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con t e n t s 3 NEWS
Be on the ball with the very latest news from Sport Science & Physical Activity
Welcome. Let us be your guide as we take you on a tour of everything to do with Sport Science & Physical Activity at the University of Bedfordshire. You can get the lowdown from students and staff on what it’s really like to study here. Plus, we catch up with high-flying former students who’ve come on in leaps and bounds since graduating from Bedfordshire. And, with our fantastic Sport Science Centre in Bedford, there’s never been a better time to jump on board…
© University of Bedfordshire, 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part strictly prohibited without the permission of the publishers. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the University of Bedfordshire. Information correct at date of publication, but subject to change.
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AND 4 STUDENTS STAFF Get to know our staff and hear from students past and present
8 CAMPUS FACILITIES
The ultimate guide to all you can see and do on site
10 ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY Get the lowdown on how we help you get the job you want
11 COURSE LISTINGS
Take a look at our fantastic range of courses
Subject Guide Sport Science & Physical Activity
Mallory announced as Luton’s Sports Woman of the Year UK number two female canoeist and University of Bedfordshire student Mallory Franklin was announced as Luton’s The Sports Woman of the Year (2013). University
rdshire
of Bedfo The 18 year old was given the honour at the for is ranked first annual Luton Sports Awards, while her fellow ent ud st e th g improvin l na io at first year Sports Therapy course mate and experience (N ey rv Paralympic dressage star, Mari Durward-Akhurst, Student Su 2014) came second in the category.
Students launch dodgeball club for youngsters The University of Bedfordshire’s dodgeball team successfully applied for a £300 Think Big grant from mobile phone company O2 to launch the Junior Dodgeball Club for the Bedford community. It will be run and coached for free, by students. Johnathan Rudland, captain of the squad, said the team began its plans following their Guinness World recordbreaking, longest dodgeball match ever played – some 62 hours of consecutive games, which raised funds for local charity, SportsTraider. He added: “Everyone is really excited about the launch of the club. We’re hoping to attract a wide range of youngsters under the age of 16. As dodgeball is such an easy and fun sport, it would be really nice to see a mix of people with different sporting abilities come to us.” For more information email: jrudland@sportstraider.org.uk
Alan Shearer trained by University of Bedfordshire student England legend Alan Shearer was put through his paces by a University of Bedfordshire student who devised a training session in heat and humidity conditions replicating the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Lee Warren, a Postgraduate Sport and Exercise student, gave the all-time leading Premier League goalscorer a one-off fitness test inside the 32 degrees, 76% humidity Lucozade Sport Conditions Zone. The unique five-a-side pitch has accompanying sport science labs, in which the environment can be changed to reproduce warmer conditions. Lee said: “For me it was a dream come true, to have one of the all-time great England players use a training session that I set up using the skills I’ve gained at Bedfordshire; it’s certainly one of the highlights of my time at university, it was truly amazing.” Following the “realistic” course, Shearer, who was later joined by fellow Euro 96 star, Steve McManaman, stated it demonstrated exactly the kind of run out to which the Three Lions faced before the World Cup. “The first time around the course was alright, but by my third time around it was extremely hard. In those conditions you couldn’t keep it up for 10 minutes! “When facing the heat and humidity, just walking around you’re sweating so you can imagine trying to do that course – it makes breathing difficult, so the players are going to be struggling because it is difficult. It was very realistic.”
ALUMNI JOIN STEVENAGE FC Sport and Exercise alumni Lee Warren, 21, and Darren Harrison, 22, have started working with Boro’s Under 18s team after they were given a one year internship with League One side Stevenage FC. The duo’s role will be making sure the youth team is at their physical peak, by helping the players with their strength and conditioning workouts, as well as measuring their gym performance, taking hydration measurements and helping the players with injury prevention. Lee, who himself has played football at under 16 county level, said: “It’s a dream come true to get a job straight away, and with the sport I love, football. The three year course at the University has given me an insight into a side of sport I had never seen before – the science.” Lee, who achieved a 2:1, added he is hoping to mix his work with further studies by completing a Master’s at the University. Darren, who achieved a first, is also planning to take a Master’s. www.beds.ac.uk 3
students and staff
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Subject Guide Sport Science & Physical Activity
work and play With an international reputation for teaching, research and facilities, it’s no wonder students and staff want to be part of our sports community An impressive 92 per cent of Bedfordshire students obtain work or enter postgraduate study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2014). The Department of Sport Science and Physical Activity has an unbroken tradition in Physical Education (PE) and Sport and Exercise Science provisions, dating back to 1903. We offer a range of courses in PE, sport and exercise science, all taught by academics with strong research credentials. We are also one of the few universities to offer the popular Sport and PE course. To meet the increasing need for professionals in the rapidly growing area of sport and exercise science, we also have a variety of sport science-related courses including sport science and personal training and sport science and coaching. There is a wide range of sporting facilities at our campuses, including our state-of-the-art PE and Sport Science Centre at our Bedford campus, as well as two gyms, rugby and football pitches, tennis courts, Astro Turf and our national standard sports hall, The Arena. Coming in 2015 a new fitness suite providing on-campus gym facilities for staff and students.
