Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Whether you want to coach elite athletes or improve the health participation of individuals, you need will an understanding of sports sciences, and how the healthy human body responds to exercise.

A Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science will prepare you with the skills to work with people with a range of fitness levels to meet their goals to improve their health and involvement in the activities that are important to them.

This degree is focused on human movement, anatomy, sports conditioning and training methods, and includes opportunities to specialize in sports psychology, nutrition or teaching.

Our graduates work in a huge array of areas including strength training, coaching, performance testing, health promotion, education and more. Many also choose to study our Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology – to become professionally accredited in the discipline.

Career Opportunities

As an exercise scientist, graduates can expect to gain employment in sports coaching, strength training and conditioning, sports development, performance testing and talent identification, personal training and gym instruction, health promotion, occupational rehabilitation and sports or recreation management.

Some graduates also choose to pursue further study at postgraduate or graduate entry level to become an allied health professional in areas such as clinical exercise physiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutrition or as PDHPE teacher.

Professional Recognition

The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science delivered from the Lismore campus is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) at the Exercise Science level. The course is also recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) of America. Subject to successful accreditation, all graduates, regardless of the major completed, will be eligible for full membership as Exercise Scientists with ESSA.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science may undertake a further postgraduate study to gain registration as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP).

All graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an Exercise Professional with Fitness Australia (FA). Graduates meet the requirements of the Level 1 Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) coaching accreditation, making them eligible to register for Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

Professional Placement

Students complete a 140-hour placement of their choice during their third-year studies and some students have the option of an additional placement. These normally occur during the breaks between teaching sessions. Field experience provides the opportunity to apply theory and knowledge in practical settings.

Placements are undertaken under professional supervision in health and fitness centers, sporting organizations or clubs, schools, academies and institutes of sport, or sport and recreation centers. The types of positions can include but are not limited to, assisting personal trainers, health educators, strength, and conditioning or sports coaches, sporting event coordinators or recreation officers.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfill certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements (e.g. a working with children check, immunization and National Police Certificate). Prior to applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.

Major Areas of Study

Students select one major from the following:

Education: this major offer graduates a pathway to a Southern Cross University degree in secondary teaching (Master of Teaching), potentially leading to registration as a PDHPE teacher for eligible students. Some of the education units are only available at Lismore.

Exercise Science: this major includes subject areas such as advanced sport and exercise psychology as well as sport and fitness organization management.

Nutrition studies: this major examines food and nutrition in the context of exercise science, human health, disease processes and social issues. It includes content such as exercise biochemistry, food science, nutritional science, and sports nutrition.

Assessment methods

Assessment items vary from unit to unit and generally comprise a mix of laboratory-based and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, field and investigation reports, and formal practical and written examinations.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of the podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.