Sports & Exercise Engineering - NUI Galway...Sports and Exercise Sports and exercise constitute a multi-billion euro industry worldwide and play a central role throughout global societies.

Sports & Exercise EngineeringGY411

Course Information BE(Hons) & MEngSc

Invent the Future - Engineer your Dreams

The NUI Galway BE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering programme is a professional Engineering programme whose

graduates will design systems for monitoring, performing and improving sport and exercise performance.

The use of Engineering in the design of sports and exercise equipment is well established and growing strongly each year. For example, exercise

performance can be improved by making exercise equipment more suitable for use by disabled exercisers, by designing systems to increase

children’s level of physical activity or by designing more efficient sports equipment that will improve sports performance for the professional and

amateur athlete.

Sports & Exercise Engineers design systems to help improve sports and exercise performance.

Monitoring sports and exercise performance properly is essential to help improve that performance. The range of opportunities for the use of engineering in the

design of systems to monitor sports and exercise performance is extensive. Examples include developing wearable systems that tell a runner if he/she is on target with an

exercise programme and is training within his/her zone, telling a coach in real-time how players are responding physiologically and biomechanically to the demands

of competition, providing a rower with real-time feedback on his/her rowing style or encouraging an elderly person to maintain an exercise programme prescribed by his/her

doctor.

Sports & Exercise Engineers design systems to monitor and as a result improve sports and exercise performance.

The Bachelor of Engineering/Masters of Engineering Science - Sports and Exercise Engineering programme at NUI Galway has a strong multidisciplinary focus. The programme will create a new type of engineer whose trainingand education will provide him/her with the skills and expertise to design sports and exercise systems with a particular emphasis on:

• MovementAssessment• AmbulatoryMonitoringofHuman

Performance• SystemsfortheAssessmentof

Sports and Exercise

The programme will educate engineers to work in three important sectors of employment nationally and internationally:

• SportsandExercise• HealthandWellness• MedicalDeviceIndustry

Introduction

Sports and ExerciseSports and exercise constitute a multi-billion euro industry worldwide and play a central role throughout global societies. In 2009, the combined revenue of the two sports and exercise shoe and apparel giants, Nike and Adidas, was in the order of €30 billion.

Today technology is used on a regular basis to improve sports performance in elite athletes and to assist exercisers to monitor and enhance their programme of exercise through a variety of interventions. This trend of using engineering expertise to design enhanced sports and exercise systems and devices will widen and deepen.

An example of this trend is the development of the Nike+ system, with especially designed shoes, a motion sensor fitted in the insole and support with the Apple iPod/iPhone. With this arrangement, information during a training run is transmitted wirelessly from the Nike+ sensor to the runner’s iPod/iPhone. The information is displayed on the device screen and real-time audio feedback is provided through the headphones.

After the run, the runner simply connects the iPod/iPhone to his/her computer and work-out data in the form of a customised work-out log is stored on the computer. Using a graphical user interface, the runner can view and evaluate personal training goals and review distance travelled, time elapsed and pace and calories burned on a particular run. The NUI Galway Sports & Exercise Engineering programme has four elements to the education of its graduates: Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sports Science and Health Science. The programme will provide the graduate with the skills and expertise to design systems and devices for the assessment and performance of sport and exercise across a wide range of sports and exercise applications and to create innovative and exciting products in this application space.

HealthandWellnessEurope and the western world are facing two major social and healthcare challenges where exercise can play a central role in their management: (i) a growing elderly population and (ii) the obesity crisis in the young. It is well established that exercise is central to a healthy lifestyle and that a life-long programme of exercise will significantly reduce the incidence of obesity and greatly improve the quality of life in a person’s later years.