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students and staff Name
James Tobia COURSE
BSc (Hons) Sport Science & Coaching Q: What do you think about the course so far? A: It is exactly what I wanted to study! My future career is based on becoming a touring professional golfer around the world and the University is helping me to organise and structure my learning around this.
Name
Maggie Alphonsi, MBE GRADUATED
BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercice Science graduate (2005) JOB
English women’s rugby international Q: Why did you choose the University of Bedfordshire? A: Mainly because it’s highly rated and is acknowledged for its level of delivery in sport and exercise science. I also really liked the facilities and the atmosphere. Q: W hat did you think of the facilities? A: I really liked the quality of the lecture theatres. I thought the sport and exercise equipment was of a very high standard and the associated sports centre was also very good and suitable for my needs. Q: D id you benefit from any financial support? A: Yes! I received a sports grant from the University which significantly helped me support my training needs. Q: H ow would you sum up your experience? A: My time at the University was great and I learned a significant amount. It challenged me to think and work at my education, and not just at my sport. I would happily advise anyone to come here. Did you know? In 2014, Maggie was part of the England team that has won the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Maggie has won more than 40 international caps since making her first England appearance aged 19, when she was still studying with us. The flanker played in two world cups and record-breaking Six Nations and Grand Slam triumphs. Her performances saw her voted the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) Female Personality of the Year and the 2010 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year. 6 www.beds.ac.uk
Q: Tell us more about your career aspirations... A: I started playing golf at the age of 13. My dad was a professional golfer and taught at Whitewebbs Golf Club, and has always been my inspiration. I’m embarking on the Jamega Pro Golf Tour where I’ll be playing against some of the nation’s best, on courses across the UK and Europe. Q: How do you feel about playing professional after training for so long? A: For me it’s huge just to become a pro. I’ve played in pro tournaments before and there’s a big step up in terms of the other players’ attitude and behaviour – I want to prove myself now and learn how to manage myself as a business too. Q: Do you think the course is helping you prepare for the future? A: Definitely! And I’m more than confident I’ll achieve my career aspirations.
Name
Dr Andrew Mitchell title
ead of Sport Science & Physical H Activity Q: H ow did you get involved in sport and exercise science? A: I did a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science back in 1992, then studied for an MSc at the University of Tennessee in the USA. I then returned to the UK to read for a PhD in Sports Biomechanics. I’ve been a certified strength and conditioning coach for many years and work with elite junior athletes from a variety of sports. Q: What sports are you involved in? A: I have played American football, but for the last five years I’ve been competing in Ironman triathlons. Q: What do you like most about the University of Bedfordshire? A: The way it provides opportunities to people with a range of abilities to learn and excel. Q: What qualities do students need to possess to succeed? A: Determination and a willingness to do something different that will place them ahead of the queue for future jobs and career development! Q: W hat advice do you have for new students? A: W ork hard, have a great time and maximise on the opportunities that being at Bedfordshire provides you.
