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.
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.
Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have available to us to prevent disease, treat acute injuries, and manage long term diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Exercise physiologists work within our health system, making important contributions to health care at relatively low cost. This program is a professionally focussed degree to educate clinical exercise physiologists and prepare them for employment in the Australian health system. Studies include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, biomechanics, psychology, motor learning, and sports nutrition. Advanced courses focus on professional practice in clinical and community environments, followed by industry placements and workplace learning.
Post-admission requirements
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. Before undertaking placements (ie: by year 3), students must provide evidence of immunisations, first aid training, satisfactory criminal history check, and hold a current Suitability Card.
Career opportunities
Accredited exercise physiology (exercise as medicine for chronic conditions), cardiac and pulmonary testing and rehabilitation, musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation, occupational rehabilitation, case management, community exercise and health interventions and research.
Accreditation and Memberships
This degree is professionally 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. Also, graduates may apply to become members of Sports Medicine Australia. Note: 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 Physiology.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
COR109 Computer Networks
HLT140 Discrete Mathematics
LFS100 Computer Organisation and Operating Systems
LFS112 Database Design
LFS122 Wireless Communications
PUB104 Object-Oriented Programming
SCI110 Data Structures and Algorithms
SPX121 Mobile App Project
Developing and Graduate courses (21) 288 units
HLT221 Practical Machine Learning
NUT203 Engineering Project Management
PUB351 Project Management
SPX201 Cloud and DevOps
SPX202 Workplace Learning I
SPX203 Foundations of Australian Law A
SPX211 Foundations of Australian Law B
SPX221 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SPX222 Criminal Law and Procedure AΔ
SPX231 Foundations of Sustainability
SPX300 Torts A
SPX301 Contracts A
SPX302 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Health
SPX306 Clinical Skills for Exercise PhysiologyΔ
SPX322 Biomechanics II
SPX331 Exercise Physiology II
SPX410 Exercise Management in Chronic Disease
SPX411 Exercise in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
SPX412 Exercise in Neurological Rehabilitation and Mental Health
SPX413 Case Management and Occupational Rehabilitation
SPX401A *
SPX401B *
SPX401C *
SPX401D *
* 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.
Δ refer to Program notes
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.