EXERSCI 101 : Foundations of Exercise and Sport Sciences

Science

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduces the essential scientific concepts and methods of the four sub disciplines of Exercise and Sport Sciences: Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Movement Neuroscience and Exercise and Sport Psychology. Development of academic literacy skills is encouraged. Examples from current research, professional organisations, progression and career pathways within each sub-discipline are discussed.

Course Overview

The primary objective of the course is to introduce the four sub-disciplines of exercise sciences and provide an understanding of the scope of the discipline. It also provides an opportunity to gradually develop numeracy, scientific and academic literacy skills which are competencies essential to excel in exercise sciences. They are also very transferable skills especially to other science disciplines.

This course, along with EXERSCI 103, forms the two mandatory 1st year, 1st semester courses that need to be undertaken by students majoring in Exercise Sciences for their undergraduate degree. It forms the basis for further study in the Department of Exercise Sciences. The course also functions as an 'elective' for students majoring in other Faculty of Science disciplines.

Course Requirements

Restriction: SPORTSCI 101

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain and apply basic mathematical and physics principles to effectively engage in computational problem-solving, at an introductory level, in a biomechanical context. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
  2. Evaluate the concept of homeostasis as it relates to maintenance of core body temperature and blood glucose concentration; and apply the concept to other biological systems in a sport and exercise context. (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
  3. Explain the fundamental molecular and cellular biological processes. (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
  4. Explain and apply introductory human physiology concepts of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous and hormonal systems in a sport and exercise context. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
  5. Explain the introductory concepts of exercise and sport psychology. (Capability 1 and 6)
  6. Develop and demonstrate academic literacy skills and communicate effectively using appropriate biological and physiological terminology. (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  7. Identify the scope of, and career pathways in, each of the four sub-disciplines of exercise sciences: exercise physiology, biomechanics, movement neuroscience and sport and exercise psychology. (Capability 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments
Test
Final Exam

Tuākana

Weekly Tuākana tutorials (optional) are offered to Maori and Pacific Island students throughout the semester. Extra optional tutorials are also offered to non-Maori and Pacific Island students on an 'as required' basis.

Special Requirements

The final examination is the only 'must complete' assessment.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect two hours of lectures per week and one two-hour tutorial per fortnight i.e., six tutorials across the semester.  This should be supplemented with at least eight hours per week of personal study time. Personal study involves time required for you to read, think and make notes about the content you've learnt in the week, attempt tutorial questions prior to class, complete fortnightly assignments and prepare for the midterm test and final exam.

The course has four assignments (each worth 7.5%)(two before the mid-semester break and two after). Depending on prior knowledge and/or skill level, each assignment could take anywhere between 45 min to 3 hours to complete for most students. These four assignments progressively prepare students for the midterm test and the final exam.


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and tutorials to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings. Tutorials will NOT be available as recordings.

Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Access to the following course text book is essential. Most lectures will have examinable 'chapter readings' and all of the required readings are included in this customised text book. It is available as a hardcopy for free from the library on 'short loan' or could be purchased from the university book shop. Alternatively, a downloadable e-book is also available to be purchased.
  
Foundations of Exercise and Sport Sciences – EXERSCI 101 (1st Ed): McGraw Hill Education
Compiled by Weerasekera, W. (2019)
(UoA Library call number: 613.71 W39 )

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The following conditions will apply under the different COVID-19 Alert levels.
Level 1: Delivery normally as specified in delivery mode.
Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will have a remote option. 
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 16/12/2020 02:32 p.m.