- Apply to become an accredited exercise physiologist
- Use high-tech on-campus sport and exercise science laboratories
- USC's Exercise Science laboratories are accredited with the Australian Institute of Sport’s National Sport Science Quality Assurance program
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science
Award abbreviation: BClinExSc
QTAC code: 013251
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-15 / Rank-68
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 only
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: SC346
CRICOS code: 066298J. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Learn to apply your knowledge of exercise science to professional practice in clinical and community environments, to help people with chronic and complex illnesses.
Use exercise as medicine to improve the health of people with chronic or complex medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, high blood pressure or arthritis.
Studies include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, biomechanics, psychology, motor learning, and sports nutrition.
Advanced courses focus on professional practice in clinical and community environments, with industry placement and workplace learning. First aid and other relevant certificate qualifications are incorporated throughout the degree.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking clinical placements you must provide evidence of Hepatitis B immunisation as well as first aid and CPR training, undertake a Criminal History check and obtain or hold a current Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG). The evidence of these requirements will be included as an assessment item of the initial placement subject conducted in the third year of the Clinical Exercise Science degree, SPX300. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placements outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional/rural areas.
Career opportunities
Accreditated Exercise Physiologist, musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary and chronic disease rehabilitation, research.
Professional recognition
Graduates may apply for accreditation as Exercise Physiologists with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates may also become members of Sports Medicine Australia.
Students intending to seek accreditation with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) as Exercise Physiologists are advised that ESSA will allow recognition of prior learning (RPL) for non-university studies to a maximum of 12.5% of program load. Therefore, USC recommends that students holding TAFE studies in Fitness seek RPL for not more than 4 courses upon entering the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science.
Accreditation
USC's Exercise Science laboratories are accredited with the Australian Institute of Sport's National Sport Science Quality Assurance program.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering for program advice
Program requirements
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card - Working with Children Check - QLD). This is required by week 6 of the third year subject, SPX300, and is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). The application timeline for this Card is usually in the region of 6-8 weeks, therefore it is advised that this process is initiated at the time of enrolment into SPX300 if not before.
- Provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (blood titre level after approved vaccination schedule)
- Hold current Senior First Aid and CPR certificates (currency of certification is to be maintained thorughout the program)
- You may also be required to complete a Criminal History Check for particular placements, cost of which is borne by the student.
- Some courses within this program are taught outside of the standard teaching semesters. Students should refer to the Session Timetables for dates.
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all required components of this program, to be able to apply for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).
- Complete 500 hours of supervised practice (as per ESSA requirement), comprising a 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 SPX300 and SPX401 courses.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. Students should be aware there are restrictions applicable to credit transfer in order to obtain ESSA accreditation and they should contact their Program Advisor if considering participating in the GO program.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan
- Students intending to seek accreditation with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) as exercise physiologists are advised that ESSA will allow recognition of prior learning (RPL) for non-university studies to a maximum of 12.5 of program load. Therefore, USC recommends that students holding TAFE studies in Fitness seek RPL for not more than 4 courses upon entering the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science.
