2022-23 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 11, 2024  
2022-23 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Exercise Science [EXSC]


The Kinesiology Department  offers the major in exercise science, which is a course of study that prepares students to rigorously apply the scientific method to examine human movement. Exercise science is concerned with physical activity and its effect on the human body.

There are multiple areas of inquiry where exercise scientists focus their attention:

  • Health-related aspects of physical activity
  • Sports performance
  • Transition to allied health professions (e.g. Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training)

In regard to health-related aspects of physical activity, exercise scientists have studied how exercise benefits health. The study of sports performance by exercise scientists involves diverse areas, which can include the growth and development of athletes, nutritional needs of athletes, and movement analysis. The transition to allied health professional allows students to gain a better understanding of human movement and function before pursuing careers that will work with a variety of neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular conditions or disorders. 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate it critically, and communicate it effectively in both oral and written forms
  2. Articulate content knowledge within exercise science
  3. Use technological skills needed to collect, analyze, and interpret data related to human movement
  4. Develop professionally and ethically, and show evidence of diversity within exercise science
  5. Expand experiences in the exercise science area, by preparing for admittance to graduate programs or become employed in professional careers
  6. Offer critical requirements and experiences in exercise science program that are useful and consistent with other under-graduate programs

A. General Education and Liberal Arts: 33-36 credit hours


E. Free Electives: 16-20 credit hours


Students must complete 16-20 credit hours of free electives if no EXS concentration is chosen.

F. Optional EXS Concentrations


EXS Concentrations (optional): Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, may apply for one concentration during the Fall semester of their junior year. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in the major and concentration to continue in the concentration. If a students fails to maintain the 3.0 GPA in both the major and concentration, they will be removed from the concentration and placed in the general Exercise Science major.

I. Pre-Physical Therapy [EXSC_PPT]: 20 credit hours

The Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration is designed for those students with professional goals in physical therapy. Students choosing to pursue this concentration will be academically prepared for a DPT program. This concentration, within the Exercise Science major, will assist students in the educational preparation as well as pre-requisite coursework needed for acceptance into their graduate program of choice.

In addition to the requirements for the Pre-Physical Therapy concentration below, students must complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science [EXS]

Required courses for concentration:

BIO - 110 - Principles of Biology I
BIO - 111 - Principles of Biology II
BIO - 113 - Principles of Biology II Laboratory
EXS - 300 - Clinical Pathways
EXS - 320 - Patient Assessment
EXS - 344 - Medical Terminology
EXS - 370 - Internship in Exercise Science
PSY - 333 - Developmental Psychology
or
PSY - 421 - Abnormal Psychology


II. Pre-Occupational Therapy [EXSC_POT]: 20 credit hours

The Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration is designed for those students with professional goals in occupational therapy. Students choosing to pursue this concentration will be academically prepared for an OT program. This concentration, within the Exercise Science major, will assist students in the educational preparation as well as pre-requisite coursework needed for acceptance into their graduate program of choice.

In addition to the requirements for the Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration below, students must complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science [EXS]

Required courses for the concentration:

BIO - 111 - Principles of Biology II
BIO - 113 - Principles of Biology II Laboratory
EXS - 300 - Clinical Pathways
EXS - 320 - Patient Assessment
EXS - 344 - Medical Terminology
EXS - 370 - Internship in Exercise Science
PSY - 333 - Developmental Psychology
PSY - 421 - Abnormal Psychology


III. Pre-Athletic Training [EXSC_PAT]: 20 credit hours

The Pre-Athletic Training Concentration is designed for those students with professional goals in athletic training. Students choosing to pursue this concentration will be academically prepared for an entry level Master of Science in Athletic Training. This concentration, within the Exercise Science major, will assist students in the educational preparation as well as pre-requisite coursework needed for acceptance into their graduate program of choice.

In addition to the requirements for the Pre-Athletic Training concentration below, students must complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science [EXS]

Required courses for the concentration:

BIO - 111 - Principles of Biology II
BIO - 113 - Principles of Biology II Laboratory
EXS - 300 - Clinical Pathways
EXS - 320 - Patient Assessment
EXS - 344 - Medical Terminology
EXS - 370 - Internship in Exercise Science
EXS - 415 - Emergency Management
HLH - 203 - Community Health

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120


Example of the Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science over Four Years


Link to General Education (GE ); Link to Foreign Language  

Total credit hours for semester: 17


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Second Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Second Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Total credit hours for semester: 14


Third Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Fourth Year Fall


  • (3 cr. hr.)
  • GE course (3 cr. hr.)
    Elective (3 cr. hr.)
    Elective (3 cr. hr.)
    EXS elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15


Fourth Year Spring


EXS elective (3 cr. hr.) 
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 12