BSc (Hons) in Health and Physical Activity at Dundalk Institute of Technology

The four-year BSc (Honours) in Health and Physical Activity degree course aims to educate a category of professionals in the areas of health, physical activity and wellbeing. Graduates will have the skills necessary to assess, plan, promote and evaluate lifestyle interventions and physical activity courses that will enhance the quality of life of individuals that they work with

Course Description

The overall aim of the BSc (Honours) in Health and Physical Activity degree course is to educate a category of professionals in the areas of health, physical activity and wellbeing. Graduates will have the skills necessary to assess, plan, promote and evaluate lifestyle interventions and physical activity courses that will enhance the quality of life of individuals that they work with. In doing so, risk factors associated with certain illnesses will be reduced.

There are four subject streams within the course:

• health science,
• exercise science,
• health research
• communicating the health message.

In addition, students have the opportunity to acquire qualifications in gym instruction, circuit training, personal training, exercise referral, exercise and nutritional interventions for obesity and diabetes and the management of lower back pain. In Stage 4 of the course students have an opportunity to choose one of three elective modules.

Supervised work placement is part of this course in Stages 3 and 4.

• The Stage 3 placement involves a full-time, thirteen-week placement in a general setting (Physical Activity Coordinator offices within the Health Service Executive, Sports Council, Leisure facilities etc).
• The Stage 4 placement involves part-time work and exposure to a specific, special population setting (for example: The Irish Wheelchair Association, Special Olympics Ireland, Irish Heart Foundation etc) for 1 day per week over a period of 10 weeks.

Career Options

This course provides students with the skills required to pursue employment in the following areas:

• Sports Development within Local Sports Partnerships / Sporting Organisations eg GAA, FAI
• Physical Activity Coordinator within HSE
• Community eg older adult settings, disability services, children's settings
• Fitness consultation / Personal training
• Leisure / Sports Management
• Health Promotion
• GP Exercise Referral