Sport and Exercise Science
About us
The Department of Sport and Exercise Science (DSES) brings together vibrant and dynamic academics, researchers, students and support staff to enable it to regard itself as one of the leading departments in the UK according to the National Student Survey (NSS), the Times Good University Guide, the Independent University Guide, and the Guardian University Guide league tables. Since its inception in 1993, the Department has experienced a significant growth in resources, provision and reputation and is now housed in the purpose built Spinnaker Building that enables a wonderful variety of teaching and research activities to take place.
Staff and Students
The Department has in the region of 25 academic staff (including permanent and honorary appointments), a number of research staff, six technicians and four administrative staff. The Department’s student population consists of approximately 550 students studying on our taught undergraduate (Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Development, Sports Business Management) and taught postgraduate (Sports Performance, Clinical Exercise Science, Sport and Exercise Psychology and Sports Management) programmes, with a further group of students enrolled for postgraduate research degrees. For every one of our students, the Department's overriding objective is to provide a high quality and satisfying educational experience within a stimulating and supportive environment that is also appropriate to wider community and employment needs. The Department provides opportunities for students to progress from Undergraduate levels through to Postgraduate level and further with a number of research opportunites avalialble at both MPhil and PhD level.
Research
Research within the Department is multidisciplinary and enjoys an international reputation in thermal physiology and survival medicine, and has growing reputations in the areas of breast biomechanics, occupational health and sports performance. To reflect its areas of strength, the Department has established three broad research groups that are ‘Extreme Environmental Medicine and Science’, ‘Breast Health', and ‘Human Performance and Health’.
Previous research accolades have come from Professor Mike Tipton's group who were involved in the University 2008 RAE submission under Allied Health Professions and Studies, coming in the top 10 nationally in this grouping and being rated as 'World Class'. A more recent research development has seen the formation of a Breast Research group led by Dr. Joanna Scurr. More information on their work can be found at: http://www.port.ac.uk/research/breasthealthresearch
Facilities
All of our activities are supported by our excellent accommodation. Specifically, the Spinnaker Building includes a range of state of the art laboratory facilities including two high specification climate chambers (the Golden and Pinsent Laboratories) with a swimming flume in one, and a cold water immersion facility in the other, plus a further cold chamber (Fiennes Laboratory). As such the Department has the designated environmental physiology laboratories of both UKSport and the Fuch’s Foundation. In addition to this, there are biochemistry, kinanthropometry, biomechanics, psychology and physiology laboratories within the facility. All facilities are available for student practical work and research projects that will enable the department to continue to build upon its international reputation for cutting edge research and excellent teaching.
National Student Survey – Results
The Department of Sport and Exercise Science scored highly in the August, 2012 National Students Survey (NSS), with 88% of students agreeing with the statement ‘Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course’. This placed the Department well above the sector average of UK Universities offering sports science based programmes.
Department of Sport and Exercise Science
|
NSS question Group |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Overall Satisfaction |
90 % |
91 % |
95 % |
96 % |
88 % |
|
Teaching |
94 % |
94 % |
95 % |
95 % |
90 % |
|
Assessment & Feedback |
76 % |
81 % |
72 % |
80 % |
81 % |
|
Academic Support |
82 % |
85 % |
86 % |
92 % |
85 % |
|
Organisation & Management |
83 % |
85 % |
82 % |
80 % |
78 % |
|
Learning Resources |
89 % |
85 % |
83 % |
79 % |
85 % |
|
Personal Development |
84 % |
89 % |
86 % |
93 % |
85 % |
(NB: Combined UG sport and exercise science and sports development courses)
Head of Department, Dr Richard Thelwell, said “This is a great result for the Department and the survey is all the more impressive given that it is generated by the views of our own final year students. As a Department we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our students and the results clearly demonstrate this”.
Dr Chris Mills (Sport and Exercise Science, Course Leader) said “We are delighted with the 'sport and exercise science' course result of 93% for overall student satisfaction and will continue to work with our students to maintain and improve the results in the future”.
More detailed results can be found at http://unistats.direct.gov.uk
Location
The Spinnaker Building is located on the University’s Guildhall Campus and is within walking distance of essential student requirements (e.g., library), the city centre and mainline train and road links. Southsea and GunWharf Quays (a seafront development including restaurants, shops, cinemas and other entertainment facilities) are within ten minutes walk from the department, and the proximity to the city centre and seafront is a unique feature of life in Portsmouth and a large attraction for the students who choose to study with us.