Subject Guide Sport Science & Physical Activity
“Our courses are all vocationally orientated. We understand that preparation for a career is important to students and this knowledge underpins all that we do. The ‘real-world’ informs and determines what we teach and how we teach it”
Name
Ryan Freckleton GRADUATED
BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science (2007)
Name
Julian Smith
JOB
Senior Lecturer and Athletics Coach at Oaklands College and Director of Wired For Sport Ltd
COURSE
BA/BSc (Hons) Sport & Physical Education Q: Why did you choose Bedfordshire? A: It has a great reputation for sport. Also, I was signed for Peterborough Phantoms ice hockey team. Bedfordshire isn’t too far from Peterborough, so I can travel back for training and games. Q: Why did you choose this course? A: I want to be a PE teacher – but if I change my mind at the end of my degree, I’ll be able to use it in other forms of sport work. Q: Do you think the course is preparing you for your career? A: I do. My aim is to become a PE teacher – but if I am lucky enough to be able to live off the money I can make through my sport, then I will be happy with that. Did you know? Julian played ice hockey for England under-19s and Great Britain under-20s.
Q: Why did you choose Bedfordshire? A: The course covered all of the right modules and had the right exit routes for what I wanted to do afterwards. Q: How did the course help you with your career? A: I knew what I wanted to do when I started, so being supported by like-minded lecturers enabled me to take my ideas, put them on paper and then into practice. Q: How did Bedfordshire prepare you for setting up your own business? A: The work-based placement unit gave me real insight into real practice and where there were gaps in the market. It opened doors without me realising it. Did you know? Ryan was part of the GB Bobsleigh team between 2006-2010 and has competed in the European Cup, European Championships and the World Cup. He was also a selected squad member at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Name
Dr Iain Fletcher TITLE
Principal Lecturer in Biomechanics/Strength & Conditioning
Q: How well do University of Bedfordshire courses prepare students for jobs in the real-world? A: The courses provide targeted learning with input from employers to ensure our graduates are well placed for work. Students experience the pressure of ‘reallife’ situations and learn workplace skills. Q: Do you have links with industry? A: Academic and professional experts
address our students across all courses. This invigorates the learning process and enables students to hear first-hand from those at the cutting edge. Q: D o you help students find work placements? A: All students can go on work placements to experience the ‘real-world’. Being able to apply their specialist education to the world of work is a confidence building and
rewarding experience. These placements often provide the empirical basis for the students’ dissertations in their final year. Q: What is the employability record like for your department? A: Excellent. Some of our courses have a 100 per cent employment record. Q: Any advice for prospective students? A: Work hard and be prepared for a challenge. www.beds.ac.uk 7
campus facilities
active leads We’ve tracked down the University of Bedfordshire’s best sports facilities for when you don’t fancy trekking further afield BEDFORD CAMPUS The PE and Sport Science Centre This state-of-the-art centre comprises of a National Sports Hall, our Sport and Exercise Science Labs and our brand new Astro Turf pitch and fitness suite, both opening early 2015. The Body Hub The University of Bedfordshire’s Body Hub provides you with access to the latest sport and exercise science technology to help assess and develop your sport performance. It can help you improve through: * Fitness testing and assessments raining in our state-of-the-art facilities *T * Accessing specialist advice from a range of experts * Attending short sport courses designed to meet your needs The Body Hub complex has a strength and conditioning gym that is open for use throughout the academic year. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 12pm-2pm and 6pm-9pm. New National Standard Sports Hall The Arena hosts national level competitions in netball, basketball and futsal. This is a great asset academically, providing multiple teaching spaces and an opportunity for competitive and recreational sport to be played in a top quality facility. The Arena is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of sporting facilities in Bedford. The Sport Science Laboratories The labs boast an extensive collection of equipment and facilities for studying all aspects of sport science, exercise and health. The labs include an Environmental Chamber, we are one of the only Universities to offer this facility, a Molecular and Cellular Lab and another six specialist Lab spaces, with equipment such as: Metalyser monitors the amount * Cortex of oxygen the body uses Com Isokinetic Dynamometer tests * Kin muscle strength and allows specific muscle groups to be exercised and strengthened 8 www.beds.ac.uk
* Force Plates measures force and power during exercise Pod measures body fat and lean tissue * Bod * Blood Analysis used to examine cholesterol, blood glucose and blood lactate Muscle Cellular and Molecular Physiology Lab The lab runs tests to explore how muscle cells respond to exercise. Alexander Sports Hall (ASH) Based close to the Bedford campus, this multi-purpose sports hall has facilities including badminton and basketball courts, a climbing wall, cricket nets and a fitness suite. OPENING IN 2015 Astro Turf A new sand dressed international standard Astro Turf will provide a high quality pitch for hockey, as well as multi sport training and academic practical sessions. Fitness Suite The fitness suite will incorporate a high quality commercial gym and a specialist strength and conditional suite. LUTON CAMPUS Sports Therapy Suite This is the main massage training room, which contains 20 couches, couch rolls, oils and towels. There is also a comprehensive selection of sports therapy equipment, including step boards, wobble boards, medicine balls and weighted balls. The Rehab Room This room is used for assessing, testing and strengthening the body. It contains machines, including weights, pulley systems and pipelines, for increasing muscle strength. There is also a range of teaching equipment, such as skeletons, major muscle attachment posters and artificial body parts. The Clinic Room Students run a Sports Therapy clinic here.
