This program offers two emphases (Health and Human Performance and Health and Fitness Leadership). The Exercise Science Program provides a liberal arts approach to the understanding of exercise science. Theory and practice are blended through a scientific, social, philosophic, and ethical analysis of the discipline. In general, our purpose is to provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills, abilities, and dispositions necessary for critical and independent thinking. Students interested in applying to graduate programs including (but not limited to) Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Athletic Training should declare the Health and Human Performance Emphasis.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective understanding and application of body systems and the impact on health conditions during physical activity.
- Students will properly prescribe fitness and wellness programs for optimizing outcomes and minimizing injury risk based on an individual’s goals.
- Students will stay up to date on current health trends and ethical standards.
- Students will be able to identify and understand the responsibilities of potential career pathways within their scope of knowledge.
Bachelor of Science Degree with Emphasis in Health and Human Performance
49 Semester Credit Hours
Core Requirements
- EXSC 280 – Kinesiology and Anatomy for Exercise and Sports (3)
- EXSC 306 – Biomechanics of Exercise and Sports (3)
- EXSC 323 – Exercise Physiology I (3)
- EXSC 332 – Exercise Physiology II (3)
- EXSC 360 – Exercise Assessment and Prescription (3)
- EXSC 370 – Nutrition for Health and Human Performance (3)
- EXSC 390 – Physical Activity for Special Populations (3)
- EXSC 400 – Scientific Principles of Strength and Conditioning (3)
- EXSC 430 – Internship (3)
- EXSC 410 or PEH 435 – Ethics in Sports and Exercise or Health Ethics and Society (3)
- PEH 315 – Injury Prevention and Treatment (3)
Supporting Requirements
- CHEM 105/CHEM 106 – Concepts in Chemistry/Concepts in Chemistry Laboratory[1] (4)
- IDS 202 – Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences (3)
- PSY 201 – Human Development (3)
- PSY 322 – Health Psychology[2] (3)
EXSC/PE/PEH Electives: Must take one (1) of the following courses.
- EXSC 305 – Philosophy of Sports and Exercise (3)
- EXSC 310 – Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Sports (3)
- EXSC 425 – Special Topics in Exercise Science (3)
- PE 200 – Contemporary Health Topics (3)
- PE 308 – Sports and Fitness Management (3)
The following substitutions will be accepted based on the career/academic path of the student and at the discretion of the program director:
- BIO 231/232 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Laboratory for EXSC 280 – Kinesiology and Anatomy for Exercise and Sports
- CHEM 131/121 – General Chemistry I and Laboratory for CHEM105/106 – Concepts of Chemistry and Laboratory
Sample Four-Year Plan for BS in Exercise Science – Health and Human Performance
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester I | Hrs. | Spring Semester I | Hrs. |
| KW 101 | 0 | CL 101 | 1 |
| ENGL 111 | 3 | ENGL 112 | 3 |
| EXSC 101 | 3 | PSY 101 | 3 |
| CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 16 |
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester II | Hrs. | Spring Semester II | Hrs. |
| EXSC 280 | 3 | EXSC 332 | 3 |
| EXSC 323 | 3 | EXSC 306 | 3 |
| PSY 201 | 3 | IDS 202 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | Semester Hours | 15 |
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester III | Hrs. | Spring Semester III | Hrs. |
| EXSC 360 | 3 | PEH 315 | 3 |
| EXSC 370 | 3 | PEH 435** | 3 |
| PSY 322 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Upper-level elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | Semester Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester IV | Hrs. | Spring Semester IV | Hrs. |
| EXSC 400 | 3 | EXSC 390 | 3 |
| EXSC 410** | 3 | EXSC 430 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective (EXSC, PE or PEH) | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Upper-level elective | 3 | Upper-level elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | Semester Hours | 15 |
| Program Total | 122 | ||
*At least one course taken above must be multi-cultural or a separate multi-cultural course is required.
Bachelor of Science Degree with Emphasis in Health and Fitness Leadership
48 Semester Credit Hours
Core Requirements
- EXSC 305 – Philosophy of Sports and Exercise (3)
- EXSC 306 – Biomechanics of Exercise and Sports (3)
- EXSC 310 – Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Sports and (3)
- EXSC 323 – Exercise Physiology I (3)
- EXSC 332 – Exercise Physiology II (3)
- EXSC 360 – Exercise Assessment and Prescription (3)
- EXSC 370 – Nutrition for Health and Human Performance (3)
- EXSC 410 – Ethics in Sports and Exercise (3)
- EXSC 430 – Internship (3)
- PE 200 – Contemporary Health Topics (3)
- PEH 315 – Injury Prevention and Treatment (3)
Supporting Requirements –
- PSY 201 – Human Development (3)
- PSY 322 – Health Psychology[3] (3)
EXSC/PE/PEH Electives: Must take three (3) of the following courses: 
- EXSC 390 – Physical Activity for Special Populations (3)
- EXSC 425 – Special Topics in Exercise Science (3)
- PE 308 – Sports and Fitness Management (3)
- PEH 405 – Consumer Health (3)
- PEH 435 – Health Ethics and Society (3)
Sample Four-Year Plan for BS in Exercise Science – Health and Fitness Leadership
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester I | Hrs. | Spring Semester I | Hrs. |
| ENGL 111 | 3 | CL 101 | 1 |
| KW 101 | 0 | ENGL 112 | 3 |
| General Education Course (lab science) | 4 | EXSC 101 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | PSY 101 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 16 |
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester II | Hrs. | Spring Semester II | Hrs. |
| PE 200 | 3 | EXSC 305 | 3 |
| PSY 201 | 3 | EXSC 332 | 3 |
| EXSC 323 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | Semester Hours | 15 |
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester III | Hrs. | Spring Semester III | Hrs. |
| EXSC 310 | 3 | EXSC 306 | 3 |
| EXSC 360 | 3 | PEH 315 | 3 |
| PYS 322 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective (EXSC, PE or PEH) | 3 | Elective (EXSC, PE or PEH) | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | Semester Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester IV | Hrs. | Spring Semester IV | Hrs. |
| EXSC 370 | 3 | EXSC 410 | 3 |
| EXSC 430 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective (EXSC, PE or PEH) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | Semester Hours | 15 |
| Program Total | 122 | ||
Health Minor
Health is a cross-disciplinary field of study relevant in many academic disciplines such as biology, business, sociology, psychology, public service, sports management and exercise science. The minor will serve the purpose of providing students who have an interest in other disciplines with an opportunity to learn the basic physiological, psychological, and social concepts necessary to effectively apply health to their field of study.
Requirements for Health Minor (Non-Education Majors only)
18-20 Semester Credit Hours
Core Requirements
- BIO 231/ BIO 232 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (4)
- EXSC 370 – Nutrition for Health and Human Performance (3)
- PEH 320 – Drug Use and Abuse (3)
- PEH 435 – Health Ethics and Society (3)
Electives: Pick 2 courses (must vary from your major requirements and/or electives)
- BIO 234 – Medical Terminology (2)
- BIO 241/BIO 242 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab (4)
- EXSC 306 – Biomechanics of Exercise and Sports (3)
- EXSC 323 – Exercise Physiology I (3)
- PE 200 – Contemporary Health Topics (3)
- PEH 315 – Injury Prevention and Treatment (3)
- PEH 405 – Consumer Health (3)
- PSY 322 – Health Psychology (3)
[1] CHEM 105 and 106 are corequisites unless approval is given by course instructor
[2] PSY 101 must be taken prior to PSY 322