Sport Science (Sports Coaching)

Foundation Degree (FdSc)

Sport Science (Sports Coaching)

Validation and Specification Document

Re-Validated February 2015

V 16/17 – no changes

Contents

Rationale for FdSc Sport Science (Sports Coaching) 3

Recruitment Target 3

Programme Specification 4

Intended Learning Outcomes 6

Programme Learning Outcomes by Module and Level of Study 7

Programme Structure 8

Teaching & Learning Methods 9

Resources 10

Student Employability and Career Options 11

Staff Development 11

Assessment Profile 12

Methods of Assessment 12

Mapping of Employability Skills 14

Module Descriptors – Level 4 15

Module Descriptors – Level 5 31

Summative Assessment Table 45

Programme Structure Full-Time 48

Programme Structure Part-Time 50

Rationale

It is the aim of the FdSc Sport Science (Sports Coaching) course to produce a unique and high quality HE programme that will enable students to gain a variety of valuable skills, knowledge and experiences. To achieve this, the current programme builds upon previous provision to meet the demands of the students, employers and offer an attractive and accessible route into the sector.

The foundation degree has been validated by Bangor University since 2011. The development of the programme allows for strengthening of the science elements of the course while improving other disciplines (i.e. coaching, psychology, biomechanics), to offer a unique and multidisciplinary approach to sport science and sports coaching. The reasons behind these developments are three-fold:

·  The previous provision was not comparable to similar programmes across other HEI’s, as highlighted by the External Examiner and Moderator, due to the discrepancy between the curriculum content and course title

·  Student feedback highlighting the scientific nature of the course and preference for a more sport science based qualification, which the coaching remaining within the content

·  Greater employer engagement by offering a larger scope for linking and application of theory to practice through the employability based modules, an already considerable strength of the programme. Students will be able to gain a greater diversity of learning experience opportunities via placement providers.

Although other sport science foundations degrees exist within the region, none offer a sub-specialisation is sports coaching or a combination of both disciplines. Due to the structure of the course, a supportive and distinctive environment will allow students to excel and offer a different route to a traditional degree course. The course title and modular content has been driven by the input form employers, learner voice, previous graduates and feedback and recommendations from recent external examiners and moderators.

Student Target

The programme attracts a range of students, from mature students changing career to progressing Level 3 students. The student market applicable to this programme is:

·  Current GLLM students and school leavers – the development of the course offers current Level 3 BTEC students a more allied programme for progression

·  Local students who wish to study at degree level close to home

·  Individuals who are currently working within the sector and wish to enhance their knowledge or career opportunities

·  Individuals who wish to undertake specific modules as CPD

·  Students who wish to study with a degree of flexibility - two day per week delivery

·  Mature students with no formal qualification but relevant experience

The North Wales area has a predominance of small and medium sized enterprises. They have a need for affordable training and a well educated workforce. However, the predominance of small firms within the region, coupled with barriers to training such as seasonality, cost and time present particular challenges.

For this reason, the College sees the development of flexible modes as essential to success and has started to develop new approaches to delivery, which more closely match employer needs, particularly the development of this Sport Science (Sports Coaching) programme.

The recruitment target for September 2015 is 14.

Programme Specification: Bangor University/Grŵp Llandrillo-Menai

Awarding body/institution / Bangor University
Teaching institution / Grŵp Llandrillo-Menai
Campus / Rhos
Details of accreditation by a professional, statutory or regulatory body / No
Type of professional, statutory or regulatory accreditation / No
Is accreditation in some way dependent on choices made by students? / No
Final award/s available / Foundation Degree
Certificate of Higher Education
Award title / Sports Science (Sports Coaching)
JACS 3 code / C600/C610
UCAS code (from admissions) / L53 - CX6C
Relevant QAA subject benchmark statement/s / Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism (2008)
QAA Foundation Degree Benchmark Statements (2010)
Other external and internal reference points used to inform the programme outcomes / NUS – CBI: Working towards you future – Making the most of your time in Higher education
Nation Occupational Standards
Mode/s of study / Full time, part time and by individual module/s
Language of study / English and bilingually where expertise and resources permit
Date at which the programme specification was written or revised / Version for Validation: March 2015

Main Educational Aims of the Programme

The Programme aims to:

·  develop the student’s understanding of Sports Science and Sports Coaching, through analysis of principles, concepts and contemporary issues

·  provide a specialist programme of education for students that enhances their opportunities for employment in a diverse range of organisations within sport, exercise and fitness industries

·  equip students with a range of practical competencies relevant to Sports Science and Coaching

·  enable students to apply appropriate analytical and vocational skills in order to resolve problems and to develop innovative and reflective approaches

·  enable students to creatively apply the skills and knowledge attained from previous courses of study so that this programme contributes towards their career pathway and personal development

·  equip students with the knowledge and skills to prepare them for progression to honours degree

The distinctive features of the Programme aim to:

