Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine

The Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine in Health Professions is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 2 YEARS.

Subjects: 5.

Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine offered by Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Programme description
Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) is an emerging medical specialty currently in the process of gaining recognition by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. SEM has three major components:

• prevention, diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of exercise related injuries;
• medical conditions associated with participation in sport and exercise; and
• prevention and rehabilitation of chronic lifestyle related diseases.

This part-time programme consists of coursework, clinical work and a research assignment. Reading and study material are provided via email and suggested text books. You must attend three week-long practical sessions per year at Stellenbosch University. Practical instruction consists of lectures, tutorials, clinical case discussions and seminars.

Programme outcomes
On completion of this programme, you will:

• have a thorough understanding of the effects of physical activity on the human body and be able to emphasise how the knowledge can be applied to the management of common medical problems in physically active individuals;
• have the requisite knowledge to prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries and other medical problems arising from exercise and sport;
• have the requisite knowledge to assist in the rehabilitation of those suffering from various chronic illnesses related to lifestyle factors;
• be able to promote the physical health, well-being and productivity of the community; and
• have the requisite knowledge of research methodology, including statistics and critical scientific thinking to enable you to complete a research dissertation.

Programme content
The programme consists of modules with a total of 120 credits and a research assignment of 60 credits.
The research work for the Research Assignment module can be conducted during the first three years of study while following the other three modules. You must, however, complete the research assignment by the end of the fourth year of study. Only in exceptional cases will you be permitted to continue with work for the research assignment after the fourth year of study.

Basic Sciences in SEM (30)
Exercise Related Injuries in SEM (45)
General Sport and Exercise Medicine (30)
Research Assignment (60)
SEM in Special Populations (15)

 

Assessment and examination
Basic Sciences in SEM

• Class tests and assignments done in the course of the first year constitute 30% of the final mark for the module.
• A written examination comprising two papers is completed at the end of the first year and constitutes 70% of the final mark.
• You must obtain a final mark of 50% or more to gain access to the second year of study.

Exercise Related Injuries in SEM and General Sport and Exercise Medicine

• Class tests, assignments and seminars over the course of the year comprise the year mark for each of the modules Exercise-related Injuries in SEM and General SEM (followed in the second and third years of study respectively).
• An examination is written in October/November of the second and third years respectively.
• A clinical examination (clinical cases) and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) are also conducted.
• The final mark for each module is calculated as follows:
  • Class tests, assignments and seminars (year mark) – 30%
  • Written examination – 30%
  • Clinical examination and OSCE – 40%
• You must obtain 50% or more for each component of the clinical examination (clinical cases) and OSCE.

Research assignment

• One internal and one external examiner assess the research assignment.
• You must pass the research assignment with 50% or more to successfully complete the Research Assignment module.