Universität Fribourg Université de Fribourg Suisse | Universität Freiburg Schweiz Course offerings

Sport Sciences and Motor Control

Abstract

This bachelor programme enables students to acquire practical know-how and scientific knowledge about the impact of motor activity on the development and maintenance of the individual's physical, mental and social life. It not only looks at subjects such as anatomy, the principles of training and sports psychology, but also the technical aspects of practice in a variety of fields, notably games, corporal expression, and water and snow sports. The teaching concept, which places the emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice, is based on a «lecture-seminar/workshop» structure and fosters the practical application of theoretical knowledge.
Students also have the possibility of specialising in teaching physical education and sports at secondary school level.

Show the study programme profile

Profile of the study programme

In today's society, the regular, healthy practice of motor activities is based not only on experience, but first and foremost on scientific knowledge. The study programme in sport sciences and motor control focuses on the impact of this motor activity on the development and maintenance of the individual's physical, mental and social life. This basic training has two dimensions:

  • A scientific dimension, which studies the different human systems in order to understand how the principal resources that are to be developed, mobilised and preserved in our daily motor activities and in recreational or performance sports function. This scientific training takes in aspects such as anatomy, the physiology of exercise, the theory of motor learning and control, the principles of training, biomechanics, sports psychology and sociology;
  • A practical/methodological dimension, which deals with the analysis of movement as a tool for professionals in the fields of health, education, training and recreational or performance sports. It studies the techniques and methodologies of the reference social practices in six fields of activity: games, corporal expression, gymnastic and athletic activities, activities related to physical development and maintenance, combative sports, water sports and snow sports.

Students specialise in one of the two following orientations:

  • «Health - Performance - Research», which gives students basic training in the science of movement and sport, fundamental subjects and other fields. This monodisciplinary course is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in the field of physical activity and sport, sports performance, or research into sport sciences and motor control;
  • «Teaching», which gives students basic training in movement and sport science and prepares them for teaching physical education and sport at secondary school level in combination with other subjects (for further information, see also «Teacher Education for Secondary Level»).

Fribourg profile
The bachelor's degree at the University of Fribourg presents a number of worthwhile features:

  • A teaching concept which places the emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice: most of the scientific coursework involves a seminar or workshop. This structure «lecture-seminar/workshop» fosters the practical application of theoretical knowledge;
  • Thanks to the bilingualism which is an integral part of the course, students have the chance of enriching their specialist vocabulary and learning to interact in an academic context with specialists in both French and German, giving them a considerable advantage in their future professional lives.

Learning outcomes and career openings
By the time students obtain their bachelor's degree, they will have consolidated their basic scientific know-how and acquired a general knowledge and a broader vision of their subject. They will have developed an ability to synthesise information and apply a critical way of thinking, which will enable them to pursue their studies at a more advanced, specialised level by taking a master's degree. Moreover, they will have acquired know-how in a variety of codified or non-codified motor skills in the different fields of activity.

«Health - Performance - Research» orientation:
The general subject knowledge and methodology that students acquire equip them for a variety of careers in the field of health, training or research. The basic training that this specialisation affords in fundamental subjects, biomedical sciences and the science of movement and sports opens the door to more advanced studies, notably a master's degree in sport sciences with a specialisation in «Health and Research», and from there to a career in:

  • Research in the science of movement and sports;
  • Preventative health measures and integration of health concepts in the public or private sector;
  • Functional rehabilitation in rehabilitation centres.

«Teaching» orientation:
The general subject knowledge and methodology that students are taught equip them for a variety of careers in the field of teaching physical education and sports in schools. This orientation provides the basic training which is crucial to pursuing more advanced studies in the context of a master's degree in sport sciences with a specialisation in «Teaching».

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

180 ECTS credits, 6 semesters
or
120 ECTS credits + 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme freely chosen that corresponds to a teaching subject for baccalaureate schools (DEEM/LDM), 6 semesters

Curriculum

http://studies.unifr.ch/go/mjkY5 (French)
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/0fTFn (German)

Admission

The following Swiss school-leaving certificates grant admission to bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg:

  • Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
  • Federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate + supplementary examination of the Swiss Maturity Commission (passerelle)
  • Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH) or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

A complete list of all further recognised Swiss school-leaving certificates is to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities (in French and German only): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-admission-swisscertificates; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-admission-swisscertificates
Foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates are recognised only if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. They must qualify as general education. Foreign school-leaving certificates are considered to be general education if, among other things, the last three years of schooling include at least six general education subjects, independent from each other, in accordance with the following list:

  1. First language
  2. Second language
  3. Mathematics
  4. Natural sciences (biology or chemistry or physics)
  5. Humanities and social sciences (geography or history or economics/law)
  6. Elective (computer sciences or philosophy or an additional language or an additional subject from category 4 or 5)

The general admission requirements to the bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg for holders of foreign school-leaving certificates as well as the admission requirements for individual countries are to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities: https://studies.unifr.ch/go/en-admission-countries
In addition, foreign candidates must present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.
All guidelines are available at (only in French and German): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/adm-guidelines

The assessment of foreign school-leaving certificates is based on the «Recommendations for the Assessment of Foreign Upper Secondary School-Leaving Certificates» adopted by the Chamber of universities of swissuniversities on 11.11.2021 (https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21fr; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21de). The admission requirements are valid for the respective academic year. The Rectorat of the University of Fribourg reserves the right to change these requirements at any time.

