The Bachelor of Exercise Science, Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology requires 5 years of full-time study. Part-time may be considered under extenuating circumstances, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The course is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

A knowledge of SACE Stage 2 Biology is assumed.

Course aims

Graduates of the double degree program will be able to practice as Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEP) across a range of settings, including rural and remote areas. The course prepares students to become a contemporary, client-centred health professional, able to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team. Graduates will specialise in the delivery of exercise for the prevention and management of chronic diseases and injuries. It requires students to complete a minimum of 500 practicum hours over the program of study (140 hours of practicum in exercise delivery for apparently healthy clientele in the Bachelor of Exercise Science and a minimum of 360 hours of clinical practicum in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology). Within the undergraduate Bachelor of Exercise Science,students pursue a major specialisation as part of the program in either Nutrition; Sports Science; Health Promotion; Behavioural Sciences; Business; or Allied Health.  This course will enable students to apply for membership with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Learning outcomes 

Graduates of the double degree will be able to:

  • identify and apply key theoretical and practice approaches within exercise science and physiology;
  • integrate exercise science and physiology knowledge and skills to manage disorders across the lifespan in a wide variety of settings including rural and remote locations, with both individuals and various populations;
  • collaborate and communicate with clients to meet their health needs in a culturally sensitive manner;
  • develop knowledge and expertise in the application of exercise for both the prevention and treatment of many chronic medical conditions, injuries and disabilities;
  • develop knowledge, skills and competencies to be eligible to apply for an AEP accreditation on graduation;
  • apply exercise science and physiology skills in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of clients and in health promotion and disease prevention;
  • collaborate and communicate effectively with other health professionals in providing high quality health care;
  • reflect on their practice and plan their ongoing professional development as life-long learners;
  • demonstrate skills to assess, monitor and modify exercise interventions within hospital, return to work and aged care populations in an individualised and client-centered approach;
  • develop an understanding of applying evidence to exercise physiology practice in a number of core health areas;
  • interpret and apply specific skills and competencies in the areas of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation, which will assist in gaining accreditation with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA);
  • demonstrate well developed cognitive and creative skills to teach, coach and motivate clients to facilitate self-management of exercise and healthy lifestyle, using models of behaviour change, scientific evidence and clinical reasoning while accounting for socioeconomic and individual factors.

Program of study

To qualify for double degree of Bachelor of Exercise Science, Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below. In the Bachelor of Exercise Science, students need to complete 81 units of the specified core topics and 27 units from one of the identified specialisations. Students must also achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or better in the 108 units of the Bachelor of Exercise Science in order to progress to the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology.

Students who have successfully completed the first three years of the program (108 units) may exit with a Bachelor of Exercise Science. Students who commence the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology but elect not to complete that degree may be eligible to be awarded with the Graduate Diploma in Health Studies, subject to passing 36 units of study from the core topics in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology or a minimum of 27 units of study from core topics in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology and a maximum of 9 units of study from elective topics from other relevant graduate awards in the university

Except with the permission of the Faculty Board, a student may not proceed to higher year core topics unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous years core topics.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within eight consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University’s Policy on Student Progress.

Core - Year 1 topics

27 units comprising:

BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
EXSC1001 Fundamentals of Exercise Science (4.5 units)
HLTH1003 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care (4.5 units)
HLTH1004 Human Bioscience (4.5 units)
NUTD1106 Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health (4.5 units)
PHYT2001 Exercise and Muscle Physiology (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units towards chosen specialisation

Core - Year 2 topics

27 units comprising:

ENGR2862 Sports Biomechanics (4.5 units)
EXSC2002 Exercise Prescription in Motor Control and Learning (4.5 units)
HLPE2530 Physical Activity and Health (4.5 units)
HLTH2105 Health: A Psychological Perspective (4.5 units)
MMED2931 Human Physiology (4.5 units)
MMED2932 Integrative Human Physiology (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units towards chosen specialisation

Core - Year 3 topics

27 units comprising:

EXSC3001 Advanced Topics in Exercise Science (4.5 units)
EXSC3002 Professional Practice in Exercise Science (4.5 units)
EXSC3010 Psychology of Exercise, Health and Behaviour Change (4.5 units)
HLTH2101 Critical Social Analysis of Health (4.5 units)
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods of Social Health Research (4.5 units)
MMED3932 Body Systems (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units towards chosen specialisation

Specialisations

Specialisation in Nutrition

CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
Or
CHEM1201 General Chemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM1202 Chemistry for the Life Sciences (4.5 units)
BIOL2771 Biochemistry (4.5 units)
MMED3933 Biochemistry of Human Disease (4.5 units)
NUTD2101 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle (4.5 units)
NUTD3203 Nutrition for Sports Performance (4.5 units)

Specialisation in Sports Science

HLPE2300 Psychology of Sport Participation and Performance (4.5 units)
HLPE2301 Strength and Conditioning Coaching 1: Resistance Training (4.5 units)
HLPE2402 Strength and Conditioning Coaching 2: Physiological Testing (4.5 units)
HLPE3533 Applied Exercise Science (4.5 units)
HLPE3534 Introduction to Sport Coaching, Management and Administration  (4.5 units)
NUTD3203 Nutrition for Sports Performance (4.5 units)

Specialisation in Health Promotion

HLTH1101 Health Promotion for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
HLTH1304 Communication and Interprofessional Practice (4.5 units)
HLTH1305 Health Practitioner Practice 1 (4.5 units)
HLTH1306 Health Practitioner Practice 2 (4.5 units)
HLTH2102 Indigenous Health for Health Sciences (4.5 units)
HLTH2106 Project Management for Health Promotion (4.5 units)

Specialisation in Behavioural Science

PSYC1101 Psychology 1A (4.5 units)
PSYC1102 Psychology 1B (4.5 units)
PSYC1106 Research Methods (4.5 units)
PSYC2019 Personality and Social Psychology (4.5 units)
PSYC2020 Cognition and Learning (4.5 units)
PSYC2021 Human Development (4.5 units)

Specialisation in Business

BUSN1011 Accounting For Managers (4.5 units)
BUSN1022 Marketing Principles (4.5 units)
BUSN2020 Consumer Behaviour (4.5 units)
BUSN2038 Human Resource Management (4.5 units)
BUSN3033 Occupational Health and Safety (4.5 units)
HLTH2106 Project Management for Health Promotion (4.5 units)

Specialisation in Allied Health

DSRS1216 Introduction to Principles of Learning (4.5 units)
HLTH1305 Health Practitioner Practice 1 (4.5 units)
HLTH2102 Indigenous Health for Health Sciences (4.5 units)
HLTH1304 Communication and Interprofessional Practice (4.5 units)
MMED3941 Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy (4.5 units)
REHB2001 Neuroscience for Therapists (4.5 units)

Core - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

EXSC8001 Clinical Exercise Assessment and Prescription (4.5 units)
EXSC8002 Exercise Physiology Professional Practice (4.5 units)
EXSC8003 Advanced Exercise Prescription and Neuromusculoskeletal Disorders (4.5 units)
EXSC8004 Exercise and Chronic Disease Management (4.5 units)
MHSC8111 Managing Chronic Conditions -Self-Management Support Approaches (4.5 units)
MMED8937 Pathophysiology for Medical Science GE (4.5 units)
REHB9034 Rehabilitation Research Methods (4.5 units)
REHB9101 Clinical Rehabilitation Research Project Design (4.5 units)

Core - Year 5 topics

36 units comprising:

EXSC9001 Exercise and Musculoskeletal Conditions (Practicum 1) (9 units)
EXSC9002 Exercise for Metabolic and Cardiopulmonary Conditions (Practicum 2) (9 units)
EXSC9003 Exercise Management in Special Populations (Practicum 3) (9 units)
REHB9103 Advanced Rehabilitation Project Implementation and Evaluation (9 units)