A key challenge for society is to make exercise and physical activity more attractive to both young and adult populations so as to increase participation in and adherence to exercise. It is

MedicalDeviceIndustryThe Sports & Exercise Engineering programme will produce graduates with four strands to their education:

• ElectronicEngineering• MechanicalEngineering• SportsScience• HealthScience

As well as producing graduates who are capable of designing systems and devices for use in sports and exercise, the programme will produce engineers who are well equipped to work in the medical device industry, particularly in the sector

Programme StructureAfter completing four years of the programme, the student can graduate with

a BE (Honours) degree or continue for a further year and also graduate with a MEngSc degree. The BE programme will be based

on 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits over four years. The MEngSc

programme will be based on 300 ECTS credits over five years (one additonal year after completion of the four-year BE programme).

To reflect a focus in the BE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering programme on

(i) movement assessment, (ii) ambulatory monitoring of human performance and (iii)

systems and devices for the assessment of sports and exercise, the programme will have a significant component of electronic engineering, with the

graduate having strong mechanical engineering skills and a significant range of sports science and health science knowledge.

Key elements of the programme include:

•ElectronicEngineering

•MechanicalEngineering

•SportsScience

•HealthScience

•ProjectWork

•WorkPlacementProgramme

anticipated that graduates of the NUI Galway Sports & Exercise Engineering programme will play a major role in developing innovative systems and devices that encourage an active lifestyle.

The degree programme will primarily focus on two aspects of health and wellness: (i) the development of systems and devices to promote exercise in rehabilitation, particularly for the elderly and those with disabilities, and (ii) the development of systems and devices for exercise performance and adherence, across a range of populations, as a means of maintaining a healthy lifestyle or of reducing the impact of a range of pathological conditions in these populations.

of the industry that produces electronic medical devices for a broad range of medical applications. The multidisciplinary aspect of the programme will give rise to adaptable professional engineers who are capable of responding to changing requirements in the medical device and other industries.

It is anticipated that the medical device industry will follow the market demands for exercise systems and devices that will result from the growing elderly and obese populations and that the industry will start to put significant resources into developing systems and devices to facilitate exercise adherence across a broad range of users.

HealthScienceAfter completing the programme, the graduate’s knowledge of health sciences will enable him/her to propose safe and effective systems and devices that interact seamlessly with humans to assess and elicit sports and exercise performance.

The graduate should be able to develop systems and devices for use in a rehabilitation setting. Students will learn how rehabilitation works and about the different types of rehabilitation intervention: restoration of function, compensation for loss of function and modifications to the person’s living environment. The student will also learn about the effects of and treatment for a broad range of musculoskeletal and neurological problems.

ProjectWorkThe student will complete a mini-project in third year, a sports and exercise engineering project in fourth year and a sports and exercise engineering dissertation in fifth year (if he/she decides to pursue the fifth year of the programme).

In all of this project work the student will design and build real-world sport and exercise systems and devices. Here students will integrate their knowledge of electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, sports science and health science to design these systems so that they are effective in supporting the athlete and exerciser in enhancing their sports and exercise performance.

ThirdYearMini-Project:The third year project will incorporate service learning under the University’s Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) where Sports & Exercise Engineering students will design and build exercise systems and devices that will staisfy the unique requirements of elderly persons, persons with disabilities or persons with special needs.

FourthYearProject:The fourth year project will involve a major sports and exercise engineering design challenge. For this project the student will be assigned an engineering and a sports science supervisor who will guide the student in his/her project work.

Dissertation:The MEngSc project will require the student to produce a masters dissertation following completion of a masters-level sports and exercise engineering project.

WorkPlacementProgrammeStudents will spend five months on work placement with a suitable Irish or international company which designs sports and exercise equipment or equivalent.

Electronic EngineeringBy their nature, sports and exercise involve human movement. Accordingly, the programme will enable the graduate to design a broad range of high performance, portable electronic instrumentation and sensor devices with built-in wireless communications capabilities for application in sports and exercise. These systems will be worn by athletes and exercisers and will provide real-time feedback to coaches, athletes and exercisers on their physiological response to the demands of sports and exercise.

