Course Summary
This programme is designed to provide students with a sound grounding in the scientific method in the context of sport and exercise nutrition. Key areas of study include physiology, nutrition and metabolism with a focus on practical application of sport and exercise nutrition.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Application Details
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Career Progression
The career opportunities available to sport and exercise nutritionists in Europe are expanding all the time and this expansion appears likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Most sports now recognise nutritional science as an integral part of their sport’s development and success and most athletes consider the application of sport and exercise nutrition as an important part of everyday preparation for training and competition.
'In the Know' provides a summary from the AfN of different career paths in the Nutrition field. Examples of careers from AfN-accredited degree programmes in the UK may be found at http://www.associationfornutrition.org/.
Examples of careers from AfN-accredited and SENr-accredited degree programmes in the UK include:
• Sports Nutritionist
• Exercise Nutritionist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Lecturer in Higher Education
• Performance Nutritionist
• Researcher
• New product development technologist
• Sports Development Officer
• Self-employment (as a consultant, contractor or entrepreneur)
In the UK typical employers include:
• Food standards agency
• Government advisory groups
• Government agencies
• Local authorities
• National disease prevention initiatives
• National research groups and health promotion initiatives
• National sporting associations, governing bodies and other related sporting agencies
• Private health and fitness clubs, spas and public sports and recreation facilities
• Professional sports clubs
• Schools, further education and higher education institutions
• The health sector, including the National Health Service (NHS)
Similar job opportunities are available throughout Europe and the US.
Duration
On-Campus Attendance
The number of contact days on this programme vary in each semester. Semester 1 has 7 contact days, Semester 2 has 6 contact days, and the requirement for contact days at ATU Galway City in semester 3 will vary depending on the individual independent research project.