·  provide a vocational academic programme for learners who wish to pursue a career within Sport Science and/or Sports Coaching

·  deliver a multidisciplinary approach to sports coaching

·  offer a unique, flexible and supportive learning environment

·  provide professional development and skills improvement for those already employed locally who seek promotion, or greater responsibility, as well as enhancing the local community’s expertise and knowledge

·  offer continuous professional development through the provision of individual modules within the scheme, offering learning and potential benefits to organisations as well as to individuals

Intended Programme Learning Outcomes

To gain level 5 in the FdSc in Sport Science (Sports Coaching), the student will have A) subject knowledge and understanding, B) cognitive skills, C) subject-specific skills and D) employability skills
A) Subject knowledge and understanding
A1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the disciplines underpinning sports science and sports coaching
A2: Recognise the role of the sport scientist and coach (teaching, instructing and coaching) in enhancing performance
A3: Demonstrate measuring and analysing the effects of sport coaching and exercise intervention on the participant
A4: Identify the skills required to monitor and explain human responses to sport and/or exercise
A5: Demonstrate an awareness for a multi and inter disciplinary approach to the subject area / B) Cognitive skills
B1: Research and assess paradigms, theories, principles, concepts and apply to sports science and coaching to solve problems
B2: Interpret data and text of different kinds and analyse approaches adopted
B3: Synthesise information to inform choices to unfamiliar situations
B4: Develop reasoned arguments, challenging previous help assumptions / C) Subject-specific skills
C1: Plan, design and implement practical activities using appropriate techniques and procedures
C2: Demonstrate high levels of skills relevant to coaching and sports science
C3: Recognise and respond to moral, ethical, sustainability and safety issues which directly pertain to a sport science and coaching context
C4: Undertake practical with regard to professional codes of conduct and risk assessment
C5: Work effectively independently and within a team
C6: Display an integrated knowledge of the scope and breadth of Sport science. / D) Employability Skills
D1: self-management: readiness to accept responsibility, flexibility, resilience, self-starting, appropriate assertiveness, time management, readiness to improve own performance based on feedback/reflective learning
D2: team working: respecting others, co-operating, negotiating, persuading, contributing to discussions and awareness of interdependence with others
D3: business and customer awareness: basic understanding of the key drivers for business success including innovation, risk taking, customer satisfaction and loyalty
D4: problem solving: analysing facts and solutions and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions
D5: communication and literacy: application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy including listening and questioning
D6: application of numeracy: manipulation of numbers, mathematical awareness and its application in practical contexts
D7: application of information technology: basic IT skills including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, file management and use of internet search engines

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Programme Learning Outcomes by Module and Level of Study

Title of Level 4 Module / Programme Learning Outcomes
Subject Knowledge and Understanding / Cognitive Skills / Subject Specific Skills
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / A5 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / C5 / C6
Employability Bases Learning 1 (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Fitness Assessment (10 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Fundamentals of Sports Psychology (10 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Human Anatomy (10 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Principles of Coaching (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Research Methods & Study Skills (10 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Sports Nutrition & Performance (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Title of Level 5 Module / Programme Learning Outcomes
Subject Knowledge and Understanding / Cognitive Skills / Subject Specific Skills
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / A5 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / C5 / C6
Applied Sport Science for Coaches (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Biomechanics (10 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Coaching Practice (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Employability Based Learning 2 (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Performance Analysis (10 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Research Methods (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Strength & Conditioning (20 Credits) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü

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Programme Structure

FdSc Sport Science (Sports Coaching) – Modules

Certificate of Higher Education 120 credits

Level 4 Modules - 120 Credits

Compulsory Modules
Employability Based Learning 1 (20) / Human Anatomy (10)
Fitness Assessment (10) / Principles of Coaching (20)
Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology (20) / Research Methods and Study Skills (10)
Fundamentals of Sports Psychology (10) / Sports Nutrition and Performance (20)

FdSc 240 credits

Level 5 Modules – 120 Credits

Compulsory Modules
Applied Sports Science For Coaches (20) / Performance Analysis (10)
Biomechanics (10) / Research Methods (20)
Coaching Practice (20) / Strength and Conditioning (20)
Employability Based Learning 2 (20)

Criteria for Admission

Foundation degrees are designed for students with a range of abilities, including those with no formal qualifications. Admission is founded upon the likelihood of an individual’s ability to complete the programme successfully and to derive benefit from it.

For individuals with no formal qualifications admission is based upon but not exclusive to:

·  A personal statement or CV, assessment at interview, performance in tasks set specifically for admission purposes, relevant work experience and employment references

For individuals with formal qualifications the following are acceptable:

·  a minimum of 160 UCAS tariff points in main qualification, normally gaining a pass in at least one relevant A2 subject; or a BTEC National Certificate/Diploma (MP) or above, or an AVCE, GNVQ, International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, in a relevant subject; or a Pass in approved ACCESS; or NVQ/VRQ Level 3