Applications are conditional. They are only validated once candidates have passed a compulsory Physical and Motor Skills test (TCPM/TKMF) and if they are certified to be in good health.
For more information about these specific conditions for admission, consult the following web pages:
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/sport-test-fr (French)
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/sport-test-de (German)

Alternatives

Also offered as a minor study programme (60/30 ECTS credits).

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Art History

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This study programme is taught partly in French and partly in German. Students must take modules in both languages, which will vary from course to course, but they can prepare their presentation, coursework and exams in the language of their choice (in either French or German).
The programme is composed of core modules and more specialised modules. The core modules, compulsory for all students, provide basic knowledge on all periods of Art History. The more specific modules enable students to broaden their education in three of the four periods of Art History and they can choose an «Archaeology» option with a specific set of classes and internships, which gives them the opportunity of later pursuing a master's in Archaeology.

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Biology

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Chemistry

In this study programme, students deal with the questions of why and how atoms combine to form molecules; they gain basic knowledge of the nature and diversity of chemical bonds and elements and how these are related to the external properties of the materials. But chemistry is not only knowledge; it is also a craft: the future chemists therefore spend much time in laboratories and learn to determine the structure of a material (analysis), synthesise a new material (preparative chemistry), measure the properties of materials with the help of instruments (physical chemistry) or understand and predict these properties with the help of theoretical methods (computational chemistry).
Chemistry is not an isolated science: It uses mathematical tools and has synergies with biology and physics that are becoming increasingly close. For this reason, during the first academic year, courses are also held in these subjects.

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Computer Science

Informatics studies at the University of Fribourg provide in-depth theoretical knowledge while placing a strong emphasis in relation to practice.
Our approach to informatics is oriented towards problem analysis and solution; teaching takes place in a friendly atmosphere. Students carry out several projects in which they learn to apply their acquired knowledge successfully in a variety of contexts. Examples of current projects are programming of robots and controlling processes.
The major study programme in informatics is complemented by minors which can be freely chosen. It is also possible to choose programmes from other university fields of study.
This bachelor's degree can give access to the Swiss Joint Master in Computer Science offered by the universities of Bern, Neuchâtel and Fribourg.

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Contemporary History

A Bachelor's degree in Contemporary History this opportunity is open to you only at the University of Fribourg. The programme focuses on the 19th and 20th centuries in Swiss and European Contemporary History offering introductory survey courses accompanied by seminars elaborating on specific topics thereof. In addition you are introduced to the historiography of Contemporary History. You will acquire skills in analyzing and contextualizing historical sources, in reading and digesting secondary literature, in presenting an historical argument as well as in writing your own texts. Our large number of teaching staff offers you a broad range of topics and ensures that the students are closely mentored, thereby facilitating the compatibility of class room and work place. The degree can be taken in German, in French and as a bilingual degree in German and French.

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English Language and Literature

The study programme covers all major fields of Anglophone literature from England and the United States, English linguistics, and the historical forms of the English language from Beowulf to the English we use today. Writing skills and an interdisciplinary approach are key aspects of the study programme. Students have an opportunity to learn about medieval women, act in plays, do linguistic fieldwork on contemporary forms of English discourse, study the relations between English literature and other media or its links to technology, discover the rich intellectual world of the English and European Renaissance, and investigate the American Western or meet contemporary American poets. Students in Linguistics may work on English as a world language or as the language of social media. Students in Literature are invited to cross-enroll in classes offered by the Institute of Comparative Literature. Scholars of international acclaim are regularly invited to give talks. There are also exchange partnerships with universities in Nebraska, Mississippi, Arizona, and Southampton.

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French

The bachelor programme in French offers students a broad foundation, in terms of French and French-language literature, linguistics and the history of the French language. This course opens the way to other disciplines, such as history, philosophy or art history.
In literature, the course begins with a series of introductory teaching sessions to familiarise students with literary analysis and the history of literature. Emphasis is then placed on acquiring solid methodological foundations including an introduction to critical writing. The course covers the history of literature starting with the modern and contemporary period and gradually works back through classical literature as far as the texts of the Middle Ages.
The course in linguistics is very thorough, ranging from enunciation and the contrastive study of the spoken/written language to lexicon description and text linguistics, including of course the history of language from its origins to modern time.
This programme is open to students for whom French is not their mother tongue, but who have sufficient command of spoken and written French.

