Exercise Science (EXSC)

EXSC 151  Yoga, Relaxation and Stress Reduction  (1 credit)

Restriction(s): Exercise Science majors only. Provides for the development of basic skills in the performance and teaching of hatha yoga and basic neuromuscular relaxation. Each student will be able to plan and implement stress reduction programs for individuals in a one-to-one counseling situation and teach sessions in a classroom format.

EXSC 233  Leadership in Aerobic Exercise  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 131. Restriction(s): Exercise Science major or Sports Nutrition minor only. Students will acquire skills in performing, demonstrating, and teaching aerobic activities.

EXSC 234  Leadership in Anaerobic Exercise  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 131. Restriction(s): Exercise Science major and Sports Nutrition minor only. Students will acquire skills in performing, demonstrating, and teaching strength training and anaerobic conditioning.

EXSC 255  Research Methods and Data Interpretation  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): STAT 109. Restriction(s): Exercise Science majors only. This course will provide students with the knowledge and basic skills related to finding and evaluating research literature, the scientific method, quantitative research design and analysis, and scientific writing. Special emphasis will be placed on objective measurements of the human body and bodily functions prominent in the exercise sciences. Scientific writing is a significant component of the course. Meets the Graduation Writing Requirement for majors in Exercise Science.

EXSC 270  Nutrition for Fitness  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): NUFD 182 or NUFD 192. This course is designed to provide students a basic understanding of the role nutrition plays in enhancing one’s health, fitness, and sport performance. Current research and practical activities are incorporated throughout. Students will learn the principles of healthy eating and its application to exercise for health and athletic performance. An enhanced discussion of the latest dietary trends for improvement of performance, such as ketogenic diets, plant-based proteins, and nutrient timings, will also be included in this course. Mutually Exclusive with NUFD 270.

EXSC 300  Seminar I in Exercise Science  (2 credits)

Prerequisite(s): EXSC 234. Restriction(s): Exercise Science majors only or department approval. This course provides the student with the knowledge and basic skills necessary to evaluate potential career choices in the exercise science and fitness industries. Students will visit and observe a variety of fitness related work sites and then apply this knowledge as they engage in real and practical leadership experiences while under the supervision of a fitness professional.

EXSC 331  Exercise Assessment and Prescription  (4 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 320. Restriction(s): Exercise Science majors only. This course provides the student with the knowledge and basic skills necessary to support healthy individuals in adopting and maintaining healthy exercise behaviors. Students will learn to perform a variety of health and fitness evaluations prior to the development of individualized exercise recommendations tailored to the needs and goals of each client. The primary focus will be on exercise testing and exercise prescription for the general population to improve health outcomes.

EXSC 420  Theoretical Foundations of Sports Conditioning  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): EXSC 234 and PEMJ 320. Restriction(s): Exercise Science majors only. In this course students apply scientific principles and theories of strength and conditioning to enhance skills in developing training programs to optimize athletic performance. Students learn to utilize information from a needs analysis and fitness evaluation to determine and assign appropriate exercises following a periodized model. Additionally,students investigate the bioenergetics, biomechanics, and nutritional aspects of anaerobic training.

EXSC 430  Exercise for Special Populations  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): EXSC 331 for Exercise Science majors only; PEMJ 320 and departmental approval for Sports Nutrition minors only. This course provides the student with the knowledge to apply principles of personalized fitness to individuals in special populations. Students examine responses to exercise and special considerations for individuals of varying age (children, older adults) and clinical conditions other than heart disease (arthritis, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity, osteoporosis, pregnancy, pulmonary disease). Emphasis is placed on preparing students to develop safe and effective exercise programs for individuals with special needs.

EXSC 475  Foundations and Practices in Cardiac Rehabilitation  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): EXSC 331. Restriction(s): Exercise Science majors only and departmental approval. This course provides the student with the knowledge and basic skills necessary for patient care in a cardiac rehabilitation setting. Students examine the underlying pathology of coronary disease and learn to apply concepts of exercise testing and exercise prescription to patients in this population. Substantial time is allotted to developing student competences in electrocardiographic interpretation necessary for patient monitoring during exercise.

EXSC 476  Seminar II in Exercise Science  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): EXSC 331. Restriction(s): Exercise Science majors only. Students will engage in career development, in order to make informed and appropriate occupational and educational decisions. Exercise Science majors will develop effective resume writing and interview skills, while they learn about the internship requirement. Students will gain knowledge of communication, behavioral and motivational techniques for those starting an exercise program. They will practice these skills while also learning the scope of practice for exercise professionals within a health and exercise facility.

