Bachelor Of Exercise Science
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday June 25, 2003
Australian Catholic University
Phone 9739 2305
Website www.acu.edu.au
Overview This degree prepares graduates for careers in sport science, exercise science, leisure and recreation, community and corporate fitness, and sports coaching. They may also find employment in the hospitality and tourism industry, as fitness leaders, within government, and as activity leaders (coaches and movement therapists). Specialisations within the course earn graduates appropriate national professional recognition.
Students learn the basics of exercise science and then specialise in exercise and sport science, exercise and health management, or sport management, as well as gaining field experience.
Graduates are trained to deliver activity programs designed to prevent disease, facilitate rehabilitation, promote health and improve exercise performance.
Prerequisites Applicants should have studied English, personal development, health and physical education, mathematics and either biology, chemistry or physics.
Cost The course is costed at HECS Band 2 ($5242 a year in 2003). First-year students should budget $600 for books but second-hand books are available.
When The course is a three-year, full-time commitment (or equivalent part-time) and the structure is designed to allow elite sportspeople to study as well as pursue sporting careers.
Where MacKillop campus, North Sydney.
Success rate ACU says graduates have taken up roles in the recreation, sport, leisure, educational and fitness industries. Many pursue careers as fitness trainers, gym instructors, personal trainers and sports psychologists.
* What graduates say
Allan Bolton , 43, managing director, Quality Health Australia , Balmoral, Sydney. Graduated with honours in 1996. Majored in sport science.
``In 1980, I became involved in the health and fitness industry on a part-time basis and became a full-time fitness trainer in 1986. Several industry heavyweights encouraged me to enrol in a university program so in 1990 I commenced full-time study.
``Doing the course allowed me to add a strong academic component to an established practical base. This provided me with the opportunity to act as a conduit between the information derived through academia and the reality of what people can do to stay fit and healthy.
``Combining full-time study, full-time employment, managing type 1 diabetes and staying healthy was a hard slog but it was worth it. Seeing it through has expanded my opportunities enormously and has helped open many interesting doors.
``In 1992, I helped develop and operate GutBusters . In 1994, I established Quality Health Australia, a science-based health, fitness and lifestyle consultancy, and since 1996 I have acted as scientific adviser to Weight Watchers. In 2002, I was engaged to head the development of the Weight Watchers for Men program. I've also developed a series of health and fitness courses for the Federation of International Sports Aerobics and Fitness that set the standard in 42 countries for professional accreditation in the fitness industry and in 1997 I won the Australian Fitness Leader of the Year award.
``As a professional conference speaker on health, fitness and weight loss, you're up against fads, fiction and gimmicks. The course gave me the confidence and skills to identify fact from fiction."
Kim Whitehouse , 26, director of the day spa and health club, Lilianfels , Blue Mountains. Graduated 2000. Majored in sports management.
``I chose ACU because it had smaller class sizes than other universities and because it is on the North Shore it was easy to get to the city where I worked as a casual fitness instructor.
``The exercise physiology and exercise prescription content was relevant to me as a fitness instructor. From a management perspective, the course needed to be more business-focused but it did give me management fundamentals. I'm now doing an MBA.
``My main practicum at O'Reilly's Rainforest Guesthouse in Queensland got me into the hospitality field. I worked there almost full-time for six months and helped open their fitness centre and day spa. On graduation I became assistant manager. I later worked at Hayman Island, the Four Seasons in Sydney and started with Lilianfels in February.
``Probably only about 10 of 65 in my graduating year are still directly employed in the industry. Exercise techniques, theories and nutrition all change fast and you have to be motivated to stay on top of it all or you jeopardise your employment prospects.
``I love the variety my work offers. I've got guest contact on a daily basis and I've got regular members so I can have a continuous input into their health and wellbeing. I also have the opportunity to build a team in a supportive environment."
*What an employer says
Dr Mike Climstein , director of rehabilitation, Freshwater Health and Fitness Centre , and adjunct associate professor with ACU's faculty of health sciences.
``We run an internship program in which a number of ACU students have taken part, gaining experience in the rehabilitation of people with cardiac problems, or who have had a stroke or have osteoporosis.
``Students who are keen and enthusiastic have a chance to show their potential in a clinical setting. It's an excellent scheme, we get ideal employees, and the [adjoining] physiotherapy practice has also hired graduates who work in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
``The practical experience is a critical aspect of the course. You can only learn so much from a book.
``I encourage students to do internships in different settings to get a realistic idea of what working in this area entails.
``There are [lots of] universities producing human movement and exercise science graduates so it's a very competitive job market. There is a large potential market for students in the field of rehabilitation. But ultimately employers want employees who have practical experience."
© 2003 Sydney Morning Herald