Staff and students can book a free appointment, ensuring plenty of work experience in the profession. Physiology Testing Laboratory This teaching laboratory contains 12 cycles, three rowers and weights. The machines are connected to computers for monitoring and testing the body. There is a King Cycle for testing athletes’ power output, a Schwinn Airdyne Exercise Bike for cardiovascular conditioning and ergometers for exercising the upper body. There is also a comprehensive range of electrotherapy equipment, including ultrasound and interferential devices, equipment for Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (ENS) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), along with biofeedback machines. The Research Laboratory Mainly used to test athletes’ strength and monitor fitness, the Research Laboratory boasts a wide range of innovative equipment. The non-motorised treadmill enables athletes to reach higher speeds than those allowed by normal running machines, so their real fitness is tested, and the h/p/cosmos treadmill can be set to a 45° angle. There are also weight racks, an SRM training bicycle and a gas analysis machine that connects to treadmills to analyse the athlete’s fitness. Computer Software Much of the fitness equipment comes with its own computer software to test and monitor users, such as: Insole Pressure System An accurate * Pedar way of monitoring pressure loads between the sole of the foot and the shoe * EMG Software Electromyography (EMG) is a medical technique used for evaluating and recording the physiologic properties of muscles at rest and while contracting Coach Sports analysis software * Silicon designed to analyse motion, enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury ECG Telemetry System Monitors * Multiple and measures the functions of the body
Subject Guide Sport Science & Physical Activity
Climbing wall at the ASH centre
Sports Arena
Bedford’s PE and Sport Science Centre was used to train London 2012 Olympic athletes.
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ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITy
ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY At Bedfordshire we do everything we can to help you land your dream job Industry links Our courses provide targeted learning and assessment, often with input from employers, so that our graduates are well placed to enter the world of work. We also draw on the experience of visiting experts such as Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes. Work placements Work placements help you to gain invaluable practical experience by applying your specialist knowledge to a work setting. The placements we offer not only build confidence, they often provide the empirical basis for students’ dissertations in the final year of study.
We aim to equip you with the skills and experience you need to succeed in your chosen career. We do this through work placements, masterclasses, industry links and, of course, our great curriculum. Curriculum We understand that preparing for a career is your top priority and so the real-world of sport and physical activity informs what we teach and the way we teach it. You will learn vital workplace skills, such as teamwork and achieving under pressure. For example, you will be asked to produce and present reports to your peers in order to experience the demands and the deadlines of real-life situations. 10 www.beds.ac.uk
Supporting elite sport The department of Sport Science and Physical Activity provides support in a range of sports. Within rugby, we support the Northampton Saints development programme through our undergraduate students, training players while on an internship scheme. We support the Bedford Blues first team, who use our laboratory and field-based services. This is a programme developed by staff, but its implementation is linked to our postgraduate students who work at Bedford Blues as strength and conditioners and sport scientists. Dr Iain Fletcher works with the present England squad providing detailed support for players looking at movement dysfunction, muscle imbalances and links to poor performance and increased injury likelihood. Masterclasses We frequently invite academic and professional experts to the University to talk to students. Masterclasses invigorate the learning process and enable students to hear first hand from those at the cutting-edge of their areas of expertise.
Research You will be encouraged to pursue research into your specialist subject in order to discover how rewarding research can be both for individual development and as a boost to CVs. You will also benefit from research undertaken by staff, which is oriented towards economic and business aspects, and brings the latest thinking to the classroom. For example, the University has previously won a prestigious research grant from UEFA for a project that reflects our close links with the world of professional football. Careers guidance Our award-winning Careers and Employment Service will help you to prepare for life after university. We have dedicated sports and physical education career days, and students seeking their first teaching appointment can get advice from professionals and meet potential employers at the University’s Teaching Fair. The next step Our graduates go on to be managers, teachers, community sport leaders, sport development officers, and many other sports roles. Our employability record Overall, an impressive 92 per cent of Bedfordshire graduates enter work and/or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2014).
