Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours in Human Movement Science

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours in Human Movement Science is to produce learners who can address specific needs that exist in the various disciplines of sports science. It aims to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate study and academic careers. It serves to consolidate and deepen the learner's expertise in the discipline, and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the discipline.

The qualification also aims to provide an interdisciplinary academic environment for the study of sports science and kinesiology in an African context. A fundamental part and focus is to provide capable researchers in the field of sport science. The learner will understand research methodologies for specific fields in sports science. This will include knowledge and understanding of various research techniques and methods in the specific disciplines of sports science. This knowledge provides thus a base on which the learner will draw on to solve research problems and address the needs of the industry.

Learners who obtain this qualification will address current and future challenges in the field of sports science and apply knowledge gained to address the objectives as outlined by SRSA and international organisations.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Conduct research in high-performance centres and laboratories.
• Teach specialised physical education to a specific age group of children, keeping in mind the maturity and growth of the child.
• Correlate physical activity to specialised populations such as individuals with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity thus improving quality of life through physical activity.
• Apply scientifically formulated talent identification and developmental programs to optimise sporting potential.
• Compile scientific-based assessment protocol to assess athletic and human performance in high-performance centres.

Rationale

It is widely accepted that South Africa lacks sufficient well-trained scientists who can contribute to independent, high-quality research. There are policies and legislations that are in place to illustrate the importance of specialization in one of the various fields of sports science internationally and nationally such as the National Sport and Recreation Act (Act 110 of 1998) and the strategic objective of the National Department of Sport and Recreation.

This qualification is developed in support of the international, national, and provincial objectives that emphasize the need for professional people to address issues in the sport, recreation, physical fitness, and wellness industry.

A fundamental part of this qualification is to produce capable researchers in the field of sports science.

This qualification comes as part of emphasizing the promotion of research as a core university activity and the building of research capacity. The research strategy recognizes the need for research to address local, regional, and national needs. It seeks ways to engage in a critical dialogue with partners to build research in areas which complement the University's historical niche as an African university, whilst ensuring internationally recognized excellence.

In an effort to implement these strategic objectives and to evaluate their impact on South Africans, intensive research needs to take place to contribute to the knowledge base in the field of human movement science and kinesiology in South Africa. The qualification gives an opportunity for the development of specialised and advanced knowledge, applied skills, attitudes and values as researchers in Human Movement Sciences and Kinesiology, specialising in areas such as physical activity for health promotion, exercise physiology- and science, recreation, sport management, biomechanics, motor learning and - development.

This qualification will be offered in an African context and will address such objectives as in the surrounding community, nationally and internationally. Contributions will be made to the surrounding community's social development through the contribution of physical activity to the health improvement of individuals and the community. Currently, learners are researching the value of physical activity among children through community engagement programme.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Arts in Human Movement Science in Sports Psychology, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts: Sports Health and Recreation Science, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Sport, Exercise and Recreational Therapy, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 128 Credits

• Exercise physiology and sport science, 16 Credits.
• Analyses of movement in sport and exercise science, 16 Credits.
• Proposal writing and research methods, 16 Credits.
• Motor control and human development, 16 Credits.
• Sport Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Sport Management, 16 Credits.
• Research project, 32 Credits.

1. Conduct independent research in a specific field of interest within sports science.
2. Collect, analyse, organise, and evaluate information and ideas from a variety of sources in various fields and specific disciplines.
3. Apply specialised knowledge of sports psychology with individuals participating in sports in various fields and disciplines to solve problems.
4. Correlate physical activity to specialised populations for example individuals with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity thus improving quality of life through physical activity.
5. Ethically apply scientifically formulated talent identification and developmental programs to optimise sporting potential.
6. Present advanced organisational skills in terms of communication, administration, management of sports teams and management of sports events.
7. Compile scientific-based assessment protocol to assess athletic and human performance in high-performance centres.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Synthesize and apply knowledge regarding research methods and techniques applicable to a specific field of interest within sports science in the planning, compilation, and execution of a research project.
• Identify and solve a complex research problem or question concerning a specific field of interest within sports science through advanced information development and processing skills as well as the collection, capturing, analysing and interpretation of research data.
• Present a dissertation which complies with the standards of scientific professional writing by means of advanced information technology and communicate it to a national specialist examination panel through professional academic reasoning.
• Apply knowledge and act in an ethical and responsible way within the required parameters of the research project during the execution of projects and the compilation and finalization of the dissertation, by way of achieving ethical clearance for the research project at the appropriate Institution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Critically evaluate and integrate information from different sources to address problems in the relevant fields.
• Critically connect theories to the problems in the relevant fields.
• Apply relevant knowledge to authentic and simulated scenarios and see theories from one or more fields to address problems within another field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify, analyse, and solve complex and advanced abstract problems by drawing on their own experience as well as theoretical knowledge in the field of sports science.
• Apply knowledge and experience to offer informed suggestions for solving problems at a community, national, international, and global level.
• Solve problems by generating alternative strategies for dealing with those problems.
• Critically evaluate various theoretical standpoints and compare them to own views.
• Offer evidence in a variety of ways (from a theoretical knowledge base, from an experiential base), to support their stated views.
• Analyse the global, national, and local community, as applicable, in terms of problems, needs, and opportunities related to sports science.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop and plan physical activity programmes for individuals with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
• Advise individuals with non-communicable diseases and give an in-depth and applied discussion on nutrition for well-being.
• Plan and develop conditioning programmes for various sports activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Select the appropriate technology to take measurements of the individuals or groups involved as well as to identify talent and developmental programs to optimise sporting potential.
• Illustrate a consideration of the ethics involved in sports science via supervision.
• Show respect and openness towards the psychological health and physical environment of others via supervision.
• Discuss sport as an educational tool critically and explain how it contributes to social empowerment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Plan and develop a management plan for individual athletes and sports teams.
• Show imaginative intelligence, emotional maturity, effective communication skills, and thoughtful and interpersonal sensitivity through supervision.
• Illustrate work ethics that show responsibility and accountability towards the employer and the individual athletes or community under supervision.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Assess athletes in various sports and contexts and demonstrate the ability to conceptualize assessment protocols.
• Discuss and understand various theoretical models in sports psychology applicable to sport.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Assessment entails continual formal and informal assessment for both formative and summative assessments.

Formative assessment serves to support the student in the learning process towards achievement of outcomes and to inform curriculum development.

Formative Assessments

The scheme of work includes

• Assignments
• Class tests
• Worksheet

Summative Assessment

• Examinations
• Research report
• Tests

A minimum of two summative assessments per semester are required, with the summative assessment counting not more than 50% of the final mark.