Delivering the cutting edge in sports performance.
How does technology enhance sporting performance? With advanced analysis tools, hi-tech sportswear, innovative design in training equipment and programmes, and leading research into human physiology. How does sports technology enhance New Zealand’s economy?
By developing new technologies and products to export, and engaging with local and international business. How does sports technology extend knowledge? Innovative technologies enhance research, allowing us to better understand the capabilities of the human body. How can you be a part of all of this? By studying Sports Technology at the University of Otago.
Why study Sports Technology?
Our top sports organisations recognise the importance of technology in ensuring New Zealand’s competitiveness in sport and have indicated their support of the new major in Sports Technology.
This new major delivers many benefits:
- The development of new ideas, including products and technology-based services, by staff and students
- Engagement with entrepreneurs and businesses
- Collaboration with key partners locally and internationally
You will develop a range of practical skills, and scientific and technical knowledge that is suited to the diverse employment opportunities that exist in this exciting area of development.
What is Sports Technology?
Sports Technology is part of the Applied Science programme. It is an incredibly diverse, interdisciplinary field that can lead to research in fields such as the modelling of movement, sports performance analysis, athlete workload monitoring, brain-blood flow neurophysiology, and the broadcasting of sporting events (e.g. 3D animation, computational modelling).
Teaching and research in technologies associated with sport already occur in a number of disciplines including:
- Applied Science
- Computer Science
- Medicine
- Human Nutrition
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Physiology
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
What is the Bachelor of Applied Science?
Applied Science is a three-year undergraduate degree with open entry at 100 level. An honours year is offered to those students who achieve an appropriate academic standard at the end of the undergraduate degree.
Every Applied Science degree has a compulsory minor or second major, in a subject area that’s directly relevant and will deliver complementary skills. The programme encourages real-world business awareness, enabling you to apply what you have learned to any organisation you work for.
Career opportunities
As the field of Sports Technology is so broad there are a wide range of career opportunities to consider, for example:
- Performance analyst for high performance sport
- Sports equipment / clothing research and development
- Anti-doping organisation representative Software programmer for sports media companies
- Sports facility manager
- App designer
Background required
Students who wish to succeed in this programme need to have demonstrated strengths in Year 13 Science and Mathematics.
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) majoring in Sports Technology
No new enrolments will be accepted for this subject.
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | SPEX 102 Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance PHSL 101 Physiology for Sport and Exercise ANAT 101 Anatomy for Sport and Exercise One of COMP 151, COMP 161, COMP 162, MATH 130, MATH 140, (STAT 110 or STAT 115) | 18 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | SPEX 201 Biomechanics SPEX 202 Motor Behaviour Two of APPS 201, COSC 201, COSC 202, COSC 203, HUNT 245, INFO 201, INFO 202, INFO 203, INFO 204, MATS 204, STAT 210, STAT 260 | 18 18 36 |
| 300-level | SPEX 311 Sports Technology Three of COSC 342, COSC 343, COSC 344, COSC 345, INFO 304, INFO 305, STAT 310, STAT 311, STAT 312 including up to two of SPEX 301, SPEX 302 or SPEX 305 | 18 54 |
| Plus | 144 further points, including either requirements for an approved minor or approved second major subject or other approved papers Note: Students should check the prerequisites for 200- and 300-level papers when selecting their 100-level and 200-level papers. | 144 |
| Total | 360 |
Minor subject requirements
Sports Technology as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | SPEX 102 Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance | 18 |
| 200-level | One of: One of: | 18
18 |
| 300-level | SPEX 311 Sports Technology One of: | 18 18 |
Note: Students should check the prerequisites for 200- and 300-level papers when selecting their 100-level and 200-level papers. | ||
| Total | 90 |
Key information for students
Contact us
School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences
Tel +64 3 479 8991
Email physical-education@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/sopeses