Subject Guide Sport Science & Physical Activity
ON COURSE
93% overall satisfaction on our Sport & Ex ercise Science cour se (National Stud ent Survey 2014)
Check out our comprehensive guide to sport related degrees at Bedfordshire BSc and BA (Hons) refer to three or four year Bachelor’s Honours degrees. FDs are two year Foundation degrees, run at one of our partner colleges, and intended for people already in relevant employment, or students who are looking for classroom based learning with an employment focus. A final year can be completed at the University in order to top-up to an Honours degree. UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES BA (Hons) Football Studies Bedford campus You will be able to study a variety of topics including football management, coaching and the role of football within society, plus there are opportunities to gain football coaching awards. BSc (Hons) Health, Nutrition & Exercise Bedford campus This course focuses on the influence of both nutrition and exercise on health, fitness, disease, and quality of life. The course integrates automatic accreditation opportunities for exercise (Register of Exercise Professionals, REPs) and also provides you the opportunity to develop a portfolio for submission to become an accredited Associate Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition (AfN). It contains units endorsed by SkillsActive and gives REPs level 3 status. BA (Hons) Physical Education leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) (Secondary) Bedford campus This course prepares you to teach in secondary schools and tertiary and further education colleges. At each stage, you will study practical, theoretical and professional areas. You will also undertake placements in stages one, two and three. BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science Bedford campus You will explore and apply concepts and theories from anatomy and mechanics to physiology and psychology. Many areas of study involve research and data collection.
BA/BSc (Hons) Sport & Physical Education Bedford campus This course supports students considering a career working in youth sport and physical activity contexts, as coaches, teachers or within sport development. The strong focus on physical education and coaching pedagogies will provide you with the skills and knowledge to gain placements on PGCE / SCITT or progress into Master’s level study and obtain jobs in the sport and education sectors.
analyse issues such as gender, consumer culture, disability and ethnicity.
BA (Hons) Sport Development & Management Bedford campus This course is ideal if you have a passion for sport and want to pursue a career within the dynamic and rewarding employment sectors of sport development and sport management. Areas of study include national and international sport development and management, sport and community leadership, managing high performance sport, coaching for development, sport and diversity.
BSc (Hons) Strength & Conditioning* Bedford campus This is an innovative course designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in maximising sports performance. Designed to provide the necessary theoretical and practical skills if you wish to work within the sport and exercise industry as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. It will allow you, as a graduate, to be capable of training performers to maximise their physical potential to help improve their sports achievement.
BSc (Hons) Sports Science & Coaching Bedford campus This course will give you the opportunity to specialise in the academic study of sports coaching. You will gain the necessary qualifications and practical skills to be a successful coach and/or instructor. BSc (Hons) Sport Science & Personal Training Bedford campus This course gives students the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of a Sport Science degree with the added bonus of gaining fitness qualifications throughout the degree. These qualifications are endorsed by SkillsActive allowing you to enter onto the Register of Exercise Professionals at level 3. BA (Hons) Sports Studies Bedford campus During this course, you will examine the role of exercise and sport from physiological and sociological perspectives. You will learn to critically
BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy Luton campus More than 50 per cent of the course focuses on development of practical skills and aims to prepare you for professional practice in today’s sports therapy environment. You will undertake in-depth study in the areas of human anatomy, physiology, pathology and clinical management skills.
FOUNDATION DEGREES FD Sports Coaching (Bedford College/ Grantham College/Tresham College) FD Sport Fitness & Personal Training (Bedford College/Barnfield College/Tresham College/New College Stamford) FD Sport Science & Physical Education (UCMK campus) FD Sports Therapy (Barnfield College)
*Subject to approval
Full details for all our courses are available to download at www.beds.ac.uk/courses www.beds.ac.uk 11
Bedford campus Polhill Avenue Bedford MK41 9EA
Luton campus University Square Luton LU1 3JU
To apply and to find out more, call our Admissions Team on: +44 (0)300 3000 073
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