SE111-4-AU-CO:
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
2026/27
Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
23 March 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC C600 Sports and Exercise Science,
BSC C602 Sports and Exercise Science (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C606 Sports and Exercise Science (Including Placement Year),
BSC C611 Sports and Exercise Science (Including Foundation Year),
MSCIC690 Sports and Exercise Science (Including Placement Year),
MSCIC691 Sports and Exercise Science (Including Year Abroad),
MSCIC699 Sports and Exercise Science,
BSC C603 Sports Therapy,
BSC C604 Sports Therapy (Including Placement Year),
BSC C605 Sports Therapy (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C607 Sports Performance and Coaching,
BSC C608 Sports Performance and Coaching (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C609 Sports Performance and Coaching (Including Placement Year),
BSC C66EN1 Sports Rehabilitation Science,
BSC C67EN1 Sports Rehabilitation Science (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C68EN1 Sports Rehabilitation Science (Including Placement Year)
This module provides an introduction to the key anatomical and physiological principles underpinning human movement and exercise. Students will develop a foundational understanding of the structure and function of major body systems, with particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.
Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical laboratory-based sessions, students will begin to apply core anatomical and physiological concepts to sport, exercise, and health-related contexts. This module provides an essential foundation for more advanced study in exercise physiology and related disciplines and is delivered as a shared module across the Sport and Exercise Science, and Sports Therapy programmes.
The aims of this module are:
- To introduce students to the fundamental concepts of human anatomy and physiology that underpin the biological sciences.
- To provide students with an understanding of the structure, function, and regulation of the major body systems involved in human movement and exercise.
- To enable students to develop a foundational knowledge of the mechanisms controlling and regulating physiological systems, forming a basis for further study in exercise physiology and related disciplines.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate basic anatomical knowledge of the human being with particular detail in the musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.
- Demonstrate understanding of systems physiology with particular detail in muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems.
- Apply introductory laboratory skills to measure and interpret basic physiological responses.
- Develop key skills related to ICT, numeracy, problem solving, working with others and self-directed learning.
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered via:
- Lectures: You will be taught through a mixture of lectures and practicals, online virtual learning and self-directed study.
- Lectures and practicals will introduce core material, whilst self-directed study will reinforce this information.
You will be encouraged to consolidate and extend lecture material from recommended textbooks.
Moodle will be used for:
- - A repository of module information
- - A repository of lecture recordings
- - To provide links to internal and external learning resources
- - To facilitate assessment and learning activities
- - To encourage learner autonomy
- - To facilitate feedback information on assessment for learning and other activities
Independent study will include required readings and online tasks and quizzes delivered via Moodle.
The instant feedback provided will allow students to identify and address strengths and weaknesses in their knowledge.
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De Lyon, A.T.C., Neville, R.D. and Armour, K.M. (2017) 'The Role of Fitness Professionals in Public Health: A Review of the Literature',
Quest, 69(3), pp. 313–330. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2016.1224193.
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Wilson, K. and Brookfield, D. (2009) 'Effect of Goal Setting on Motivation and Adherence in a Six-Week Exercise Program',
International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7(1), pp. 89–100. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2009.9671894.
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Robergs RA, Landwehr R. (2002) 'The surprising history of the “HRmax= 220-age” equation',
Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 5(Issue 2), pp. 1–10. Available at:
https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=21551487&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
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Wilson, M.G., Ellison, G.M. and Cable, N.T. (2016) 'Basic science behind the cardiovascular benefits of exercise',
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(2), pp. 93–99. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-306596rep.
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Singh, F.
et al. (2007) 'Monitoring Different Types of Resistance Training Using Session Rating of Perceived Exertion',
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2(1), pp. 34–45. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2.1.34.
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Becker, A.J. (2009) 'It's Not What They Do, It's How They Do It: Athlete Experiences of Great Coaching',
International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 4(1), pp. 93–119. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1260/1747-9541.4.1.93.
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Forlenza, S.T.
et al. (2018) 'Coaching Behaviors That Enhance Confidence in Athletes and Teams',
International Sport Coaching Journal, 5(3), pp. 205–212. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2017-0040.
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Myers, J. (no date) 'Exercise and cardiovascular health',
Circulation [Preprint]. Available at:
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.CIR.0000048890.59383.8D?uid=c3b9eec89a.
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: The Heart (no date). Available at:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart.
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Anthony Saxton (2023) 'Anatomy, Thorax, Cardiac Muscle'. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535355/.
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NHS: What is blood pressure? (no date). Available at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-pressure-test/.
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Centre for Health Protection - Nutrient Classifications (no date). Available at:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/100022.html.
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Arturo Sánchez López de Nava (2022) 'Physiology, Metabolism',
StatPearls [Preprint]. Available at:
https://www.statpearls.com/point-of-care/25040.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Online MCQ 1 via Moodle (Anatomy & Physiology) |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Online MCQ 2 via Moodle (Gym Induction) |
|
|
| Coursework |
Portfolio |
|
30% |
| Practical |
Practical Assessment |
|
30% |
Additional coursework information
This module is assessed by 100% coursework mark.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Benjamin Jones, email: bjonesa@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Ben Jones, Dr Sally Waterworth & SRES staff
SRES Office, email: sres (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
Yes
No
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 5 hours, 3 (60%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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