Bachelor of Science Degree - Exercise Science - Professional Track
The Exercise Science Professional Track program provides an extraordinary education through integrative teaching, research opportunities, and experiential learning related to human movement. Our goal is to empower students to pursue careers or graduate education in clinical professions (Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Athletic Training) , fitness, wellness, sport performance, public health, and research.
Overview
![A student puts weights on a barbell.](/-/media/institution/dickinson-state/headers/40-ba-exercise-sci-header.ashx@la=en)
The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with Professional Track is a major within the School of Professional Studies. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.
Degree Requirements:
- General Education Courses
- Major Courses
- Minor Courses
- Successful completion of this major will require a grade of “C” or better, graded on an “A” through “F” letter basis in the following classes: Performance Sport Assessment & Athletic Development I, Teaching Weight Training, Biomechanics, Biomechanics Lab, Performance Sport Assessment & Athletic Development II, Physiology of Exercise, and Advanced Exercise Science.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the major in Exercise Science, the student will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge from various Exercise Science disciplines (Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics and Motor Learning) into an evidence based approach to training (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes III, IV, V, and VII.)
- Administer valid and reliable automated performance assessments, interpret and communicate results to users of the information, and develop and implement appropriate training experience from the assessment data. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes IV, V, VII, VIII, IX, and X.)
- Demonstrate effective use of multiple methods of feedback, including the use of media and technology, to enhance the training process. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes VI, VII, VIII, and IX.)
- Demonstrate effective use of instructional and time management strategies into the training process. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes VI, VII, and IX.)
- Students in the Professional Track option will demonstrate an understanding of the research process through the completion of undergraduate research project. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and X.)
Career Options
Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree - Exercise Science: Professional Track?
A bachelor's degree in exercise science prepares graduates to work in a broad range of careers related to health and fitness promotion.
The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science has two distinct programs. 1. Exercise Science Professional Track. 2 Exercise Science Sports Management Track. Coursework for each track is grounded in knowledge of the human body structure and function, then specializes to each unique track, providing significant coursework in each area. We have researched best practices in both professional preparation for graduate work and management coursework. Our degree meets or exceeds those requirements.
The professional track provides the depth of study needed to meet or exceed preparation for admission to graduate programs in many health-related or exercise science fields. Some common graduate areas include: physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, cardiac rehabilitation and clinical exercise physiologist.
Possible Career Paths
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Athletic Training
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Chiropractic
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Requirements
General Education
The following are required as part of General Education
ECON 201 | Principles Of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Pre- or Co-requisite MATH 103 | |
MATH 103 | College Algebra | 4 |
PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Required Core Classes
BIOL 150 | General Biology I | 3 |
BIOL 150L | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
BIOL 220 | Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4 |
HPER 207 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries | 2 |
HPER 210 | First Aid and CPR | 1 |
HPER 240 | Principles of Human Nutrition | 3 |
HPER 241 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
HPER 300 | Performance Assessment and Training Prescription | 3 |
HPER 320 | Teaching Weight Training | 2 |
HPER 328 | Biomechanics | 3 |
HPER 328L | Biomechanics Lab | 1 |
HPER 371 | Performance Sport Assessment and Athletic Development I | 2 |
HPER 372 | Performance Sport Assessment and Athletic Development II | 2 |
HPER 410 | Psychology and Sociology of Sport and Exercise | 2 |
HPER 430 | Measurement and Evaluation | 2 |
HPER 432 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 37 |
Professional Track Major Courses
Semester Sequence
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
BIOL 220 | Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4 |
COMM 216 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
HPER 100 | Concepts of Fitness and Wellness | 2 |
| Exercise Science Electives or Minor | 3 |
| Exercise Science Electives or Minor | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fifth Semester
BIOL 221 | Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab | 4 |
ECON 201 | Principles Of Microeconomics | 3 |
HPER 300 | Performance Assessment and Training Prescription | 3 |
HPER 328 | Biomechanics | 3 |
HPER 328L | Biomechanics Lab | 1 |
| Exercise Science Electives or Minor | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Sixth Semester
ENGL 240 | Masterpieces of World Literature | 3 |
HPER 240 | Principles of Human Nutrition | 3 |
HPER 320 | Teaching Weight Training | 2 |
HPER 372 | Performance Sport Assessment and Athletic Development II | 2 |
| Exercise Science Electives or Minor | 3 |
| Exercise Science Electives or Minor | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Seventh Semester
HPER 371 | Performance Sport Assessment and Athletic Development I | 2 |
HPER 410 | Psychology and Sociology of Sport and Exercise | 2 |
HPER 430 | Measurement and Evaluation | 2 |
HPER 432 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
PHYS 211 | College Physics I | 3 |
PHYS 211L | College Physics I Lab | 1 |
| Exercise Science Electives or Minor | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Eighth Semester
HPER 435 | Advanced Exercise Science | 4 |
MATH 305 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| Exercise Science Electives or Minor | 3 |
| | |
| Select one course from the following: | |
HPER 494 | Independent Study, Undergraduate Research | 1-6 |
HPER 497 | Internship | 1-6 |
BIOL 494 | Independent Study, Undergraduate Research | 1-6 |
| Four Credits Required | |
Total Credit Hours: | 15 |