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Undergraduate Catalog

2012 - 2013

BS in Exercise Science
(59.5 hours*)

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The Discipline

The exercise science program is designed to prepare students for entry into graduate school in one of the disciplines related to exercise science or one of the health care professional schools.

Students majoring in exercise science explore how the body functions during physical activity and exercise. Principles and concepts taught in human anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, chemistry, physics, and nutrition are mastered to help understand how the body responds to acute bouts of exercise and how it adapts to chronic physical activity and exercise. The impact that physical activity and exercise have on one's capacity to do work, physical performance, as well as its impact on health and disease makes study of this discipline rewarding.

Students considering medicine as a profession may want to select this major. While providing the requisite courses for medical school acceptance, it also conveys a healthy-lifestyle, preventive-medicine health care perspective.

Career Opportunities

The exercise science degree provides excellent preparation for students interested in graduate work in exercise physiology (MS, PhD) or those desiring to pursue training in medicine, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, podiatry, chiropractic, and other health care professions. Graduates with this major may also find opportunities in community, corporate, or hospital wellness centers and health promotion programs.

The major is designed to prepare students to enter graduate programs in several health-related professions; specifically exercise science master's and doctoral programs. Those who complete graduate work in exercise science are most likely to be employed as a professor/researcher in a university setting. In addition to graduate studies in exercise science, students are also prepared to attend medical school, dental school, osteopathy school, physician assistant and nursing programs, and chiropractic school.

Salary varies tremendously with the terminal degree sought, the choice of career specialty, and geographic location of employment or practice. Earnings for those with certain medical and dental specialties are potentially lucrative.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. Complete senior exit interview.

  2. Complete the following:

  3. Complete one of the following options:
      Either
        PDBIO 305 : Human Physiology (with lab). (4:4:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        PDBIO 305 : Human Physiology (with lab). (4:4:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: Chem 101 or equivalent.
        RECOMMENDED: A general biology course.
        DESCRIPTION: Function of body organ systems.
        NOTE: Not acceptable for physiology and developmental biology, biophysics, or neuroscience majors. Designed for students with basic chemistry / no molecular biology. Students with chemistry/molecular biology should take PDBio 362.

        Course Outcomes


      Or
        PDBIO 362 : Advanced Physiology. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        PDBIO 362 : Advanced Physiology. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: MMBIO 240 & PHSCS 106; or MMBIO 240 & PHSCS 220
        DESCRIPTION: Integrated approach to organ system and cellular physiology. Problem solving/calculations.
        NOTE: Requires background in chemistry and molecular biology. Students without this background should take PDBio 305.

        Course Outcomes


        PDBIO 363 : Advanced Physiology Laboratory. (1:.5:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        PDBIO 363 : Advanced Physiology Laboratory. (1:.5:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: PDBio 362 or concurrent enrollment; or instructor's consent.
        DESCRIPTION: Experiments and exercises in advanced physiology emphasizing human physiology. Computer simulations of muscle function, endocrine disease, and human physiology. Emphasizes problem solving and calculations.

        Course Outcomes


  4. Complete the following major courses:

  5. Complete 8 hours from the following:

Note to Premed Students: Professional schools and graduate programs may require additional courses not required for this major. Contact the programs to which you may apply to determine specific courses that meet their entrance requirements. Students considering professional or graduate degrees should take at least two semesters of mathematical courses. The following required or elective courses are strongly recommended for students considering professional or graduate degrees in the exercise sciences: MMBio 241; PDBio 360, 362, 363; Chem 351, 352, 353, 481; Math 119; Stat 221. For more information contact the Preprofessional Advisement Center, 3328 WSC, (801) 422-3044. Contact potential schools of choice for a complete list of entrance requirements.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.



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