Our exercise science program is designed for students who are interested in health and fitness and wish to pursue a career in these fields. Exercise science is the study of the way physical activity changes your body.

Hands-On Experience

Students in our exercise science program benefit from hands-on experiences both in and outside of class, including a yearlong internship.

Prepare for Graduate Study

An exercise science degree provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in a variety of related fields:

• Exercise physiology
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy

More About This Degree

• Learn more about this program or visit the Athletic Training and Exercise Science website.
• College of Health and Human Services
• Courses: Available courses in this department

Students in our exercise science program have access to the equipment and facilities necessary to study athletes in even the most extreme environments:

• Human physiology lab
• Fitness center
• Dance and aerobic studios
• Biochemistry lab

Our exercise science program will prepare you to take certification exams offered by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

A degree in exercise science can lead to a variety of careers:

• Exercise Physiologist
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Clinical or Corporate Wellness
• Physical or Occupational Therapy
• Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant Program

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

• Official SAT and/or ACT scores
• Completed application
• Essay
• Official transcripts
• Letter of recommendation

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B.S. Exercise Science

The Exercise Science program provides students with expertise in acute and chronic changes to the body with exercise, requiring coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, exercise physiology, nutrition, research methods, disease prevention, and exercise testing and prescription. The degree culminates in two semesters of practicum experience, providing students with hands-on experience in their future careers.

Exercise Science majors must attain a minimum QPA of 2.50 in the major program to graduate. Students who do not meet these requirements will not be admitted into the program. Students must receive a “C” or better in the following courses.

Exercise Science Major courses (82-83 credits):

Skills:

ATES 111R	Weight Lifting	1
ATES 115	Basic Aquatics	1
ATES 201	Team Sports	2
ATES 202	Recreational Sports	2
ATES 204	Teaching Group Exercise	2

Sciences:

BIOL 114,114L	Microbiology for Health	4
BIOL 121, 121L	Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab	4
BIOL 122, 122L	Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab	4
CHEM 121, 121L	Principles of Chemistry and Lab	4
MATH 155	Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences	3
OR
MATH 220	Introduction to Probability and Statistics	3

Exercise Science Theory:

ATES 210	Anatomical Concepts in ATES	1
ATES 215	Introduction to Sports Medicine	2
ATES 221	Kinesiology and Applied Anatomy	3
ATES 225, 225L	Physiology of Exercise and Lab	4
ATES 236	Research in Exercise Science	3
PSYC 439	Sports Psychology	3
ATES 324	Motor Learning and Movement Education	2
ATES 360, 360L	Exercise Testings & Prescription and Lab	4
ATES 380	Exercise and Disease Prevention	3
ATES 424	Organization and Administration	3
ATES 440	Advanced Exercise Physiology	3
ATES 457	Sports and Recreation Management	3
ATES 475	Clinical Exercise Physiology	3
ATES 480A	Exercise Science Practicum	3
ATES 480B	Exercise Science Practicum	3
ATES 495	Senior Seminar	.5

Nutrition:

N D 112	Nutrition I	3
N D 213	Nutrition II	3
N D 330	Sports Nutrition	3
OR
N D 331	Sports Nutrition in Health Promotion	3

Fitness Professional Track (21 hours from the following):

PSYC 439	Sports Psychology	3
ATES 380	Exercise and Disease Prevention	3
ATES 457	Sports and Recreation Management	3
ATES 475	Clinical Exercise Physiology	3
ATES 499	Independent Study	3
	*Electives	6
BUS 111	Principles of Marketing	3
BUS 123	Management and Career Options	3
BUS 131	Accounting I	3
BUS 425	Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management	3

* Graduate level courses SNES 509 or SNES 510 may be selected by those academically prepared under University policy and with the permission of the Chairperson.

Pre-Allied Health Track:

Students will complete 21 credit hours of coursework required for graduate study. The coursework for the Pre-Allied Health Track is primarily designed by the needs of the student for graduate study. Many students will apply for graduate study (physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical school, etc.) with each program requiring different courses. The flexibility of this degree track allows students to complete those hours in preparation. Suggested courses include CHEM 131, 131L, 132, and 132L; PHYS 213, 213L, 214, and 214L; ATES 499; PSYC 251, 431; MATH 201, 220, 246.