Master of Health Sciences in Human Movement Science

Purpose

The Degree is a Postgraduate specialisation qualification, characterised by the fact that it prepares students for research-based postgraduate study of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and academic careers. It serves to consolidate and deepen the student's expertise in the discipline, and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the discipline. This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

This programme is within the field of Sport Science and Kinesiology, which is a well-established and internationally recognized field of research. The main purpose of this Degree programme is to provide an interdisciplinary academic environment for the study of Sport Science and Kinesiology in an African context.

The Degree programmes aims to equip researchers in the field of Sport Science and Kinesiology, with an understanding of current knowledge and research problems in this field. The programme also aims to deliver graduates that can address current and future challenges in the field of sport science and applying knowledge gained to address the objectives as outlined by Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and international organizations.

Rationale

The contribution of human movement science has been recognised by International organisation such as the United Nation (UN) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Physical activity is seen as a requirement for health benefits and reduction of mortality from non-communicable diseases (WHO) Chronic diseases is estimated to account for 60% of all deaths and 80% of these deaths will be in low to middle income countries, such as South Africa (WHO). The WHO is assisting WHO members (South Africa included) in the development and implementation of a national physical activity plan to provide guidance and policy options for effective promotion and physical activity at the national and sub-national.

The objectives of the Guide to Physical Activity and public health (2005) objectives include

1. To conduct national monitoring of levels of physical activity using standardised surveillance tools.
2. To raise awareness and knowledge of the health benefits of physical activity in adult population by 10%.
3. To increase physical activity in adults.
4. To increase awareness of the importance of physical activity among key stakeholders.
5. Ascertain commitments from local councils or governments to increase the amount of parks and recreational facilities for physical activity.
6. Increase the proportion of children and adolescent that participate in daily school physical education by 20% by 2020.

The national department of Sport and Recreation (SRSA) has also aligned their strategic plan according to the International organisations such as the UN and the objectives outlined by WHO. The national white paper of the Department of Sport and recreation states (2011) the following as strategic objectives:

1. Maximise sport and recreation in every school in South Africa.
2. Organise annual national youth camps to keep young people active, to increase their self-esteem and to enhance positive social interaction among young people.
3. Provide customised programmes to encourage participation in sport and recreation.
4. Improve the health and well-being of the nation by offering active recreation opportunities.
5. Initiate and implement campaigns to promote participation in sport and recreation.
6. Support the identification and development of talented athletes.
7. Support the development of South African sport through the establishment of an academy system.
8. Assist athletes to perform optimally through the provision of world class scientific support services.
9. Expose athletes to national sporting events as part of their development programme.
10. Develop elite athletes by exposing them to international competitions.
11. Have an integrated and sustainable club structure providing formal sport participation opportunities.
12. Have a human resource base empowered through the provision of accredited education and training.
13. Support and empower South African coaches.
14. Have a formal structure to support and empower South African athletes.
15. Empower volunteers to adequately support the South African sports system.
16. Ensure that South African sport and recreation is supported by a well maintained facilities network.
17. Provide National Federations with administrative and governance support through the medium of a Sports House.
18. Maintain a Sports Information Centre that empowers South African sport and recreation.
19. Ensure that South African sport and recreation benefit from strategic International Relations.
20. Secure the funding required for the implementation of sport and recreation programmes and to maximise the economic opportunities of sport through creative initiatives and partnerships, including broadcasting and sponsorships.

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

The University of Fort Hare is in a strategic position to offer this Degree programme in an African context, and address these objectives in the surrounding community, nationally and internationally. The Human Movement Sciences (HMS) department can contribute greatly to the surrounding community's social development through the contribution of physical activity to the health improvement of individuals and community. Currently, students are researching the value of physical activity among children through our community engagement programme.

The HMS Department at the University of Fort Hare has had various graduates in the Honours degree and many of these students would like to continue pursuing their studies through the direct articulation to the Master of Health Sciences in Human Movement Science.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior accredited learning at HET level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units or modules should be recognized if evidence can be produced that shows that the learner has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for admission to programmes of study leading to the B.HMS Hons qualification, and, if appropriate, allow the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

An applicant whose level of knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes have not been assessed earlier in terms of the formal qualification in question, but who can demonstrate in appropriate ways, through an assessment designed by the institution to which application is made, that she/he has acquired those skills and competencies, may be considered for admission to a programme of study leading to this qualification. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning programmes prior to admission, or to parallel programmes after admission.

RPL Applications.

• Applications for RPL may be submitted throughout the year; however, the deadline for the endorsement of RPL credit, where a prospective student wishes to register for further study in the following year, is the last Senate meeting of the preceding year.
• The assessment shall involve the process of collecting evidence and making judgments about the knowledge, skills and values that shall prove competence and shall articulate with the outcomes of a desired module/course and/or program.
• The assessment process shall abide by the assessment, moderation and reporting procedures that constitute the University of Fort Hare (UFH) rules and regulation of the assessment of student learning.
• Assessment Methods. A range of assessment methods may be utilized based on their appropriateness to a particular context, student, discipline and program consistent with the University of Fort Hare Assessment Policy.
• Awarding RPL credit. Prospective students with prior learning, however obtained, may apply to have their prior learning assessed against the learning outcomes for a specific qualification and/or module/course(s) as outlined in the University RPL Policy for acceptance for the following purpose(s):

> Access into a particular course/module or program when a candidate is able to demonstrate, through appropriate assessment(s), the entry or exit outcomes of the course/module or program preceding that particular course/module or program.