EXSC 480  Internship in Exercise Science  (8-9 credits)

Prerequisite(s): EXSC 300 and EXSC 331 and EXSC 420 for Exercise Science Sport Conditioning concentration and departmental approval; EXSC 300 and EXSC 430 and EXSC 475 for Exercise Science Clinical and Pre‐professional concentration and departmental approval. The internship offers the student an opportunity to work as a trainee with professionals in organizations and/or agencies.

EXSC 536  Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 320 or departmental approval. Students learn how the cardiac, vascular, and autonomic nervous systems function in an integrative manner during acute exercise, along with adaptations in these systems as a result of chronic exercise training. Where applicable, students observe neurocardiovascular responses to exercise in the human performance laboratory and discuss practical implications to a clinical or training setting.

EXSC 537  Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 320 or departmental approval. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of how the muscular and somatic nervous systems function in a coordinated manner during acute exercise, along with adaptations in these systems as a result of chronic exercise training. Additionally students analyze interactions between the neuromuscular and energy systems in the context of exercise-induced fatigue. Where applicable, students observe neuromuscular responses to exercise in the human performance laboratory and discuss practical implications to a clinical or training setting.

EXSC 538  Metabolic and Respiratory Exercise Physiology  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 320 or departmental approval. Students learn how the metabolic, endocrine and respiratory systems function in an integrative manner during acute exercise, along with adaptations in these systems as a result of chronic exercise training. Where applicable, students observe physiologic responses to exercise in the human performance laboratory and discuss practical implications to a clinical or training setting.

EXSC 540  Applied Sport Physiology  (3 credits)

Students learn and apply knowledge and skills necessary to design a comprehensive training program for athletes and active individuals, while taking into account variations in gender, age and medical status. Furthermore, students learn how to modify exercise sessions in different environments (heat, cold, altitude) and employ sound nutritional strategies to optimize performance. Additionally, students study the physiological aspects of fatigue, practice techniques for assessment of human performance and body composition, and analyze the effects of ergogenic aids on athletic performance and health. Equivalent course PEMJ 540 effective through Spring 2020.

EXSC 541  Aerobic Testing and Programming  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 320 or departmental approval. In this course students learn and apply knowledge and skills necessary to carry out aerobic fitness testing and develop aerobic exercise programs for healthy and special populations. Students also become skilled in implementing comprehensive health appraisal protocols, minimizing legal liability associated with fitness testing and programming, and applying sociological theories to optimize adherence to the exercise program. Equivalent course PEMJ 541 effective through Spring 2020.

EXSC 542  Foundations of Cardiac Rehabilitation  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 320 or departmental approval. In this course students gain knowledge and basic skills necessary to guide patient care in a cardiac rehabilitation setting. Students examine the underlying pathology of coronary disease and learn to apply concepts of exercise testing and exercise prescription to a variety of patients in this population. Additionally, students spend substantial time developing competence in electrocardiographic interpretation necessary for patient monitoring during exercise. Equivalent course PEMJ 542 effective through Spring 2020.

EXSC 543  Theoretical Foundations of Strength and Conditioning  (3 credits)

In this course students apply scientific principles and theories of strength and conditioning to enhance skills in developing training programs to optimize athletic performance. Students learn to utilize information from a needs analysis and fitness evaluation to determine and assign appropriate exercises following a periodized model. Additionally, students investigate the bioenergetics, biomechanics, and nutritional aspects of anaerobic training. Equivalent course PEMJ 543 effective through Spring 2020.

EXSC 556  Neuromotor Basis of Movement  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): PEMJ 324 or departmental approval. Students learn about peripheral and central nervous system contributions to motor control and learning. Greater understanding of the roles of the spinal cord and brain regions is established through studying movement disorders related to these areas. Where applicable, students observe neuromotor responses to exercise in the human performance laboratory and discuss practical implications to training, performance and rehabilitation.

EXSC 558  Seminar in Exercise and Sport Science  (1 credit)

Students and guests present research and topically relevant material related to exercise and sport science. Students engage in meaningful question-and-answers sessions and discussions on the presented material. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

EXSC 561  Applied Biomechanics  (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 240, PEMJ 321 or Physics or Readings determined by the instructor. In this course students explore the role of biomechanical concepts in the study of human movement and its application to injuries, exercise, athletic performance, and movement disorders. Students examine the science of human motion, mechanics of body tissues, methods of biomechanical data collection, and analysis and application of biomechanical data. Furthermore, students gain experience in employing advanced technological methods and practical approaches to human movement evaluation and application of data. Equivalent course PEMJ 561 effective through Spring 2020.

EXSC 580  Independent Study in Exercise Science  (1-3 credits)

Students pursue a study of a topic in exercise science, which may be outside the scope of regular curricular offerings or may be an extension of an existing course. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits.