• 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 Employment Law
COR110 Health Law
COR111 Family Law

Introductory courses

7 required courses:
LFS100 Cultural Legal Studies
LFS122 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation
LFS112 Law Honours Thesis
PSY100 Communication and Thought
SCI105 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SCI110 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SPX102 Cell Biology

Advanced courses

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

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