- Program summary
- Program overview
- Accreditation
- Career opportunities
- Special features
- Advanced standing, recognition of prior learning, credit and articulation
- Program structure
- Program requirements and notes
- Enquiries
- Recommended enrolment patterns
Program summary
QTAC code: 014301
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: OP-17 / Rank-66
Award abbreviation: BA/BSc
Degree type: undergraduate
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fee type 2009: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
Recommended prior study: English, Maths and one or more of the sciences, preferably Chemistry
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
CRICOS code: 058144E
New students: selecting courses for 2009
Program overview
Exercise scientists seek to enhance health and physical performance by using activity analysis and specific physical performance objectives. By combining studies in psychology with more traditional exercise science courses, you will gain an understanding of both the physical and non-physical factors that can influence athletic performance.
As a graduate of this program, you will be equipped to help clients achieve both an optimum mental state and physical conditioning, and will be able to work to ensure that clients remain motivated, perform to the best of their ability, and also enjoy their sport and exercise participation.
In the exercise science component of the degree, you will learn how to apply scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body’s response to acute and chronic physical activity. This includes general physical activity such as fitness regimens and recreational sport, as well as elite sport.
In the psychology component of the program, you will learn how to help athletes and exercisers with motivation, goal-setting, positive thinking, concentration, emotional control, and coping skills to overcome disappointing outcomes in training and competition.
On graduation, you can choose to work as an exercise scientist with specific knowledge in psychology, or you could complete further study to become a registered psychologist.
You will earn two degrees in a shorter amount of time than if you were to study the programs separately, and will receive two testamurs (degree certificates) on completion.
Accreditation
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) has accredited Pathway 1 of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Exercise Science) as a three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology.
To become a registered psychologist in your state/territory, you will need to complete Pathway 1, plus either (1) an accredited honours year, or (2) a postgraduate diploma in psychology. You will then need to complete either (1) further accredited postgraduate study, or (2) supervision that follows the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in your state/territory.
USC offers an accredited honours year—the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours)—to which you can gain direct entry upon completion of Pathway 1. Please note that a minimum grade point average in the Pathway 1 psychology courses is required for honours entry.
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business (Psychology and Exercise Science) may find employment in the areas of:
- cardiac and pulmonary testing and rehabilitation
- coaching
- community recreation and fitness
- corporate health and fitness
- counselling
- exercise physiology
- exercise prescription and programming
- fitness assessment
- personal health and fitness/training
- physical education
- psychology/exercise science research
- sports biomechanics
- sports management/promotion
- sports psychology
- state and national sport development
- team building
Special features
- combines studies in physical conditioning with professional training in psychology
- provides a holistic approach to motivational training strategies
- earn two degrees in four years of full-time study
Program structure
Core courses
Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
Select 1 of the following pathways:
Pathway 1
This pathway may lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program, subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
2 required introductory courses:
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
Plus 12 required advanced courses:
PSY200 Research Methods in Psychology A *
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B *
PSY202 Physiological Psychology *
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development *
PSY204 Social Psychology *
PSY205 Motivation and Emotion *
PSY300 Advanced Methods in Psychology *
PSY301 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology *
PSY302 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies *
PSY303 Personality and Assessment *
PSY304 Human Associative Learning *
PSY305 Abnormal Psychology *
Plus select 1 Arts and Social Sciences elective
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program. Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) program would require completion of 6 further Psychology courses, and would be subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
2 required introductory courses:
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
Plus 2 required level 2 courses:
PSY200 Research Methods in Psychology A *
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B *
Plus select 4 courses from:
PSY202 Physiological Psychology *
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development *
PSY204 Social Psychology *
PSY205 Motivation and Emotion *
PSY300 Advanced Methods in Psychology *
PSY301 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology *
PSY302 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies *
PSY303 Personality and Assessment *
PSY304 Human Associative Learning *
Plus select an Arts and Social Sciences minor (4 courses)
Plus select 3 Arts and Social Sciences electives
Faculty of Science, Health and Education courses
6 required introductory courses:
LFS122 (B) Human Anatomy
LFS112 (B) Human Physiology
LFS100 Cell Biology
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI107 Physics
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Plus 6 required advanced courses:
LFS251 Biochemistry
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX212 Exercise Testing and Programming
SPX221 Introduction to Sports Medicine
Plus select 3 300-level SPX coded courses from the Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program
As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.
Program requirements and notes
- An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.
- Refer to the Academic Rules.
- Refer to explanation of terms.
- Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including, for example, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.
How to apply
Apply for an undergraduate program.
Enquiries
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259
Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au
* Course outlines subject to final approval