Sport Sciences (Human Performance) MSc

About the Course

This course primarily focuses on the physiological and biomechanical elements of the human performer, while also providing you with grounding in the lab techniques used by physiologists and biomechanists. The course serves as ideal preparation for those wishing to pursue accreditation as a Sport Scientist through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

Aims

• To build on your existing knowledge and extend your understanding of applied physiology and sport and exercise biomechanics
• To provide experiences designed to enhance critical analysis and independence of thought
• To develop your understanding of, and competence in, research methods and statistical analysis
• To enable you to critically evaluate and initiate project work relevant to applied physiology and sport and exercise biomechanics
• To provide a sound and secure basis from which you may proceed to a research degree (e.g., PhD) or a career as an applied sport scientist with specialist knowledge in applied physiology and sport and exercise biomechanics.
• To provide an integrated study programme that is compatible with current guidelines and benchmarks provided by or through BASES

Enquiries

Taught Programmes Office
Sport Sciences
School of Sport and Education
Brunel University
Email sse-pgtcourses@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 266493

Special Features

The School of Sport and Education enjoys a prominent position within the University, building upon traditions that stem from Borough Road College - the oldest teacher-training college in the British Commonwealth.

We have a long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching and an impressive record of research and publication which consistently attracts high-calibre students, including high level sportsmen and sportswomen who successfully combine study with training and competition.

Our students have varied backgrounds and interests. Some are keen to gain knowledge about sports performance, others are keen to explore the links between sport and, for example, community, education, health, and politics.

Sport is a hugely popular form of culture around the world and the academic study of sport has grown in popularity to meet the demands of the global sports industry. In parallel with these developments, sport sciences courses at Brunel are up-to-date, dynamic, and forward-looking.

Course Content

Core Modules

Applied Sports Physiology (30 credits)
Main topics of study: aerobic and anaerobic training adaptations; effects of environment on training and performance; training for strength and power; testing and monitoring of fitness in the high performance athlete; gender issues of performance; hormonal and ergogenics influences on performance; genetics and sports performance; physiological research of training principles; the interdisciplinary sport science team; current controversies in sport science.

Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise (15 credits)
Main topics of study: fundamental patterns of human movement; applications of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics to athlete performance and the design of sports equipment; collisions in sport, including interactions between balls, clubs, and bats, and in combat sports; principles behind equipment for analysing sports techniques and providing quantitative feedback to coaches and athletes; design features of sports safety equipment, including effects on injury prevention.

Laboratory Techniques in Physiology and Biomechanics (15 credits)
Main topics of study: assessment of aerobic power; assessment of blood lactate transition; assessment of anaerobic performance; assessment of respiratory function; assessment of cardiovascular function; the use of force plates, electromyography; motion analysis and isokinetic dynamometry.

Research Methods and Data Analysis (45 credits)
Main topics of study: research writing skills; effective literature searching; designing research: systematic observations; ethnography; interview design; experimental design; questionnaire design; data analysis: qualitative data; quantitative data.

Research Dissertation (60 credits)
Students select an appropriate topic of study that is approved by their supervisor. These topics normally span the research interests of Department staff.

Elective Modules (one from)

Sport Organisation, Politics and the Law (15 credits)
Main topics of study: an overview of the organisation of sport in the UK, which will include; voluntary organisations, the public/private sectors, amateur/professional sport; an examination of the role of international organisations in relation to sports politics; the legal system and its role in constraining the excesses to which sporting practice is prone.

Performance Lifestyle (15 credits)
Designed alongside and endorsed by UK Sport the content of the module focuses on high achieving athletes and those tasked to care for them. Topics of study include: athlete transitions; managing rest and recovery; eating disorders; addictive behaviour; athlete abuse; the team manager / coach perspective; and working in a multidisciplinary sport team.

Assessment

Your academic performance will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessment procedures include essays, case studies, oral presentations, poster presentations laboratory report writing and computer-based tests. Formal written examinations constitute part of the assessment in some modules. In addition, you will need to submit, and pass, a research dissertation.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £5,060 full-time, £2,530 part-time

International students: £13,860 full-time, £6,930 part-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

Normally at least a good honours degree in a relevant subject or subjects. This includes graduates who have completed a joint course with Sport Sciences; Sports Studies; or Physical Education as one of their subjects as well as single honours Sports Sciences graduates. Consideration will also be given to graduates with an appropriate academic background which does not include Sport Sciences eg Biology; Psychology; Sociology; or Philosophy. The suitability of such applicants will be considered at interview. Financial Support: There are a number of scholarships for which postgraduate students can apply. These may help towards costs. Details available on application.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.