Exercise Science and Nutrition Degree - Bachelor of Sport and Recreation
The Exercise Science and Nutrition major covers the skills to help people make healthier choices. You study approaches to lifestyle management and healthy living to prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
Exercise science and nutrition are becoming more and more important as the developed world struggles with the effects of our modern lifestyle. There’s an increasing focus on lifestyle choices, physical activity, exercise, nutrition and other factors that affect health in the community.
The Exercise Science and Nutrition major is supported by the AUT Human Potential Centre, a research centre for physical activity and nutrition based at AUT Millennium. There are great postgraduate and research opportunities after completing this major.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.
Download programme guides
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
- SPOR504 Leadership in Sport and the Outdoors
- SPOR511 Skill Learning in Sport and Recreation
- SPSC501 Sport and Exercise Science Fundamentals
Semester 2 courses
- SPOR501 Sport and Recreation in Aotearoa/New Zealand
- SPOR502 Innovative Planning in Sport and Recreation
- SPOR503 Contemporary Issues in Sport and Recreation
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Year 2
- SPOR610 Law and Ethics in Sport and Recreation
- SPOR624 Group and Individual Behaviour
- SPOR608 Evidence Based Practice
- SPSC603 Exercise Prescription and Assessment
- SPSC602 Applied Anatomy
- SPSC605 Exercise Physiology
- NUTR601 Sport and Exercise Nutrition
- SPOR606 Sport, Health and Wellbeing
This year also includes two work placements of 30-40 hours, designed to introduce you to the workplace and help you identify where you want to complete your third-year workplace experience.
Year 3
Courses you study this year
- SPOR709 Sport and Recreation Co-operative I
- SPOR710 Sport and Recreation Co-operative II
- SPSC703 Clinical Exercise Physiology
- NUTR701 Lifestyle Nutrition
Plus two optional/elective courses.
Workplace experience in the Exercise Science and Nutrition major
In your third year you complete 350 to 400 hours in an organisation, which includes working on a project related to your major through the Cooperative Education courses. This takes approximately two days per week.
Recent placements included:
- Heart Foundation
- New Zealand Nutrition Foundation
- District Health Boards
- Health trusts
- Regional sports trusts (Active Families and Green Prescription Programmes)
- Schools
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
- Active Communities, Active Families, Active Schools or Green Prescription co-ordinator
- Clinical exercise physiologist
- Community health development co-ordinator
- Corporate health and wellness advisor
- Health promotion officer
- Physical activity co-ordinator
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation
- Coaching
- Health and Physical Education
- Management
- Outdoor Education
- Sport and Exercise Science
- Standard pathway
Postgraduate study
- Make a difference in the global health crisis
- Workplace experience in district health boards, schools and health organisations
- Closely linked to the AUT Human Potential Centre
- Major research and postgraduate opportunities
- Promoting healthy eating and regular physical activity
- Able to inspire confidence in others
- Interested in the physiology of the body and helping individuals and communities
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.