Sport Sciences, Physical Exercise and Human Health
COURSE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM WITH CREDITS
First semester
- 6 CFU
Second semester
- 3 CFU
- 9 CFU
First semester
- 10 CFU
Second semester
- 7 CFU
First semester
- 9 CFU
Second semester
- 5 CFU
- 11 CFU
Profile of the programme
This Course is part of the Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.BI.BI.T.) department. It aims to prepare graduates for working in the field of human health, fitness and sport, using the skills and professional competences of the university and sports worlds, through agreements with CUS Parma (University Sports Centre) and many Federations affiliated with CONI (the Italian National Olympic Committee). The three-year degree course involves the acquisition of 180 university credits, divided into 60 credits per year, including basic subjects, core subjects, related and supplementary subjects, elective subjects and work placement activities. Through the latter, for which attendance is compulsory, students learn the fundamental aspects of specific physical and sporting disciplines for people of different ages and gender. Enrolment in the third year is subject to the following prerequisite:
-students must have acquired at least all of the first-year credits.
Admission requirements
Admission to the course is locally regulated by the chronological order of enrolments. Admission is not subordinated to any entrance test.
In order to gain access to the Course, students are required to possess an Italian secondary school qualification or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad. Students admitted to the Course are expected to possess positive motivation and attitudes towards human health, physical and sporting activities. In order to gain admission, knowledge of Italian is required (for students of foreign nationality, Level B of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is required). At the beginning of the first year of Course, the Course Council tests the preliminary knowledge of the enrolled students. Students showing learning gaps will be required to attend complementary support activities (including tutorials) to bridge such gaps.
Key learning outcomes
The course involves a first year geared towards acquiring anatomical, biochemical and physiological skills and understanding the basic functioning of the moving human body, as well as the psycho-pedagogic aspects motivating attention to the body and a propensity towards sports and physical activities. This year also tackles the legislative and economic aspects underpinning the structure and operation of sporting organisations. The second year will instead focus on lessons on physical and sporting activities and the links between physical activity and health, as well as methods for teaching physical and sporting activities. Students will also undertake group courses of a practical and theoretical nature in specific physical and sporting subjects, held in suitable sporting facilities. Practical activities in this year of the course will be pursued in addition to internship activities geared towards learning basic aspects of specific physical and sporting subjects for individuals of different ages and types. Third year activities, on the other hand, are geared towards understanding the theoretical and applied aspects of training, and of functional and nutritional assessment of the athlete. Particular attention is dedicated to medical protection during physical and sporting activities, and development of the individual during the various stages of life, as well as safety of sporting facilities, orthopaedics and traumatology in sport and movement. Practical activities conducted during this year of the course will be combined with internships which may be geared towards learning fundamental aspects of specific physical and sports disciplines for individuals of different ages and genders, as well as the training conducted in the aforementioned activities. English is deemed essential to enable technical and scientific knowledge available worldwide to be used in full, as well as for working in a world seeing an increase across the board of athletes and trainees who do not speak Italian. English lessons are given in a course that not only provides a linguistic grounding, but also and above all specific aspects linked to sports and physical activities. As regards Physical and Sporting Subjects, the University Training Credits for activities conducted in facilities of a suitable size and technical nature with a sufficient number of students are acquired by combining a) attendance in practical activities for small groups held in fundamental lessons regarding the scientific sectors involved; b) participation in internship activities geared towards sporting activities, the teaching of sports and physical training. Lastly, students will be allowed complete freedom of choice amongst the elective courses run by the University (art. 10, paragraph 5, letter a).
Career opportunities
Graduates may find employment as specialised technical operators in team activities, organisations of the third sector or other public, cooperative or private entities in the field of services connected to active lifestyles, to reaching and maintaining physical-mental well-being through the education and culture of movement and sports and start and practice of various sports at different levels of performance. It is in this framework where they may find employment as Instructors of specific sports (Istat Code 3.4.3.3.0) focussed primarily on users’ health, safety and satisfaction. Employment as technical manager for implementing activity programmes in gyms or sports facilities open to the public, or as coordinator or manager of gym activities (similar to the ISTAT code 3.4.3.4.1), figures required by numerous regional laws may constitute another employment opportunity for graduates. Lastly, specific in-depth study in the area of technical-sports practical activity certified through the Diploma Supplement will allow the graduate to perform activity as a Coach (ISTAT code 3.4.3.5.1) at amateur and professional sports teams.