MechanicalEngineeringThe graduate will have a significant grounding in mechanical engineering and will be capable of designing a variety of mechanical fixtures and devices, incorporating gearing, linkages and enclosures for sports and exercise assessment and performance.

Sports ScienceTo prepare the graduate to work in the sports and exercise equipment industry and to develop sports and exercise systems and devices, the student will complete a programme of lectures and laboratory work in Sports Science, covering Applied Sports & Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology of Human Movement, Sports & Exercise Psychology and Exercise Prescription and Programming.

The delivery of the Sports Science element of the programme will benefit from access to the €20 million Sports Centre at NUI Galway.

The Sports Science content of the programme has been designed to satisfy the curriculum requirements of the American Council on Exercise (www.acefitness.org) for certification both as a Personal Trainer and as an Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist.

Graduates from the programme will thus have, in addition to their BE Sports & Exercise Engineering degree, the option of choosing to be examined for worldwide certification as an ACE Personal Trainer and as an ACE Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist over the course of the NUI Galway degree programme.

Sports & Exercise Engineering

Fields of Study• ElectronicEngineering• MechanicalEngineering• SportsScience• HealthScience• ProjectWork• WorkPlacementProgramme

Sports and Exercise Engineers design systems to monitor and enhance sports and exercise performance.

Sectors The programme educates engineers to work in three important sectors:• SportsandExercise• HealthandWellness• MedicalDeviceIndustry

The new Engineering Building at NUI Galway

The new Sports Centre at NUI Galway

The Sports & Exercise Engineering programme at NUI Galway has formed a strategic partnership with the American Council on Exercise® (ACE®), providing the University with access to the ACE specially-designed curriculum for universities, thus contributing to the education of our graduates on the human performance aspects of the products they will develop.

The partnership allows a Sports & Exercise Engineering student at NUI Galway to sit for certification as an ACE Personal Trainer and as an ACE Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist. Such certification has worldwide acceptance, providing additional opportunities for graduates to make meaningful and positive contributions to the health and fitness industry.

Strategic Partner with NUI Galway BE/MEngScSports&ExerciseEngineering

The American Council on Exercise is a non profit organisation committed to enriching quality of life through safe and effective exercise and physical activity. ACE sets itself the goal of protecting all segments of society against ineffective fitness products, programmes and trends through its ongoing public education, outreach and research. ACE further protects the public by setting certification and continuing education standards for fitness professionals.

Founded in 1985, ACE is a recognised leader in the field of physical fitness, having grown from a small operation to a full-service entity. ACE has over 55,000 certified health and fitness professionals in more than 77 countries and the certification and continuing education programmes are among the most respected in the fitness industry.

www.ExerciseEngineering.com

2nd Year BE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering

1st Year BE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering

DetailedProgrammeOutline:

Module Code

Title ECTS Taught in Semester

Examined/Submitted in Semester(s)

GROUP 1

MA188 Mathematics 9 Full Year 2

MP188 Mathematical Physics 9 Full Year 2

CT103 Programming 9 Full Year 2

GROUP 11

CH105 Chemistry I 6 1 1

EP104 Principles of Physics 6 2 2

BO106 Introduction to Biological & Cellular Processes 6 Full year 2

GROUP 111

EE130 Fundamentals of Electrical & Electronic Engineering I 3 1 1

EE131 Fundamentals of Electrical & Electronic Engineering II 3 2 2

ME112 Fundamental of Mechanical Engineering 3 2 2

EE120 Sports & Exercise Engineering Laboratory I 6 Full year 2

TOTAL ECTS = 60

Module Code

Title ECTS Taught in Semester

Examined/Submitted in Semester(s)

