Overview

The program offers a comprehensive education in the area of health and exercise science with a focus on the use of physical activity as a preventative and rehabilitative therapy. Four years of full-time study leads to the award of a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology. A total of 192 units of … For more content click the Read More button below. Program Structure Foundation science courses are an important component of the early stages of the program and include chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, statistics and psychology. Building on this knowledge base, the medical sciences of anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology are studied concurrently with the exercise science sub-disciplines of biomechanics, motor control and exercise psychology - leading to an integrated understanding of human function in health and disease and how this is impacted by exercise. The professional role of Exercise Physiologists is emphasised from the commencement of the program in Stage 1 exercise science courses. Clinical courses in Stage 3 cover the four broad areas of practice for Exercise Physiologists being, 1) the primary prevention of disease in apparently healthy populations, 2) the management of chronic diseases under the broad categories of cardiopulmonary and metabolic conditions, 3) musculoskeletal conditions and work hardening and 4) neuromuscular conditions. Courses offer a mixture of traditional and interactive/case study approaches to learning. Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 UOC of research courses in their final year. The majority of students achieve this through enrolment in HESC4501 Exercise Physiology Research Seminars and then HESC4551 Research Project. However, students can opt to take an additional 6 UOC of research by enrolling in a supervised research internship.  Selection of this additional research component improves student eligibility and preparedness for entry into higher degree research programs (e.g. Masters by Research; PhD). Students who choose to take a total of 18 UOC of 4th year research can take HESC4501 Exercise Physiology Research Seminars, then HESC4561 Research Internship A followed by HESC4571 Research Internship B. Enrolment in HESC4561 and HESC4571 will constitute the first and second halves, respectively, of a 20-week supervised research internship. Students are required to take one elective course (6 UOC) throughout their program. This allows students to select a course according to their areas of interest and career specialisation. These may include: a research internship, or coursework focusing on cardiopulmonary conditions, metabolic conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, neuromuscular conditions, nutrition, mental health, and rehabilitation biomechanics. Specific elective courses available are listed below under Electives. General Education is a requirement of all undergraduate programs at UNSW Sydney. Elective and General Education courses in Stage 4 provide flexibility to facilitate international exchange in the latter stage of the program, while still completing the core courses and practicum required to be eligible to become an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Students will be able to demonstrate detailed clinical knowledge and skills relevant to cardiopulmonary, metabolic, cancer, mental health, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular rehabilitation.
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2.
Students will be able to engage in independent learning and reflective practice for the betterment of professional clinical practice.
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3.
Students will be able to conduct a broad range of exercise-based clinical tests and deliver lifestyle change programs that use exercise for the primary prevention of disease and the management of chronic disease.
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4.
Students will be able to apply advanced problem-solving skills and critical thinking within a scientific and clinical context.
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5.
Students will be able to describe the relationship between physical activity and health and the implications of this relationship throughout the human lifespan.
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6.
Students will be able to display effective and appropriate communication skills and an ability to work as a member and leader of a team, with respect for diversity and a high standard of ethical practice.
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Program Structure

Students must complete 192 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Note: some courses offered by Faculties outside of Medicine, are specifically excluded from being taken as General Education in this program. A list is available on the School of Medical Science website.

Disciplinary Component180 Units of Credit:
General Education12 Units of Credit:

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Program Requirements

Participation and Enrolment Requirements

Criminal records check

Medical assessment

Working with Children Check

Compulsory Training Component

Clinical practicum is a major component of the Exercise Physiology program with a minimum of 100 hours completed across Stages 1 to 3 (as an element of course work) and 400 hours in dedicated courses in Stage 4, totaling 500 hours across the program. In Stage 4, students are required to complete a minimum of 200 hours of practical experience for both clinical practicum A (HESC4611) and B (HESC4622), totaling 400 hours in Stage 4. Students are required to be in attendance at clinical placements for the entire 200 hours for each course (preparation time is in addition to these hours). The 400 hours completed across HESC4611 Clinical Practicum A and HESC4622 Clinical Practicum B, involve four separate placements (two placements for each course) of approximately 100 hours each.

Progression Requirements

Students may remain enrolled in the Exercise Physiology program in accordance with UNSW Academic Standing rules, UNSW Code of Conduct requirements, and UNSW Academic Progression rules which specify that the maximum time to complete the Exercise Physiology Program is 10 years, based on the "2n+2 years" rule, where "n" equals the normal full-time duration of the program in years.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Postgraduate Pathway

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1790 - Physiology and Pharmacology
Master of Science (Research) - MSc(Res)2850 - Physiology and Pharmacology (MRes)

Honours Pathway

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - BSc(Hons)4500 - Science (Honours)

Professional Outcomes

Accreditations

Exercise and Sports Science Australia

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible to become members of ESSA and practice as Accredited Exercise Physiologists.

Career Opportunities

Health Professionals, Health Therapy Professionals

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Award of Pass with Distinction

Additional Information

NSW Health require all students to complete mandatory online training modules when commencing a clinical practicum placement. Students who fail to satisfy the compliance requirements of NSW Health may be excluded from undertaking a clinical practicum placement. Students are responsible for obtaining the required documents and vaccinations needed to meet compliance requirements and to attend compliance checks for verification.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)