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Exercise and Sports Science

Diploma of Health Science

Course overview

This course has been Accredited by TEQSA as an AQF Level 5 – Diploma course.

This diploma will prepare you for a variety of professional roles – you could work with elite sportspeople, promote health in the community, work in corporate health or a wide range of other exciting environments. Throughout your diploma and degree, you will gain the skills to design, implement and evaluate programs targeted at improving general health and well-being, helping to prevent or reduce the impact of chronic disease and enhancing athletic performance.

You can also specialise in a related field, with majors in Football Performance, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Occupational Safety and Health and Sport Business helping broaden your career prospects. You can also pathway into further study in areas such as clinical exercise physiology, education, dietetics and strength and conditioning coaching.

Duration

Year 1: 8 units (8-12 months)
Year 2: 8 units (12 months)

Intake Dates

Year 1: February, June, October
Year 2: February, July

View important dates

Campus Location

ECU Joondalup Campus West

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International Fees

2025 Year 1: A$26,500
2025 Year 2: A$36,500

Scholarships

Domestic Fees

2025 Year 1: A$17,200
2025 Year 2: A$17,600

FEE-HELP available

Leads to ECU

Your Diploma of Health Science can lead into ECU second year of this degree:

If you commence at ECU in July, it will take 2.5 years to complete at ECU due to sequencing of units.

Domestic students must enrol minimum 2 units (30 credit points) per study period.

Students will need to graduate from this degree to be eligible to register with the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Career Opportunities

Graduates have successful careers in specialty areas such as exercise rehabilitation, sports administration, teaching, sports coaching, exercise science, strength and conditioning, corporate fitness, workplace health, sports development and sports performance analysis.

Diploma of Health Science (Year 1)

CRICOS Code 103337G

Stage 1 of this course consists of 8 units of study and can be completed over 2 or 3 trimesters. It provides opportunities for scaffolded learning and the development of core academic and employability skills.

This unit introduces the foundations of academic writing – from library research using databases, selection of approved academic resources, to writing paragraphs and essays, using the APA referencing system and delivering oral presentations using multi-media.  The unit also includes essential study skills to assist with time management, note-taking and the use of memory aids for study purposes.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class

Credits: 15

This unit develops knowledge and skills in computing systems – software, hardware, digital security, communication networks, internet, information and data management. Students will develop their digital literacy and gain practical skills in specific computing applications from the Microsoft Office Suite. Students will also be introduced to some basic hands-on skills in program design using Pseudocode.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class

Credits: 15

This unit is designed for students who require a general mathematics background suitable for studies in business, health sciences and computing/IT courses.  Students will learn to use a scientific calculator and develop critical thinking skills to identify, analyse, synthesize and solve mathematical calculations in arithmetic, statistics, algebra, functions and their graphs, optimisation, sequences, series, growth and decay, trigonometry, geometric sequences, series, set theory and interest.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class

Credits: 15

Students will identify, analyse and apply communication, social and intercultural skills for effective interpersonal and workplace relationships.  This unit develops written skills, oral presentation skills and research skills, to prepare students for academic or professional environments.  Students will make connections between learning and future employability through topics such as effective workplace relationships, negotiation, managing conflict, and skills for teamwork and leadership.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class

Credits: 15

This unit introduces concepts and skills used by managers to propose, plan, secure resources, budget and lead project teams to successful project completion.  Students will examine and apply fundamental principles, strategies and approaches for project management in a variety of contexts that are universally applicable across organisations and project types.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class

Credits: 15

ICS100  Intercultural Studies

The unit introduces students to intercultural interaction in the contemporary world, focusing on multiple and diverse audiences, modalities, globalisation, cultural symbols and values, language, and interpretations of intercultural sites. Accounting for the international students’ experiences, they are given a practical introduction to relevant processes leading to expanding their cultural knowledge. Global citizenship, including intercultural communication skills, is introduced and enhanced, focusing on cultural diversity and contemporary implications for professional practice. Students will explore, report and present on their intercultural communication journey, and its’ relevance to their discipline / professional interests.

