Exercise and Health Science
Department Chair: Donald Fischer
Faculty: Donald Fischer, Mary Stenson, Emily Wright
Instructors: Jeremy Karger-Gatzow, Eric Kohn, Erin Ross, Justin Rost
Exercise science is a broad discipline that examines the biological, mechanical, sociocultural, and behavioral aspects of human movement with primary application to human health, exercise, and sport performance. Students completing the Exercise and Health Science degree will study how and why humans engage in and respond to physical activity through an academic skills-based curriculum that promotes ethical, client-centered, and evidence-based decision making. Through the integrative and interdisciplinary courses, rich undergraduate research experiences, and meaningful internship and service opportunities, students gain valuable real-world experience and practice the skills necessary to function effectively as exercise and health professionals.
The Exercise and Health Science program prepares students for a variety of careers or graduate study in exercise or health related fields. Examples of careers Exercise and Health Science majors may pursue include strength and conditioning, personal training, coaching, and corporate wellness. In addition, Exercise and Health Science majors may pursue a post-graduate education in fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, medicine, clinical exercise physiology, and public health. Students should consult with their department advisor to select courses most appropriate for their intended career or graduate education.
Assessment
The Exercise Science and Sport Studies Department is committed to the process of academic assessment as a method to enhance student learning and assure achievement of the learning outcomes. Each learning outcome is introduced in the first or second year, reinforced multiple times in subsequent courses, and directly assessed as part of the capstone course. Formative assessment of each learning outcome is administered at least once to provide students feedback on their progress toward achieving the learning outcome. Surveys of senior students and graduates provide an indirect assessment of student learning and achievement of the learning outcomes.
Acceptance to Major Requirements
Course Requirements: EXHS 111, MATH 124 or PSYC 221, and EXHS 379A
Minimum GPA for required courses: 2.00
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.00
Major (44 credits)
The Exercise and Health Science curriculum (44 credits) is structured to provide students the flexibility to select courses, in consultation with their faculty advisor, that will enable them to achieve their academic and career goals relative to physical activity, exercise, and health. Courses within the Exercise and Health Science curriculum are purposefully clustered around content themes and academic skills, thereby creating a skeleton structure to help ensure all students engage the diversity of the field, practice the academic skills multiple times in completing the degree, and achieve the learning outcomes.
Foundations Requirements (16 credits): EXHS 111, [MATH 124 or PSYC 221], NUTR 125 (with lab), and [BIOL 216 or BIOL 325 (with lab)]
Inquiry and Analysis Requirement (8 credits): EXHS 379A (required) and [EXHS 306 (with lab) or EXHS 308 (with lab)]
Professional Development Requirement (4 credits): EXHS 302 (with lab) or EXHS 303 or EXHS 310 (with lab)
Perspectives Requirement (4 credits): EXHS 323 or EXHS 324 or EXHS 390
Elective Courses (8 credits): Any EXHS course may be applied to fulfill the Elective Courses requirement. The following courses from other departments may also be applied to fulfill the Elective courses requirement: BIOL 326 (with lab), NUTR 301, PHYS 105 (with lab), THEA 105.
Capstone (4 credits): [EXHS 394 (2 credits), EXHS 395 (1 credit), and EXHS 396 (1 credit)] or EXHS 397 (4 credits)
Assessment of Student Learning (0 credits): EXHS XXX
Exercise and Health Science Minor
(20 credits)
The Exercise and Health Science minor (20 credits) requires students to complete EXHS 111, eight credits of EXHS courses at the 300 level, EXHS XXX, and eight elective credits from the courses listed for the major (BIOL 325 may be applied as four elective credits; no other non-EXHS courses may be applied toward the minor.