-  Fixed schedule for lessons
 -  Students take pre-determined subjects 

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Core Courses

This capstone subject requires the participants to identify a problem which forms the focus of inquiry, locate and read the most relevant literature and undertake some data analysis (as appropriate) to generate suggested potential solution(s) to address the problem.  The solution(s) should show evidence that they are able to take the available information and restructure it in an appropriate way to deal with the problem.

Electives Courses

This subject will cover a range of topics relevant to the teaching of physical education in schools.  Two areas of research discussed will include teaching effectiveness and teaching strategies most appropriate for particular objectives within a lesson.  Students will then use this knowledge base to analyze a real-life case study.  Socialization issues ranging from recruit status to induction in the teaching profession will be examined.  Finally, several observer systems will be discussed and utilized in live teaching settings as a way to demonstrate to students their effectiveness as a teacher/student behavior analysis tools. 

MES808 - The Theory and Practice of Coaching

The purpose of this subject is to explore the complexity of coaching at the elite level.  Units will be team taught by participating faculty and will include both social science and bioscience topics pertinent to the development of the elite athlete.  Students will be required to attach themselves to an elite team and to a designated master coach in a sport of their choosing. 

MES810 -  Applied Sport Psychology Interventions

This subject has an applied orientation. It is designed to train the physical educator/coach in the development of comprehensive psychological skills training programmes for performance enhancement with their student/athletes. First a theoretical basis for each psychological skill will be examined, followed by practical training in the design and implementation of each mental skill. Laboratory experiences will enable each student to experience various psychological skills training interventions and to implement these interventions themselves in a controlled environment. 

MES812 - Physical Activity and Lifestyle Behaviour    

This subject provides knowledge in physical activity and lifestyle behaviour research with aspects of study pertaining to Wellness, physical activity patterns, and behavioural choices of children, adolescents, adults and athletes within the community and in a sporting context.  Participants develop strategies in gathering information, presenting material, identifying problems in physical activity and Wellness, as well as lifestyle choices. 

MES813 - Exercise, Nutrition and Obesity

This subject will take an in depth look at the major factors influencing obesity with particular emphasis on diet and exercise. The subject will start by examining the evidence linking obesity to increased risk of all cause morbidity and mortality. It will then examine the physiological, psychological and genetic causes of obesity before focusing on the interactions between diet, exercise and obesity. Following this the effectiveness of diet, exercise and drug treatments for obesity will be assessed. The subject will end by making recommendations for the use of diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. Laboratory sessions will be conducted throughout the subject to equip students with the skills necessary for measuring energy intake and energy expenditure. Additionally, students will be shown how to plan obesity treatment programmes. 

MES815 - Sport Biomechanics

This subject provides a detailed mechanical analysis of sporting actions through lecture and laboratory based work.  High-speed video techniques and dynamometry will be used to collect kinematic and kinetic data to allow the determination of joint forces and muscular actions responsible for the production of movement.  Data will also be used for the optimisation and simulation of sporting actions.

MES816 - Motor Control

This course provides an overview of various neural subsystems involved in controlling human motor behavior. Brain structures specifically involved in motor function include sensory-motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum and spinal cord. Anatomy and function of these structures will be discussed in the class. Lesions on specific locations in the brain and resulted movement change serve as a guide to infer the roles of the involved brain structures. Therefore, the main focus of this course will be placed on describing and interpreting observed behavioral changes in relation to their structural changes. 

MES824 - Exercise Psychology: Psychology of Physical Activity

MES830 - Independent Project in Physical Education or Sports Science

This course explores a specific issue, or topic which a student or groups of students negotiate and contract with a relevant lecturer. Emphasis is on needs analysis, reviewing literature, project design, trialing procedures and report writing. Methods of instruction include: individual consultation (face-to-face, phone, on-line), independent library research/field/laboratory practice and process writing. Assessment: project design 40%; project report 60%. Teaching staff: PESS academic staff on a needs basis and as negotiated.

MES832 - Constructivist Approaches to Teaching Physical Education

This course examines an array of 'constructivist' physical education teaching approaches. Topics include definitions and forms of constructivism with related learning theory, historical and social origins in physical education curriculum, conceptual and thematic approaches to teaching and learning. The course will be presented through lecture, seminar, workshop and project. Assessment modes are written analysis and critique (40%) and school site project (60%).