Exercise Science Undergraduate Program
Faculty
Ms. Karlita Warren, Instructor of Exercise and Health Science
Description
Exercise Science is an academic program for those seeking careers in the health and fitness industry. Trinity’s Exercise Science major is designed for undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences who want to address the needs of active individuals. The program focuses on how people move, respond to exercise, and lead quality lives as influenced by life experiences. Students pursue one of two concentrations when they major in Exercise Science: Health Fitness or Pre-Physical Therapy. Students seeking a career in the health care and fitness industries as well as those interested in pursuing graduate work in physical therapy declare a major in Exercise Science.
Areas of Concentration
Health and Fitness
Students in the Exercise Science Program’s Health Fitness concentration learn to help people make life choices that promote wellness. Graduates will promote personal fitness, strength and conditioning, or work in health and wellness programs.
Pre-Physical Therapy
Students in the Exercise Science Pre-Physical Therapy concentration take courses that prepare them to continue into graduate programs in physical therapy.
Major Requirements
Required Courses (63 credits) for Health and Fitness Track
BIOL 101 Introduction to BiologyExplores various aspects of biology from cell structure to metabolism, diversity and ecology. The course consists of two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Recommended for non-science majors. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly BIO 101 Introduction to Biology.
4 credits
FLC Area I
Core Area II
BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology IA systematic approach to the study of the human body. The first part of this year-long course emphasizes the tissues, the integumentary system, the bones and skeletal tissue, muscles and muscle tissue, and the nervous system. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
Prerequisite/Co-requisite: MATH 102, MATH 108 or MATH 109 or test score placement (CAS Only)
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology IIA systematic aproach to the study of the human body. The second part of this year-long course emphasizes the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIOL 121. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
CHEM 113 Chemistry for the Health SciencesIntroduces students to basic concepts in chemistry, including the nature of matter, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, principles of organic chemistry, and the chemistry of the most important biomolecules. The course also introduces students to the proper use of basic laboratory equipment as well as basic laboratory techniques. Lab experiments are designed to provide the student with the tools to understand connections between theory and results found in the lab.
4 credits
General Education Requirements: Knowledge and Inquiry (Science and Mathematics)
EXSC 200 Personal FitnessThis personal fitness class gives students the opportunity to learn and evaluate personal health strategies and decision-making. The course addresses lifestyle choices as they relate to nutrition, fitness, stress management, sexual health, substance abuse, and disease prevention. Participants discuss strategies leading to behavioral changes for improved quality of life.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EXSC 301 Strength Training and ConditioningCurrent concepts of strength training and conditioning as they relate to improved athletic performance are discussed and practiced. Students engage in various physical conditioning activities. They evaluate and adapt strength training and conditioning techniques to individuals of differing ages.
3 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 200
EXSC 310 KinesiologyThis course addresses the fundamentals of human movement as they relate to physical activities and skill performance. Students will study the relationship of anatomical, physiological, and mechanical principles to the muscular movement of the human form.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121 and BIOL 122
EXSC 315 Exercise PhysiologyThe course emphasizes the human body's acute and chronic adaptations to exercise with particular focus on changes occurring in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121 and BIOL 122
EXSC 320 Motor LearningIn this course, students examine information processing as needed for motor control. The course addresses factors that facilitate and inhibit learning, acquisition, and refinement of motor skills.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EXSC 321 Health & Wellness ProgrammingThe course focuses on methods of planning, implementing, and evaluating exercise and wellness programming. Topics include needs assessments, marketing strategies, financial resources, space allocations, and programmatic outcome assessments.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
HPNU 200 Nutrition, Diet Therapy, and Health PromotionThis course provides the foundation for an understanding of the relationships of nutrition and diet therapy to optimum health. It includes physiological, psychosocial and cultural influences on nutritional status. Students will explore their own nutritional status and values as they relate to health and wellness.
3 credits
EXSC 340 Exercise Prescription and Testing for General PopulationsThe course provides students with theoretical principles and practical experiences in exercise prescription and assessment in low-risk health populations. Health-related fitness, rather than performance based fitness is emphasized. The course content is based upon guidelines published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and provides a foundation for future ACSM certification as a Health/Fitness instructor.
4 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 200, EXSC 301, and EXSC 310
EXSC 350 Exercise Prescription and Testing for Special PopulationsThis course will address exercise prescription and testing for special populations, particularly related to cardiac conditioning. Cour se content will focus on people with physical disabilities, diabetes, sensory impairment, and infectious disease, mental impairment, and pregnancy throughout the lifespan. Special considerations will focus on children and the elderly. The course content is based upon guidelines published by the American College of Sports Medicine. Formerly EXSC 350 - Exercise Prescription and Testing for Special Populations II.
