School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Student and teaching support

Student Information Centre

Email: exercise@qut.edu.au or nutrition@qut.edu.au

Phone: (07) 3138 3368

International phone: +61 7 3138 3368

Fax: (07) 3138 3369

Location: Room O-D611, O Block, Kelvin Grove Campus

Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059

First year students

Our first year Orientation Camp is a great introduction to studying Human Movement Studies at QUT.

Get to know other students, gain insight on what your degree will be like, and discover the support available to you.

Human Movement Studies Orientation Camp

I want to use my current Bachelor of Health Science major to upgrade to another Bachelor of Health Science major next year. What can I enrol in now?

You must enrol in at least 3 units per semester following the standard course structure of your current course/major. See the relevant course details page. You may substitute your fourth unit for one from another course/major provided you meet the prerequisites. If you do not upgrade, this substituted unit may not count when graduation eligibility is determined. Please seek academic advice before substituting units.

If you choose to underload (i.e., enrol in less than 4 units) you cannot do units from another course/major. Your rank will not be as high as if you had completed 8 units. If you need more advice contact the Student Centre at sph.studentcentre@qut.edu.au.

I want to use my first year of study to upgrade my OP ranking and get into another QUT course.

For courses with an entry ranking of 94 (OP 4) or higher you must complete a minimum of one full-time year (96 credit points) in order to improve your results. Any units for which you received exemption or academic credit do not count towards your 96cp load. If you do less than 96cp, even a GPA of 6.5 will not convert to an entry ranking higher than 94. For more details, contact that faculty's Student Centre.

Transferring between courses or majors

Students who have accepted an offer into a major of the Bachelor of Health Science or other undergraduate course are required to enrol as specified in the course summary sheet. For example, a Bachelor of Health Science (Health Information Management) student must enrol in the enrolment program for that major and not the Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition & Dietetics).

You may be able to use your first year of study as a means to upgrade your OP ranking score to get into another course the following year.

For information on bridging courses for Chemistry or Maths B, visit the bridging courses section.

If you wish transfer from one major to another major of the same course, e.g., PU40 Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) to PU40 Bachelor of Health Science (Health Information Management), you can apply at the end of any semester using an Intra-Faculty Course Change form (R/I form). A transfer will only be allowed if you meet the requirements and a quota place is available. Note that you must complete at least one semester of study of the course/major in the university's letter of offer before applying for a transfer to another course/major in the Faculty of Health.

From one course to a different course

If you wish to transfer from a Faculty of Health course to another Faculty of Health course, eg. PU40 Bachelor of Health Science (Environmental Health) to HM42 Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement Studies), you need to complete an Intra-Faculty Course Change form (R/I form). Use this form if you wish to transfer to:

• another course offered by the same faculty
• from a single to a double degree in the same faculty, provided both components of the double degree are provided by the faculty
• from one degree to another double degree where the faculty or faculties involved in the course being sought are those involved in the current course
• to a single component of a double degree.

Note: If you are currently studying a degree that is the health component of a double degree with another faculty other than Health, you must apply via QTAC. For example, if you are studying Bachelor of Health Science (HSM) and wish to apply for the double degree Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Health Science (HSM), you must apply via QTAC.

Transferring to a course in another Faculty of QUT

If you wish to transfer to an undergraduate course offered in another Faculty of QUT you must apply through QTAC (for undergraduate study). For example, if you are studying Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry) and wish to study Bachelor of Business (Marketing), you must apply via QTAC.

What are the career options for a Exercise and Movement Science graduate?

A degree in Exercise and Movement Science can help launch a career in exercise and sports science. Exercise and sports science specialists work with a diverse range of people across the community ranging from children to the elderly, including a focus on people with disabilities, and elite athletes.

Graduates work as exercise physiologists, sports administrators, exercise therapists, strength and conditioning specialists, and rehabilitation specialists. The field of exercise and sports science provides a holistic approach to achieving and maintaining health and fitness, and to helping people feel good about themselves.

Relevant courses and real career opportunities (PDF file, 1834.94 KB)

What is sport science?

