Annual Report 2009 - St Mary's University College

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St Mary’s University College Twickenham London Annual Report 2009 www.smuc.ac.uk St Mary’s University College Twickenham London Annual Report 2009 www.smuc.ac.uk School of Human Sciences Following a review of the portfolio of taught degrees offered by the School, a major programme of curriculum development was commenced, which still has one more year to run. This programme is designed to ensure that the degrees offered extend the range of educational opportunities and reflect the changes in career patterns in society. Last year saw a number of revalidations of existing degrees (like the Master’s in Applied Sport Science) which resulted in a wider range of choice for learners and a greater opportunity to specialise in depth (in this case, two new Master’s degrees were created, in Applied Sport Psychology and in Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology). The year finished with a more coherent and vocationally-relevant portfolio of degree programmes, which includes our first Master’s degree delivered by distance learning, in Strength and Conditioning Science. In terms of Knowledge Transfer we have been building on the establishment of the Centre for Workplace Health (CWPH), which was set up in 2004/5 in response to a clear problem in society identified by the Department of Health. The continuing success of the CWPH has led to the creation of two new Centres, which are analogous to, and work with, the Centre for Workplace Health. These two new Centres, run by a newly appointed Director, will address needs identified by the elite and recreational sporting communities within society. The first is called the Centre for Health and Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences (CHASES), which offers a range of physiological, nutritional, biomechanical and psychological services. The other, dealing with the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injury, is called the Centre for Sport Health and Exercise Medicine (C-SHEM) and includes a physiotherapy clinic within its range of services. The third strand of development throughout the past year has been in the area of research activity, which has served to underpin all the other related activities within the School. Last year the School was successful in the Research Masters in Strength and Conditioning Science Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008), the first time we had entered. The establishment of the Centres, mentioned above, provides an additional advantage of being focal points for research collaboration within the School, as well as being vehicles for generating income to augment related research activity. Work is ongoing to develop an International profile for Human Sciences, working alongside colleagues in the US, Canada, Australia and the EU, where there are very important links with other academics based in Higher Education Institutions within the areas of Sport Science and Allied Health. This work will open up opportunities for St Mary’s students and staff to take up exchange places. The MSc Programme in Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation continues to progress and develop well. Sport Science “The open door policy that lecturers practice is very helpful and they are more than happy to help me. I’ve got a great rapport with them. The Learning Resources Centre has all the relevant literature required for my studies and the round the clock computer facilities ensure I can use them whenever I need them. As a Sport Science student I benefit from the sports facilities and specialist labs but other resources are great too.” School of Human Sciences – Centre for Health, Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences (CHASES) – Centre for Sport, Health and Exercise Medicine (C-SHEM) – Centre for Workplace Health (CWPH) 10 11
St Mary’s University College Twickenham London Annual Report 2009 www.smuc.ac.uk St Mary’s University College Twickenham London Annual Report 2009 www.smuc.ac.uk School of Management and Social Sciences It is the growth of the School over the past few years, which has been most significant. There has been an even greater move forward this year. We will be concentrating not only on the established programmes we have – we have recruited strongly to all of those this year, as has the University College generally – but particularly on the new areas we have brought on stream – so the Mountbatten Programme will be one of the main features for us. It has delivered about five hundred plus students for the School and is very significant for the institution, in terms of collaboration. Also, the Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis is a very specialist programme and the only one of its kind in the country. We are the validators and awarding body of the programme, which is delivered in conjunction with an organisation called the BST Foundation, who are involved with the external teaching and delivery. Focus on the Centre for Workplace Learning – The Centre for Workplace Learning has been very significant in the past year, where there has been growth in the number of students coming through. We run the modules not only for the internal Management Programme, but also for a range of other academic programmes in the University College. One hundred and thirty students from sixteen different undergraduate programmes across St Mary’s opted to take accredited work placement modules as part of their degree studies in 2008/09. Getting involvement in workplace learning is a key feature now of undergraduate education and one that has continued to be fostered by the Centre. The uptake of places on these modules has increased each year, reflecting the students’ growing awareness of the need for the opportunity to put theory into practice, to gain experience, enhance their CVs, make contacts and build their confidence in the workplace. Employers also Awarded: The Malta Tourist Office welcomed the opportunity to take on enthusiastic and motivated volunteers. In June, awards were made to students who had shown exceptional commitment and dedication in their placements. Judolene Bergh spoke of her challenging work with the Richmond Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Support Service. Matthew Pittendreigh talked about his experience in a school PE department, and how he fitted his placement around his work as a special constable, his role as a senior resident at St Mary’s, and his studies. Perhaps the most unusual placement this year was secured by Sanaa Khan, who worked in the House of Lords, giving her the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in work, life and politics. Awards were also given to two employers, the Malta Tourist Office and Richmond Aid, who had offered excellent opportunities and support to St Mary’s students. “It is a fact that every student is worried about his or her future job. We all know that a good degree will not be enough and we need some real relevant experience. Understanding this led me to choose to take the second year work placement module. The staff in the Centre for Workplace Learning discussed my preferences with me and what I was expecting to do in the future. They also gave me tips on how and where to search for a placement.” School of Management and Social Sciences – Centre for Workplace Learning – Mountbatten Institute 12 13
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Annual Report 2009 - St Mary's University College

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