Course Summary
If you are interested in pursuing a career in an area related to human health, this course is likely to appeal to you. This exciting programme offers students a thorough understanding of health sciences and their application. Emphasis is placed on developing core health-related skills and competencies. Students are trained in a broad spectrum of skills necessary to operate professionally in various health sectors through experiencing an interactive and holistic approach to learning.
The course is comprised of a number of inter-related subject streams throughout the three years including; health promotion and public health, physical activity, exercise physiology, nutrition sciences and research methods. Core modules are complemented by supporting modules in IT, communications and first aid, and sports injuries. Students are equipped with a unique blend of practical skills and knowledge in a broad range of health-related fields. This affords graduates numerous and varied opportunities to specialise in their favoured area, and offers a diverse range of career paths.
Key Skills:
- Physical activity promotion, instruction and measurement
- Exercise testing and prescription
- Advanced nutritional skills
- Health promotion practice
- Public health practice
- Social sciences including health psychology, health communication, group work and facilitation skills
- Advanced computer and health research skills
- Understanding of factors determining health
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for CAO courses at IT Sligo are available for download below:
- Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
- Download Entry requirements for all programmes
A science subject at Leaving Certificate is not a requirement for this course.
Successful applicants for this course will be required to undergo Garda vetting and a medical evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify students with special exercise requirements. This information is strictly confidential and any offer made will not be withdrawn on the basis of medical information supplied.
Hepatitis B vaccination will be required for work placement.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may be employed in the health area in both the voluntary and state sector. Careers opportunities include youth work, sports development, physical activity, health promotion and health research.
Many graduates choose to progress on to further studies after year 2 or year 3 in dietetics and human nutrition, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, radiography, podiatry, physical education, sports science, biomedical science, nursing and other health-related disciplines.
Further Study
Suitably qualified graduates may progress on to the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion within the School of Science or year 4 of the BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity.
Students may progress onto a range of Allied Health programmes elsewhere.
A range of post-graduate level 9 options are available within IT Sligo. Please contact programme chair for further details.
Did you know?
Accreditation
EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor
EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer (application proposed)
IUHPE International Union of Health Promotion and Education
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Human Biology | 05 |
| Information Technology 1 | 05 |
| Mathematics for Science 1 | 05 |
| DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 1 | 05 |
| Health Communications | 05 |
| INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH and FITNESS | 05 |
Semester 2
Semester 3
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2 | 05 |
| DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 2 | 05 |
| HEALTH BIOCHEMISTRY 1 | 05 |
| Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology | 05 |
| Health Psychology | 05 |
| Promoting Healthy Behaviours | 05 |
Semester 4
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| RESEARCH METHODS 1 | 05 |
| EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 1 | 05 |
| Physical Testing & Evaluation | 05 |
| HEALTH BIOCHEMISTRY 2 | 05 |
| Biomechanics of Human Movement | 05 |
| HEALTH MICROBIOLOGY | 05 |
Semester 5
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 2 | 05 |
| Human Nutrition 1 | 05 |
| RESEARCH METHODS 2 | 05 |
| Public Health Practice | 10 |
| Resistance Training & Programme Design | 05 |
Semester 6
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| HEALTH STATISTICS AND DATA ANALYSIS | 05 |
| Health Promotion Practice II | 05 |
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 05 |
| Human Nutrition 2 | 05 |
| HEALTH SCIENCE PROJECT | 10 |
Semester 7
Semester 8
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Enterprise & Innovation in Health | 05 |
| Settings based approach to Physical Activity | 05 |
| Qualitative Research Methodologies | 05 |
| Clinical Exercise Prescription | 05 |
| WORK PLACEMENT | 10 |
[E] = Elective Module. Modules subject to availability.