Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Geography and Sports Science

Academic Year: 2015/16

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Department of Geography - pre 2018
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award BSc (Hons)/BSc (Hons) + DPS/DIntS
Programme title Geography and Sports Science
Programme code GYUB05
Length of programme The duration of the programme is normally six semesters (three years), or eight semesters (four years) for students who take the opportunity to undertake professional training via an approved industrial/work placement or undertake an academic year abroad (Part I).
UCAS code FC86 / FC8F
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/geography/geographyandsportsscience/

Date at which the programme specification was published Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:11:11 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • to provide students with an intellectually-stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in both geography and the core sport sciences;
  • to provide students with the opportunity to study a broad curriculum in both human and physical geography and in the fields of sport and exercise science and physical education;
  • to develop appropriate professional practice;
  • to achieve, through the student learning process, a progressive improvement in academic performance over the degree programme;
  • to enhance students’ career and employment prospects on graduating by developing a range of transferable skills embedded in the programme.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Benchmark Statements for Geography and Sports Science (within Unit 25 Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • the potential applications of concepts within a broader critical framework;
  • the main methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of data;
  • the idea of academic disciplines as dynamic, plural and contested; developed within the broader frameworks of the sciences and humanities;

and within the Geography portion of the programme:

  • a range of environments, in the broadest sense, of environmental processes and the impacts of these processes on human activities and vice versa;
  • the ways in which representations and interpretations of the world are socially-constructed, and the forms of geographical difference;
  • the determinants of temporal and spatial variation in the physical, social, economic and political worlds; and the significance of spatial and temporal scale on physical processes, human processes and on their interactions;
  • past patterns of environmental and social changes, and of the processes and conditions that have determined those changes, and the implications for the future;

and within the Sports Science portion of the programme:

  • the disciplines underpinning human structure and function;
  • the effects of sport and exercise intervention, and being able to appraise and evaluate these effects on the individual;
  • the skills required to monitor, analyse, diagnose and prescribe action to enhance the learning and performance of sport in both laboratory and field settings;
  • the variables involved in the delivery (teaching, instructing, coaching) of enhanced sport performance;
  • social, economic and political theory to explain the development and differentiation of sport in society.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. Develop a reflexive approach to learning.
  2. Abstract and synthesise information.
  3. Assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and arguments.
  4. Critically evaluate and interpret a range of evidence, including data and text.
  5. Undertake problem-solving and decision-making.
  6. Develop a reasoned argument.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1. Combine and interpret different types of evidence.
2. Recognise and critically debate moral and ethical issues underpinning particular debates or enquiries.
3. Undertake safe and effective field and laboratory work.
4. Employ a range of survey skills for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and to use appropriate methods for the analysis of these data.
5. Design and execute a piece of research and produce a report.

Additionally, within the Geography portion of the programme: 

6. Prepare effective maps and diagrams using a range of appropriate technologies.

Additionally, within the Sports Science portion of the programme:

7.Plan and execute appropriate techniques and skills in the practice of sport activities.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should show competence in:

  1. Verbal and written communication skills.
  2. Numeracy and computational skills.
  3. Field and laboratory skills.
  4. Spatial awareness and observational skills.
  5. IT and information handling and retrieval.
  6. Independent study and group work.
  7. Time management.

4. Programme structure

Modules with a total modular weight of 60 must be studied in each academic year (Parts A, B and C) from both Geography and Sports Science. 

Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.  Individual modules taught and assessed over both semesters with a modular weight of 10 may count against either semester 1 or semester 2, depending on the balance of other modular weights between semesters.  Where the modular weight of a module taught and assessed over both semesters is 20, this shall be split equally between semesters.

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                     (total modular weight 30)

Geography

Code

Title

Modular Weight

GYA106

Tutorials

10

 

Sports Science

PSA001

Teaching and Coaching 1

20

Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                   (total modular weight 50)

Geography

GYA004

Geographies of Global Economic Change

10

GYA006

Practising Geography – Residential Fieldcourse

10

GYA101

Earth System Science

10

  

Sports Science

PSA011

Introduction to Pedagogy

10

PSA024

Introduction to Sociology of Sport

10

Semester 2 

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                     (total modular weight 40)

Geography

GYA104

Geographies of Identity

10

GYA110

Environmental Hazards: from mitigation to management

10

 

Sports Science

PSA026

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology

10

PSA030

Introduction to Physical Activity and Health

10

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2, of which a minimum of 40 must be from Group 1 (20 if GYB327 is selected).  Fieldcourse modules GYB328 and GYB901 in Group 2 are mutually exclusive.  In addition, candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Sports Science modules over semesters 1 and 2.

