Sport and Exercise Nutrition - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Interested in becoming a sport and exercise nutritionist?

Summary

The aim of this programme is to provide suitable academic training relating to the foundation of biosciences for the study of sport and exercise nutrition (SEN). Work based learning will be a major focus of the programme highlighting the wealth of professional roles within sport and exercise nutrition practice.

Sign up to hear more about Ulster

Diet and nutrition significantly affect sport performance. The food and fluid which an athlete consumes before, during, and after training and competition affects health, body mass and body composition, as well as performance in, and, recovery from, the effects of exercise. As such, an optimum diet can help to maximise sport performance.

An increased level of participation in physical activity, exercise and sport also helps to improve the health and well-being of our sedentary general population. Increased physical activity can help to reduce obesity, the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and osteoporosis, and can play a role in promoting mental health. Sound knowledge and practical application of sport and exercise nutrition can ensure a healthy balance between exercise and diet of individuals and groups of individuals at all levels of fitness.

The aim of this programme is to provide suitable academic training relating to the foundation of biosciences for the study of sport and exercise nutrition (SEN). This course will provide knowledge relating to the biosciences of sport and exercise nutrition, critical awareness and transferable skills for job opportunities in the wider nutrition and sports industry. It will also equip those with aspirations to work in the area of sports nutrition with the knowledge required before pursuing a one year Masters of Science postgraduate course (at Ulster) or other institution before securing practitioner registration to practice as a registered sport and exercise nutritionist.

Course Structure

Year 1

In the first year of the programme students will complete the following modules:

• Principles of anatomy and physiology;
• Study skills for professional development;
• Chemistry and pharmacology;
• Introduction to sport and exercise nutrition;
• Biochemistry; and
• Sport and Exercise Psychology

Year 2

In the second year of the programme, students will complete the following modules:

• Nutrition through the lifecycle;
• Assessment of nutritional status;
• Physiology of sport and exercise;
• Employability in sport and exercise nutrition;
• Integrated exercise physiology and nutrition; and
• Food science and professional practice in sports nutrition

Year 3

The third year will be an optional placement in sport/sport and exercise nutrition setting (25-week minimum).

**students not taking the placement year, can progress into their final year**

Final Year

In the final year of the programme, students will complete the following modules:

• Nutrition research methodology;
• Exercise metabolism;
• Sport and exercise nutrition;
• Performance nutrition;
• Nutrition for health and disease prevention and;
• Dissertation project in sport and exercise nutrition.

Careers & opportunities

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Sport and Exercise Nutritionist (further study required)
• Nutritionist
• Community Nutrition Education Officer
• Health Improvement Practitioner
• Health Promotion Officer
• International Aid Worker
• Product Development

Career options

Increasingly recognised as a vital part of public and individual health, sports nutrition graduates use their skills to help people and communities make the right dietary choices. Whilst this programme is not envisaged as a vocational course, the specialist knowledge and graduate level skills that it provides will enhance opportunities for attaining employment in a variety of areas. Graduates can pursue careers in the following contexts: educational welfare, local government, educational and community development, social/educational research, medical sales; further and higher education, nutrition, as well as training roles in business-contexts, in health services and in physical activity and health. Typically, graduates will find themselves in roles where they use their graduate skills to create learning/training content and supporting materials, to teach/advise a variety of population sectors e.g. young people, athletes and gym users using a variety of traditional and online tools. As aforementioned, there is also opportunity to follow the undergraduate programme with further study of SEN at Ulster by completing the PgD/MSc SEN (accredited programme) to become a registered sport and exercise nutritionist.

• Sport and Exercise Nutritionist (by completing PgD/MSc SEN at Ulster/other and seeking professional accreditation)
• Nutritionist
• Community nutrition education officer
• Food technologist
• Health Improvement practitioner
• International aid/development worker
• Medical Sales representative
• Health promotion officer
• Catering manager (for sports teams)
• Product development scientist

Work placement / study abroad

The third year will be an optionalplacement in sport/sport and exercise nutrition setting (25-week minimum).

**students not taking the placement year, can progress into their final year**

Apply directly

Next steps if you are applying directly:

1. find your course
2. check you meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements
3. If your first language is not English, check you meet the English language requirements for your given course