Strength Training and Conditioning Concentration, Exercise Science, BS

Exercise and Sports Science

Professor & Chairperson
Danielle Wigmore     
 

Objectives for the Exercise and Sports Science Program

The Exercise and Sports Science major is designed with three career concentrations: clinical exercise physiology, fitness management and strength training & conditioning. The major is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. It is multidisciplinary in that it includes the integration of anatomy, physiology, physics, psychology, and learning theory to describe and explain responses and adaptations to exercise and training, and to apply that knowledge to enhance physical potential for health, for sport, and in rehabilitation. It is interdisciplinary in that it draws from biology and business administration to provide a foundation in these disciplines to support exercise science applications as well as to enhance career preparedness.

There is a common core of Exercise Science courses to ensure a solid foundation in the various disciplines that comprise this multidisciplinary field of study, and to ensure the ability to apply knowledge in a variety of  practical experiences. There is an opportunity also to develop breadth and depth in the field of Exercise and Sports Science as each concentration has specific requirements, as well as free electives.

• To prepare relevant professional education supported by a rigorous scientific base to students who choose Exercise and Sports Science careers, whether in the clinical, fitness or sport related setting
• To provide leadership opportunities through apprenticeships, specified internships, and presentations and publications
• To provide career alternatives to students in other majors by offering courses related to their chosen fields of endeavor
• To support the university’s liberal arts requirement in the area of health and fitness
• To provide opportunity for students to learn lifetime leisure skills

Requirements for the Major in Exercise and Sports Science

Prerequisites: All Exercise and Sports Science majors must complete a core of EXSS courses, including a 240-hour internship, as well as 4 or 5 liberal arts and science courses, depending on the concentration.

The following courses carry a prerequisite minimum grade of 2.0 in EXSS 1011  (Intro to Exercise Science) AND BIOL 1200  (Anatomy & Physiology I) in order to move forward in the major and register for the courses below:

• EXSS 2050 - Functional Anatomy 3 cr.
• EXSS 2065 - Introduction to Research in Exercise Science 3 cr.
• EXSS 2071 - Exercise Physiology I 4 cr.
• EXSS 2300 - Nutrition in Exercise and Sport 3 cr.
• EXSS 2400 - Health Promotion 3 cr.
• EXSS 3000 - Applied Nutrition 3 cr.
• EXSS 4040 - Fitness Management 3 cr.
• EXSS 4200 - Professional and Career Development 3 cr.

Additional requirements include:

• Speaking/Listening requirement is met through EXSS 1011  , EXSS 3450  or EXSS 4950  - Internship.
• The Jr/Sr Writing requirement is met through EXSS 4200  or EXSS 4950 .
• Computer Literacy requirement is met through EXSS 1011  , EXSS 2071  or EXSS 2072 .

Required EXSS Courses

All students are required to complete the following common core courses:

• EXSS 1011 - Intro to Exercise Science 3 cr.
• EXSS 2050 - Functional Anatomy 3 cr.
• EXSS 2065 - Introduction to Research in Exercise Science 3 cr.
• EXSS 2071 - Exercise Physiology I 4 cr.
• EXSS 2072 - Exercise Physiology II 4 cr.
• EXSS 2300 - Nutrition in Exercise and Sport 3 cr.
• EXSS 2500 - Human Motor Development 3 cr.
• EXSS 3120 - Scientific Foundations of Strength Training and Conditioning 3 cr.
• EXSS 3450 - Exercise Testing and Prescription 4 cr.
• EXSS 4005 - Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement 4 cr.
• EXSS 4040 - Fitness Management 3 cr.
• EXSS 4200 - Professional and Career Development 3 cr.
• EXSS 4950 - Internship 6 cr.

Requirements for the concentration in Strength Training and Conditioning

The role of the strength and conditioning coach has and will continue to grow. Today’s strength and conditioning coach focuses on athlete health, injury prevention, and the improvement of human performance. The delicate balance among these dimensions requires a specific set of knowledge, skills, and abilities from the Exercise and Sports Sciences. The strength training and conditioning coach needs to be able to communicate with other team health care professionals including the Team Physician and Athletic Trainer. Thus, the strength and conditioning coach must be proficient with program design and be knowledgeable in the area of Sports Medicine. Graduates from the Strength and Conditioning concentration will have the knowledge necessary to pass nationally recognized strength and conditioning certification exam, will possess the skills and abilities to be successful working with recreational to professional athletes in a commercial setting or with collegiate or professional teams, and will be skillfully prepared to complete a graduate program in the field.

• EXSS 1450 - Weight Training for Athletes 1 cr.
• EXSS 2023 - Introduction to Sports Medicine 3 cr.
• EXSS 3001 - Assessments for Strength and Conditioning 1 cr.
• EXSS 3011 - Practicum in Strength and Conditioning Ia 1 cr.
• EXSS 3012 - Practicum in Strength and Conditioning Ib 1 cr.
• EXSS 4000 - Fundamentals of Coaching 3 cr.
• EXSS 4002 - Practicum in Strength and Conditioning IIa 2 cr.
• EXSS 4003 - Practicum in Strength and Conditioning IIb 2 cr.

The Health and Fitness Requirement in Liberal Arts and Sciences

As part of the Science, Math, and Technology cluster, students must complete three* credit hours in a course or courses that fulfill the health/fitness specification.

*Exercise and Sport Science students meet this requirement by taking all the required courses for the major.  Should a student leave the major, he/she must fulfill this requirement.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirement for the Strength Training and Conditioning Concentration

• BIOL 1200 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4 cr.
• BIOL 1300 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4 cr.
• PSY 1100 - Introduction to Psychological Science 3 cr.