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Geography

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Students acquire knowledge in the two main branches of geography: human geography and physical geography. In addition to this they have to write their own research paper.
The geography course at the University of Fribourg pays particular attention to the relevance and concrete applications of the knowledge students have acquired. The study programme provides them with scientifically-grounded, practice-oriented qualifications which open the door to appropriate career opportunities.

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German

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In the bachelor programme, students acquire knowledge in three subjects: German Linguistics, which deals with the structure of the German language; German Medieval Studies, which focuses on all types of German texts during the Middle Ages; and Modern German Literature, which deals with German literature from the 16th century to the present day.
In Fribourg, special attention is paid to dialectology and research on language acquisition. Students also have access to interdisciplinary research in medieval studies as well as comparative literary studies.

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Greek Studies

This bachelor programme covers the study of Greek antiquity from Home to the Byzantine period. It focuses on the acquisition and consolidation of Greek language skills, as well as the interpretation of literary texts in the broader context of Greek culture.
Special emphasis is placed on the reception of Greek classical antiquity during the imperial period, and on Greek culture and literature of Late Antiquity. In partnership with the Institute of General and Comparative Literature (Institut de littérature générale et comparée/Institut für Allgemeine und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft), students also study the influence of literary forms and classical mythology on modern literature.
This field of study enables students to acquire a command of the Greek language, as well as in-depth knowledge of Greek literature and culture. The programme concentrates essentially on the teaching of the Greek language and literature, with lectures, exercises and proseminars aimed at enabling students to hone their language skills, their knowledge of philological techniques and literary analysis skills.

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History

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Italian

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This course mainly features seminars, which encourage active participation and learning. All lectures, seminars, exercises and exams are delivered in Italian.
At the University of Fribourg, this course follows the principles of the school of analysis founded by eminent researchers, such as Gianfranco Contini, Giuseppe Billanovich, Giovanni Pozzi and Aldo Menichetti.

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Latin Studies

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On completing their course, students will have acquired a command of Latin and in-depth knowledge of Roman literature and culture. This programme concentrates essentially on the teaching of the Latin language and literature, with lectures, exercises and proseminars aimed at enabling students to hone their language skills, their knowledge of philological techniques and literary analysis skills.

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Mathematics

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The major study programme in Mathematics is supplemented by minors that students can choose freely from other university fields of study.

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Musicology and History of Opera

This bachelor programme will have you studying the forms, functions and significances of musical expression in a variety of cultures, focusing primarily on European music from the Middle Ages to the present day. In coming to Fribourg to study Musicology and History of Opera, you will profit from the tradition of the oldest musicology teaching programme in Switzerland and one of the very first set up in Europe. We also serve as a highly active research centre in this field of study, both on a national and European scale.
This programme promotes studying music as a language, including its connection to codes used in other forms of expression and its role in complex systems such as opera, religious rites, cinema, and audio-visual broadcasting in contemporary societies.
While the courses and seminars are taught partly in French and partly in German, students are allowed to write their coursework and pass their exams in the language of their choice (French, German or Italian).

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Pedagogy / Psychology

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Philosophy

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History of Philosophy includes ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary philosophy and introduces students to the main authors, texts and currents of Western philosophy. Systematic Philosophy comprises complementary disciplines, such as philosophy of language, of mind and of human sciences; epistemology and metaphysics; ethics and political philosophy; aesthetics and philosophy of art, and introduces students to the themes and questions inherent to present philosophical debate.
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Physics

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The physics course at the University of Fribourg offers great freedom in the choice of foundation courses and minor study programmes.

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In addition to learning scientific research and presentation techniques, you will become familiar with historical and empirical research methods in social sciences, such as survey methods (interviews, observation) and methods of analysis. In addition, you will be given opportunities to visit religious communities and attend certain religious festivals.

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Students acquire the broad basic knowledge required to pursue a career in Rhaeto-Romance institutions, the media or teaching and/or to continue their studies to master level.
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Apart from close cooperation with the Institute of Slavic Languages and Literatures in Bern, where students have free access to linguistic programmes and language courses in particular, well-established partnerships exist with universities in Russia and Poland. This makes it easy to organise semesters abroad. There is also the opportunity of attending Russian summer courses in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
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Spanish

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Furthermore, in Hispanic philology students study the language, literature and culture of mediaeval and modern Spain. This orientation exists in none of the surrounding Swiss universities; it is a feature specific to Hispanic studiesat the University of Fribourg.
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Theology

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