Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Physiology

Course Summary

The understanding and promotion of an active lifestyle, proper nutrition and the positive impact it has on people’s lives, forms the basis of this degree. This programme aims to produce graduates with a strong academic base in health science disciplines related to physical activity and exercise. Students will graduate with a thorough understanding of health sciences and their application. Emphasis is placed on developing core health-related skills and competencies. 

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW 

The degree is comprised of a number of inter-related subject streams including health promotion and public health, physical activity, exercise physiology, nutrition sciences, and research methods. Core modules are complemented by supporting modules in IT and communications. Students are equipped with a unique blend of practical skills and knowledge in a broad range of health-related fields. This affords graduates numerous and varied opportunities to specialise in their favoured area, and offers a diverse range of career paths.

The modules on this programme have been designed to allow students flexibility. For example, we have seen students who were positive they wanted to study physiotherapy change to occupational therapy or diagnostic imaging after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.

YEAR 1

Students acquire practical skills in core subjects, including biology, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, mathematics, health and fitness, health communications, facilitation and group work skills, health promotion, information technology, kinesiology and exercise instruction.

YEAR 2

Core subjects from Year 1 are further developed with more emphasis on laboratory and practical elements related to physical activity and exercise. Key modules include Exercise Physiology, Health Psychology, Health Biochemistry, Health Microbiology, Research Methods, Biomechanics of Human Movement and Promoting Healthy Behaviours. 

YEAR 3

Students study specialist streams in more depth. These include Resistance Training and Programme Design, Nutrition, Health Promotion Practice, Physical Activity across the Lifespan, and Research Methods. Students also complete a research project on a topic of interest to them.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) Ireland recognised Fitness Instruction Award is built into this degree. This means graduates are eligible to register with Ireland’s professional body representing exercise professionals. Graduates from the Certificate in Health Promotion and Wellness Practice are automatically eligible to apply to become an International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) Registered Health Promotion Practitioner. This means that graduates of the combined programmes have qualifications that are recognised worldwide.

ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS 

We have three health science programmes in ATU Sligo. Each of these programmes offer a pathways into the areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and diagnostic imaging/radiography. Students generally choose one of two paths – exit from our Level 6 or Level 7 programme and pursue undergraduate studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession OR complete our Level 8 honours degree and pursue Masters studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession.

Our expert staff ensure that students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview for further studies. This is a process our academics engage with every year, and they are extremely knowledgable of the requirements.

Please note that all three of our health science programmes are interlinked. Therefore, these programmes offer progression and exit awards throughout the various levels of study.

HEALTH SCIENCE FACILITIES 

Our exercise physiology lab boasts state of the art equipment for human testing, which includes:

• a Biodex Isokinetic System 4 which can test aspects of muscular fitness including maximal strength of muscle groups
• a BodPod which is currently regarded as one of the gold standard testing techniques to measure body composition,
• a Cortex Gas Metabolic Analyser for VO_2Max testing, which is an assessment for cardiovasculr fitness and fuel utilisation
• a G-Walk which can analyse aspects of how people walk such as gait analysis and weight distribution.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 7 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

Successful applicants to this degree will be required to undergo Garda vetting and a medical evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify students with special exercise requirements. This information is strictly confidential and any offer made will not be withdrawn on the basis of medical information supplied.

Hepatitis B vaccination will be required for work placement.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may be employed in the health area in both the voluntary and state sector. Career opportunities include sports development, sports science, physical activity promotion, health promotion and physical activity.

Many graduates continue their studies to Year 4 of the Level 8 AU971 BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity or the one year add-on BSc (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion here in ATU Sligo.

Graduates have also gained entry to professional programmes in allied health areas such as physiotherapy, radiography and occupational therapy, both in Ireland and abroad.

Further Study

Graduates may continue their studies to Year 4 of the Level 8 AU971 BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity or the one year add-on BSc (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion here in ATU Sligo.

Graduates may also progress to professional programmes in allied health areas such as physiotherapy, radiography and occupational therapy, both in Ireland and abroad. The most common progression route universities from ATU Sligo are University of Limerick,  University of Cork, University of Salford, Ulster University, Robert Gordon University, Northumbria University, Glasgow Caledonian and  University of Derby. Our staff are very knowledgeable and ensure students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview.

Graduates from one of the Level 8 degree's, may progress to Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate studies in ATU Sligo or in other third level institutions. The following three programmes are popular masters routes in ATU Sligo:

MSc in Health Promotion

MSc in Public Health Nutrition

MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

Testimonials

"I particularly enjoy the practical element of the degree, as I have always enjoyed hands-on work and learning through practice. I have always been interested in the body and how it works. Throughout the degree, I have studied modules such as Functional Anatomy, Human Biology and Biomechanics of Human movement. These have enhanced my knowledge even further on this topic and I have thoroughly enjoyed studying them.

This degree in Health Science and Physiology is ideal for me as I was unsure if I want to pursue a career in sports development or sports science, or perhaps pursue further studies in physiotherapy."

Amy Halligan, BSc in Health Science and Physiology

Did you know?

We also offer this programme at Level 8 AU971 BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity and Level 6 AU732 Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science

Students may exit with after Year 2 or Year 3 of this programme and pursue studies in allied health professions such as physiotherapy, radiography, occupational therapy, speech and language, both in Ireland and abroad.

Our expert staff ensure that students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview for further studies. This is a process our academics engage with every year, and they are extremely knowledgable of the requirements.

The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) Ireland recognised Fitness Instruction Award is built into this degree.

Graduates from the Certificate in Health Promotion and Wellness Practice are eligible to apply to become an (IUHPE) Registered Health Promotion Practitioner.

In Year 3, students complete a research project on a topic of interest to them.

Our exercise physiology lab boasts state of the art equipment for human testing. More information can be found on the course summary tab on this webpage.

We develop students interpersonal, communication, active listening, and IT Skills through various modules. These skills are highly valued by potential employers or for progression to further study.

The modules on this programme have been designed to allow students flexibility. For example, we have seen students who were positive they wanted to study physiotherapy change to occupational therapy or diagnostic imaging after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.

Alumni

Laura Dunleavy completed our Level 7 degree in  AU861 BSc in Health Science and Physiology before continuing her studies to the final year of our Level 8 honours degree in BSc (Hons) in in Health Science and Physical Activity.

Watch below as Laura talks about the various modules she studied, the excellent facilities provided in ATU Sligo and an award winning project she completed. Since graduating from our Level 8 honours degree, Laura has progressed her studies to a Masters in Physiotherapy at University College Cork.

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6