Exercise Science is a multi-disciplinary program that applies scientific knowledge from anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, psychology, motor control, and biomechanics to understand how the human body functions during physical activity, and how the body adapts to exercise training. The goal of the Exercise Science Program is to prepare competent entry-level Exercise Science professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. In doing so, students acquire skills in fitness evaluation, exercise program design, and instructing functional movement patterns. Graduates will be ready to join the workforce as exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning specialists, and/or wellness coordinators who design and implement safe and effective exercise programs for a wide range of individuals. Graduates are also ideally prepared to pursue graduate education in a wide range of allied health science careers. Please visit the Exercise Science program page for more information about advising and potential career paths.
Unless otherwise noted, 120 credits of coursework is required for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum 2.0 major GPA.
Program Requirements Overview
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| 30 |
| 3-9 |
| 71 |
| 16-10 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Program Requirements
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| HLTH 101 | Personal Health Issues | 3 |
| EXSC 150 | Principles and Practices of Risk Management for Exercise Science | 3 |
| HPEM 199 | Freshman Seminar in Health and Physical Education | 1 |
| EXSC 255 | Research Methods and Data Interpretation | 3 |
| PEMJ 320 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| PEMJ 321 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PEMJ 324 | Basic Motor Learning | 3 |
| EXSC 131 | Fitness Concepts | 3 |
| EXSC 234 | Leadership in Anaerobic Exercise | 3 |
| EXSC 331 | Exercise Assessment and Prescription | 4 |
| EXSC 420 | Theoretical Foundations of Sports Conditioning | 3 |
| EXSC 430 | Exercise for Special Populations | 3 |
| EXSC 475 | Foundations and Practices in Cardiac Rehabilitation | 3 |
| EXSC 476 | Seminar in Exercise Science | 3 |
| EXSC 480 | Cooperative Exercise Science Field Experience | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| NUFD 182 | Nutrition: A Socioecological Perspective | 3 |
| BIOL 244 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 245 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| STAT 109 | Statistics | 3 |
| 9 |
| Total Credits | 71 |
Major Electives
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| ATTR 402 | Clinical Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | Principles of Biology: Introduction to the Cell | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Fundamentals of Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 120 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| EXSC 270 | Nutrition for Fitness | 3 |
| HLTH 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HPEM 356 | Management of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Fitness Programs | 3 |
| NUFD 295 | Nutrition and Physical Activity for Older Adults | 3 |
| NUFD 388 | Nutrition for Community Fitness Programs | 3 |
| NUFD 468 | Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| PEMJ 152 | Introduction to Fielding and Target Games | 3 |
| PEMJ 153 | Introduction to Invasion and Net Games | 3 |
| PEMJ 226 | Coaching Principles and Problems | 3 |
| PEMJ 351 | Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| PEMJ 353 | Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| PEMJ 381 | Cooperative Education in Physical Education | 4-8 |
| PEMJ 447 | Advanced Coaching Techniques | 3 |
| PEMJ 492 | Special Topics in Physical Education | 1-3 |
| PHYS 193 | College Physics I | 4 |
General Education Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| Freshman Seminar in Health and Physical Education (Fulfilled in the major.) | |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Statistics (Fulfilled in the major.) | |
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Fulfilled in the major.) | |
| Fitness Concepts (Fulfilled in the major.) | |
| Introduction to Psychology (Fulfilled in the major.) | |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 3-6 |
| 0-3 |
| Total Credits | 3-9 |
Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion
This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years. This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.
| First Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| HPEM 199 | 1 | GENERAL EDUCATION (C3) Communication | 3 |
| EXSC 131 | 3 | EXSC 150 | 3 |
| BIOL 244 | 4 | MATH 100 (if needed, or Free Elective) | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (C1) Writing | 3 | BIOL 245 | 4 |
| HLTH 101 | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (H) Mathematics | 3 |
| | 14 | | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| World Language 1 | 3 | World Language 2 or Free Elective | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | 3 | PEMJ 320 | 4 |
| EXSC 255 | 3 | NUFD 182 | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (G) Computer Science | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (C2) Literature | 3 |
| Major Elective 1 | 3 | World Cultures | 3 |
| | 15 | | 16 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| PEMJ 324 | 3 | PEMJ 321 | 3 |
| EXSC 331 | 4 | EXSC 430 | 3 |
| EXSC 234 | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (K1) Social Science – American and European History | 3 |
| Major Elective 2 | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (D) Fine and Performing Arts | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| | 16 | | 15 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| EXSC 420 | 3 | EXSC 480 | 3 |
| EXSC 475 | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| EXSC 476 | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION (L) Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences | 3 | Free Elective | 4 |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| | 15 | | 13 |
| Total Credits 120 |