GROUP 1

ST299 Statistics 3 Full Year 1+2

MA250 Mathematics 6 Full Year 1+2

MP250 Mathematical Physics (Pass) 6 Full Year 1+2

CT229 Programming II 6 Full Year 2

GROUP 11

EE206.i Microprocessor Systems Engineering I 3 1 1

EE206.ii Microprocessor Systems Engineering II 3 2 2

EE211 AnalogueSystemsDesignI 6 Full Year 2

GROUP 111

EE215 Sports & Exercise Engineering Laboratory II 6 Full Year 1+2

AN230 Human Body Structure 6 Full Year 2

SI216 Physiology I 6 1 1

SI218 Physiology II 6 2 2

TOTAL ECTS = 60

4th Year BE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering

3rd Year BE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering

Students graduate with a BE (Hons) Sports & Exercise Engineering degree after successfully completing four years of the programme.

Module Code

Title ECTS Taught in Semester

Examined/Submitted in Semester(s)

GROUP 1

EE214 Fundamentals of Electromagnetic Theory 3 1 1

EE321 AnalogueSystemsDesignII 3 1 1

EE221 Electrical Circuits & Systems I 3 1 1

EE331 ProfessionalDevelopment 3 1 1

EE207 DigitalSystems1 3 1 1

CE215 Introduction to Strength of Materials 3 1 1

GROUP 11

ME208 Theory of Machines 3 1 1

EE302.1 Electrical Power & Machines I 3 1 1

EE330 Sports & Exercise Engineering Mini Project 6 1 1

EE332 Sports & Exercise Engineering Laboratory III 6 1 1

GROUP 111

EE334 Kinesiology of Human Movement 6 Spring Spring

EE333 Applied Sports & Exercise Physiology 6 Spring Spring

EE335 Sports & Exercise Psychology 6 Spring Spring

EE336 Exercise Prescription and Programming 6 Spring Spring

TOTAL ECTS = 60

Work Placement Programme

Module Code

Title ECTS Taught in Semester

Examined/Submitted in Semester(s)

GROUP 1

EE316 DigitalSystemsII 3 1 1

EE310 Linear Control Systems 6 Full Year 2

EE308 Signals and Communications 6 Full year 2

GROUP 11

ME304 MechanicalAnalysis&Design 6 1 1

ME4XX Biomechanics 6 Full year 2

ME4XX DesignOffice 3 Full Year 2

EE4XX Sports & Exercise Engineering Laboratory IV 6 Full Year 2

GROUP 111

EE4XX Sports & Exercise Engineering Project 12 Full year 2

SI316 Neuro Physiology 6 2 2

OTXX Rehabilitation 6 Full Year 2

TOTAL ECTS = 60

5th Year BE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering

EE Elective 1Select one of the following: • EE411PowerElectronics• EE409DigitalSignalProcessing• EE314CommunicationsSystems

Engineering

Module Code

Title ECTS Taught inSemester

Examined/Submitted in Semester(s)

GROUP 1

EEXXX EE Elective 1 6 Full year 2

EEXXX EE Elective 2 3 1 1

MEXXX Sports & Exercise Biomechanics 6 Full Year 2

GROUP 11

MG330 Business Management & Finance 6 Full Year 2

Specialist Elective 6 Full Year 2

Specialist Elective 6 Full Year 2

GROUP 111

EE5XXX Sports&ExerciseEngineeringDissertation 20 Full Year 2

EE5XXX Sports & Exercise Engineering Laboratory V 7 Full Year 2

TOTAL ECTS = 60

EE Elective 2

Select either: • EE4XXEngineeringElectromagnetics• EE323InfrastructureforEmbedded

Systems Programming

Students graduate with a BE (Hons) & MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering degrees after successfully completing the

full five-year programme.

The programme design is guided by an international Industrial Advisory Board chaired by Ted Vickey, Founder and President ofFitWell,aMemberoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheAmericanCouncil on Exercise and former Executive Director of theWhite House Athletic Centre under the Bush, Clinton and Bush administrations. Ted Vickey is an Exercise Science graduate of PennStateUniversityandholdanMBS/MastersDegree inEntrepreneurship Management.

TedVickeyChair, Industrial Advisory BoardBE/MEngSc Sports & Exercise Engineering

IndustrialAdvisoryBoard

EUStudents:Application for entry to the programme by EU students is through the Central Applications Office (CAO): www.cao.ie

The closing date for applications is:1stFebruaryofyearofentry.The closing date for late applications is:1stMayofyearofentry.Closing date for Change of Mind process is:1st July of year of entry.

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:Minimum Grade HC3 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at H or O level in the Leaving Certificate including: Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science and two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

In addition, students must pass the Special Entrance Examination in Mathematics at NUI Galway or be exempted therefrom by obtaining a minimum Grade C3 in the Higher Level Leaving Certificate paper in Mathematics.

SpecialEntranceMathematicsExamination:The Special Entrance Mathematics Examination will be held at NUI Galway in August each year. In advance of this examination, the University will be holding an intensive preparatory course for applicants intending to sit this examination. Application form and further information can be obtained on the Special Entrance Mathematics Examination from the following link: http://www.nuigalway.ie/faculties_departments/engineering/specialmathspreparatorycourse.html

International (non-EU) Students:NUI Galway welcomes applications from international students. International (non-EU) students apply for entry to the programme through the NUI Galway International Affairs Office. Application forms can be downloaded from the International Affairs Office website at NUI Galway (http://www.nuigalway. ie/international/undergrad/how_to_apply. html). Completed applications should be returned along with all required supporting documentation to the International Affairs Office not later than 30th June of intended year of entry.

EntryRequirements:Applicants for the United States are assessed based on their High School grades/GPA and their performance in standardised tests (SAT or ACT). US applicants must present a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and should present a combined SAT(I) score of 1700, or a composite ACT score of 25. Preference is also given to applicants presenting AP or SAT (II) test scores in Mathematics.

For all other countries the minimum academic requirement for consideration for entry to this programme is the completion of the equivalent international qualification of the Irish Leaving Certificate examination. As well as the minimum academic entry requirements, applications from non-English language speaking countries must also demonstrate the required level of English language proficiency in order to be considered for entry to NUI Galway

For more information, please contact the International Affairs Office, NUI Galway at: [email protected] or visit www.nuigalway.ie/international

MatureStudents:The term Mature Student is anyone who is aged 23 (or over) on or before the 1st of January on year of entry. Application for Mature Students is through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The closing date for Mature Student Application is the 1st February of year of entry. Please note it is not possible to make a late application on the grounds of Mature Years. However one may submit an application based on Leaving Certificate Points up to the 1st of May and compete for a place based on points and required matriculation subjects.

EntryRequirements:A good knowledge of mathematics and science is highly desirable. Each Mature Student application is assessed on its own merit. Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time, and whose current knowledge of mathematics and science is not of sufficient standard, should note the availability of the Foundation Course in Science, Technology and Engineering as a preparatory course for possible entry into undergraduate Engineering programmes at NUI Galway.

For more details : www.nuigalway.ie/mature

ApplicationProcedure&EntryRequirements

Notice:Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this document, the University reserves the right to amend, change or delete any courses, syllabuses, examinations, fees, regulations, rules or orders at any time without notice.

GY411:BE(Hons)/MEngScSports&ExerciseEngineering

Contact:For further information on the programme please contact:

Prof. Gearóid ÓLaighinProfessor of Electronic EngineeringElectrical & Electronic EngineeringNUI GalwayUniversity RoadGalwayIrelandEmail: [email protected]: +353-(0)91-492685

MsMaryCostelloElectrical & Electronic EngineeringNUI GalwayUniversity RoadGalwayIrelandEmail: [email protected]: +353-(0)91-492728

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Programmeweb-site:

www.ExerciseEngineering.com

Invent the Future - Engineer your Dreams