Knowledge and understanding
Graduates know: * the anatomical structure and physiological and biochemical processes which are the basis of human body organ and system functioning and the functional integration processes of systems for maintaining homeostasis, both at conditions of rest and during physical activity (scientific subject sector academic work foundation of biomedicine and course-specific biology). * Morphology, function and organisation of the neuro-muscular anatomical structures which are the basis of posture and control of movement in space. Forms, functions and classifications of human movement for the development of perceptive-sensorial, coordination and conditional abilities and the acquisition and maintenance of posture and dynamic patterns (Scientific subject sector academic activity for foundation motor and sports, foundation biomedical and course-specific medical-clinical subjects). * Transitory and permanent physiological changes determined by physical exercise of varying intensity and duration (Scientific subject sector academic work for course-specific biology and course-specific motor and sports subjects). * Instruments and methods used for the anthropometrical and biometric assessment of athletes (Scientific subject sector academic work for course-specific biology and course-specific motor and sports subjects). * The effects on health and motor performance of training and nutrition programmes and effects of doping (Scientific subject sector academic work for foundation biomedicine, course-specific biology, course-specific motor and sports and course-specific medical-clinical subjects). * The dimensions of health and the main prevention measures for risks of acute and chronic disease (Scientific subject sector academic work for foundation biomedicine subjects and related and additional activities). * Social-psychological and pedagogical theories which are the basis of learning and behaviour mechanisms at various ages (Scientific subject sector academic work for foundation and course-specific psychology and pedagogy). * Ethical and motivational values which are the basis of an active lifestyle and the foundation pedagogy necessary for the effective sharing and transmission through teaching (Scientific subject sector academic work for foundation and course-specific psychology and pedagogy and course-specific motor and sports subjects). * The fundamental characteristics of the various motor and sports activities in the various age ranges and their evolution; methods for learning the tactical movement in sports activities (Scientific subject sector academic work for foundation and course-specific motor and sports subjects and course-specific juridical-economics subjects). * Fundamentals of the structure and legal and economic operation of sports organisations (Scientific subject sector academic work for foundation and course-specific juridical-economics subjects). * The main structural and safety characteristics of sports installations and equipment (Scientific subject sector academic work for foundation biomedical and course-specific medical-clinical activity). * The foundations of English grammar and vocabulary for the exchange of general information and within the specific field of motor activity and sports (Work in the subject area of knowledge of a foreign language) In addition, by adding the planned scientific subject sectors to related and additional activities, graduates will be able to increase their knowledge on specific subjects regarding the relationship between motor activities, sports and health (academic work for related and additional academic activity). The acquisition of knowledge and capability of understanding will mainly be achieved through frontal and interactive lessons during the first years of the course; the use of the peer tutoring procedure is also planned with the assistance of a professor and project simulation, in particular for third year courses. The expected results related to knowledge and skills will be mainly assessed through in-course tests and the final written and oral examinations. Preparation of brief papers may be used as a tool to support the final assessment.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Graduates know how to apply the acquired knowledge for the purposes of: * planning and managing individual or group activities, which are more or less established, in various natural or constructed environments; * dialogue with subjects of different ages, abilities, genders and social conditions; * make users aware of the potential risks connected with motor and sports activity or the use of substances and medical practices used for doping purposes; * use and manage sports equipment or for functional measurement and assessment. The acquisition of skills in applying knowledge and understanding will be performed mainly through practical activities, in particular for the credits related to motor and sports subjects to be conducted in small groups and within sports facilities and research laboratories, which also include work experience activities. The results of learning related to the skills in applying knowledge and understanding will be primarily assessed through the preparation of final reports, specific short papers and assessment during the work experience activities. Lastly, the skills in applying the knowledge acquired during the academic programme is planned to be assessed during a final examination.
Making judgements
Graduates know how to judge: * the appropriateness of motor activity or training programmes based on age, gender, objectives and physical condition of the specific users; * the technical and hygienic-health adequacy of the sports facilities and equipment for performing the specific motor activity and sports programmes; * the severity of any accidents or signs of acute pathology which occur during performance of the activities and the need to get prompt medical attention; * the occurrence of situations of distress and the desire to drop out of the users. Independence of judgement is acquired mainly through interactive and practical academic work; the use of peer seminars is also planned with the assistance of professors and/or tutors. Results of learning related to independence of judgement will be mainly assessed through in-course tests or reports on the work experience activities or activities for small groups.
Learning skills
Graduates have: * gained interest in the acquisition of knowledge as a means for enriching their professionalism; * developed the motivation to keep constantly updated; * become open to integration and ability to deduct from technical knowledge and humanistic knowledge; * acquired awareness of the available options for further study and motivation to undertake such study. Learning abilities will be assessed through in-depth study on the treated subjects at lessons and peer seminars with the assistance of professors and/or tutors with assessment of the practical skills acquired during work experience activities, preparation of short papers in the work experience activities and the preparation and discussion of the final examination.
Communication skills
Graduates possess the following skills: * summarise and report the contents acquired in the academic programme or from reading scientific texts and articles, including independently; * use correct and appropriate language when dialoguing with subjects of different ages, abilities, gender and social-educational background; * motivate, involve, and reassure individual and group users during all phases of motor and sports activities; * use appropriate technical terms for the various types of motor activities or various sports. Foundation and course-specific psychology and pedagogy lessons will particularly contribute to acquiring communication skills. The expected results related to judgement communication skills will be primarily assessed through the organisation of lessons and peer seminars with the assistance of the professors and/or tutors. Communication skills will also be assessed during the final examination.
Final examination, if any
In the final examination, candidates submit a piece of work, of a compilation or experimental nature (using multimedia if desired) to the Board. They may alternatively present a short summary of a scientific publication, of a chapter of a text book, or an excerpt from another publication as agreed upon with the didactic departments involved. As regards the compilation or experiment-based task, candidates must discuss/demonstrate practical situations to the Board involving didactics, education, training in the physical or sporting disciplines which emerged thanks to the experience accrued during the internships and practical activities. Role of the Speaker: methodological approach of the work. The Co-Speaker (only necessary in case of compilation/experimental thesis) plays a role of constructive contradiction in respect of the piece of work being presented.
The Board is appointed by the Dean, in accordance with the Educational Regulations of the University.
Marks are given out of a total of 110.
The following criteria are used for assessment:
- the curriculum of the student
- the quality of the work presented
- the quality of the presentation.
The assessment of quality is made by the Board.
