Exercise Science

Undergraduate Degree:
BS in Exercise Science

Minors Offered: Pre-PT, Pre-OT, Sports Medicine, Corporate & Community Fitness

For more information concerning our educational programs in Exercise Science, contact:
Jill Binstock, Administrative Coordinator
Office: Highland Center 1400
Phone: 507-389-6313
Email: jilane.binstock@mnsu.edu

Program Overview: MSUM's undergraduate degree in exercise science is regarded as one of top programs in the country. The program emphasizes student-acquisition of scientific foundations and competency-based clinical skill preparation for a variety of fields in exercise science and sports medicine. Students can select from a series of ancillary courses supporting various minors and pre-requisites for allied health graduate programs. The program also prepares students for certifications offered by the National Strength & Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.

Outcome-Based Laboratory Experiences: All laboratory experiences were conceived using the most up-to-date research and technology in exercise science. Sample experiences include:

HP 348 Structural Kinesiology & Biomechanics: comprehensive set of laboratories exposing students to the principles governing skeletal muscle contractions along with a series of assignments where bony segments are digitized in the human performance computer laboratory to produce linear and angular kinematic and kinetic analyses (shown below).

Clinically-Relevant Courses: The curriculum includes a series of courses specifically designed to train students in the practical applications of exercise science. Sample courses include:

HP 439 Nutrition for Physical Activity and Sport: this is course conceived and team- taught by professors from the Departments of Human Performance and Family Consumer Science. Students learn the skills for conducting and interpreting computerized dietary analyses, assessments of resting energy expenditure, and techniques of body composition analysis.

HP 466 Graded Exercise Testing & Exercise Prescription: this course trains students on the procedures for conducting a health appraisal along with how to properly administer a variety of graded exercise testing protocols. The course prepares students with the knowledge and skills to develop exercise prescriptions in accordance with guidelines established jointly by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association. This course prepares students for the ACSM Health Fitness Specialist certification.

Course Bulletin and Suggested Sequences: The following course sequences are suggested guidelines; however, students are responsible for completing all requirements as described in the course bulletin (Click HERE for pdf). Students occasionally deviate from recommended sequences based upon course time-conflicts, outside obligations, and requirements for minors. Typical interest areas for majors in exercise science include:

Pre-PT/Pre-OT: Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are common career goals for students in our program. Our graduates have an ongoing reputation for gaining admission to the top PT/OT programs in the region. The program supports a Pre-PT/Pre- OT student club and interested students should contact the club adviser, Dr. Mary Visser (mary.visser@mnsu.edu). Click HERE for an advising sheet.

Pre-Clinical Exercise Physiology: Students of our undergraduate program have an excellent opportunity to prepare for advanced training and graduate study in clinical exercise physiology given our department offers two different graduate tracts in exercise science. As a result, students have access to advanced clinical-related courses that are normally unavailable at the undergraduate level (e.g., HP 483 Cardiac Rehabilitation, BIOL 417 Biology Aging and Chronic Diseases, BIOL 433 Cardiovascular Physiology). Students have access to internships with the university's adult fitness program ( Heart Plus ) along with local facilities (e.g., ISJ-Mayo Health System). Students interested in a career in clinical exercise physiology should contact Dr. Lance Dalleck (lance.dalleck@mnsu.edu). Click HERE for an advising sheet.

Strength Training & Conditioning (Sports Medicine Minor): Strength & Conditioning professionals attain employment with Health Clubs, Speed and Strength Training Facilities, High School/College Sports programs, and with various professional sports teams and organizations. The University's Exercise Science program is one of the few programs regionally that is officially recognized by the National Strength & Conditioning Association as meeting all of it educational standards. Students interesting in a career in strength training & conditioning should contact Dr. Bob Pettitt (robert.pettitt@mnsu.edu). Click HERE for an advising sheet.

Corporate & Community Fitness (Minor): The minor in corporate & community fitness is tract designed for individuals not majoring in exercise science who envision being employed in a corporate and community fitness facilities. The minor is typically declared by majors in athletic training; sports management; family consumer science; community health; or recreation, parks, & leisure studies. Student interested in this minor should contact Dr. Mary Visser (mary.visser@mnsu.edu).

