BA (Hons) in Exercise and Health Studies
BA (Hons) in Exercise and Health Studies WD125 (Level 8) The BA (Hons) in Exercise and Health Studies is a four-year degree course that combines the disciplines of exercise science and health promotion. It is a broad-based course with a number of elective pathways that allow for greater specialisation in: ■ Promotion of Health and Physical Activity
■ Working with Special Populations
■ Exercise, Nutrition and Health Science
■ Personal Training
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What subjects will I study? The course incorporates study in the following areas: 1. Detailed studies in exercise, nutrition and health science needed to understand the nature of health and disease and the influence of exercise on each. Modules include: Exercise Physiology I and II
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Physical Health and Disease
Nutrition
Clinical Nutrition
Sports Nutrition
2. Detailed studies in promoting health and physical activity which are essential in helping individual clients or large population groups adopt healthy lifestyles. Modules include: Promoting Health and Physical Activity
Motivational Interviewing
Promoting Physical Activity: Policy and Practice
3. Practical exercise leadership skills in fitness instruction and swimming. Modules include: Resistance and Conditioning
Exercise Leadership
Advanced Exercise Programming
4. A focus on special population groups. Modules include: Adapted Physical Activity
Older Adult
Youth-at-Risk
■ The health and fitness instruction component of the course is accredited. Students can gain entry to registers of exercise professionals in Ireland and abroad as fitness instructors and group fitness instructors by the end of 2nd year and as personal trainers by the end of 4th year. ■ The course includes a semester-long placement in year 3. Staff have built up links with a wide range of organisations including local sports partnerships, the Paralympic Council of Ireland, HOPE foundation Alaska and cardiac rehabilitation units. ■ Students on the course have access to state of the art facilities including an exercise physiology laboratory, weights room, dance studio, swimming pool and running track and can also avail of facilities at the new WIT Sports Campus. ■ Students gain experience in specific modules of assisting with special health education events and with the testing of elite squads. ■ The programme emphasises the interpersonal and motivational skills necessary to help inactive/unfit individuals through the difficult process of lifestyle change.
Sports Scholarships Sports scholarships are also made available to selected suitable candidates. The WIT Sports Scholarship scheme offers a range of support services to successful students including financial, academic and sports science support. Scholarship students of the Exercise and Health Studies course can gain academic credits based on their sporting commitments.
Leaving Certificate Requirements Number of subjects at grade D or better: 6 Number of subjects at higher grade C or better: 2 English/Irish: OD3/HD3 Mathematics: OD3/HD3 2010 points: 325
Career Opportunities ■ Personal training, health and fitness industry ■ Physical activity development officers with the health service, local authorities, prison service, voluntary agencies, youth organisations, special education centres and local sports partnerships
A World of Future Options Students have progressed to further study in Exercise Physiology, Exercise and Nutrition Science, Clinical Physiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Health Promotion, Weight Management, Primary Teaching (conversion course) and Sports Psychology. "In each module, each person is so involved in the classes that it is never boring. There are so many different paths that you can take within Exercise and Health Studies all which give us great opportunities."
Sam Bennett, Student and Professional Cyclist
2009 points: 325
How to Apply You apply through the CAO system at www.cao.ie Non-standard and mature applicants are welcome
Contact Details Course leader: Dr. Aoife Lane Tel: 051 302158 Email: alane@wit.ie The Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science is delighted to be an official partner of the 2012 Irish Paralympic Team.