4B036E - The Sport & Exercise Scientist – Skills for Success 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 4B036E
Module Title: The Sport & Exercise Scientist – Skills for Success
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Adnan Haq
Module Team: Tom Owens
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100433 - sport and exercise sciences
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The aims of the module are: 

  • Develop your academic and professional confidence by learning how to find, evaluate, and apply scientific evidence within sport and exercise science contexts. 

  • Build essential employability skills, including teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and reflection, to prepare you for success at university and in future professional environments. 

  • Explore and define your professional identity as a sport and exercise scientist by engaging with industry standards and real-world challenges linked to careers in health, fitness, and performance. 

Content Summary

The Sport & Exercise Scientist – Skills for Success is designed to help you become a confident, capable, and career-ready professional while tackling real-world issues that matter. Centred around the Grand Challenge: Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Choices, this module invites you to apply your developing knowledge and skills to address how sport and exercise science can improve individual and community well-being. 

Through interactive workshops, collaborative projects, and practical learning, you’ll build essential skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and evidence-based decision-making. You’ll learn how to find, evaluate, and apply scientific research to create positive change — developing the ability to think critically and communicate effectively in professional contexts. Guided by standards from CIMSPA and CASES, you’ll begin to form your professional identity and understand how your role as a sport and exercise scientist contributes to a healthier society. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Guided Study 80
Problem/Challenge Based Learning 80
Practical Classes and Workshops 56
Formative Assessment 24
Summative Assessment 60
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply academic, research, and communication skills to identify, interpret, and use evidence effectively within sport and exercise science contexts.
LO2 Reflect on personal and professional development, demonstrating emerging professional identity, transferable skills, and awareness of industry expectations

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Student Choice 1 This module is assessed through a group presentation that forms part of the Grand Challenge: “The Active Campus – Making Movement a Habit.” This challenge invites students to apply their developing skills as sport and exercise scientists to design practical, evidence-based strategies for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour among university students. Group Presentation / Report / Creative Digital Output – Podcast/Video 25 2000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Student Choice 1

Reading List

Week 1: Becoming a University Learner & Research Ready 

Essential Reading 

  • University of South Wales Library (2024). Library and Study Skills Guide: Finding and Evaluating Academic Sources. USW Library Online. 

  • Ridley, D. (2012). The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students (2nd ed.). London: Sage. 

  • Booth, A., Sutton, A., & Papaioannou, D. (2016). Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review (2nd ed.). London: Sage. 

 

Supplementary Reading 

  • USW Library (2024). FINDit and Database Tutorials. Available on Blackboard. 

  • Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook (5th ed.). London: Red Globe Press. 

 

Week 2: Thinking Critically & Communicating Like a Professional 

Essential Reading 

  • Cottrell, S. (2023). Critical Thinking Skills: Effective Analysis, Argument and Reflection (4th ed.). Red Globe Press. 

  • Bailey, R. P., & Collins, D. (2013). The Standard Model of Talent Development and Its Discontents. Kinesiology Review, 2(4), 248–259. 

  • USW Learner Development Service (2024). Academic Integrity and Responsible Use of AI. Blackboard Learning Resource. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Northedge, A. (2005). The Good Study Guide. Open University Press. 

  • Jones, M. I., & Kingston, K. (2013). Psychological Skill Development in Sport and Exercise. Routledge. 

 

Week 3: Professional Practice, Communication & Teamwork 

Essential Reading 

  • BASES (2023). Code of Conduct and Professional Standards for Sport and Exercise Scientists. BASES Website. 

  • Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. (2019). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (8th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Jowett, S., & Lavallee, D. (Eds.) (2007). Social Psychology in Sport. Human Kinetics. 

  • Trudel, P., & Gilbert, W. (2013). Coaching and Professional Practice. Sport Coaching Review, 2(1), 1–14. 

 

Week 4: Research Foundations – Reliability, Validity & Evidence Quality 

Essential Reading 

  • Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K., & Silverman, S. J. (2022). Research Methods in Physical Activity (8th ed.). Human Kinetics. 

  • Gravetter, F., & Forzano, L.-A. (2018). Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences (6th ed.). Cengage. 

  • BASES (2022). Guidelines for Conducting Research within Sport and Exercise Science. BASES Website. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Krane, V., & Baird, S. (2005). Using Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise Psychology. The Sport Psychologist, 19(4), 405–415. 

 

Week 5: Statistics, Hypothesis Testing & Research Design 

Essential Reading 

  • Field, A., Miles, J., & Field, Z. (2012). Discovering Statistics Using R. Sage. 

  • Vincent, W. J., & Weir, J. P. (2012). Statistics in Kinesiology (4th ed.). Human Kinetics. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Hopkins, W. G. (2000). Measures of Reliability in Sports Medicine and Science. Sports Medicine, 30(1), 1–15. 

  • Smith, R., & Sparkes, A. (2016). Qualitative Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health. Routledge. 

 

Week 6: Presenting with Confidence – Public Speaking & Pitching Ideas 

Essential Reading 

  • Lucas, S. E. (2020). The Art of Public Speaking (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill. 

  • Brown, S., & Race, P. (2013). Using Effective Presentation Skills in Higher Education. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Duarte, N. (2010). Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences. Wiley. 

  • TED (2024). TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking. Headline Publishing. 

 

Week 7: Career Readiness & Grand Challenge Assessment 

Essential Reading 

  • CIMSPA (2023). Professional Standards for Sport and Physical Activity Practitioners. CIMSPA Website. 

  • USW Careers Service (2024). CV and Interview Skills for Sport and Exercise Science Graduates. USW Careers Portal. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • BASES (2024). Career Pathways in Sport and Exercise Science. BASES Careers Hub. 

  • Sport England (2024). Active Lives Survey. Sport England Website. 

  • UK Government (2024). Physical Activity Guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers’ Report. GOV.UK