3 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 340
EXSC 430 Research and Evidence-Based PracticeThis course focuses on relevant components of scientific research needed by health care professionals. Students will be introduced to theoretical approaches and research methodologies used in health care and will develop skills necessary to critically appraise and utilize research for evidence-based practice.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 110
EXSC 491 Exercise Science InternshipSenior students gain practical experience in exercise science related settings.
3 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 340 and EXSC 350
MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsPresents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability theory, normal and binomial distributions, and central limit theorem, with an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
3 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
Prerequisites: MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course
PHIL 251 BioethicsExamines the legal and moral issues in areas dealing with the biology of human health and development, for example, experimentation on human subjects, organ transplants, euthanasia, abortion, fetal tissue use, contraception, and other aspects of human reproduction, as well as questions regarding rights to health care. Formerly PHI 211 Applied Ethics: Bioethics.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Values and Beliefs
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
Electives (15 credits)
Required Courses (86 credits): Pre-Physical Therapy Track
MATH 102 Intermediate AlgebraThis course is intended for those mathematics and science majors who have some background in algebra but lack the preparation needed to study precalculus and calculus. Topics covered include exponents; factoring; quadratic and polynomial expressions, equations and inequalities; rational expressions, equations and inequalities; radical expressions and equations; systems of equations and inequalities.
3 credits
Prerequisite: MATH 101 or Mathematics Placement Test Proficiency
MATH 123 Pre-CalculusPrepares students for calculus. Subjects include the concept of a function, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions and coordinate geometry. A student who already has a good grasp of these topics should elect MAT 125 instead of this course. Formerly MAT 123 Pre-calculus.
4 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 102 or placement test proficiency
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area IV: Quantitative Analysis Cluster
MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry IExamines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.
4 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster
BIOL 101 Introduction to BiologyExplores various aspects of biology from cell structure to metabolism, diversity and ecology. The course consists of two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Recommended for non-science majors. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly BIO 101 Introduction to Biology.
4 credits
FLC Area I
Core Area II
BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology IA systematic approach to the study of the human body. The first part of this year-long course emphasizes the tissues, the integumentary system, the bones and skeletal tissue, muscles and muscle tissue, and the nervous system. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
Prerequisite/Co-requisite: MATH 102, MATH 108 or MATH 109 or test score placement (CAS Only)
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology IIA systematic aproach to the study of the human body. The second part of this year-long course emphasizes the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIOL 121. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry IIntroduces some of the general principles of chemistry. Topics include stoichiometry and chemical reactions; the structure and properties of atoms and molecules; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; and acid base chemistry. This course emphasizes active student involvement; many concepts are introduced via direct experimentation. Computers are used extensively. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 105 Fundamentals of Chemistry I.
4 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 123 (may be taken concurrently)
FLC Area IV
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry IIContinues the study of basic chemical principles, focusing on thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 106 Fundamentals of Chemistry II.
4 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of "C" or higher
General Education Knowledge and Inquiry
EXSC 200 Personal FitnessThis personal fitness class gives students the opportunity to learn and evaluate personal health strategies and decision-making. The course addresses lifestyle choices as they relate to nutrition, fitness, stress management, sexual health, substance abuse, and disease prevention. Participants discuss strategies leading to behavioral changes for improved quality of life.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EXSC 301 Strength Training and ConditioningCurrent concepts of strength training and conditioning as they relate to improved athletic performance are discussed and practiced. Students engage in various physical conditioning activities. They evaluate and adapt strength training and conditioning techniques to individuals of differing ages.
3 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 200
EXSC 310 KinesiologyThis course addresses the fundamentals of human movement as they relate to physical activities and skill performance. Students will study the relationship of anatomical, physiological, and mechanical principles to the muscular movement of the human form.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121 and BIOL 122
EXSC 315 Exercise PhysiologyThe course emphasizes the human body's acute and chronic adaptations to exercise with particular focus on changes occurring in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121 and BIOL 122
EXSC 320 Motor LearningIn this course, students examine information processing as needed for motor control. The course addresses factors that facilitate and inhibit learning, acquisition, and refinement of motor skills.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EXSC 321 Health & Wellness ProgrammingThe course focuses on methods of planning, implementing, and evaluating exercise and wellness programming. Topics include needs assessments, marketing strategies, financial resources, space allocations, and programmatic outcome assessments.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
HPNU 200 Nutrition, Diet Therapy, and Health PromotionThis course provides the foundation for an understanding of the relationships of nutrition and diet therapy to optimum health. It includes physiological, psychosocial and cultural influences on nutritional status. Students will explore their own nutritional status and values as they relate to health and wellness.
