Health Sciences, B.S. - Exercise and Fitness Concentration

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

Upon successful completion of the program requirements, graduates will be competent in areas of responsibility that define the role of an entry-level Exercise Scientist. The learning outcomes for the Exercise & Fitness concentration, include:

1. Understand the global effects of exercise on the human body, and the interactions between different systems of the body that occur during exercise in terms of the scientific facts, principles, and concepts of exercise & wellness.
2. Understand the various training methods and how each method impacts the human body both acutely and adaptively, and be able to plan, implement and evaluate training and rehabilitation programs for patients as well as amateur and elite athletes.
3. Be able to effectively read, comprehend, and critique published research.
4. Communicate the concepts and principles of exercise science to a range of colleagues, clients, and patients.
5. Self-direct learning to further their own knowledge, skills, and abilities as health and fitness professionals.
6. Be able to apply a strong natural sciences foundation to concepts in exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, research, exercise assessment & prescription, and programming.