Sport Science (Outdoor Activities) MSci

The MSci is an extended undergraduate programme that allows students to graduate either with a BSc (Hons) at the end of Year 3 or with a Masters at the end of Year 4. The School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences offer this course. 

Key to this degree is the scientific study of human responses to the extreme environments and of performance in the outdoors. 

We place a strong emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to performance and all students, regardless of the course they are on, undertake a Research Skills module.  This gives them the opportunity to integrate the knowledge they have accumulated in an individual Research Project during their MSci year.   Both these modules are compulsory. 

Research Skills – This covers three main topics; quantitative research design, the analysis of group differences and regression analyses using quantitative methods and qualitative research methods and analysis.

Students read series of scientific papers to develop their critical understanding of research design, including formulating a question, generating a hypothesis, study designs, sampling methods, ensuring validity and reliability, and good dissemination practices. Both original investigations and review studies will be included.  The second topic involves using a wide variety of quantitative methods to analyse group differences and regression analyses.  The qualitative part of the module will address the different philosophical positions underpinning quantitative and qualitative research; data collection methods, including interviews, focus groups and observational methods; and qualitative data analysis, including thematic content analysis, grounded theory and discourse analysis.

Research Project – This is an independent piece of research, and acts as the culmination of the academic challenges faced by the student. The module comprises 60 credits (ie equivalent to three double modules) and will formally equate to some 600 hours of student time.

Students work closely with their supervisor to develop a research project.  Academic supervisors are leaders in their field of study and provide excellent research training and guidance throughout this process.  Once an appropriate research question is agreed, students will implement a research design and method suited to the area of enquiry.  

Multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies, which might involve the student’s ongoing sport/exercise experience, will be encouraged. Each topic will normally involve data collection, analysis and interpretation and allow students to demonstrate their powers of imagination, initiative, independence and time management.  Students are expected to show a thorough knowledge of the relevant sources of information and the ability to use them with discrimination; to provide full references; to exercise sound and independent judgment; to structure work logically and to express themselves with clarity and precision.