Exercise Science (BS)

Federal CIP: 31.0505 Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Program Goals

The Exercise Science major is designed to allow students to learn the science of the human body: biology, chemistry, kinesiology, and physics, as well as psychology, spirituality, and emotional health as it applies to human function, disease prevention, and quality of life. Graduates from this program may enter a variety of professions including physical therapy, athletic training, chiropractic medicine, athletic coaching, and corporate wellness. This major allows students to be eligible for the Enhanced LIFE Scholarship and the Enhanced Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science are expected to be able to:

1. Identify the five key components of physical fitness and master the associated descriptive health care terminology used to understand anatomical and physiological structures, body componentry, and injury nomenclature as related to health, wellness, physical activity, and exercise related pathologies.
2. Develop a clear understanding of the various career pathways that the field of exercise science provides a foundational preparation for including health and human performance divisions of exercise physiology, kinesiology, and allied health care professions including sports medicine, and rehabilitation sciences. 
3. Explain the effects of the various stresses (eustress and distress) associated with physical activity and identify appropriate resources to enhance anatomical, physiological and psychosocial health and well-being.
4. Select and apply the appropriate scientific measures to assess health, wellness, and physical fitness of an individual and prescribe appropriate programming for corrective/therapeutic exercise, nutritional interventions, or physical fitness regimens beneficial to health and wellness. 
5. Demonstrate the ability to analyze human movement in qualitative and quantitative measures to increase outcome effectiveness, movement efficiency and minimize injury processes. 
6. Demonstrate the understanding of legal, moral, ethical, and spiritual boundaries in patient/client interventions.   This includes an understanding of the Foundational Behaviors of Professional Practice, and the measures to limit legal liabilities and ethical conflicts of interest, and the integration of faith and service in professional behavior. 
7. Demonstrate your ability to integrate faith, spirituality, and a Christian world view as foundational items in your professional approach to promote health, wellness, and physical fitness. 
8. Demonstrate the ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses using evidence-based practice and research to promote the value of discovery and scholarship in exercise science. 

Note: Students planning to attend graduate or professional programs following completion of their BS degree should regularly review the needed prerequisites for their desired programs and work with their advisors to incorporate these classes into their program of study.