Outline

Overview

The aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of exercise science and an introduction to their application to physical activity, sport, fitness and health. A focus of Fundamentals of Exercise Science is the practical application of testing procedures to the measurement of physiological function. In this unit issues related to work (and its measurement), energy supply, physiological capacity and muscular fitness are covered, with emphasis on the integration of these concepts, the use of scientific rigour and evidence-based practice. Practical classes will cover various fundamental skills for exercise scientists including standard health screening procedures and the principles and practice aerobic and muscular fitness testing. Worksheets will include data presentation and analysis skills using excel software. The exercise prescription component of the unit introduces students to the concepts of programming for cardio-respiratory/aerobic and muscular fitness for healthy individuals. A major emphasis of the unit is the acquisition of laboratory based testing/assessment skills, and data handling and presentation skills.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tim Davies, timothy.davies@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Skills-based evaluation	Practical skills assessment Practical skills assessment	20%	-	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam	Final exam MCQ, short answer, calculations	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical worksheets Practical worksheets	20%	Multiple weeks	To be added by the unit coordinator.
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Practical worksheets: Four worksheets are included in each of weeks 3-6, 5% of the final grade will be awarded for each. Each excel worksheet which must be submitted online prior to the next class.
Practical skills assessment: This is a graded assessment of your ability to perform tasks including basic anthropometry, blood pressure measurement, expired respiratory gas collection and analysis, ergometry and resistance exercise demonstration and assessment. In the case of a student not successfully demonstrating mastery of any one ‘mastery element’ in their practical exam, the student will need to re-sit the exam in week 10 until they can demonstrate mastery of that skill. ou must complete all the assessment tasks to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete any assessment item will result in you being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.
Final exam: Closed book exam covering the lecture/tutorial material of the entire unit. A mark of at least 40% in the end semester exam is required to be eligible to pass this unit of study

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Health screening and professional practice	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Client interview and physical activity adoption	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Physical activity and work, Energy calculations	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Energy supply, ergometry, HR and BP in exercise	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Energy supply and Integration. Multistage exercise	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Physiological capacity, testing physiological capacity	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Calculating maximal oxygen uptake	Online class (1 hr)
Week 07	Resistance exercise instruction theory and practice, application of VO2 calculations	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Practise written exam and feedback with peer assessment	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Muscular fitness testing	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Resistance training prescription	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Cardio-respiratory fitness prescription	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Review	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: It is a requirement that you attend at least 80% of classes for this unit (10 of the 12 contact weeks, Wk1-8 and 10-13), Faliure to do so without prior permission from the Co-ordinator, or approved Special Consideration, may result in an Absent Fail grade awarded

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the rationale for, and apply risk stratification criteria in pre-exercise screening
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of aerobic and muscular fitness assessment
LO3. demonstrate practical competency using basic assessment tools employed by exercise scientists including the application of aerobic and muscular fitness tests in apparently healthy low-risk adults
LO4. apply concepts of exercise prescription for cardiorespiratory/aerobic and muscular fitness in apparently healthy low-risk adults
LO5. apply the fundamental principles of exercise prescription to novel contexts with a rudimentary demonstration of research-led practice
LO6. demonstrate skill in information literacy and scientific methodology
LO7. demonstrate basic professional skills including the ability to communicate in oral form effectively, and provide written and graphical summaries
LO8. demonstrate skills in data entry presentation and analysis using simple software.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the final running of the unit prior to retirement. As such lecture material will be provided online and supported by tutorial discussion and practical exercises.

Additional information

Student Administration Manual on the Faculty of Health Sciences

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Work, health and safety

Completion of a WHS briefing is required prior to practical classes

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

EXSS1032: Fundamentals of Exercise Science

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect