Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Medical Science

Programme Description

The Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Medical Science programme at UHAS is designed to train professionals who can bridge the gap for medical science and exercise to improve health, prevent disease and enhance athletic performance. The programme equips students with expertise in human physiology, exercise and health promotion. Graduates can pursue careers in sports medicine, sport physiotherapy, coaching science, public health and academic or policy roles. The programmes’ unique strength lies in combining clinical knowledge with applied sport and exercise science, making it highly relevant for Ghana’s growing sports and public health sectors. In line with current trends in the field, the department seeks to provide competitive and attractive programmes that are relevant to the sports and exercise medicine delivery needs of the country. The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Medical Science is therefore designed to produce practitioners who can apply the science and art in field and laboratory research settings.  

Programme Objective:

At the end of the training, SSEM’s graduates should be able to:  

Demonstrate role-based competency in the Sports  Medicine Team in any given sports and exercise practice situation.

• Identify methods in lifespan ailments and disease conditions management to achieve optimum success;
• Evaluate sports and exercise-related injuries and recommend appropriate management techniques and necessary referrals;
• Manage pitch-side emergency and initiate First Aid for necessary referrals;
• Make competency based independent judgment in the technical performance of prescribed exercise procedures.
• Employ Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) procedures in sports and exercise practice and service delivery.  

Focus: Understanding the interaction between human physiology, exercise and health.  

Core areas:  

• Human Physiology and Biomechanics  
• Exercise Science and Health Promotion  
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation  
• Preventive Health through Physical Activity      

Goal: To train professionals who understand the complex interactions between exercise, health and sport injury prevention

Skills Developed:  

• Clinical and applied knowledge in sports and exercise medicine                              
• Expertise in exercise prescription for health improvement and disease prevention
• Ability to assess and train athletes for peak performance                                            

• Research and analytical skills for advancing sports and public health policy  

   

Duration:  4 years undergraduate study  

Purpose of the Programme:  

• Health Promotion: Train graduates to use exercise as a preventive and therapeutic  tool against chronic diseases.  
• Sports Performance: Equip professionals to support athletes in injury prevention, recovery and performance optimization.  
• Public Health Impact: Address Ghana’s rising non-communicable diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) through exercise-based interventions.  
• Capacity Building: Develop local expertise in sports medicine and exercise science, reducing reliance on foreign specialists.  

Unique Features:  

Integration of Medical and Exercise Sciences: Unlike traditional sports science programmes, the programme emphasizes clinical applications alongside performance training.

Applied Learning: Students engage in practical sessions, internships (vocational training from year 1 to year 3) and collaborations with hospitals, sports clubs and fitness centres.

Multidisciplinary Faculty: Courses are taught by experts in medicine, exercise     physiology, public health, sport science and sport management.  

Policy Relevance: Aligns with Ghana’s national agenda to use sports for development and public health improvement.  

Programme Career Paths/Prospects

Graduates of the Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Medical Science are trained to become professionals who can work in diverse fields, both directly related to sports medicine and in broader health and education sectors, such as in sports federations, fitness centers, rehabilitation facilities, agencies in sports management and sports clubs.