Sport and Exercise Nutrition is a rapidly growing area that requires combined knowledge of exercise science and human nutrition and is now a recognised sport science both nationally and internationally.
Sports Exercise Science and Human Nutrition are the sciences that look at the interactions people have with food and sport and exercise.
Human Nutrition includes food production, food selection and food service, the consumption of food, how the body uses the energy and nutrients in food.
Sport and Exercise Science includes mechanical, physiological and psychological responses to human movement and how these responses affect exercise performance capacity and health outcomes.
So Sport and Exercise Nutrition looks at how sport, exercise and food affect health and human performance, and how nutrition affects sports health and performance. Exercise, sport and food can promote good health and well-being and impact on the development of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
What is Sport and Exercise Nutrition?
Sport and exercise nutrition is a rapidly expanding area requiring a combined knowledge of the roles of human nutrition and physical activity in health.
The Sport and Exercise Nutrition (SPNU) programme combines human nutrition, sports science and physical education. In addition, several minor programme options are available, broadening the career opportunities upon completion of your degree.
Why study Sport and Exercise Nutrition?
This is the first qualification in New Zealand that focuses on sport and exercise nutrition, giving a thorough grounding in all aspects of human nutrition and relevant areas of exercise and sport science. The Applied Science degree requires a second major or a minor from a list of approved options. These will give you a set of complementary skills making your Sport and Exercise Nutrition degree even more relevant to today’s working world.
Background required
High school students are recommended to take biology, chemistry, maths and English in Year 12 and preferably chemistry in Year 13.
Career opportunities
There is a growing need for individuals with a combined understanding of the principles of nutrition, health and physical activity. This means there are many career paths available, depending on the minor chosen to complement SPNU, and the individual’s areas of interest.
Some examples include:
- sports nutrition consultancy
- roles in public health, physical activity and nutrition
- research
- product development
- dietetics
What is the Bachelor of Applied Science?
The strength of the Applied Science programme is its outward focus – developing market-ready graduates with wide-ranging skills and practical experience in the workplace.
Applied Science is a three-year undergraduate degree with open entry at 100 level.
Every Applied Science degree has a compulsory minor or second major in a subject area that is 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.
Teaching style
As well as lectures to learn the theory of human nutrition and sport and exercise science, there is a large practical component in both the physical education and human nutrition papers. Labs and practical sessions give you hands-on experience and regular tutorials provide excellent small group learning opportunities.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Applied Science* (BAppSc)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours (BAppSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
*It is a requirement that every Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) normally includes an approved minor subject or an approved second major subject. Usually such a minor or second major subject must be selected from the approved combinations of major subjects with minor or second major subjects. Some exceptions may apply. For details see:
Full list of available approved minor and second major subject areas
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) majoring in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition | 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | HUNT 245 Sport and Exercise Nutrition* Two of:
SPEX 201 Biomechanics and SPEX 203 Exercise Physiology, or | 18 36
36 |
| 300-level | HUNT 345 Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition Two of:
SPEX 303 Exercise Energetics and Physiology and SPEX 305 Athletic Conditioning and Rehabilitation, or | 18 36
36 |
90 further points (POPH 192 recommended), including either requirements for an approved minor or approved second major subject or other approved papers Students who are interested in becoming dietitians, and working in the area of sports nutrition, must include the Supplementary Nutritional Science minor in their BAppSc programme. Students wishing to apply for dietetics must also include the HUNT344 in their BAppSc programme. | 90 | |
| Total | 360 |
Further information regarding the BAppSc majoring in Sport and Exercise Nutrition is available on the Department of Human Nutrition website.
Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours (BAppSc(Hons)) in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
| Papers |
|---|
Minor subject requirements
Sport and Exercise Nutrition as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, or BASc 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 Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition | 18 |
| 200-level | HUNT 245 Sport and Exercise Nutrition One of:
Note: HUNT 141 is a prerequisite for HUNT 241-243 but can be taken as a co-requisite for HUNT 241; other prerequisites for HUNT 241 are BIOC 192, CHEM 191, (HUBS 191, 192 or ANAT 101 and PHSL 101). | 18 18 |
| 300-level | HUNT 345 Applied Sports Nutrition One of: | 18 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available for students majoring in Human Nutrition.
Key information for future students
Contact us
Department of Human Nutrition
Tel +64 3 479 7943
Email human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/sciences/study/applied-science