Internship Requirements: Internships are a required integral component to develop students for professional careers in a variety exercise, fitness, and wellness-related fields. Students should identify a prospective internship venue and supervisor including contact information. The student should then draft two to four learning objectives they seek to gain from their internship experience. This information is then brought to a faculty member in exercise science, and pending approval, the student will be given electronic access to register for either HP 492 or HP 496 in their schedule.

Corporate & Community Fitness/Wellness
HP 492 (minimum of 3-credits)

Exercise Science Major
HP 496 (minimum of 6-credits)

50 hours = 1 credit hour

Pre-PT and Pre-OT minors

Students minoring in Pre-PT or Pre-OT may use observations hours toward their internship experience; however, experience in a separate field is strongly encouraged.

Facilities: We proudly offer one the top human performance research laboratories in the region. Our laboratories are equipped to conduct comprehensive metabolic, cardiovascular, body composition, and biomechanical analyses. Key equipment includes:

Metabolic Analysis
Parvomedic gas analyzer
Medgraphics gas analyzer
Accutrend lactate analyzer

Cardiovascular Analysis
Automated Blood Pressure
12-lead ECG
Computer-controlled ergometers

Body Composition Analysis
BodPod
Hydrostatic Densitometry
Bioelectric Impedance
Lange skinfold calipers

Biomechanical Analysis
Video digitizing
Surface electromyography
Isokinetic dynamometry

Scholarships/Research Support: Our department has a long tradition of supporting student learning through research. Numerous scholarships and funds have been established to support scholarly work. These include:

Endowed Scholarships
Clem W. Thompson Physical Education Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1991 by Mary Thompson in memory of her late husband, Clem. Scholarships from this fund benefit physical education majors who demonstrate an established commitment to sport and exercise science.

Colonel Emma E. Vogel Scholarship
Emma Vogel, an MSU alumna, entered the U.S. Army in 1918 and retired as a colonel in 1951. Colonel Vogel established and organized the first army physical therapy branch during World War II, and was the first army-wide director of physical therapists. She championed regular Army status for women in the Army Medical Department; Congress granted such status in 1947 and established the Women's Medical Specialist Corps, with Colonel Vogel as its first director. At the time of her death, her sisters established this scholarship in her memory.

Vi Holbrook Scholarship
Vi Holbrook graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education in 1945, and a Master of Science degree in 1959. She taught physical education, and she coached women's track & field and gymnastics at MSU from 1966 to 1974, while earning her Doctorate degree in 1970 from the University of New Mexico. Vi belonged to many professional and community organizations, and is an active volunteer. Prior to her death in 2005, she established scholarships in support of female athletes, international students, and graduate students in physical education

Wendy and Kent Kalm Exercise Science/Athletic Training Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2005 for a Junior or Senior level student who is majoring in both the Athletic Training and Exercise Science Programs.  The scholarship represents Kent's dual involvement during the past 25 years at Minnesota State University, Mankato in both the Athletic Training Education and Service Programs, as well as the Exercise Science Major.  The scholarship recipient has demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and involvement in university and community activities.

Undergraduate Research Support Fund
The university provides three sources of funding for undergraduate research and many students of exercise science have received such funding.

Research: Our laboratories support several lines of on-going research in exercise science and sports medicine. Faculty have published recently in such journals as:

International Journal of Exercise Science
Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research
Strength & Conditioning Journal
Athletic Training Education Journal
Athletic Therapy Today
Gunderson Lutheran Medical Journal
The Sport Journal

Faculty (2009-10)

Lance Dalleck, PhD
Assistant Professor and Coordinator for Cardiac Rehabilitation
Office: HCN 173; Phone: 507-389-6715

Theresa Mackey, EdD, ATC, ATR
Assistant Professor
Office: HC 1220; Phone: 507-389-1355

Robert W. Pettitt, PhD, ATC, CSCS
Assistant Professor
Office: HC 1316; Phone: 507-389-1811

Patrick J. Sexton, EdD, ATC, ATR, CSCS
Associate Professor
Office: HC 1222; Phone: 507-389-2029

Mary F. Visser, PhD
Professor and Coordinator of Exercise Science
Office: HC 1314; Phone: 507-389-2672

Graduate Assistants
Benn Conner, Cardiac Rehabilitation
Jill Kirkeberg, Exercise Science
Tyler Johnson, Exercise Science