Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
Physical Activity and Health: Biological Mechanisms MED5353
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
No
Timetable
Students will access lecture materials at their own pace on Moodle 2. There will be online tutorials with course staff every 2 weeks running across 10 weeks in the Semester. The practical component of the course will be delivered during the Residential Week
Excluded Courses
MED5343
MED5348
MED5342
MED 5364
MED5361
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Orally presented (online) critical review (~10 minutes + questions) 50%
Outline grant application (~2500 words) 50%
Course Aims
To provide the student with an in depth critical knowledge and understanding of the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health; the biological mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of physical activity on health; how the quality and quantity of physical activity influences health benefits
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ critically discuss and evaluate the epidemiology demonstrating the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health outcomes
■ critically discuss and evaluate the effects of physical activity on lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and other aspects of vascular and metabolic risk
■ critically discuss and evaluate how physical activity and dietary factors influence adiposity and the health risks associated with overweight and obesity
■ critically discuss and evaluate the evidence underpinning physical activity for health guidelines
■ critically discuss and evaluate the strengths and limitations of both individual studies and the body of research evidence in the current physical activity for health literature
■ critically discuss and evaluate areas of uncertainty and gaps of knowledge in the current physical activity for health literature and design future research studies to address these issues