Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science

Students learn to use exercise as a means of prevention and treatment for chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and 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 placements and workplace learning.

CRICOS code
066298J
Commence
Semester 1 only
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Semester tuition fee 2015
A$11,100
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$88,800
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013251
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 16 Rank - 64
UniSC program code
SC346
Commence
Semester 1 only
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Recommended prior study
English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences
Fee type 2015
  • What will I pay?
Total units
384

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 placements and workplace learning.

Post-admission requirements

Before undertaking clinical placements, students must provide evidence of hepatitis B immunisation, first aid and CPR training, undertake a criminal history check, and obtain or hold a current Suitability Card. The evidence of these requirements is requested in the initial placement
subject (SPX300 ) conducted in the third year of the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science. Students must complete 500 hours of supervised placement. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placement hours outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional / rural areas.

Career opportunities

Accredited exercise physiology (exercise as medicine), cardiac and pulmonary testing and rehabilitation, case management, research.

Membership

Students intending to seek accreditation 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. USC recommends, therefore, that students holding TAFE studies in fitness seek RPL for not more than four courses upon entering the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science. Also, graduates may apply to become members of Sports Medicine Australia.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science (Pass-Level Pathway) program is accredited at the levels of Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Graduates from this program may practise as exercise physiologists and seek provider status with Medicare.

The Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science (Honours Pathway) is under consideration for accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Program structure

For students commencing 2015. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Introductory courses (8)

COR109 Professional Experience: Differentiated Practice
LFS100 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
LFS112 Teaching English: Language, Literature and Literacy
LFS122 Using Data for Learning
PUB104 Professional Experience: Teacher Identity and Professional Practice
SCI105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
SCI110 Teacher as Researcher
SPX102 Internship

Advanced courses (16)

HLT221 Biodiversity and Ecology
SPX201 Chemistry
SPX202 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SPX211 Communication and Thought
SPX212 Cell Biology
SPX221 Science Research Methods
SPX222 Discovering Science
SPX231 Foundations of Sustainability
SPX300 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SPX301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
SPX302 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
SPX322 Special Field Studies Topic
SPX331 Special Research Project
SPX352 Workplace Learning I
SPX411 Analytical Sciences
SPX412 Creativity, Design and Communication Project

Plus one (1) of the following pathways:

Pass-Level Pathway (8) courses (96 units)

PUB351 Social Sciences and Humanities Project
SPX410 Communication and Thought
SPX413 Accounting Principles
SPX401A Introduction to Economics *
SPX401B Management and Organisational Behaviour *
SPX401C Financial Accounting *
SPX401D Business Analytics *
Plus choose an one (1) advanced elective (12 units)

* Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) requires students to complete 500 hours of supervised practice comprising of a minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular/musculoskeletal clients and 140 hours for metabolic/cardiopulmonary clients. These hours will be completed as part of SPX300 and SPX401 courses.

Honours Pathway (7) courses (96 units)

SPX343 Introduction to Informatics
SPX410 Business Finance
SPX420 Company Accounting
SPX421A Business Law and Ethics *
SPX421B Law of Business Associations *
SPX421C Communication and Thought *
SPX421D Introducing Human Geographies *
* Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) requires students to complete 500 hours of supervised practice comprising of a minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular/musculoskeletal clients and 140 hours for metabolic/cardiopulmonary clients. These hours will be completed as part of SPX300 , SPX420  and SPX421 courses. Students enrolled in the Honours Pathway will complete their placements in clinical research centres. 

Note: SPX420 , SPX421A , SPX421B , SPX421C and SPX421D are not available in 2014

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Total units: 384

Program requirements and notes

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 throughout 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues. 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.