PSPT32,33

LOUGHBOROUGHUNIVERSITY

Programme Specification

MSc Sport and Exercise Science

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at

The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Awarding body/institution; / LoughboroughUniversity
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award; / M.Sc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate
Programme title; / Sport and Exercise Science
Subject Benchmark Statements / Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Date at which the programme specification was written or revised. / June 2009

1. Aims of the programme:

  • To provide students with further knowledge of the concepts and procedures underpinning preparation for, participation in, and recovery from sport and exercise.
  • To adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of sport.
  • To enhance the students’ employability and career preparation by developing a range of both subject specific and key transferable skills.
  • To give opportunity for in-depth enquiry in selected areas of interest.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Subject benchmarks for Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism;

University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy;

Department’s Learning and Teaching Strategy;

Specialisms and research interests of the teaching staff;

British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences accreditation recommendations.

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • appropriate research procedures applied to the acquisition of knowledge and solution of problems in sports science.
  • the need for a multi-disciplinary approach in the application of science to the study of sport and exercise.
  • the main/appropriate methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of data.
  • the moral, ethical, and legal issues which underpin best practice in dealing with human subjects.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Knowledge and understanding are acquired and enhanced through the use of lectures, seminars, practical laboratory-based classes, group work, student presentations, and guided independent study. Individual staff/student tutorials are used for providing feedback and for supervision of the Project. Students receive a departmental handbook detailing the programme outline, module details, procedures, and assessment criteria. In addition, module handbooks include details of timetable, content, assessment and an extensive bibliography. The assessment procedures involve a mix of coursework, presentations and examinations.

Skills and other attributes:

  1. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

The range of subject-specific skills will vary for individual students depending upon the range of optional modules studied and will be reflected in at least some of the following learning outcomes:

  • research and assess subject specific facts, theories, paradigms, principles and concepts.
  • abstract and synthesise information in selected aspects of sports science
  • identify and analyse a broad range of human and situational variables operating in sport
  • consider the many factors which may have facilitative or debilitative effects upon sport performance.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

These cognitive/intellectual skills are explicitly developed and promoted by the use of general lectures in research methodology together with lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes, group and individual presentations in a range of modules in and through the conducting and presentation of coursework. A range of assessment procedures allows for demonstration of these developments. Examinations and coursework assignments enable the students to demonstrate their ability to structure a clear, concise and reasoned argument together with providing examples of appropriate data analyses. The individual research project further enhances these developments.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

The range of subject-specific practical skills will vary for individual students depending upon the range of optional modules studied and will be reflected in at least some of the following learning outcomes.

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • understand and utilise a range of formal procedures applied to the acquisition of knowledge in sports science.
  • undertake safe and effective field and laboratory work.
  • record and evaluate sporting contexts using computer analysis.
  • plan, design, execute and communicate a sustained piece of independent intellectual work using appropriate media.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Subject-specific skills are explicitly developed through formal aspects of research methods, particularly by guided hands-on experience of information retrieval and information technology, and the use of laboratory classes, group and individual presentations and through the conducting and presentation of coursework, together with the submission of an individual research project. A range of assessment procedures allows for demonstration of these developments.

c. Key/transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to show competence in:

  • Management of self-learning (using the library, note taking, revision and exam techniques, reading efficiently, problem solving, action planning, self motivation, time management)
  • Written, verbal and visual communication.
  • Field and laboratory skills.
  • IT skills.
  • Numeracy and data analysis.
  • Team work.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

These key skills are explicitly developed and promoted by the use of lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes (including information and retrieval sessions), group and individual presentations and through the conducting and presentation of coursework to strict deadlines. A range of assessment procedures allows for demonstration of these developments. A particular major contribution to these skills is made in a formal way in the compulsory modules of Advanced Research Skills and the Project.

Teaching and learning are organised in seminars and workshops with an emphasis upon shared analysis and discussion; electronic communication between tutor/group and also student/student is a requirement of most modules; personal reflection and analysis is a required element of core modules; making links to raising standards of learning is required for all core modules; library skills for part-time & distance learners forms a part of one of the core modules; IT support is available to all students; 'managing time/learning' forms a part of one of the core modules.

4. Programme structures and requirements , levels, modules, credits and awards:

This full or part-time Modular Programme is designed as an end-on programme for students with a first degree or equivalent in Sports Science, Physical Education, or related field. The structure of credit accumulation from selected modules involves a multi-disciplinary focus across selected disciplines within Sports Science.

The full-time Programme is 12 calendar months in duration, starting in September, the part-time Programme is over a period of not more than 8 years for the MSc, not more than 5 years for the Diploma and not more than 3 years for the Certificate.

The MSc comprises studying 180 credits, the Diploma 120 credits and the Certificate 60 credits. The Advanced Research methods modules (1 and 2 worth a total of 30 credits) are compulsory for all awards. Optional modules, make up 30 credits of the Certificate and 90 credits of the Diploma and MSc.

To maintain the multidisciplinary nature of the programme, for the award of MSc and Diploma, the optional modules consist of 30 credits studied in each of three selected areas from a choice of 5 (biomechanics, physiology, physical education, psychology and sociology), for a total of 90 optional credits.

The final part of the MSc is the research project (60 credits) that consists of in-depth enquiry on a topic relevant to sport and exercise science. Prior to commencing the project students should normally have passed 120 credits; however, a student can carry 30 credits with a mark of 40-49%.

The requirements for the different awards are set out in the following table:

Award

/

Requirement

/

Notes

MSc

/

180 credits

/ A student cannot progress to the research project until they have studied modules with a credit weighting of 120.

Postgraduate Diploma

/

120 credits

/

Credits must come from the taught modules

Postgraduate Certificate

/

60 credits

/

Credits come from the taught modules

Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:

5. Criteria for admission to the programme:

Normally a 2(i) degree in Sports Science or related area. All students must meet the University's English Language requirements. Further details can be found on the University's Web site at:

Further information about admission can be found in the general regulations for modular postgraduate awards at:
See Regulation XXI

6. Information about assessment regulations:

The assessment will be through a range of assignments, reports, presentations, and examinations. The assessment procedures are designed to ensure that students develop a range of skills and knowledge as outlined under ‘Intended Learning Outcomes’

A 30 credit module is assumed to be 300 hours of student effort, made up of a combination of lectures, seminars/laboratories, coursework assignments, examinations, module readings and other self-directed learning.

The assessment for each 30 credit module will normally be an 8-10,000 word essay or equivalent (e.g., a 4000 word essay plus a 2 hour examination).

The assessment for the Project is a report in the style of a journal paper, in the order of 5-7,000 words, and an oral presentation.

The pass mark for modules is 50%; however, a student can carry 30 credits with a mark between 40-50%. Resit, where appropriate, takes place in the University Special Assessment Period in early September each year.

Assessment regulations for modular postgraduate awards can be found at:

See Regulation XXI

7. What makes the programme distinctive?

The MSc in Sports Science is a broad multidisciplinary programme that requires a breadth of study from the sub-disciplines within Sports Science. Thus a wide range of study options are available from across the sub-disciplines/areas of physiology and nutrition, psychology, biomechanics, physical education and sociology, from within a framework that ensures sufficient breadth is retained. It is the range of choice and multidisciplinary nature of the programme that makes it distinctive.

In practice students must complete a compulsory 30 credits of Advanced Research Methods, a 60 credit Research Project (potentially within any area/discipline of Sports Science) and choice modules of 30 credits from each of three out of five
sub-disciplines – for a total of 180 credits.

8. Particular support for learning:

For further information please go to:

9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:

For further information please go to:

March 2011

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