- 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 Drug Therapy
COR110 Caring Practice: Health Alteration
COR111 Continuing, Rehabilitative and Palliative Care
Introductory courses
7 required courses:
LFS100 Caring Practice: Nursing Internship
LFS122 Caring Practices: Challenges to Mental Health
LFS112 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 4
PSY100 Caring Practice: Acute Health Alteration
SCI105 Caring Communities: Transcultural Health Practices
SCI110 Caring Practice: Life Crisis
SPX102 Caring Practice: The Child Client
Advanced courses
23 required courses:
BIM263 Biodiversity and Ecology
LFS201 Chemistry
LFS202 Science Research Methods
LFS251 Cell Biology
LFS303 Discovering Science
SPX201 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
SPX202 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SPX211 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
SPX212 Special Field Studies Topic
SPX221 Special Research Project
SPX222 Workplace Learning I
SPX231 Analytical Sciences
SPX300 Communication and Thought #
SPX301 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SPX302 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SPX312 Cell Biology
SPX322 Human Anatomy
SPX331 Human Physiology
SPX352 Introduction to Psychology A
SPX401A Chemistry #
SPX401B Science Research Methods #
SPX401C Introduction to Coaching Science #
SPX401D Introduction to Pharmacology #
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
- 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.
- Refer to the Academic Rules.
- Refer to explanation of terms.
- Refer to the recommended enrolment pattern. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
- 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
Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au
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