The Master of Medical Science in Sports and Exercise Medicine is a part-time programme run over two years from the date of first registration for the programme. Year 1 is run over one academic year (9 months) and Year 2 is run over one calendar year (12 months).

Applicants for the MMedSc (Sports and Exercise Medicine) will be required to hold either:

• an Honours Medical qualification of the NUI or an equivalent institution, and to be in good standing with their national regulatory body e.g. the Irish Medical Council or its equivalent.
or
• an Honours Physiotherapy degree, NFQ Level 8, at Second Class Honours, or higher, and membership of/or eligible to be a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Applicants who do not meet the normal academic or experience requirements may also be considered following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Health Executive Committee.

Selection will be based on academic achievement and relevant work experience. Some applicants who do not fulfil the usual entry requirements may be invited for interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Students take 90 credits in total, comprising taught modules to the value of 60 credits over two years and a research dissertation (30 credits) in Year 2.

Part I - Year 1

Core Modules
Students take 30 credits of core modules in Year 1 as follows:
SX6010 Exercise Physiology and Prescription (10 credits)
SX6011 Sports Injuries I (10 credits)
SX6012 Sports Injuries II (10 credits)

*Elective Modules
Students may choose elective modules up to the value of 10 credits (15 credits if not taking SX6019 in Year 2) from the following:
SX6016 Advanced Rehabilitation for Injuries (5 credits)
SX6017 Team Medicine (5 credits)
SX6018 Independent Study (5 credits)
SX6020 Standard Approach to Field Emergencies Level 2 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Part I - Year 2

Core Modules
Students take 20 credits of core modules in Year 2 as follows:
SX6013 Exercise as Medicine (10 credits)
SX6014 Health Promotion (5 credits)
**SX6019 Research Methods in Sports and Exercise Medicine (5 credits)

*Elective Modules
Students may choose elective modules to the value of 10 credits (15 credits if not taking SX6019 as core) from the following:
SX6016 Advanced Rehabilitation for Injuries (5 credits)
SX6017 Team Medicine (5 credits)
SX6018 Independent Study (5 credits)
SX6020 Standard Approach to Field Emergencies Level 2 (5 credits)

Part II - Year 2
SX6015 Research Dissertation in Sports and Exercise Medicine (30 credits)

Notes:

* Students may choose to take elective modules in Year 1 or in Year 2 or over both years. Elective choice is subject to final decision of Programme Co-ordinator.

** In accordance with UCC`s Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning students who have completed a relevant University research methods module, at similar NFQ level, do not have to complete SX6019 upon documented evidence that the module has been taken within the last 5 years.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

See also General Regulations for the Degree of Master.

Exit Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine
Upon successful completion of 60 credits, to include all taught modules, students may opt not to complete the dissertation and to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Master's level must do so within 5 years of completion of the Postgraduate Diploma.

Exit Award: Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Medicine
Upon successful completion of 30 credits, to include modules SX6010, SX6011 and SX6012, students may opt not to complete the dissertation and to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Medicine. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Master's level must do so within 5 years of completion of the Postgraduate Certificate.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MMedSc (Sports and Exercise Medicine) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically discuss the processes involved in prescribing and choosing appropriate exercise and rehabilitation goals for a variety of health related conditions and in determining successful outcomes;
• Critically appraise the available literature on the diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of common sports injuries;
• Apply a critical understanding and be proficient in the skills required for safe and effective practice including: assessment, intervention planning, intervention delivery, and clinical management and leadership;
• Through intelligent and critical analysis of original research sources, be able to synthesize the evidence base of clinical practice in relation to exercise as a health tool;
• Critically evaluate the evidence for the use of exercise in health, health promotion and chronic disease;
• Plan, execute and disseminate research in the area of sports and exercise medicine.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically discuss the processes involved in prescribing and choosing appropriate exercise and rehabilitation goals for a variety of health related conditions and in determining successful outcomes;
• Critically appraise the available literature on the diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of common sports injuries;
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the basics of Sports medicine, exercise physiology and exercise prescription;
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of current issues affecting the care of patients with certain sports related injuries and the tailored benefits of exercise in the management of chronic illness;
• Demonstrate an ability to use knowledge to adapt professional practice to meet the changing demands of health care systems.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Sports and Exercise Medicine (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically discuss the processes involved in prescribing and choosing appropriate exercise and rehabilitation goals for a variety of health related conditions and in determining successful outcomes;
• Critically appraise the available literature on the diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of common sports injuries;
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the basics of Sports medicine, exercise physiology and exercise prescription;
• Justify the design of evidence-based exercise programmes for a range of patient profiles;
• Formulate an evidence-based multidisciplinary management plan liaising medical, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning resources to manage successful return to function/activity.