3 credits
EXSC 340 Exercise Prescription and Testing for General PopulationsThe course provides students with theoretical principles and practical experiences in exercise prescription and assessment in low-risk health populations. Health-related fitness, rather than performance based fitness is emphasized. The course content is based upon guidelines published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and provides a foundation for future ACSM certification as a Health/Fitness instructor.
4 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 200, EXSC 301, and EXSC 310
EXSC 350 Exercise Prescription and Testing for Special PopulationsThis course will address exercise prescription and testing for special populations, particularly related to cardiac conditioning. Cour se content will focus on people with physical disabilities, diabetes, sensory impairment, and infectious disease, mental impairment, and pregnancy throughout the lifespan. Special considerations will focus on children and the elderly. The course content is based upon guidelines published by the American College of Sports Medicine. Formerly EXSC 350 - Exercise Prescription and Testing for Special Populations II.
3 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 340
EXSC 430 Research and Evidence-Based PracticeThis course focuses on relevant components of scientific research needed by health care professionals. Students will be introduced to theoretical approaches and research methodologies used in health care and will develop skills necessary to critically appraise and utilize research for evidence-based practice.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 110
EXSC 491 Exercise Science InternshipSenior students gain practical experience in exercise science related settings.
3 credits
Prerequisites: EXSC 340 and EXSC 350
MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsPresents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability theory, normal and binomial distributions, and central limit theorem, with an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
3 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
Prerequisites: MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course
PHIL 251 BioethicsExamines the legal and moral issues in areas dealing with the biology of human health and development, for example, experimentation on human subjects, organ transplants, euthanasia, abortion, fetal tissue use, contraception, and other aspects of human reproduction, as well as questions regarding rights to health care. Formerly PHI 211 Applied Ethics: Bioethics.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Values and Beliefs
PHYS 111 General Physics ICovers mechanics in a calculus-based course in fundamental physics. Topics include Newton's laws, work and energy, rotational dynamics, conservation of energy, and momentum. Intended primarily for students in math and science but open to all qualified students. The course consists of three hours of lecture, three of laboratory, and a one-hour problem session per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly PHY 115 General Physics I.
4 credits
Prerequisite: MATH 125
General Education Requirement: Kniowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area IV, Laboratory Science Cluster
PHYS 112 General Physics IICovers electricity, magnetism, and electro-magnetic propagation in a calculus-based course in fundamental physics. Topics include electric fields, Maxwell's equations, electrical circuits, magnetic fields, and light. Intended primarily for students in math and science but open to all qualified students. The course consists of three hours of lecture, three of laboratory, and a one-hour problem session per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly PHY 116 General Physics II.
4 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 125 and PHYS 111
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
Additional Requirements
Exercise Science Senior Assessment
The senior assessment in exercise xcience is not a comprehensive exam but is rather a senior comprehensive portfolio project that requires students to reflect on, assess and document their own academic progress and learning. Specific requirements and due dates are distributed to seniors in the fall semester of their graduation year. In order to prepare the portfolio self-assessment, students should keep copies of written course work, graded papers and exams from all psychology, sociology, biology, ethics and exercise science courses they have taken. While requirements for the portfolio vary slightly from year to year, students are generally required to assess several academic products in completing a short narrative of their academic experience as well as complete an evidence-based research paper. Students must submit the portfolio by the due date (end of January) in their graduation year and must receive a grade of C or higher in order to graduate. Portfolios submitted after the due date will not be considered for graduation in that semester.
BLS/CPR certification for the Health Care Provider
Internship Placement sites may have additional health or safety requirements that students must meet prior to receiving access to the Internship site.
NOTE: No student will be allowed to participate in Internship experiences unless and until these other requirements have been satisfied.
Transportation: Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from Internship placement sites. Trinity’s free shuttle service connects the Main campus with the Brookland metro station.
Program Policies
Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Exercise Science major.
CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Exercise Science major.
Transfer Policy
Consult program faculty for information about transferring major courses to Trinity.
Grades in Major Courses
Students are required to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major.
Pass/No Pass
The pass/no pass grading option is not accepted in courses to be applied for the major.
TELL Policy:
Students applying for credit in experiential learning should consult with the program faculty
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