SCN110 Foundation Science

This integrated Science unit enables students to investigate science issues in the context of the world around them. It incorporates aspects of biology, chemistry, and physics, and is suited to students wishing to pursue a range of future career and study options. Integrated Science encourages students to be questioning, reflective and critical thinkers about scientific issues. Students develop a range of practical skills and techniques through investigations and fieldwork in context, and use scientific evidence to make informed decisions about scientific issues.

 

CHE100 – Introductory Chemistry

This Chemistry unit is designed for students who wish to study engineering, physical sciences or health sciences at a tertiary level. It covers the study of matter and its interactions (chemical quantities, atoms, states, chemical bonding, chemical calculations, electronic and molecular structures, organic and inorganic chemistry).   Students will develop skills in organising, analysing and interpreting information and use simulated activities to prepare for future laboratory work.

BUS129 – Introductory Marketing

This unit explains theoretical principles/practices for marketing in changing environments.  It introduces fundamental marketing concepts across many institutions (government, manufacturing, services and not-for-profit sectors) and how marketing concepts are applied in the real world.   Students identify, analyse and combine key marketing tools to develop a marketing mix for specific markets and market segments; identify, collect and evaluate data for different marketing requirements and apply them in simulated contexts.   Students will also investigate social media and develop communication skills as part of a marketing campaign pitch.

Diploma of Health Science (Year 2)

CRICOS Code 103337G

Stage 2 of this course consists of 8 units of study and can be completed over 2 semesters.

Semester 1 units

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to foundational concepts in human anatomy and physiology. The unit investigates core concepts in the cellular, chemical and biochemical structure and functions of the body. It then examines the developmental, anatomical and physiological features of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.

Students evaluate and submit a written response to a case scenario involving a range of anatomical and physiological deviations from normal. Students will be assessed on their ability to analyse relationships in order to solve problems, communicate ideas through written discussion, apply appropriate scientific terminology, and demonstrate academic integrity.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Laboratory

Credits: 15

PSY1101D – Introduction to Psychology

This unit introduces psychology and the role of the scientific method. It equips students with a basic understanding of psychology by examining the biological basis of behaviour as well as psychological health and disorders.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class

Credits: 15

This units deals with the methods and skills or organising, summarising and presenting numerical data. The concepts of estimation and hypothesis testing are studied, with the emphasis on analysing real data. Students will learn to use statistical software packages and be expected to work through the tutorial worksheets.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Laboratory

Credits: 15

This unit provides coverage of human growth and development throughout the lifespan as it relates to movement of the body. This unit focuses on the physical, cognitive, motor and affective characteristics of the individual from the prenatal period through to late adulthood as they relate to exercise and sport.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 2hr Lecture, Weekly 2hr Laboratory, 3×1.5hr Seminar

Credits: 15

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Semester 2 units

This unit examines the anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems within the body. The systems will be investigated both with respect to their individual structure and function, as well as their roles as part of an integrated whole. Students undertake basic research and submit a written report on a clinical case scenario that requires anatomical and physiological knowledge. Students will be assessed on their ability to analyse relationships in order to solve problems, communicate ideas through written discussion, use scientific terminology correctly and demonstrate academic integrity.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Laboratory

Credits: 15

This unit explores cross-cultural understanding through development of lifelong learning principles informed by professional and ethical considerations within health systems. Students will build culturally reflexive awareness by practising critical reflection of health practitioner knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviours and power differentials to establish culturally safe environments for all concerned. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health will be the primary focus of the unit, however, cultural safety and cultural capability will be applied in several additional contexts including the significance of: individualism and collectivism, gender and sexuality, spirituality and religion, and attitudes toward mortality.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class

Credits: 15

This unit aims to develop students as critical consumers of published research. Students will gain knowledge of the main steps in the research process and of the range of research strategies and methods utilised by contemporary researchers. This unit prepares students to utilise research as evidence in their professional practices.

Pre-Requisite Units: MAT1114D

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Laboratory

Credits: 15

This unit focuses on two aspects of exercise prescription – the basic principles of exercise programming and the competencies required in fitness appraisal. Students will address these in a lecture and laboratory series.

Pre-Requisite Units: None

Tuition Pattern: Weekly 2hr Lecture, Weekly 2hr Laboratory

Credits: 15

*This unit is service taught on the ECU Joondalup campus.

^Mid-year starters will take this unit in the semester 2

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