency
• Universities of London (King’s College, Imperial), Exeter, Plymouth and Southampton
Students who are not successful in securing a PTY placement or who would like to only study for three years, will continue directly from the second year into the final year of the programme. PTY module is assessed at stage 3 level, and will count against 1/7th of your degree. Stage 2 and the final year will count against 2/7th and 4/7th. Those not undertaking PTY will be granted 1/3rd and 2/3rd for their Stage 2 and final year assessments.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC3003 | Professional Training Year | 120 | Yes |
Stage 4
In your final year you have opportunities to study cutting-edge translational science and undertake research to help improve current human and medical knowledge and practice. In addition to the core modules, you can select from a wide range of optional specialist advanced modules from both Medical Sciences and Sport and Health Sciences, enabling you to tailor your degree to match your own specific interests and career ambitions.
You’ll look at authentic and complex medical case scenarios and, working as a team, you’ll apply evidence-based scientific theory and explore and critically evaluate emerging health technologies to help improve patient health, rehabilitate them to pre-injury conditions or influence their behaviours to prevent further injury or illness. During this stage, you will either undertake a clinical/medical research project, or a scholarly review closely supervised by an expert research professional as part of the modules CSC4028 (Medical Sciences Literature Review), CSC4029 (Medical Sciences Research Project) or ESS3302/ESS3304 (SHS Dissertation). Research projects, therefore, are provided by both Medical Sciences and Sport and Health Sciences.
You’ll also complete your Personal Development and Professionalism Portfolio. Support will be provided by the Academic Lead for Careers and Employability to help you consider your career options and help consolidate your CV and interview technique. This and related activities are managed within the core Academic and Professional Support module (CSC3905, 0 credits).
Your choice of modules for Stage 3 will partly depend on your choice of final year research dissertation and whether you opt for Medical Sciences or Sport and Health Sciences projects. You should choose at least 30 credits from each college. Please note that no more than 120 credits may be studied at Stage 3 and you are recommended to avoid taking more than 60 credits in each term.
Specialist designation of all modules, projects, dissertations etc. will be confirmed by the Medical School and may be granted, withdrawn or amended by the Medical Sciences or Sport and Health Sciences, accordingly.
See Table 3 for a list of compulsory and optional Stage 3 (final year) modules: Please note, enrolment on optional modules will be conditional on your having completed any required prerequisite modules at Stages One and Two.
Compulsory Modules
Note: You must choose either one of the Medical Sciences or Sport and Health Sciences Dissertations. With the former, you will initially be allocated to CSC4028, then transferred onto CSC4029 if appropriate following the project allocation process.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESS3302 | Dissertation Choose one of these modules. See note above | 45 | Yes |
| ESS3304 | Dissertation (Physiology) Choose one of these modules. See note above | 45 | Yes |
| CSC4028 | Medical Sciences Literature Review Choose one of these modules. See note above | 45 | Yes |
| CSC4029 | Medical Sciences Research Project Choose one of these modules. See note above | 45 | Yes |
Optional Modules
Note: You should choose at least 30 credits from each college to a total of 120 credits.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESS3805 | Biomechanical Analysis of Human Movement | 30 | No |
| ESS3804 | Clinical Exercise Prescription | 30 | No |
| ESS2900 | Employability and Career Development | 15 | No |
| ESS3706 | Integrated Physiology and Adaptation to Physical (in)activity | 15 | No |
| ESS3703 | Paediatric Exercise Physiology | 15 | No |
| ESS3707 | Physiological Determinants of Exercise Performance | 15 | No |
| ESS3705 | Sport, Physical Activity and Health | 15 | No |
| ESS3808 | Sport Psychology | 30 | No |
| CSC4022 | Medical Imaging - Principles and Applications | 15 | No |
| CSC4021 | Rehabilitation Science | 15 | No |
| CSC4007 | Medical Genomics | 15 | No |
| CSC4003 | Psychology Applied to Health | 15 | No |
| CSC4005 | Pharmacogenomics | 15 | No |
| CSC2019 | Neuropharmacology | 15 | No |
| CSC4019 | Translational Medical Science | 30 | No |
| CSC4006 | Rational Drug Design | 15 | No |
| CSC4004 | Managing Clinical Trials: Putting Science into Practice | 15 | No |
| CSC4018 | Health Economics | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Describe and apply to practical environments, in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner, the core biomolecular, biomedical, and biopsychosocial principles underpinning human health and important diseases. | Structured small group learning sessions; lectures; practical laboratory classes; seminars and workshops; experiential placements; research project or dissertation; independent study, and personal tutor feedback | ILOs 1-5 will be tested across the core and optional module formative and summative assessment, including essay examinations, short answer and multiple choice tests, practical examinations, written reviews, laboratory reports, practical work and projects, quantitative problems, project report/dissertation, oral and poster presentations; project supervisor judgements, and reflective portfolio analyses. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Apply skills of critical thinking, problem- formulation, problem-solving, and rigorous scientific data handling to clinical science practice | Structured small group learning sessions; lectures; practical laboratory classes; experiential placements; research project or dissertation; independent study and personal tutor feedback. | ILOs 6-10 will be tested across the core and optional module formative and summative assessment, including essay examinations, short answer and multiple choice tests, practical examinations, written reviews, laboratory reports, practical work and projects, quantitative problems, project report/dissertation, oral and poster presentations; project supervisor judgements, and reflective portfolio analyses. ILO 10 will also be assessed using peer and facilitator (personal development and professionalism) PDP judgements in small group sessions, portfolio reflection, and question and answer sessions. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
11. Identify, describe and apply effective and competent communication methods that will maximise professional relationships with patients, healthcare professionals, professional training placement teams, and lay audiences | Structured small group learning sessions; lectures; practical laboratory classes; experiential placements; research project or dissertation; independent study and personal tutor feedback | ILOs 10-14 will be tested across the core and optional module formative and summative assessment, including essay examinations, short answer and multiple choice tests, practical examinations, written reviews, practical work and projects, quantitative problems, project report/dissertation, oral and poster presentations; project supervisor judgements, and reflective portfolio analyses. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
This programme is not subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:
- Admissions, progression and completion data
- In Year Analysis data
- Previous monitoring report
- Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
- External examiner's reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
- Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
- Consultation with employers and former students
- Staff evaluation
- Student evaluation
- Programme aims
Subject areas are reviewed every four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences with Professional Training Year
19. UCAS Code
BC04
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 480 |
ECTS credits | 240 |
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22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 28/02/2016 |
Date of last revision | 10/07/2020 |
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