Master of Science in Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition

Within the past decade, there has been a marked growth in the career opportunities available for sport and exercise nutritionists as well as an enhanced interest in nutrition to complement other job roles in the sport and exercise science field. This Masters programme is designed to provide students with a sound grounding in the scientific method in the context of sport and exercise nutrition.Key areas of study include physiology, nutrition and metabolism with a focus on practical application of sport and exercise nutrition. All students will complete laboratory practical sessions to develop applied skills, a sport and exercise nutrition work placement, and an independent, hypothesis driven research project. Employment opportunities exist at a local, regional, national, and international level.The course is suitable for students that have previously completed a Bachelor of Science or other health-related honours degree. It therefore gives students the opportunity to specialise in Sport and Exercise Nutrition. Flexible Learning The blended nature of the delivery of the programme means that the programme is suitable for students both nationally and internationally.Live lectures are delivered daily online, while labs are on-site at ATU Galway at the end of each month.What is a Sports and Exercise Nutritionist?Sport and Exercise Nutrition is the application of scientific and nutritional principles in order to understand and enhance sport and exercise performance and health and well-being. A Registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionist is a qualified and experienced individual who has the competency to work autonomously with performance oriented athletes, as well as those participating in physical activity, sport and exercise for health.They may also work for and in the sports nutrition industry e.g. producing products for athletes of all ability levels, or may work in education, be academics or researchers.This Masters programme has been designed to prepare students with the requisite level of understanding, knowledge, and skills to work within sport and exercise nutrition contexts.This Masters programme is accredited with the Sport & Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) of the British Dietetic Association allowing students automatic registration following graduation. SENR is a nationally recognised quality mark for your work in sports and exercise nutrition. Any student successfully graduating from this MSc will be automatically eligible to join the SENR Graduate Register (upon submission of registration form / fee and character reference form).This course runs over 1.5 years, how does that work?This programme runs over 3 semesters, with a Summer break in the middle.Semester 1 September to December: 30 Credits PgCertSemester 2 January to May: 30 Credits PgDipSummer break: June to AugustSemester 3 September to December: 30 Credits - MScWhat kind of labs does this course involve?Examples of labs delivered on the course include:Sweat rate testingHydration testingSweat sodium analysisBody composition analysisDietary intake analysisVO2 max testingStrength testingFitness testingGas analysisDietary manipulationSensory analysisGut fermentation assessmentBiochemistry assessmentI play inter-county GAA, are there any scholarships available to me?The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the Womens Gaelic Players Association (WGPA) in association with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (ATU Galway) have jointly funded two scholarships. These scholarships cover the fees for a taught masters programme and there are two scholarships available each year. Students must meet the entry criteria for the chosen programme.For more information or to apply of the scholarships contact Noel Connors at the GPA, noel@gaelicplayers.com or Gemma Begley, gemma@wgpa.ie . Students should also apply to their chosen programme at ATU GALWAY through the normal application process. A CV and cover letter will be required by the GPW/WGPA, and applications and entry criteria will be assessed by ATU Galway.Once I finish the course, will I be registered with the SENR?This programme has been designed to achieve the competencies required for graduate SENR registration and is accredited with the SENR. Upon graduation, students can submit their transcript online to register as a Graduate Registrant.