Motor Control and Skill Acquisition (8913)

Available teaching periods	Delivery mode	Location
View teaching periods	On-campus	Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL	Credit points	Faculty
0.125	3	Faculty Of Health
Discipline	Study level	HECS Bands
Sport & Exercise	Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit	Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)

Introduction

Students will describe how human movement and motor programs are initiated, controlled, learned, taught and performed. The different methods used to enhance skill acquisition through the transfer of learning, knowledge of results and practice effects, including distributed and mass practice as well as whole and part learning concepts will be examined. Students will be required to use information processing models to demonstrate an understanding of perception, selective attention and decision-making capabilities.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Assess motor skills using multidimensional models;

2. Describe the role of sensory input and perception in movement coordination, skill acquisition and motor program retention; and
3. Design an appropriate motor learning framework based on established methodologies.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware

Prerequisites

9808 Regional Anatomy and Physiology

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

Restrictions: This unit is not open to students who have passed 6833 Motor Control

Equivalent units

6833 Motor Control

Assumed knowledge

None.

Availability

Availability for enrolment in 2027 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.

Year	Location	Teaching period	Teaching start date	Delivery mode	Unit convener
2026	Bruce, Canberra	Semester 1	16 February 2026	On-campus	Dr Michael Maloney
2027	Bruce, Canberra	Semester 1	15 February 2027	On-campus	Dr Michael Maloney

Timetable

The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Resources

Required texts

None

Assessment requirements

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

For assessments 1, 3, and 4, GenAI use is to be Guided - Students will be guided in how GenAI must/may be used in completing the assessment as detailed in the unit outline and/or Canvas page detailing the assessment. More detailed information can be found at GenAI and Assessment at UC

For assessment 2 Gen-AI is Restricted. The use of GenAI is NOT allowed in completing the assessment. More detailed information can be found at GenAI and Assessment at UC

Please see this guide on how to reference GenAI where relevant:

https://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=970043&p=7053092

Special assessment requirements

Students are required to achieve an overall unit grade of 50% to pass the unit

Extensions must be sought in advance using the university forms, and EC applications will be considered.

Students are encouraged to back up their work frequently, to submit work well before the final deadline, to plan and prepare coursework well before the formal deadline, and to seek extensions in advance where legitimate grounds can be demonstrated

Please note plagiarism and Gen-AI detecting software wil be used to evaluate submissions where appropriate.

Academic integrity

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Student responsibility

Participation requirements

With a view to creating independent and self-sufficient learners, a large proportion of this unit can be completed online - with minimal attendance requirements. This does, however, require students to actively engage with the recorded lectures, and to make informed decisions about their learning strategy.

Required IT skills

Word processing, internet access, the ability to search relevant databases (for research articles) and use referencing software is required.

In-unit costs

Students are not required to purchase any unit-text or special equipment, although they may wish to do so.

Work placement, internships or practicums