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Sports Biomedicine

BSc (Hons)

Sports biomedicine is biological and medical science applied to sport and exercise.

The aim of this degree is to develop you both as a sports scientist and as a life scientist in order to give you a better chance of employment in a competitive market compared to other sports-related degrees.

Why study Sports Biomedicine at Dundee?

Sports Biomedicine is taught by the staff of the Institute of Sport and Exercise and the College of Life Sciences and benefits from their combined expertise. You'll be exposed to cutting-edge developments in biomedical and health related sciences.

Established links with Ninewells Hospital also provide a key collaboration in the development of teaching and research in clinical exercise science.

The sport and exercise-related part of the course focuses on three areas: exercise and training science in relation to enhancing athletic performance, clinical exercise science and the prevention and management of disease states, and molecular exercise physiology.

"Brilliant course which gives you a molecular side to sport and exercise. The staff are helpful and facilities are good."
Final year student comment from National Student Survey 2010

What's so good about Sports Biomedicine at Dundee?

Our Sports Biomedicine graduates will gain a wide range of specific skills and will be able to:

  • Undertake physiological testing for clinical patient groups, recreational exercisers and competitive sports people.
  • Design and administer sports coaching programmes.
  • Plan, manage and implement exercise-related public health campaigns.
  • Plan and implement physical activity programmes for clinical populations such as patients with heart disease, diabetes or osteoporosis.
  • Research the mechanisms that facilitate adaptation to exercise and identify genetic variation that determines high performance.
  • Plan, implement and manage cutting-edge research pertaining to the field of sports biomedicine.

Cara Martin, a Sports Biomedicine graduate, says: "It's very different to most sports courses, which often involve lots of coaching and training: it had a lot of research and was more about learning the medical background. I did it because I was a swimmer and interested in sport, but I found it interesting as it was so different to anything else."

Links with sports organisations

The Institute of Sport and Exercise collaborates with several sports organisations (Scottish Institute of Sport, sportscotland and Fitness Scotland) providing sports science support for elite athletes, including Olympic and World medallists.

Teaching & Assessment

This course is taught by staff based in the College of Life Sciences and the Institute of Sport and Exercise.

How you will be taught

We use a variety of teaching methods, with lectures and practicals forming the core. In addition, we use workshops, tutorials, computer-aided learning, and field excursions, as appropriate to each module.

What you will study

Typical Degree Programme

Levels 1 and 2

All Life Sciences degree programmes share common core modules at Level 1 that provide a general introduction to the life sciences through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions.

Please refer to the Biological/Biomedical Sciences degree structure and overview webpage for details of the common curriculum in Levels 1 and 2.

Level 3

At Level 3 you will combine aspects of exercise science specific to sports biomedicine with advanced study of human physiology. You will develop your knowledge and skills in the following aspects of exercise science and human physiology:

  • the prevention and management, by physical activity and exercise, of:
    • cardiovascular & respiratory diseases
    • diabetes mellitus
    • osteoporosis
    • muscle wasting disorders & ageing
    • and the teaching of relevant exercise classes
  • muscle adaptation to exercise
  • signal transduction pathways
  • gene regulation

Summer work placements

Many students take advantage of opportunities for summer work placements, normally between Levels 3 and 4, which are available as externally-funded competitive placements, or as voluntary laboratory work.

Level 4

Your studies at Level 4 will be at the level of current research in your chosen subject area.

Advanced study of topics in Sports Biomedicine currently include:

  • sports nutrition
  • nutrient-induced responses
  • modern methods of human metabolic investigation
  • regulation of fuel and oxygen utilisation
  • cancer management
  • physical activity and health
  • whole body vibration - risks and benefits
  • lung development and function

Your studies will involve extensive use of scientific literature and the opportunity to attend a regular programme of seminars given by invited speakers from Britain and abroad.

  • Research project - several formats are available including laboratory-based research under the supervision of a leading scientist, computer modelling, multimedia teaching packages, literature and electronic database review.

How you will be assessed

All modules are assessed by a combination of in-course and end-of-course procedures. Regular in-course assessments (e.g. practical reports, computer-based exercises, essays and data processing exercises) provide feedback on your progress and help you prepare for end-of-module examinations.

On-line assignments are used extensively at Levels 1 and 2, with access via a PC on or off campus. Peer assessment operates in many team projects.