Program structure
Core course (1)
COR109
Introductory courses (7)
LFS100 Cell Biology
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
PUB104 Introduction to Behavioural Health
SCI105 Introductory Chemistry
SCI110 Science Research Methods
SPX102 Introduction to Coaching Science
Advanced courses (21)
HLT221 Human Pathophysiology
PUB351 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX212
SPX221 Sports and Exercise Medicine
SPX222 Sport and Exercise Psychology
SPX231 Motor Control and Learning
SPX300 Exercise Science Professional Practicum
SPX301 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
SPX302 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health
SPX322 Biomechanics II
SPX331 Exercise Physiology II
SPX343
SPX352
SPX401A
SPX401B
SPX401C
SPX401D
SPX410 Exercise Management in Chronic Disease
SPX411 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
SPX412 Exercise in Neurological Rehabilitation and Mental Health
SPX413 Case Management and Occupational Rehabilitation
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Year 1
- Eight (8) required courses:
COR109 should be studied in Semester 2
Required courses (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LFS100 Cell Biology |
| 12 | Anti: SCI103 or LFS101 or LFS103 | |
| SCI105 Introductory Chemistry |
| 12 | Anti: SCI505 | |
| SCI110 Science Research Methods |
| 12 | Anti: SCI201 or CPH261 | |
| PUB104 Introduction to Behavioural Health |
| 12 | ||
| COR109 | ||||
| LFS112 Human Physiology |
| 12 | Anti: LFS201 or LFS202 or LFS203 | |
| LFS122 Human Anatomy |
| 12 | ||
| SPX102 Introduction to Coaching Science |
| 12 | Anti: SPX321 |
Year 2
- Eight (8) required courses
Required courses (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLT221 Human Pathophysiology |
| 12 | Pre: LFS112 or HLT100 and enrolled in Program SC211, SC304, SC306, SC367, SC391, SC392, SC394, SC395, SC346 or UB001 Anti: LFS203 or LFS303 or NUR221 or PAR221 | |
| SPX201 Functional Anatomy |
| 12 | Pre: LFS122 | |
| SPX221 Sports and Exercise Medicine |
| 12 | Pre: LFS122 | |
| SPX231 Motor Control and Learning |
| 12 | Pre: LFS122 or HLT100 or SPX103 | |
| SPX202 Biomechanics I |
| 12 | Pre: LFS122 | |
| SPX211 Exercise Physiology I |
| 12 | Pre: LFS112 or SPX103 | |
| SPX212 | ||||
| SPX222 Sport and Exercise Psychology |
| 12 | Pre: PSY100 or PUB104 or SPX101 or SPX102 |
Year 3
- Eight (8) required courses:
SPX300 should be studied in Semester 1
Required courses (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPX300 Exercise Science Professional Practicum |
| 12 | Pre: Instructor Consent Required. SPX121 and SPX203 and SPX221 and SPX222 and enrolled in Program SC344, or SC304. Mandatory requirements need to be submitted to SONIA before you attend a manual enrolment meeting with the Course Coordinator. | |
| SPX322 Biomechanics II |
| 12 | Pre: SPX202 | |
| SPX331 Exercise Physiology II |
| 12 | Pre: SPX211 | |
| SPX343 | ||||
| PUB351 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation |
| 12 | ||
| SPX301 Exercise in Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health |
| 12 | Pre: SPX331 Co: SPX300 | |
| SPX302 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health |
| 12 | Pre: SPX221 and (SPX201 or SPX202) | |
| SPX352 |
Year 4
- Eight (8) required courses:
SPX401B should be studied in Semester 2
SPX401C should be studied in Semester 2
SPX410 SPX411 are taught in Session 1, prior to the commencement of Semester 1
SPX412 SPX413 are taught in Session 4, prior to the commencement of Semester 2
Required courses (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPX410 Exercise Management in Chronic Disease |
| 12 | Pre: SPX231 and SPX300 and SPX301 and SPX302 and SPX322 and SPX331 and SPX306 and enrolled in Program SC346 or SC304 | |
| SPX411 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation |
| 12 | Pre: Completed 288 units and SPX300, SPX302 and SPX306 and be enrolled in Program SC304 or SC346 Co: You are required to take at least one 400 level clinical placement in the current academic year. | |
| SPX401A | ||||
| SPX401B | ||||
| SPX412 Exercise in Neurological Rehabilitation and Mental Health |
| 12 | Pre: SPX231 and SPX300 and SPX411 and SPX402 and enrolled in Program SC304 | |
| SPX413 Case Management and Occupational Rehabilitation |
| 12 | Pre: SPX300 and SPX410 and SPX411 and enrolled in Program SC346 or SC304 Co: SPX412 | |
| SPX401C | ||||
| SPX401D |
# Subject to special entry requirements. Course Coordinator approval only.
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