• Program summary
• Program overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Special features
• Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

QTAC code: 013251
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: OP-18 / Rank-64
Award abbreviation: BClinExSc
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Total units: 384 units (normally 32 courses)
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Recommended prior study: English, Maths and at least one of the sciences
Commence: Semester 1
USC program code: SC346
CRICOS code: 066298J

Program overview

USC’s clinical exercise science program provides you with a pathway to become an accredited exercise physiologist. The program is one of only a few in Australia that have been developed to meet the guidelines of the Accredited Exercise Physiologist qualification, as established by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA, formerly AAESS).

Qualified exercise physiologists can improve the health of people with chronic and complex medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and arthritis.

During this program, you will gain knowledge and understanding of many aspects of exercise and sport science, including specific studies in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, biomechanics, psychology, motor learning, sports nutrition and sports coaching.

In addition to these more traditional studies, advanced courses will focus on the application of the knowledge of exercise science to professional practice in clinical and community environments.

The program has a strong industry focus, and you will undertake more than 500 hours of work placement throughout your studies.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the program can apply for accreditation as an ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Since January 2006, Accredited Exercise Physiologists have been able to provide Medicare Plus services to people with chronic and complex illnesses. Graduates are also eligible to become full members or associate members of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and Sports Medicine Australia.

Career opportunities

Graduates can apply for the ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist qualification, and provide Medicare Plus services to the public. Other career opportunities may include:

• exercise scientist
• cardiac and pulmonary testing/rehabilitation
• community recreation and fitness
• corporate health and fitness
• exercise physiology/therapy
• exercise prescription and programming
• fitness assessment
• personal training
• sport and exercise science/research
• personal health and fitness

Special features

• graduates are eligible to apply for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
• on-campus sport and exercise laboratories are of the highest standard, and USC was the first university in Australia to be accredited with the Australian Institute of Sport’s National Sport Science Quality Assurance program

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Introductory courses

7 required courses:
LFS100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
LFS122 Cell Biology
LFS112 Human Anatomy
PSY100 Human Physiology
SCI105 Introduction to Psychology A
SCI110 Chemistry
SPX102 Science Research Methods

Advanced courses

23 required courses:
BIM263 Introduction to Coaching Science
LFS201 Introduction to Pharmacology
LFS202 Systemic Physiology I
LFS251 Systemic Physiology II
LFS303 Biochemistry
SPX201 Pathophysiology
SPX202 Functional Anatomy
SPX211 Biomechanics I
SPX212 Exercise Physiology I
SPX221 Exercise Prescription and Programming 2
SPX222 Introduction to Sports Medicine
SPX231 Sport and Exercise Psychology
SPX300 Motor Control and Learning #
SPX301 Introduction to Clinical Placement
SPX302 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SPX312 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health
SPX322 Performance Enhancement
SPX331 Biomechanics II
SPX352 Exercise Physiology II
SPX401A Sports Nutrition #
SPX401B Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science #
SPX401C Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science #
SPX401D Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science #

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

1. To be eligible for accreditation as an AEP, you must complete all required components of this program. This consists of the, 2 core courses, 7 introductory/foundation courses and 23 advanced courses. In addition, ESSA requires students to complete 500 hours of supervised practice comprising minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular/musculoskeletal clients, and 140 hours for metabolic/cardiopulmonary clients. These hours can be completed as part of  Clinical Placement and the Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science courses.
2. Refer to the Academic Rules.
3. Refer to explanation of terms.
4. Refer to the recommended enrolment pattern. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
5. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students. 
7. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including; namely essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.

Enquiries 

How to apply

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au