Exercise Science Major, B.S.

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Department of Human Performance and Sport

College of Health and Applied Sciences

Available Program Format(s): In-Person

About the Program

This major is designed for students interested in the fitness and exercise science professions. Examples of professions in the fitness and exercise science field include: cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical medicine clinics, research, public and private industry wellness programs, worksite health promotion, recreation center wellness, strength and conditioning, and personal training for general and special populations.

Students who are interested in careers in exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or as a physician’s assistant will find that the exercise science curriculum provides a solid academic foundation and includes many required prerequisites for those programs.

Exercise Science students must satisfy the General Studies, Multicultural, Global Diversity, and major requirements described below.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

Students that are pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science (ES) are encouraged to complete a professional certification prior to graduation. The certification must come from an NCCA Accredited certifying body and be complimentary to the students career goals. Two suggested certifications are: 1) American College of Sports Medicine - Certified Exercise Physiologist and 2) National Strength and Conditioning Associations - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. The ES curriculum is designed to prepare students for those certifications.
A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
A grade of “C” (73%) or better is required for all major courses and any associated prerequisite courses to count toward the Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.
Students must have at least a major GPA of 2.75 and completed all Exercise Science major courses to be eligible for an internship.
A minor is not required for this program, but students may opt to declare one as part of their program.
The department recommends that students take HPS 2060 - Emergency Rescue/First Responder & CPR or be able to verify an equivalent certification.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: Students may fulfill this requirement by taking courses that required for the major such as: BIO 1080 - General Biology I / BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I , and NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition .
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: ITP 1500 - Dynamics of Health , NUT 3101 - Body Image: Concepts and Approaches , NUT 3350 - Global Nutrition and Health , SM 2730 - Sport in Society
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits)**

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Multicultural Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Multicultural Graduation Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the Multicultural Requirement for degree completion.
Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.
- Recommended Courses: HCM 3700 - Health Disparities in the U.S. , NUT 3300 - Cultural Aspects of Nutrition , or ANT 3480 - Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness

Exercise Science Major Required Courses: 51 credits

Students must choose one course from the following:

EXS 2890 - Personal Training Concepts and Application Credits: 3
EXS 4650 - Exercise Electrocardiography Credits: 3 *
EXS 4772 - Advanced Strength and Conditioning Credits: 3 *
HPS 1440 - Stress Management Techniques Credits: 3
Students must take each of the following:
BIO 1080 - General Biology I Credits: 3
BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I Credits: 1
BIO 2310 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4 *
BIO 2320 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4 *
HPS 1623 - Introductory Sports Medicine Concepts Credits: 3
EXS 1020 - Resistance Training Techniques Credits: 3
EXS 1640 - Physical Fitness Techniques and Programs Credits: 3
EXS 3780 - Fitness Programs for Special Populations Credits: 2 *
EXS 3790 - Fitness Programming for Children, Adolescents, and Older Adults Credits: 3 *
EXS 3841 - Comparative Fitness Programs Credits: 2 *
EXS 4680 - Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Credits: 4 *
EXS 4780 - Community Fitness Testing and Program Planning Credits: 3 *
HPS 3300 - Anatomical Kinesiology Credits: 3 *
HPS 3340 - Physiology of Exercise Credits: 4 *
HPS 4660 - Legal Liability for Physical Educators, Coaches and Administrators Credits: 3 *
NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
*Please see course description for required prerequisite courses.

Major Electives: 11 credits

The following course is a suggested elective.

HPS 2060 - Emergency Rescue/First Responder & CPR Credits: 3
See advisor for additional approved electives

Senior Experience: 10 credits

EXS 4880 - Internship in Exercise Science Credits: 10

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
Multicultural Requirement	0-3 credits
Required Courses	51 credits
Major Electives	11 credits
Senior Experience	10 credits
Unrestricted Electives	12-21
Total for the Exercise Science Major, B.S.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and Multicultural requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.