Social and physical bases of mauri ora or flourishing wellness.
Physical education with physical activity and health have been combined to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of the theory and practices of health, wellness and well-being for individuals, communities and populations, whatever their health status.
Physical education, activity and health captures the reasons why we should all be physically active, the physiology behind how physical activity works to influence health, and how to prescribe exercise.
It includes how we can encourage people to be more active, as well as coaching, teaching and instructing about the relevance of physical activity. We focus on the importance of communities, including Māori communities, as well as understanding how the environment relates to being active.
Physical education, activity and health will also appeal to those interested in teaching or coaching sport and exercise. It is designed to equip students with a strong background in the biophysical and socio-cultural sub-disciplines of human movement.
In addition, there is a strong emphasis on applied practice and theory.
Why study Physical Education, Activity and Health?
Physical education and physical activity influences all areas of a person's health and wellbeing. Physical education, or how we learn, teach, coach and instruct, is critical for positive health and wellbeing.
You can learn how to prescribe exercise for healthy individuals and for sedentary populations. You will appreciate and learn how to utilise the strength of wider communities to promote physical activity. You will have the opportunity to engage in practical learning inside and outside of the classroom and exercise laboratories including our specially designed practicum paper.
The course offers a strong Māori physical education and health focus.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities include physical education teaching, working with Māori communities, physical activity and health promoters, green prescription, health and fitness professionals, sport coaching, prescribing exercise in healthy and sedentary populations, wellness facilitators, and leadership roles.
Background required
There are no specific Year 12 or 13 level subjects required for admission. However, biology is helpful and physical education is recommended.
Requirements
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Physical Education, Activity and Health
Level | Papers | Points |
---|
100-level
| SPEX 101 Sport, Science and Society
|
18
|
SPEX 102 Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance
|
18
|
ANAT 101 Anatomy for Sport and Exercise (or (HUBS 191 or PTWY 131) and HUBS 192)
|
18
|
PHSL 101 Physiology for Sport and Exercis (or (HUBS 191 or PTWY 131) and HUBS 192) Note: PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science. |
18
|
200-level
|
Three of: SPEX 203 Exercise Physiology SPEX 205 Physical Activity and Health SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health SPEX 207
Understanding Sports Coaching
|
54
|
300-level
|
Four of: SPEX 306 Te Pou o te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health SPEX 307 Coaching, Leadership and Mentoring SPEX 308 Psychology of Physical Activity SPEX 309
Active Living and Environment SPEX 310 Exercise for Clinical Populations SPEX 316 Practicum
|
72
|
Plus
|
162 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
|
162
|
Total | | 360 |
SPEX papers
Paper Code |
Year |
Title |
Points |
Teaching period |
SPEX101 |
2024, 2025 |
Sport, Science and Society |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX102 |
2024, 2025 |
Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX201 |
2024, 2025 |
Biomechanics |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX202 |
2024, 2025 |
Motor Behaviour |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX203 |
2024, 2025 |
Exercise Physiology |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX204 |
2024, 2025 |
Psychology of Sport and Exercise |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX205 |
2024, 2025 |
Physical Activity and Health |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX206 |
2024, 2025 |
Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health |
18 points |
Not offered in 2024, Semester 1 |
SPEX207 |
2024, 2025 |
Understanding Sports Coaching |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX208 |
2024, 2025 |
Sociology of Sport and Exercise |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX209 |
2024, 2025 |
Sport Development and Management |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX301 |
2024, 2025 |
Performance Analysis |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX303 |
2024, 2025 |
Exercise Energetics and Physiology |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX304 |
2024, 2025 |
Sport Psychology |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX305 |
2024, 2025 |
Athletic Conditioning and Rehabilitation |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX306 |
2024, 2025 |
Te Pou o Te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health |
18 points |
Not offered in 2024, Semester 2 |
SPEX307 |
2024, 2025 |
Coaching, Leadership and Mentoring |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX308 |
2024, 2025 |
Psychology of Physical Activity |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX309 |
2024, 2025 |
Active Living and Environment |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX310 |
2024, 2025 |
Exercise for Clinical Populations |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX311 |
2024, 2025 |
Sports Technology |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX312 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Sociology of Sport |
18 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX313 |
2024, 2025 |
Sport and Health Policy |
18 points |
Not offered in 2024, Semester 2 |
SPEX314 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Sport Management |
18 points |
Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
SPEX315 |
2024, 2025 |
Sport Media |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX316 |
2024, 2025 |
Practicum |
18 points |
Full Year, 2nd Non standard period (20 November 2024 - 20 February 2025), Semester 1, Semester 2, 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 20 February 2026) |
SPEX317 |
2024, 2025 |
Neural Control of Movement |
18 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX380 |
2024, 2025 |
Special Topic |
18 points |
Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025 |
SPEX401 |
2024, 2025 |
Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health |
20 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX440 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Topics in Physical Education, Activity and Health |
20 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX441 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Topics in Physical Education, Activity and Health |
20 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX450 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Topics in Exercise and Sport Science |
20 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX451 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Topics in Exercise and Sport Science |
20 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX460 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Topics in Sport Development |
20 points |
Semester 1 |
SPEX461 |
2024, 2025 |
Advanced Topics in Sport Management and Policy |
20 points |
Semester 2 |
SPEX480 |
2024, 2025 |
Research Project |
40 points |
Full Year |
SPEX481 |
2024, 2025 |
Independent Study |
20 points |
Semester 1, Semester 2 |
SPEX490 |
2024, 2025 |
Dissertation |
60 points |
Full Year |
SPEX495 |
2024, 2025 |
Master's Thesis Preparation |
40 points |
Full Year, 1st Non standard period (1 March 2024 - 28 February 2025), 2nd Non standard period (1 July 2024 - 26 June 2025), 1st Non standard period (3 March 2025 - 27 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 July 2025 - 26 June 2026) |
SPEX516 |
2024, 2025 |
Practicum |
30 points |
Full Year, 1st Non standard period (23 February 2024 - 21 February 2025), 1st Non standard period |
SPEX517 |
2024, 2025 |
Practicum Report |
30 points |
Full Year, 1st Non standard period (23 February 2024 - 21 February 2025), 1st Non standard period |
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
More information
Contact us
School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences
Tel +64 3 479 8991
Email physical-education@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/sopeses
Studying at Otago
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.