The undergraduate Exercise Science major is designed to prepare a student for a career in exercise programming and supervision for individuals or groups across the lifespan. It does not require a minor area of study, however, many students choose to pursue minors in related areas such as biology, chemistry, business, food and nutrition, or health sciences. A wide range of electives are included allowing students to prepare for a variety of careers or graduate programs in Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Cardiac Rehabilitation, or Sports Psychology.
Students who wish to prepare for admittance to professional programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical school, or physician's assistant, may choose to complete the requirements for the appropriate pre-professional program of study.
The Exercise Science major prepares students to take two major certification examinations. The first is either the Health Fitness Instructor (HFI) or Personal Training certification offered through the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS) or Personal Trainer.
Students are encouraged to take HP 160, Introduction to Human Performance, as soon as possible during their first year of study. They also must complete BIOL 220 (Human Anatomy) and a Chemistry class higher than Chemistry 100 in order to be allowed to enroll in BIOL 230 (Human Physiology).
Descriptions of courses listed below are available on the Undergraduate Bulletins page.
Required Non-Departmental Courses (29 credits)
- COMS 100 – Introduction to Computer Science (4)
- MATH 112 – College Algebra (4)
- MATH 113 – Trigonometry (3)
- CHEM 201 – General Chemistry I (5)
- CHEM 202 – General Chemistry II (5)
- BIOL 220 – Human Anatomy (4)
- BIOL 230 – Human Physiology (4)
Physical Education Performance Courses (4 credits from the following)
- HP 166 – Team Games (1)
- HP 174 – Individual/Dual Activities (1)
- HP 175 – Fitness Activities (1)
- HP 176 – Lifetime Activities I (1)
- HP 177 – Lifetime Activities II (1)
- HP 178 – Social, Folk, & Square Dance Techniques (1)
- HP 182 – Aquatic Skills (1)
Required Human Performance Core Courses (20 credits)
- HP 160 – Intro to Human Performance Studies (2)
- HP 290 – Psycho-Social Aspects of Sport (3)
- HP 320 – Foundations of Motor Learning (3)
- HP 348 – Structural Kinesiology/Biomechanics (3)
- HP 403 – Measurement and Evaluation in HP (3)
- HP 405 – Adapted Physical Activity (3)
- HP 414 – Physiology of Exercise (3)
Please check undergraduate bulletin for prerequisites.
Required for Specialization (19 credits)
Note: HP 414 should be taken before these courses
- HP 439 – Nutrition for Physical Activity and Sport (3)
- HP 456 – Athletic Testing and Conditioning (2)
- HP 465 – Legal Aspects of PE and Sport (3)
- HP 466 – Graded Exercise Testing & Exercise Prescription (3)
- HP 467 – Exercise Program Development & Administration (2)
- HP 496 – Internship (6)
Required Electives (15 credits from the following or others by arrangement with advisor)
- HP 483 – Cardiac Rehabilitation (3)
- HP 413 – Lifespan Motor Development (2)
- HP 421 – Teaching Sports to Ind. w/Disabilities (2)
- HP 441 – Organization/Administration of PE & Sport (2)
- HP 470 – Psychology of Coaching (PSYC 101) (3)
- BIOL 320 – Cell Biology (3)
- BIOL 324 – Neurobiology (BIOL 220, 230) (3)
- BIOL 380 – Blood Banking/Urinalysis (BIOL 230) (3)
- BIOL 417 – Biology of Aging & Chronic Diseases (3)
- BIOL 433 – Cardiovascular Physiology (BIOL 230) (3)
- BIOL 438 – General Endocrinology (BIOL 100 or 105) (3)
- BIOL 466 – Principles of Pharmacology (3)
- CHEM 320 – Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 202) (5)
- CHEM 321 – Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 320) (2)
- CHEM 360 – Principles of Biochem (CHEM 320) (4)
- HLTH 210 – First Aid and CPR (3)
- HLTH 451 – Stress and Health (3)
- HLTH 455 – Health and Aging (3)
- FCS 443 – Older Adult Nutrition (3)
- FCS 446 – Lifespan Nutrition (3)
- PSYC 436 – Adolescent Psychology (4)
- PSYC 437 – Youth and Sports (3)
- PSYC 460 – Psychology of Women (PSYC 101) (3)
- PSYC 466 – Psychology of Aging (PSYC 101) (3)
Note: the following require 8 PSYC credits
- PSYC 433 – Child Psychology (3)
- PSYC 451 – Methods of Enhancing Performance (3)
