University of Zululand Unizulu Biokinetics

By | September 16, 2021
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University of Zululand Unizulu Biokinetics

Department of Biokinetics and Sports Sciences

Welcome             

The Department was officially opened in 1988 in the Faculty of Education with the late Prof. Marius Coetsee acting as the first Head of Department. The initial focus was on teacher education. In the early 90’s, an honours degree in Biokinetics was introduced. The honours degree in Biokinetics offered by the department is among the best in the country and has attracted a number of students from all over South Africa. In 1999, the department moved to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture. The change to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture enabled the department to offer career focused qualifications establishing strong links with other health sciences fields in the faculty. In 2009, the department introduced a new qualification, a diploma in exercise and technology to help fulfil the mandate given to the university by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to become a comprehensive institution offering 70% degrees and 30% technikon type qualifications. In 2010, the name of Human Movement Science was changed to Biokinetics and Sport Science to re-align the thinking along other similar departments in tertiary institutions in South Africa.

Vision:



The Department of Biokinetics and Sport Science envisions becoming an academic department of choice in field of sport sciences in the delivery of education, training, service and research that is appropriate to the needs of the community at large.

Mission:

The Department of Biokinetics and Sport Sciences aims to produce graduates equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills to adequately contribute to the sporting fraternity of the community at large.

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Programmes and Services 

The National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Technology

This qualification is made up of a mixture of Learning Offerings classified as Fundamental and Core. Each year level of this three year qualification consists of four year modules. A minimum of 360 credits is required to complete the qualification.

This qualification is aimed at producing graduates who intend pursuing a career in the field of Sport and Exercise Technology. This qualification could articulate into either the Advanced Diploma or the Bachelor Degree and further into the Postgraduate Diploma, Biokinetics Honours Degree, Master’s Degree and finally PHD Degree.

The qualification leads from a foundation in the necessary human anatomy, work physiology, sport didactics, motor learning, combined with a comprehensive grounding provided in all aspects of sports coaching.

The National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Technology qualifies a learner to become a health and fitness instructor or a sport and exercise technician.  A Sport and Exercise technician can work collaboratively with the sport medicine team including sport physicians, physiotherapists, Biokineticists, coaches, educators and exercise professionals to ensure the transfer of safe and effective scientific training principles to athletes/clients. Graduates with this qualification will also be qualified to work with sport teams and /or individuals and school physical education life-skill programmes to name but a few outcomes.

BSc (Sports Science)

This qualification is aimed at producing graduates who intend pursuing a career in the field of sports science.

The qualification leads from a foundation in the necessary human anatomy/physiology, exercise prescription, biomechanics and kinesiology, combined with a comprehensive grounding provided in all aspects of exercise science.

Graduates with this qualification will be qualified to work in human performance labs, exercise science and testing to name but a few. By choosing the right dual major, graduates could also on the completion of  educational  post graduate diploma be qualified as teachers in science, physics and biochemistry. 

Community Engagements

The Biggest Loser

The department runs a yearly community programme called “The Biggest Loser” at Hoërskool Richardsbaai (Mrs. Elize Meyer) where a group of matric girls are recruited. Fitness testing is performed on the girls and they are given advice on training and diet.  After our 12 week intervention programme, the girl who has improved the most on selected parameters wins a dress and make over for the matric farewell.

UNIZULU multi –component health promotion programme

As part of the Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP) we work as a multi-disciplinary team (Nursing Science-, Consumer Science and Hydrology departments) by rendering services to communities in our area. In 2012 we visited two communities (Mangezi and Usasandla) once a week. KwaMbonambi and KwaDlangezwa are visited in 2013. The students from our Department screen the community members for cardiometabolic disease risk factors and provide them with lifestyle and exercise advice.

Together with our Honours student we do sport specific testing and conditioning of secondary school athletes in the surrounding Empangeni/Richards Bay area.

Together with our Honours student we work as medical officials at the Foskor 21km, marathon, Thomas More long walk as well as the Umhlatuze Big walk in Richards Bay. 

Community engagement at Grantleigh School

Fitness testing of students and teachers at Grantleigh School.

Community engagement at Felixton College

 The third year students presented general motor development programmes at Felixton College.

Community engagement at UNIZULU

Represented the Department of Biokinetics and Sport Science at the annual wellness day at UNIZULU

A health and fitness centre service was rendered to the university employees and the Kwa-Dlangezwa community. Health screening and exercise prescription was provided by qualified Biokineticists and the Honours students in the department.



Contact Details

  1. Name of the department            : Biokinetics and Sport Sciences

 

  1. Head of Department                   : Professor Jeanne Grace

 

  1. Contact details                             : 035 902 6391

 

  1. List of Main Campus staff members

 

NAME AREA OF WORK      (W) TELEPHONE NUMBER (W)EMAIL ADDRESS
Professor Grace HOD 035 902  6391 [email protected]
Ms Van Biljon Lecturer 035  902  6555 [email protected]
Mrs Gouws Lecturer 035  902  6968 [email protected]
Mr Nxumalo Lecturer 035  902  6390 [email protected]
Ms Kgafela Secretary 035  902  6301 [email protected]
Mr Sikhosana Lab Assistant/Gym Manager 035  902  6884 [email protected]

 

List of Richards Bay staff members

NAME AREA OF WORK (W) TELEPHONE NUMBER (W)EMAIL ADDRESS
Dr Hammill Lecturer 035 902  6933 [email protected]
Mr Breukelman Lecturer 035  902  6957 [email protected]
Ms Frames Lecturer 035  902  6972 [email protected]
Mrs Currie Lecturer 035  902  6932 [email protected]
Mrs Claassens Lecturer 035  902  6931 [email protected]
Ms Muller Lecturer 035  902  6931 [email protected]

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