Exercise Science Major, BS

Program Description

The exercise science degree program is designed to train knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who are able to develop and implement safe, effective and structured physical activity programs for healthy adults and who are prepared to successfully pursue graduate studies in exercise science and allied health.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of human functional anatomy including the skeleton, cardiorespiratory system, skeletal muscle, and sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of basic exercise physiology including: a) identifying the role of aerobic and anaerobic systems and their required fuels in the performance of various physical activities; b) describing the normal cardiorespiratory responses to an exercise bout and how these responses may differ between subjects of different ages, gender, and ethnicity and with chronic adaptation to exercise; c) identifying the physiological principles related to muscular endurance, strength and flexibility training; d) identifying the effects of temperature, humidity, altitude, and pollution upon the physiological response to exercise; e) identifying neuroendocrine adaptations to exercise; and f) identifying the use and misuse of ergogenic aids to enhance performance.
3. Show the ability to identify risk factors and the pathophysiology of the major chronic diseases which may require consultation with medical or allied health professionals prior to participation in physical activity through demonstration of the use of health history, informed consent and medical clearance.
4. Demonstrate an ability to design exercise programs, which take into account client goals, dose, development and maintenance.
5. Demonstrate the ability to use knowledge of the basic principles of nutrition, weight control, energy balance and body composition to develop a weight loss program.
6. Demonstrate the ability to use knowledge of basic statistical and research design to propose and test a research hypothesis.

Major Requirements

Students majoring in exercise science must satisfy the general education course requirements as well as complete the major courses outlined below. There are 12 semester hours of pre-requisite course in science as well as 3 semester hours of statistics that can be taken as part of the general studies requirements. Students are required to complete an internship of 360 hours in a facility approved by the major clinical supervisor. A minimum grade of C or better is required in each major course.  Students who plan to apply to a graduate program in physical therapy will need to take more courses in chemistry and physics as electives.

Pre-Requisite Courses

CHE 2311 - General Chemistry I

CHE 2111 - General Chemistry I Laboratory

BIO 2311 - Anatomy and Physiology I (has BIO 1311 pre-requisite)

BIO 2111 - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

BIO 2312 - Anatomy and Physiology II

BIO 2112 - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

MAT 2326 - Elementary Statistics or its equivalent

Major Courses (53 semester hours)

HED 2206 - Community Health

HED 2301 - Nutrition

HED 4301 - Managing Health Promotion Programs

EXS 2122 - Physiological Basis for Human Movement Lab

EXS 2130 - Field Experience for Exercise Science

EXS 2202 - Foundations and Professions in Exercise Science

EXS 2322 - Aging and Health

EXS 3310 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries

EXS 3315 - Biomechanics

EXS 3321 - Exercise Physiology

EXS 3411 - Functional Anatomy

EXS 4101 - Advanced Exercise Physiology Lab

EXS 4301 - Advanced Exercise Physiology

EXS 4302 - Clinical Exercise Physiology

EXS 4314 - Sport and Exercise Psychology

EXS 4317 - Applied Research

EXS 4319 - Exercise Testing and Prescription

EXS 4334 - Science of Resistance Training

EXS 4612 - Internship

 

Related/Suggested Electives

CHE 2312 - General Chemistry II ^*

PHY 2322 - General Physics II *

CHE 3326 - Organic Chemistry I

CHE 3327 - Organic Chemistry II

 

Course Notes

*These courses are required for application to WSSU Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.

Course Sequence

Tier One: 

BIO 1311 – Introduction to Biology

BIO 2311 - Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO 2111 - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

BIO 2312 - Anatomy and Physiology II

BIO 2112 - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

EXS 2202 - Foundations and Professions in Exercise Science

 

Tier Two: 

EXS 2130 - Field Experience in Exercise Science

EXS 2322 -  Aging & Health (formerly called Aging and the Movement System)

EXS 3321 -  Exercise Physiology

EXS 3411 -  Functional Anatomy

 

Tier Three:

EXS 3310 - Prev. Care Athletic Injuries

EXS 3315 - Biomechanics

EXS 4319 - Exercise Testing and Prescription

HED 4301 - Managing Health Promotions

 

Tier Four: 

EXS 4301 - Advanced Exercise Physiology

EXS 4101 - Advanced Exercise Physiology Lab

PED 4334 -  Science of Resistance Training

EXS 4302 - Clinical Exercise Physiology

 

Tier Five: 

EXS 4317 - Applied Research

          EXS 4612 - Internship