The Exercise and Fitness concentration provides a comprehensive understanding of exercise, human performance, and healthy living. The curriculum prepares BS Health Sciences students for careers and/or graduate study in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, health sciences, exercise nutrition, and exercise physiology. The program is science-based and human-oriented. The study of human movement comprises an understanding of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, immune, and metabolic systems. Foundational sciences combined with exercise physiology, kinesiology, and clinical opportunities provide the underpinning of the program. This major enables graduates to pursue careers in strength and conditioning, sports performance, health and fitness promotion, and sports medicine as well as employment at wellness centers, rehabilitation facilities, and clinical research programs.
Learning outcomes
As a result of completing the B.S. in Health Sciences, graduates will be able to apply principles of health and wellness as a lifelong process of learning grounded in the study of basic and applied health sciences.
1. Students will understand the fundamental biological, chemical, and physical properties underlying life systems.
2. Students will understand the basic principles of community health, exercise & fitness, and nutrition as they relate to the health sciences professions.
3. Students will be aware of professional, clinical, ethical, and privacy issues that are pertinent to careers in the health sciences.
4. Students will be knowledgeable about fundamental concepts and practices related to the study of disease distributions in populations.
5. Students will be able to produce research and/or grant proposals utilizing the proper scientific methodology of evidence-based experimental data.
6. Students will be able to read, critically evaluate, construct, and present peer-reviewed scientific publications in an organized and effective manner.
7. Student will understand the relationship between exercise and wellness maintenance and be skilled at developing appropriate fitness programs for diverse populations.
