BlogUniversityWhat It’s Like Studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU

What It’s Like Studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU

WSU Sport and Exercise Science - Fact Sheet

Do you enjoy learning about science? Are you interested in understanding how exercise affects the body? Then, studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU could be the degree for you! 

This article will cover everything about the degree from the core units to faculty culture.

Are you interested in knowing more? Keep scrolling down! 

What is a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) at WSU?
Core Units for this Degree
How to Get into Sport and Exercise Science at WSU
What’s the Teaching Format?
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?

What is a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) at WSU?

In a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU, students study health and physical activity and exercise programs for a range of fitness levels and ages. By understanding how different bodies work, students learn rehabilitation practices, managing chronic illnesses and general health.

Throughout the course, students work in different laboratories and learn to use measurement systems for various body functions, such as thermoregulation and blood gas and pH. Some of the facilities available to Sport and Exercise students include a gym, UniClinic training facility, dance facilities and multi-purpose courts!

This degree is typically studied as a single degree. Graduates are eligible for exercise science accreditation without further study. 

Career Paths

Upon completing a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science), graduates can look into a range of industries for their career path, such as government agencies, research and health. Some career options include: 

    • Fitness Assessor
    • Sport Scientist
    • Strength and Conditioning Expert
    • Sports Analyst
    • Physical Activity and Health Adviser
    • Biomechanist
    • Accredited Exercise Physiologist (requires post-graduate study)

Core Units for this Degree

All 24 units in a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU are considered core units, and there are no majors or specialisations — so there isn’t a lot of flexibility with the degree. Some of these core units include: 

First and Second Year

First-year units are mainly introductory subjects that focus on understanding the body systems and anatomy, as well as learning computer software to process data. 

Second-year units explore body health, evaluation methods and the science behind rehabilitation and treatment. In the unit Exercise Physiology, students are taught common responses of the body systems in relation to exercise and physical activity. 

Third Year (Work Experience)

In the third and last year of a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU, units prepare students for professional practice and the capacity to evaluate different people’s health through exercise programs.

There is a mandatory work-experience unit where students work with professional Sport and Exercise Science practitioners in a practical, real-world setting. Altogether over the course of the degree, you’ll gain 140 hours of experience within professional practice placements.

 

How to Get into Sports and Exercise Science at WSU

The ATAR cut-off for a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) is 80. Not to worry if you don’t achieve this ATAR — there are other ways to be admitted into the degree!

Alternative Pathway

WSU’s HSC True Reward Program provides the option for early offers. Students can be offered guaranteed entry to the degree based on their Year 11 or Year 12 subject results and not your ATAR.

Consider applying for this if you are a Year 11 student with a B grade (or above) in PDHPE or a Year 12 student with a Band 4 (or above) in PDHPE!

Scholarships

While there are no scholarships specific to a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU, there are general scholarships available for WSU students.

For example, Academic Excellence scholarship is open for current school leavers who have a minimum of ATAR 90. The recipient will be awarded $5000 per year for the duration of their degree!

Assumed Knowledge

The only assumed knowledge when studying Sport and Exercise Science at WSU are any 2 units of English. 

However, WSU recommends that students have studied four units worth of Science and/or Mathematics, with PDHPE considered a science unit. 

What’s the Teaching Format?

Students taking on a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU attend two semesters a year. They are taught in a combination of lectures, practicals and tutorials. 

Class Structure

WSU Sport and Exercise Science - Class Structure

Lectures

In lectures, students explore a wider range of theoretical concepts and lecturers demonstrate body functions and anatomy that cannot be shown in the practicals. Lectures provide the foundation of the information required for doing well in the tutorials and practicals.

These are large classes with 100 to 200 people in attendance and often go for 1 to 2 hours.

Tutorials 

Tutorials are more hands-on than lectures where students typically experiment with fitness evaluation methods and practices that do not require laboratory equipment. Tutes are taught in classes of 20 people and usually go for 1 to 2 hours. 

Practicals 

In practicals, students have the opportunity to work with laboratory or computer equipment while studying the fitness of hypothetical or real bodies. For example, in the Human Anatomy and Physiology units, students have the opportunity to study cadavers and discuss the essential body parts.

Pracs are taught in classes of 20 people and usually go for 2 hours.

How much time do you spend on campus?

Students spend roughly 10 hours attending all of their lectures, tutorials, and practicals in their first year. In later years, the content is more rigorous and contact hours can increase to 20 hours — don’t forget to factor in the time you’ll need to spend on assignments and homework too!

What are the assessments like?

The main assessments for Sport and Exercise Science at WSU include exams, essays and worksheets. 

Throughout the semester, students consolidate their new knowledge of the unit contents through smaller assessments. Essays assess the student’s theoretical understanding of health science, such as professional practices and history.

Worksheets are given to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the unit’s concepts, where they demonstrate their factual knowledge behind particular scientific processes. Both essays and worksheets weigh around 20-30% each. 

There is often a final exam that weighs about 50-60%. Depending on the unit, these can be either a practical exam or a hand-written exam. Students are challenged to apply their theoretical knowledge to hypothetical situations. 

Skills That You Refine and Learn

WSU Sport and Exercise Science - Skills

In a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU, students attain the analytical skills to apply their knowledge to a versatile set of situations and problems. This is done by using their theoretical understanding of the human body in practicals, tutorials and final exams. 

As graduates will enter a career providing advice to their client/s, WSU units build the student’s ability to communicate information in a formal and professional setting and to a wide range of people from different industries. In each year of study, specific units focus on the student’s communication skills as a future Sport and Exercise practitioner and in multidisciplinary teams. 

Students will also learn how to undertake ethical and safe practices, which encompasses laboratory safety, the processes for evaluating client health and the duties when working in a multidisciplinary healthcare team. 

What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?

Faculty

The School of Health Sciences is one of the smaller faculties at WSU. However, it is still a notable area at WSU with highly qualified staff and coordinators.

Staff are accommodating and offer many forms of support to students. There is a wide range of facilities on campus that ensure Sport and Exercise Science students have a deep understanding of their practice, such as the Biochemistry Laboratory. 

WSU Sport and Exercise Science - Student Quote

Culture

Expect to find many friendly and encouraging classmates in a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) at WSU.

Being a small cohort of students, there is a tight-knit and supportive culture where you can always ask for help from tutors and other classmates. Though some classmates may be quieter, be sure to reach out to them! 

Western Sydney University Sports

The Western Sydney University Sports club is a great way to build university relationships while staying active. Joining this club is a perfect fit for students studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) to hang out with their classmates or meet new people.

There are many events throughout the semesters, such as soccer galas and Unisport competitions!

Want to learn about the pros and cons of this degree? Check out our article here!


Lynn Chen is a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is a Communication student at UTS with a major in Creative Writing. Lynn’s articles have been published in Vertigo, The Comma, and Shut Up and Go. In her spare time, she also writes poetry.

 

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