Master's Programme in Sports Science

Study programme code MASTIDR

ECTS credits 120

Admission requirements Students are admitted annually, the academic year starting in autumn semester. Admission to this study programme requires the minimum of an 80-credit specialisation in physical education and sport. A minimum of 20 credits must be on the level of continuing education. Applicants with the UiA's specialisation in public health work in which 60 credits physical education and sport are included, may be accepted as students to the specialisation 'Physical Activity and Performance - Behavioural aspects'. Admission is given according to the University of Agder´s regulations for admission to master programmes and continuing education and supplementary regulations for admission to Sport Science, Master's Programme (http://www.uia.no/no/portaler/om_universitetet/stoettetjenester/reglementshaandbok__1/studier/opptak) Students admitted to the master's programme establish during the first academic semester a master's degree agreement with the faculty.

General description and profile of the programme Focus on behaviour and change seen in the light of the practice fields of athletics, physical activity, play and outdoor life represent an important and clearly defined platform in the Master` s Degree Study Programme. The programme will be based on and deeply rooted in the concepts of performance, learning and development. These three concepts represent independent pillars that are all well planted in the field and its vision as to what is central to physical education science. First semester: During the first semester students will receive an introduction to scientific theory and methods with special emphasis placed on physical education science and its development. The first challenge of this semester will be to get students to understand scientific theory` s basis principles and how these principles have influenced studies of athletics, physical activity, play and outdoor life throughout history. During the initial part of the first semester, students will be able to discuss scientific theoretical problems and apply scientific theoretical arguments to studies of the relationship between people and the modern contexts of physical activity, play, athletics and outdoor life, and how these may be made valid. Socio-ecological validity will receive focus. The understanding of and interest in scientific theory and methodology will, in combination with the basic platform constructed during the first semester, make students capable of choosing between the two specialist themes of 1) Development, Learning and Behaviour and 2) Physical Performance Ability during the second semester. The course IDR405 Scientific Theory and Methods will give students a basic understanding of scientific theory/philosophy and methodology. Furthermore, the first semester will make students able to apply methodical tools, forms of analysis, etc. During the first semester, all students will receive a general introduction to statistical analysis through taking the course IDR406 Applied Research Methods, Experimental Design and Analysis (Statistics). After having completed the semester, student will be capable of understanding and critically evaluating the application of descriptive and multivariate statistics. The challenge found in the first part of this semester is to make students able to understand the possibilities and limitations of multivariate design and complete multivariate analyses with the aid of statistical tools evaluate the strengths of empirically-based research During the second semester students will choose between being able to explain either socio-psychological or physiological approaches with regard to the concepts of development, learning and performance. People` s development, learning and performance abilities are regarded in the study programme as being a bio-psychosocial process, and it seems necessary to include knowledge that affects " internal " organic processes where physiological limitations and potential are accounted for, along with socio-ecological " external " processes that include the person as well as his surroundings. The challenge in the second semester is to get students to understand how various sources or forces in modern man` s social ecology influence personal development, learning and performance. Second semester: During the second semester students will acquire knowledge about how humans develop in modern society, how the contexts of athletics, physical activity, play and outdoor life influence this development and how modern man` s development affects these same contexts. Students will learn about theory and the reciprocal relationship between the individual and athletics. By this it is meant how physical activity affects development and how modern man` s development affects the relevant physical activity. Students will concern themselves with the relationship between humans and various contexts in which physical activity takes place. By focusing on concepts such as learning and development, students will develop an interest in how the physical education movement, school and other organisations may work to create meaningful relationships to these concepts among various parts of the population. After completing the second semester, students should begin thinking about a topic for their Master` s thesis. The choice of specialisation should have a connection with the student` s further studies in the programme, but both specialised topics must be rooted in the basic platform created for the study programme. The course IDR407 Social and Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity and Performance (Development, Learning and Behaviour) must have a socio-psychological approach to how behaviour is influenced and how behaviour further influences more advanced learning and development. As the outset this topic will give students a solid epistemological foundation. Later, the focus on the concepts of (social) ecology, career, modernity, context and situated learning will be dominant. After completing the second semester, students who have taken this elective course will have internalised a basic interest for human development and learning in context. They will be able to outline relevant problems related to the learning or developmental process with a focus on the relationship between modern man and contexts for physical activity, play, athletics and outdoor life. Based on scientific theory and epistemological orientation, student will be able to evaluate various methods for answering these problematic questions. The course IDR408 Physiological Aspects of Physical Activity and Performance (Physical Performance Ability) offers a physiological approach to how behaviour is influenced and how behaviour influences further learning and development. This elective course will to a great degree focus on physical performance ability as a dependent variable in studies of physical activity, play, athletics and outdoor life. After completing the second semester, students who have taken this elective course will have internalised a basic interest in human beings, physiology as a mediator or moderator in the performance developmental process. Physical performance ability will be examined in the course with regard to, for example, the ageing process, physical activity as intervention in primary and secondary preventive medicine, talent development and training organisation for optimal athletic performance. Third semester: During the third semester students work on an individual basis to process the information they have learned during the first two semesters of study. During the first part of the third semester, students will complete an independent research project that will end up as a research report. Research practice may function as introductory work for the Master` s thesis where the student either completes a literature study, pilot study, validation of an instrument or something similar. Students have a right to receive guidance during their work, and the advisors task during the first part of the third semester is to make students as motivated as possible as well as prepared to write an independent Master` s thesis. Third and Fourth Semesters: The third and fourth semesters will be spent writing the Master` s thesis. Academic guidance is an important component when working on this thesis. It assures that the student receives the necessary knowledge for this work, and contains the necessary quality assurance during the collection and treatment of data, while simultaneously making sure that any work takes place within ethical research guidelines. Receiving academic guidance is therefore an obligatory part of the study programme.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Learning outcomes After having completed the programme, students will: have a foundation for practical and scientific work within physical education and sport be able to understand and apply results of research within the area of Sport Science be able to explain how physical behaviour affects biological/physiological processes and how behaviour can be affected seen in the light of practical studies in physical education, physical activity, play and outdoor life be qualified for understanding and explaining people's choice of actions and are able to develop knowledge about behaviour and requirements for change of behaviour be able to use knowlegde within the field of Sport Science at a high level

Teaching methods In accordance with the Government` s Educational Quality Reform, the study programme offers varied instructional and working forms as well as close follow-up of the individual student.

Assessment methods Various types of feedback are given during the programme, for example conversations, several minor examinations as well as the use of assignments.

Student exchange Arrangements are made for international exchange. The faculty is internationally engaged through the programmes Norplus and Erasmus, and elsewhere in Europe and also Australia. Please refer to the faculty´s web-pages and to the International Department for further information.

Requirements for continuing in the study programme There is a progression requirement during the study programme. For further information please see individual course descriptions.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies The study programme qualifies graduates for teaching positions (with additional courses in education) in athletics/physical education at all levels of the school system, especially at the upper secondary and college levels, as well as for coaching and management positions in athletics, consulting, administration and planning work in athletic organisations and public administration as well as research work. Completed study programme leads to a Master's degree in Sport Science and forms the basis of admission to doctoral study programmes in Sport Science.

Qualification awarded Master of Sport Science (120 credits).

Other information Normally the topic for the Master´s Thesis must be chosen from the Department´s competence areas, and must be based on the chosen specialisation IDR407-1 Physical Activity and Performance - Behavioural Aspects, or IDR408-1 Physical Activity and Performance - Physiological Aspects. The topic must be approved of by the Department, which is responsible for appointing a supervisor.