Exercise Science Major (B.S.)

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science prepares students for careers in a wide range of health and human performance professions, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, athletic training, physician assistant roles, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, biomedical research, health promotion, education, sports psychology, coaching, personal fitness, motor development, and teaching. The program’s rigorous scientific focus equips graduates with the technical knowledge and research skills necessary for success in these dynamic and interdisciplinary fields.

The Exercise Science Major (B.S.) is open to all undergraduate students. It also provides a path for students in the 3+1 program for the Master of Science in Exercise Science (MSES). Students planning to enroll in the 3+1 program must take the 5000-level HEHP course options during their senior year, after acceptance into the program.

Major Requirements

60 credits

Exercise Science Core (36 credits)

Complete the following courses, including any associated labs.

BIOL-2201Molecules to Cells

4 credits

BIOL-2224Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4 credits

BIOL-2225Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4 credits

HEHP-2000Human Health and Wellness

4 credits

HEHP-3014Rsrch Mthds in Human Perf/Health Science

4 credits

HEHP-3019Principles in Biomechanics

4 credits

HEHP-3043Exercise Physiology

4 credits

-
 

HEHP-4019Advanced Biomechanics

4 credits

-
or

HEHP-5019Advanced Biomechanics

4 credits

-
 

HEHP-4043Advanced Exercise Physiology

4 credits

-
or

HEHP-5043Advanced Exercise Physiology

4 credits

Students in the MSES 3+1 program must take the 5000-level course options above during their senior year.

Mathematics (4 credits)

MATH-1025Data Analysis and Statistics

4 credits

-
or

MATH-2025Multiple Regression Analysis

4 credits

Electives (16 credits)

Complete 16 credits from the following. Students in the 3+1 program must complete the 5000-level course options during their senior year.  

HEHP-3000Applied Sport Psychology

4 credits

HEHP-3004Motor Learning

4 credits

HEHP-3012Hlth-Related Fitness & Exer Prescriptn

4 credits

HEHP-3018Applied Nutrition

4 credits

HEHP-3021Communicating Science & Health

4 credits

HEHP-4010Exercise Metabolism

4 credits

-
 

HEHP-3020Strength & Conditioning

4 credits

-
or

HEHP-5020Training, Planning, and Periodization

4 credits

-
 

HEHP-4011Clinical Exercise Testing

4 credits

-
or

HEHP-5011Clinical Exercise Testing

4 credits

Capstone (4 credits)

Complete either Internship or Collaborative Research, plus Capstone II, for a total of at least 4 credits.

HEHP-4996Collaborative Research

1-4 credits

-
or

INTR-4997Internship

1-4 credits

-
 

HEHP-4990Capstone II

2 credits

Additional Master of Exercise Science 3+1 Course

The following course is not a requirement of the Exercise Science Major, but must be taken by students in the MSES 3+1 program during their senior year.

HEHP-5014Research Methods and Statistics

4 credits

Outcomes

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

  1. Justify the scientific merit for key factors important in a wellness-oriented lifestyle as a basis for personal choice;
  2. Analyze how the structure and functions of the human body relate to human movements important for performance and prevention of injuries;
  3. Predict how the disruption of homeostasis due to exercise and nutrition leads to adaptations at the level of the cell, organ, and whole organism;
  4. Create evidence-based recommendations from performing or evaluating exercise science research; and
  5. Employ metacognitive learning strategies to knowledge within the exercise science domain.