• Program summary
• Program overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Special features
• Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

QTAC code: 013251
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: OP-18 / Rank-64
Award abbreviation: BClinExSc
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Total units: 384 units (normally 32 courses)
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Recommended prior study: English, Maths and at least one of the sciences
Commence: Semester 1
USC program code: SC346
CRICOS code: 066298J

Program overview

USC’s clinical exercise science program provides you with a pathway to become an accredited exercise physiologist. The program is one of only a few in Australia that have been developed to meet the guidelines of the Accredited Exercise Physiologist qualification, as established by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA, formerly AAESS).

Qualified exercise physiologists can improve the health of people with chronic and complex medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and arthritis.

During this program, you will gain knowledge and understanding of many aspects of exercise and sport science, including specific studies in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, biomechanics, psychology, motor learning, sports nutrition and sports coaching.

In addition to these more traditional studies, advanced courses will focus on the application of the knowledge of exercise science to professional practice in clinical and community environments.

The program has a strong industry focus, and you will undertake more than 500 hours of work placement throughout your studies.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the program can apply for accreditation as an ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Since January 2006, Accredited Exercise Physiologists have been able to provide Medicare Plus services to people with chronic and complex illnesses. Graduates are also eligible to become full members or associate members of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and Sports Medicine Australia.

Career opportunities

Graduates can apply for the ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist qualification, and provide Medicare Plus services to the public. Other career opportunities may include:

• exercise scientist
• cardiac and pulmonary testing/rehabilitation
• community recreation and fitness
• corporate health and fitness
• exercise physiology/therapy
• exercise prescription and programming
• fitness assessment
• personal training
• sport and exercise science/research
• personal health and fitness

Special features

• graduates are eligible to apply for accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
• on-campus sport and exercise laboratories are of the highest standard, and USC was the first university in Australia to be accredited with the Australian Institute of Sport’s National Sport Science Quality Assurance program

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Community Development and Social Action
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Introductory courses

7 required courses:
LFS100 Applied Research Methods
LFS122 Economics for Business
LFS112 Business Law and Ethics
PSY100 Management and Organisational Behaviour
SCI105 Marketing Theory and Practice
SCI110 Accounting for Business
SPX102 Introduction to Informatics

Advanced courses

23 required courses:
BIM263 Strategic Management
LFS201 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
LFS202 Communication and Thought
LFS251 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
LFS303 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SPX201 Cell Biology
SPX202 Human Anatomy
SPX211 Human Physiology
SPX212 Introduction to Psychology A
SPX221 Chemistry
SPX222 Science Research Methods
SPX231 Introduction to Coaching Science
SPX300 Introduction to Pharmacology #
SPX301 Systemic Physiology I
SPX302 Systemic Physiology II
SPX312 Performance Enhancement
SPX322 Biomechanics II
SPX331 Exercise Physiology II
SPX352
SPX401A #
SPX401B #
SPX401C #
SPX401D #

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider

Program requirements and notes

1. To be eligible for accreditation as an AEP, you must complete all required components of this program. This consists of the, 2 core courses, 7 introductory/foundation courses and 23 advanced courses. In addition, ESSA requires students to complete 500 hours of supervised practice comprising minimum of 140 hours for apparently healthy clients, 140 hours for neuromuscular/musculoskeletal clients, and 140 hours for metabolic/cardiopulmonary clients. These hours can be completed as part of  Clinical Placement and the Advanced Professional Experience for Exercise Science courses.
2. Refer to the Academic Rules.
3. Refer to explanation of terms.
4. Refer to the recommended enrolment pattern. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
5. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students. 
7. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including; namely essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.

Enquiries 

How to apply

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au