Sport science is a multi-disciplinary field concerned with the understanding and enhancement of human performance. It includes the knowledge, methods and applications of sub-disciplines of exercise and movement science (i.e., exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and motor development, exercise and sport psychology) as well as how they interact.

Sport scientists are trained experts who assist sports people to achieve the best possible sporting performance. They evaluate, research, assess and advise on coaching, training, competition and recovery practices in all areas and levels of sport.

A sports scientist will work with teams and individual athletes to provide scientific support in preparation for competition. This can involve information, technical and practical support on training, injury prevention, technique analysis, nutrition and optimisation of performance, and assistance with psychological issues (such as motivation, stress and arousal, and coping strategies). For example, a sport scientist might design a training program to increase a cyclist's speed or improve a swimmer's power off the swimming blocks.

A degree in sports and/or exercise science is the basic requirement. However, in general, a postgraduate degree by research (Masters or PhD) in sports science is a mandatory requirement to gain employment either overseas or within Australia within an academy or institute of sport, professional sporting team, or university. You can expect to study subjects in anatomy, physiology, immunology, nutrition, biological chemistry, microbiology as you prepare for a career in sports science. Part of your job will be conducting experiments, making observations, interpreting data and communicating findings. To do this, you'll need skills in communication, project management and information technology.

The major employers of sports scientists are sporting academies (such as the Australian Institute of Sport) and professional sporting teams. Many sport scientists also work in universities conducting sport science research and educating the next generation of sport scientists.

What is an exercise physiologist?

Exercise physiologists are professionals from within the field of exercise science who have specialised into either health and fitness or exercise rehabilitation streams. As knowledge in the area of physical conditioning and rehabilitation has increased, the evolution of specialists in various fields have become apparent. The development of a specialised area in the field of exercise science has only occurred in recent years.

Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) defines the domain of an Exercise Physiologist as matching the immediate aspirations and needs of the client with appropriate exercise interventions, and developing strategies which promote and assist in interventions being undertaken regularly for a prolonged period of time. Interventions will rarely only involve physical activity and as a consequence the Exercise Physiologist does not practice in isolation but will collaborate with other recognised health practitioners.

An Exercise Physiologist is ideally suited to providing professional services in the area of exercise as a treatment strategy in physical rehabilitation, as a preventative strategy for disease prevention, and work hardening as part of establishing and sustaining functional independence.

What is Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)?

Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), formerly Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS) is a professional organisation which is committed to establishing, promoting and defending the career paths of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners, who are in turn committed to best practice and client well-being. The central tenet of our profession is that: "Exercise and Sports Science is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the understanding and enhancement of human movement in the broadest sense, including general physical activity pursuits such as goal oriented fitness regimens and recreational sport as well as elite sport and the area of performance enhancement. It includes the knowledge, methods and applications of subdisciplines (i.e. exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and motor development, exercise and sport psychology) as well as how they interact".

AAESS was officially founded in 1991 to meet the professional needs of exercise and sports scientists in Australia. It is directed by an Executive Board comprised of leading academics and practitioners in these fields and is supported by a growing number of regional chapters throughout Australia. AAESS Pty Ltd (trading as ESSA) is an incorporated body and its constitution has been registered with the Australian Securities Commission.

What is the practicum?

The Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology course is designed to prepare students for work in a wide range of areas in the field of Exercise and Sport Science. The practicum units are designed to support you in becoming a competent practitioner, and in applying classroom knowledge and skills, via supervised practice in real world settings. Such practice should also develop your confidence, attitudes, values and understanding of professional issues, and provide opportunities to interact with and relate to Exercise and Movement Science practitioners. Involvement in a number of placements will enable you to compare different professional strands and evaluate the fit of personal skills and qualities in each of the selected work sites. Practicum opportunities will be linked to six broad professional areas:

• Health & Wellness
• Sports Performance
• Clinical & Rehabilitation
• Occupational Health & Safety
• Sports Administration and Development
• Research.

If you are currently studying within the School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, please view the Work Integrated Learning Site (WILS) to view information about practicum placements.