Sport and Exercise Science MSc

Core modules

• Advanced Research Practice in Exercise Science

  We'll give you a theoretical framework to investigate the research methods in sport and exercise sciences at the post-graduate level. Throughout this module, you'll be encouraged to develop an increasingly autonomous and critical approach to research. You'll be challenged to develop your research philosophy; what it is to research and the impact this can have on society, as well as effectively analyse data using a range of advanced techniques used in sport and exercise science research. This will develop your critical understanding of the principles of data collection and analysis for the sport scientist using various higher level methods. You'll become a critical researcher through being able to draw conclusions using multiple sets of data, effectively compare and contrast data and use literature to support ideas and / or theories. Our module is driven by real-world research questions with example data sets provided to facilitate understanding of statistics. You'll learn through a combination of seminars, practical sessions and mainly online through our Virtual Learning Environment(VLE). You'll gain a wide range of highly useful transferable, research and analysis skills which are highly relevant in the research and employment environment.

• Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Science

  Develop an awareness of some of the wider existing issues which are relevant to and affecting the sport and exercise scientist. Understanding the potential problems or issues faced by the sport scientist in the modern exercise science environment will allow you to be pro-active in avoiding or dealing with issues in a professional manner. We'll link some of these problems to the wider exercise science industry so that you can critically consider your long term career aspirations. You'll consider the sport and exercise scientist across the spectrum of employment scenarios and reflect on the different skill set required as the professional role changes relative to the type of the client/athlete and experience of practitioner. You'll gain an insight into national governing agencies and how their remit affects professional practice within sport and exercise science and associated areas. An in-depth investigation in to legal, ethical and equitable practice of the exercise scientist will be considered. You'll be required to identify where they are positioned with regards to achieving longer term career aspirations. Assessment will, in conjunction with your tutor, require you to research and critically discuss a contemporary issue of your choice. You'll also complete an in-class presentation on your contemporary issue as well as completing a skills audit and action plan to map your journey in to the sport and exercise profession.

• Advanced Modalities in Sport and Exercise Science

  Develop an appreciation of how advanced modalities (i.e. methods/techniques) and the data sets that it generates are influencing sport and exercise science research. We'll give you a cross discipline historical synopsis on this area, giving you an understanding of how data quality and volume has created new opportunities in research. Understanding the precision and reproducibility of different methods and technology is important in research, so we'll identify the reliability and validity of different modalities and discuss acceptable boundaries. In the second part of the module, you'll work with tutors and independently gain a high level understanding and appreciation of the advanced modality which will form the basis of your research project. You'll be given opportunities to use and participate in data collection and analysis episodes, enhancing your understanding of the method, process and/or technology relevant to you. We'll assess your learning through a critical essay comprehensively reviewing a specific process or technical component related to the modality of your choice. Additionally, you'll be required to develop a high quality innovative 5 minute online media communication tool which will detail a unique aspect of the process or technical device of your choice, to be used to educate another exercise science professional at postgraduate level.

• Research Project - Planning and Development

  Gain an introductory framework for working as a postgraduate researcher. You’ll cover project design and planning, critically reflecting on how a research study would come to fruition. You’ll explore journey of the research study, reflecting on the aspects of time management, working in a research team or group and how to prioritise work. This will lead you into a wider discussion of the aspects of research design and the design process. What makes a good study, what are the potential limitations to studies and what differentiates a postgraduate research study from that completed at the undergraduate level? You’ll also debate the aspects of systematic reviews and meta-analysis and how the completion of literature-based reviews is critical to the development of the research question and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and how the data provided can be interpreted and evaluated. Throughout the module you’ll develop your scientific voice and focus on how do you express yourself through scientific communication, both verbal and written. This will be accompanied by an introduction to writing for publications.

• Research Project - Pilot testing and Development

  Continue to progress working as a postgraduate researcher and develop critical reflection skills as your research plans are finalised by evaluating earlier planning documents and revisiting the literature. This process will lead you to further discussion on research process and design before your plans are confirmed. Part of the planning process will require you to complete a pilot study linked to your research and you’ll reflect on the rationale for pilot testing in the scope of the research design. Throughout the module you’ll develop your academic skills, how you express yourself through scientific communication, both verbal and written. There’ll be continued development of skills with regards to writing for publications, considering where your research may be published in the future. You’ll be assessed by an oral presentation and a reflective piece considering the outcome of the pilot study and how this may influence a final research plan.

• Research Project

  You now have the opportunity to select and explore in-depth, a topic that is of interest and relevant to your course in order to develop a significant level of expertise. You will: demonstrate your ability to generate significant and meaningful questions in relation to your specialism; undertake independent research using appropriate, recognised methods based on current theoretical research knowledge, critically understand method and its relationship to knowledge; develop a critical understanding of current knowledge in relation to the chosen subject and to critically analyse and evaluate information and data, which may be complex or contradictory, and draw meaningful and justifiable conclusions; develop the capability to expand or redefine existing knowledge, to develop new approaches to changing situations and/or develop new approaches to changing situations and contribute to the development of best practice; demonstrate an awareness of and to develop solutions to ethical dilemmas likely to arise in their research or professional practice; communicate these processes in a clear and elegant fashion, and evaluate your work from the perspective of an autonomous reflective learner.