Geography - Group 1

GYB210

Globalization

20

GYB220

Geographies of Social Difference

20

GYB230

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

20

GYB201

Remote Sensing and GIS

20

GYB240

Environmental Systems and Resource Management

20

 

Geography - Group 2

GYB327

Geographical Research: Design and Practice

20

 

Sports Science

PSB001

Teaching and Coaching 2

20

PSB010

Sport and Exercise Pedagogy

20

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Geography - Group 2

GYB113

Geographies of Culture, Media and Representation

10

GYB311

River Ecology

10

GYB322

Lake System Dynamics

10

GYB328

Physical Geography Fieldcourse

20

GYB901

Human Geography Fieldcourse – Paris

20

  

Sports Science

PSB024

Making Sense of Modern Sport

10

PSB032 Physical Activity, Sendentary Behaviour and Health 10 

PSB031

Psychological Issues and Strategies in Sport

10

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Geography - Group 2

GYB110

Sustainable Urban Geographies

10

GYB308

Forest Ecology

10

GYB320

Global Migration

10

GYB400

Exploring the Ice Ages

10

 

Sports Science

PSB002

Structural Kinesiology

10

PSB015

Sport, Ideologies and Values

10

PSB026

Group and Interpersonal Processes in Competitive Sport

10

PSB033

Principles of Exercise Psychology

10

4.3       Part I

Four-year programme - Candidates entering on the 4-year programme undertaking professional training via an approved industrial/work placement will be registered on GYI004. During the year abroad, candidates may undertake either (i) an approved overseas placement as specified by, and subject to the approval of, the Department of Geography (GYI002); or (ii) an approved programme of study abroad as specified by, and subject to the approval of, the Department of Geography (GYI003).

 

4.4       Part C - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2.  GYC400 and GYC401 (instances 1 & 2) are mutually exclusive, as are fieldcourse modules GYC308, GYC903, GYC904 and GYC908.  Candidates must also choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Sports Science modules over semesters 1 and 2.

Geography

GYC400

Dissertation

30

The modular weight of GYC400 may be split between semesters in the ratio of either 20:10 or 10:20 depending on the balance of other modular weights selected.

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES 

Geography

GYC104

Glaciations and Past Environments

10

GYC107

Regional Geography of the UK

20

GYC208

Aeolian Processes and Landforms

20

GYC211

Snow, Ice and Society

10

GYC212

Globalised Urbanisation

20

GYC309

Feminist Geographies of Home

10

GYC315

Environmental Change and Ecological Response

10

GYC401

Independent Geographical Essay (instance 1)

20

GYC904

Island Biogeography Fieldcourse: Tenerife

20

GYC903

Alpine Studies Fieldcourse

20

 

Sports Science

PSC017

Equity and Inclusion in Contemporary Physical Activity

20

PSC024

Sport, the Body and Deviance

10

PSC033

Psychology in Physical Education and Youth Sport 

10

PSC035

Performance Psychology for Sporting Excellence

10

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Geography

GYC108

Climate and Society

20

GYC110

GIS, Modelling and Flood Risk Managament

10

GYC200

Conservation: Principles and Practice

10

GYC205

Central America: Dependency and Development

10

GYC214

Geographies of Children and Youth

10

GYC300

River Dynamics and the Environment

10

GYC308

Global Cities Fieldcourse – New York

20

GYC325

Geographies of Transnational Mobility and Diaspora

20

GYC401

Independent Geographical Essay (instance 2)

20

GYC908

Mediterranean Rural Spaces Fieldcourse

20

 

Sports Science

PSC018

Teaching and Coaching 3

20

PSC023

Sport, Celebrity and Place

10

PSC034

Sports Psychology in Action 

10

PSC027

Motor Control of Sports Movement

10

PSC032

Physical Activity and Health of Children

20

PSC036

Applied Exercise Psychology 

10

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

In accordance with Regulation XI, a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed GYI002 or GYI004 in the programme of study required for Part I.

In accordance with Regulation XI, a Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed GYI003 in the programme of study required for Part I.

Subject to the exception specified below, provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP). 

Candidates who have accumulated fewer than 60 credits in any Part of the programme may not undergo re-assessment in the University’s SAP.  Re-assessment in the SAP will also not be available for certain modules and this is indicated in individual module specifications.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.

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