> RPL applications for the purpose of access into a particular module/course/program may be submitted to the respective faculty throughout the year; however, the deadline for submission is 31 October proceeding the year of study. The period prior to registration shall allow the applicant sufficient time to gather evidence and to prepare for the RPL assessment. This period shall also allow for administrative procedures to be complied with prior to the successful RPL candidate being allowed to register.

Prior accredited learning of a learner at HET level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units or modules should be recognized if evidence can be produced that shows that the learner has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for admission to programs of study leading to the B.HMS Hons qualification, and, if appropriate, allow the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

An applicant whose level of knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes have not been assessed earlier in terms of the formal qualification in question, but who can demonstrate in appropriate ways, through an assessment designed by the institution to which application is made, that she/he has acquired those skills and competencies, may be considered for admission to a program of study leading to this qualification. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning programs prior to admission, or to parallel programs after admission.

Entry Requirements

Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) requirements: Bachelor Honours Degree or 3 year Degree with Postgraduate Diploma, or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (i.e. significant relevant experience and research competency that could be deemed to replace the 4th year of study) in any discipline in the field of Sport Science or Kinesiology.

Students will have to submit an internal application form and will have to undergo an internal selection process to ensure that they are suitably qualified to enter the programme. Prospective candidates will also be required to submit a brief research proposal which will serve as a basis for supervisor selection. Currently there is no institutionally determined quota limit for the Master of Health Sciences in Human Movement Science.

Applicants who have successfully completed a four year undergraduate Degree in Human Movement Science, or an Honours Degree in Human Movement Science, or an Honours degree in a related field from a recognised University will be considered for admission.

Students are required to obtain an average of 60% in Human Movement Sciences (HMS) subject at Honours level or at final year of a related four year Degree.

This will be a Degree by research, thus students that register on a full time basis will have to complete the Degree in the maximum period of four years, while students that register part time may complete the degree within six years. This is not a course based Master Degree, thus no minimum credits are aligned to courses or levels. The Degree programme will take the format of two research articles that will form part of the final dissertation. However, publication of these articles will not be a pre requisite for obtaining the Degree.

Progress reports will be submitted by the relevant supervisor to the Dean of Research and satisfactory progress needs to be achieved yearly by student and supervisor.

1. Do independent research is a specific field of interest within Sport Science.
2. Collect, analyse, organize and evaluate information and ideas from a variety of sources in various fields and specific disciplines.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply knowledge in the various fields and disciplines in Sport Science.
4. Demonstrate the ability to continue Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies within a discipline of Sport Science.
5. Use scientific methods of investigation, testing and evaluation.
6. Illustrate the relationship between the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in studying towards this degree and those of the community at large (local and global).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Synthesise and apply knowledge regarding research methods and techniques applicable to one of the abovementioned specialising fields in the planning, compilation and execution of a research project.
• Identify and solve a complex research problem or question concerning one of the abovementioned specialising areas 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.
• Act in an ethical and responsible way within the required parameters of the research project during the execution of projects and the compilation and finalisation 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 field(s).
• Critically connect theories to the problems in the relevant field(s).
• Use theories from one or more fields to address problems within another field.
• Apply relevant knowledge to authentic and simulated scenarios.
• Apply knowledge and skills in innovative ways to problems.

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 undergraduate knowledge within the field of sport science.
• Apply their 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 theoretical knowledge base, from experiential base, etc.) to support their stated views.
• Analyse the global, national and local community, as applicable, in terms of problems, needs, and opportunities related to Sport Science.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Use library and other resources such as computers effectively to suit the needs of the particular area of research in a literature review.
• Use appropriate research methods, research methodologies and techniques to solve research problems in the field of sport science by writing a proposal.
• Integrate information from a variety of sources.
• Act responsibly as a researcher and scholar (e.g. appropriate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.) via supervision.
• Apply relevant discipline-related conventions and guidelines to their academic and personal purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Select the appropriate technology to take measurements of the individuals or groups involved.
• Demonstrate a consideration of the ethics involved in sport science via supervision.
• Show respect and openness towards psychological, health and physical environment of others via supervision.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Make connections from theoretical knowledge to practical application in the real world.
• Show imaginative intelligence, emotional maturity, effective communication skills, thoughtful accuracy and interpersonal sensitivity through supervision.
• Demonstrate a work ethic that shows responsibility and accountability towards the employer and the client or community under supervision.

Integrated Assessment

This programme is presented as a research-based Masters through which students are required to present, as an outcome, two research articles. Thus, continuous formative assessment takes place as feedback is provided to students as their research progresses and their findings are consolidated and reported. During the course of their studies, students receive input from supervisors (and, where applicable, co-supervisors), and once the two articles are considered suitable for examination, they are submitted to two external examiners.