Master of Applied Exercise Science (Exercise Prescription)
ObjectivesThe course aims to provide an advanced professional preparation in the discipline of Exercise Science, in particular exercise prescription in a variety of settings. Students will gain knowledge in prescribing exercise in multiple applications across the lifespan. This course will provide opportunities for the development of critical and reflective leadership in the planning, management and evaluation of professional exercise programs.
Entry requirementsPrerequisites 1. Graduate Diploma in Exercise Science; or 2. 1. Bachelor of Exercise Science or equivalent; and 2. eligibility for Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science membership. * An applicant who lacks the formal prerequisite but who has at least one year's experience in a related area of exercise science may apply for special admission.
Academic titleMaster of Applied Exercise Science (Exercise Prescription)
Course descriptionProfessional Strand
The professional strand consists of two units of study. The professional strand offers the chance to develop skills in scientific and clinical report writing and awareness of the management, legal and safety requirements underpinning a clinically based business.
Discipline Strand
The discipline strand consists of four units of study. The discipline strand further develops the students discipline knowledge base in the biomechanical and ergonomic dimensions of exercise, the interactions between pharmacology and exercise, the relationship between exercise and metabolic syndromes as well as exercise and the ageing process.
Master of Applied Exercise Science (Exercise Prescription)
MAppExSc(ExPresc)
160 cp
Minimum duration: 2 Years full-time or equivalent part-time.
Course available at: Melbourne, Victoria
EFTSL value of units: All 10 cp units in this course have an EFTSL value of 0.125. Units with a cp value of a multiple of 10 have corresponding EFTSL values.
1. Requirements for Completion of the Degree
To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 80 cp from the Graduate Diploma in Applied Exercise Science (Exercise Prescription) Schedule of Unit Offerings* and complete 80 cp from the Master of Applied Exercise Science (Exercise Prescription) Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:
1. 20 cp from Professional Units;
2. 40 cp from Discipline Units;
3. 20 cp from Electives.
*Additional supervised Clinical Experience hours are required depending upon the student’s prior learning experience. Contact the Course Co-ordinator for details.
Schedule of Unit Offerings
Prerequisite (Pre), co-requisite (Co) and incompatible (Inc) units are indicated in parentheses where applicable.
Professional Units
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
EXSC609 10 Scientific and Clinical Report Writing
EXSC612 10 Management of a Clinical Business
EXSC609 Scientific and Clinical Report Writing
10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 24 hours of lectures and 24 hours of laboratory per semester.
Scientific writing involves the production of work that utilises the English language in a clear and concise manner yet follows a format and style not generally observed in English Literature. Therefore, this unit will address issues pertaining to the art of writing a scientific document. Formats to be covered will include the writing of an original scientific article, thesis, clinical report, research proposal or a piece for a newspaper or magazine, whilst also addressing issues concerning the production of grant proposals, conference abstracts, posters and oral presentations.
EXSC612 Management of a Clinical Business
10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials per semester.
This unit provides an introduction to management principles as they apply to the development and delivery of exercise prescription services. The emphasis is on effectiveness in the small business environment and the professional and business value of a focus on the needs and dignity of the client. A need to monitor the operating environment and be committed to the notion of continuous improvement informs the concept of a professional human service which underpins this unit.
Discipline Units
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
EXSC611 10 Ergonomics of Exercise
EXSC613 10 Exercise and Ageing
EXSC614 10 Pharmacology and Exercise
EXSC621 10 Clinical Biomechanics
EXSC611 Ergonomics of Exercise
10 cp
Prerequisites EXSC320 Advanced Biomechanics or equivalent
Teaching Organisation 24 hours of lectures and 24 hours of laboratory per semester.
Functional movement is limited by the mechanical characteristics and structure of human body parts, as well as the design characteristics of facilities and equipment in sport, exercise, and everyday life. Knowledge of the mechanical properties of the human body is important to enable remedial treatment and advances in sport rehabilitation and injury prevention. Similarly, an understanding of ergonomics can reduce the incidence of sport injuries in recreational and elite athletes. This unit provides knowledge of technical, philosophical, and ethical issues related to client assessment and analysis, with a focus on the feedback process.
EXSC613 Exercise and Ageing
10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 24 hours of lectures and 24 hours of laboratory per semester.
This unit examines the interaction between exercise and ageing. It highlights the various forms of exercise that are safe for the older person. Research has highlighted individual differences in structure, capacity and endurance as people change with age. These changes are reviewed in the context of factors of motor coordination, motor control, and skill learning for older adults. The prescription of exercise for enhancing physical–psychosocial dimensions such as health and cognitive function are discussed. Exercise is proposed as an essential health-related intervention to change the expectations of quality of life for older adults.
EXSC614 Pharmacology and Exercise
10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 24 hours of lectures and 24 hours of laboratory per semester.
This unit explains the basic principles of drug action, administration and elimination in the human and the effects of exercise upon the substance. It will examine the corollary of the influence of substance upon performance. The major classes of drugs will be examined and their effect upon the human across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on drugs used in rehabilitation, prescription, and performance enhancement. Dangers and ethical considerations will form a major component of this analysis.
EXSC621 Clinical Biomechanics
10 cp
Prerequisites EXSC320 Advanced Biomechanics EXSC330 Advanced Motor Control and Learning EXSC500 Lifestyle and Exercise Counselling EXSC501 Neurological Analysis, Prescription and Rehabilitation
Teaching Organisation 48 hours of focused learning.
This unit builds upon the theoretical framework gained in undergraduate and postgraduate studies of the biomechanics and motor control of human movement. Students will further their knowledge of the normal forces and motions occurring during human movement, and integrate their understanding of the neural control of such movement. The application of these concepts to the pathological movement patterns observed in disorders of the musculoskeletal and neurological systems will then be explored.
Consequently, this unit aims to provide students with the skills necessary to quantitatively analyse and interpret the normal and abnormal motions occurring in disorders of posture, balance and gait, and to understand the pathomechanical and neurological mechanisms responsible. In addition, an appreciation of contemporary theoretical issues involved in the measurement and analysis of disordered motor patterns will be provided. This knowledge will be utilised to advise and assist in the recommendation and review of interventions designed to improve movement, balance and postural deficits.
Electives
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
EXSC615 20 Project
This unit will focus upon the gathering, interpretation and presentation of clinical data in the form of an in-depth case study under the supervision of an academic staff member appointed by the Head of School. The formulation of the problem and the strategy for data collection will be subject to peer and ethical review before data collection can occur.