Careers

A degree in Sports Biomedicine will provide you with specific and general skills that can lead to a variety of careers, not only in the sport and exercise, but also the biomedical field.

Examples are:

  • sport and exercise researcher
  • applied sports/exercise scientist
  • sports coach or development officer
  • health promotion officer
  • clinical exercise physiologist/advisor
  • teacher/lecturer
  • sports administration for the public sector and sports governing bodies

You will also find career opportunities in management or research and development in the nutritional, pharmaceutical and sports equipment industries, as well as in many areas of biomedical research.

Further study

The degree can also provide a platform for further professional education and training or for teaching in further and higher education.

Entry Requirements

These are minimum indicative entry requirements, not a guaranteed entry level. You will get an individual offer from us following our review of your application. Please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Courses starting September 2013

Your application for entry will be judged based on the highest level qualifications you have or are taking, e.g. students offering A-Levels or Scottish Baccalaureate will be made an offer based on entry to the 3 year Honours degree as this offers the best academic progression.

4 year Honours degree (Level 1 / SCQF 7 entry)

Qualification Grade
SQA Higher ABBB
GCE A-Level not available
ILC Higher ABBB
IB Diploma 30 points (including 5, 5, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Biology and Chemistry (Higher, ILC Higher, IB Higher Level)
Mathematics (Standard Grade at 3, Intermediate 2 at C, GCSE at C, ILC Ordinary Level at C or IB Subsidiary Level at 4)
EU & International Visit our EU and International webpages for entry requirements tailored to your home country

3 year Honours degree (Level 2 / SCQF 8 entry)

Qualification Grade
SQA Advanced Higher AB (AH) + BB (H) in other subjects
GCE A-Level ABB
IB Diploma 34 points (including 6, 6, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Biology and Chemistry (AH or A-Level or IB Higher level).
Mathematics (Standard Grade at 3, Intermediate 2 at C, GCSE at C, or IB Subsidiary Level at 4)

Other Qualifications

Qualification Grade
SQA A relevant HNC with grade A in the graded unit with appropriate Science units, and 120 SCQF credits (Level 1 entry)
A relevant HND with grade AA in the graded units with appropriate Science units (Level 2 entry)
Scottish Baccalaureate Distinction with AB at AH Biology and Chemistry. Mathematics at SG (grade 3) or Intermediate 2 (grade C) (Level 2 entry)
SWAP Access to Science Programmes Relevant science subjects with AAA grades to include Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology at SCQF Level 6 (Level 1 entry)
EDEXCEL A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DDM (Level 1 entry)
A relevant HND with Merits in appropriate Science modules (Level 2 entry)
Advanced Diploma Grade A with ASL-A Level Biology and Chemistry at AB. Mathematics at GCSE C (Level 2 entry)
Welsh Baccalaureate Pass with A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry at AB. Mathematics at GCSE grade C (Level 2 entry)
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category Fees for students starting September 2012 Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students £1,820 per year of study.
You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
Students from the rest of the UK £9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.
EU students £1,820 per year of study.
You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
Overseas students (non-EU) £10,500 per year.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

  • Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
  • Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
  • As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree
UCAS Codes
KIS data
BSc Sports Biomedicine CB69 View KIS data for this course

UCAS Application Process

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International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

Your personal statement should demonstrate an interest in the subject you are applying for and a commitment to the study of that subject. How did your interest in the subject arise, and do you have a particular career path in mind?

You should comment on your participation in both school/college/work and extracurricular activities and on the extent to which they have aided in your personal development and the acquisition of skills that will be of value to you as a life sciences student.

  • Do you have an enquiring mind?
  • Do you have good analytical skills and problem-solving ability?
  • Are you self-motivated and able to work independently?
  • Are you a good team player?
  • Do you have good communication skills?

If you are planning a gap year, comment on the intended activity and the benefits that you think you are likely to gain from the experience.

Tips for your application

Give careful consideration to both the style and content of your personal statement as it can be an indicator of your ability to communicate as well as providing an account of your personal achievements and skills.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in 3 years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:

Home / EU applicants

Undergraduate Admissions
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384370/ 388074/ 388585 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384370/ 388074/ 388585 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk

International applicants

International Office
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 388 111 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388 111 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk