Sport Science
Qualifications
Overview
Sport Science is one of five majors of the Bachelor of Sport Coaching (BSpC) degree, which is a unique blend of practical application and theory that will immerse you in the sociology, science, theory, and practice of sport and sport coaching.
Choosing this subject will enable students to specialise in two or three chosen areas of sport science including sport psychology; exercise physiology; nutrition; biomechanics; strength and conditioning; and performance analysis. It also offers a strong pathway for suitably capable students to progress to the Master of Sport Science degree.
- In the third year, students will be able to carry out an internship, working closely with a professional strength and conditioning coach in a senior sports team.
- The degree also provides a recognised pathway to teaching, in particular physical education and health teaching, with the option to include an additional teaching subject such as mathematics or science, when combined with a graduate teaching qualification.
- At UC, all sport coaching courses are open to students from other degrees and BSpC students can also study towards a double degree.
The Sport Science major consists of 135 points of compulsory courses in sports coaching, and a choice of eight optional courses (from 100 to 300-level), including four at 300-level.
The following compulsory courses are taken by all Sport Coaching students:
100-level courses
- SPCO 101 Introduction to Sport Coaching
- SPCO 102 Theoretical Foundations of Teaching and Coaching
- SPCO 104 Anatomy and Physiology
- SPCO 105 Social History of Sport and Physical Education
- SPCO 110 Practicum 1
200-level courses
- SPCO 201 Athlete-Centered Coaching 1 or (300 level) SPCO 302 Athlete Centered Coaching 2
- SPCO 208 Sport and Culture in NZ
- SPCO 209 Exercise Physiology
300-level courses
Major courses
Across your three years of study, you are required to choose eight courses (120 points) from all three levels towards the Sport Science major, and must include a minimum of four (60 points) from 300-level courses.
100-level courses
200-level courses
- SPCO 204 Biomechanics
- SPCO 221 Sports Injuries and their Management
- SPCO 223 Applied Sport Psychology
- SPCO 231 Introduction to Performance Analysis
- SPCO 241 Introduction to Strength and Conditioning
- SPCO 242 Weight Management
300-level courses
Double majors
Double majors may be completed in any combination of the majors of the BSpC. For any double major combination, SPCO 320 Internship must be in one or more of the subject areas.
Minor
Sport Science may also be taken as a minor subject and enables students to select up to two areas of speciaisation in the sport sciences. To complete the minor, students are required to take a total of five course (75 points) from Schedule C to the Bachelor of Sports Coaching.
The BSpC degree gives students a strong grounding in transferable career skills which are highly valued in the workforce, including leadership, communication, motivation, and teamwork. Strong practical elements, including a 120-hour internship in the final year will help motivate students to excel in their chosen field and provide the motivation to seek the job they want.
Job options for those taking Sport Science could be working as an exercise physiologist, high performance coach, fitness trainer, teacher, research scientist, or sports administrator.
Recent UC Sport Coaching graduates have become health advisors, sports coaches, performance analysts, personal trainers, policy analysts, teachers, managers in community sports coaching organisations, outdoor recreation guides, school sports directors, and community development officers.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Sport Coaching.
Contact us
College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora
Phone +64 3 369 3333
Email education@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Ōrakipaoa Building, Dovedale campus – see campus maps
Postal address
College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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