Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Earn your BS in Exercise Science

The BS in Exercise Science is intended for students seeking careers as professionals in fitness and in strength and conditioning. The major provides focused study in physical fitness, physical activity, sport nutrition, and sport conditioning as they pertain to health and performance outcomes. The curriculum has been approved by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as meeting the academic preparation for certification as an ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and ACSM-certified personal trainer. It also prepares students for certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a certified strength and conditioning specialist and certified special population specialist. The strong physiological science-based curriculum can serve as preparation for professional or graduate study in rehabilitation sciences, performance sciences, or medical fields.

Students who earn the major in health studies can earn a minor in human physiology, but:

May not also earn a major in human physiology, health promotion, or health studies
May not earn a minor in lifestyle medicine

The Bachelor of Science with a major in exercise science requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, including at least 48–50 semester hours of work for the major. A minimum of 16 semester hours in the major must be earned at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.

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Learning outcomes

Undertake focused study in physical fitness, physical activity, sport nutrition, and sport conditioning as they pertain to health and performance outcomes
Use and understand scientific methods to approach and solve problems in exercise science
Effectively communicate physical wellness issues to key stakeholders
Encourage life-long learning in the rapidly evolving fields of exercise science

Required coursework

Students complete three foundation courses (minimum of 10 semester hours), one each in chemistry, biology, and mathematics or statistics. Note that courses may have required prerequisites.

Chemistry

One of these:

CHEM:1080 General Chemistry II, 3 semester hours
CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II, 4 semester hours

Biology

One of these:

BIOL:1140 Human Biology: Nonmajors, 4 semester hours
BIOL:1141 Human Biology: Health Professions, 4 semester hours
BIOL:1411 Foundations of Biology, 4 semester hours

Mathematics or statistics

One of these:

MATH:1020 Elementary Functions, 4 semester hours
MATH:1350 Quantitative Reasoning for Business, 4 semester hours
MATH:1380 Calculus and Matrix Algebra for Business, 4 semester hours
MATH:1440 Mathematics for the Biological Sciences, 4 semester hours
MATH:1460 Calculus for the Biological Sciences, 4 semester hours
MATH:1850 Calculus I, 4 semester hours
PSQF:4143/STAT:41443 Introduction to Statistical Methods, 3 semester hours
STAT:1020/PSQF:1020 Elementary Statistics and Inference, 3 semester hours
STAT:1030 Statistics for Business, 4 semester hours
STAT:3510/IGPI:3510 Biostatistics, 3 semester hours

Student must complete all of the following requirements:

HHP:1100 Human Anatomy, 3 semester hours
HHP:1300 Fundamentals of Human Physiology, 3 semester hours
HHP:2200 Physical Activity and Health, 3 semester hours
HHP:2310 Nutrition and Health, 3 semester hours

Student must complete all of the following requirements:

HHP:2350 Biomechanics of Sport and Physical Activity, 3 semester hours
HHP:3045 Physical Activity Psychology, 3 semester hours
HHP:3400 Applied Exercise Physiology, 3 semester hours
HHP:4200 Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription, 4 semester hours
HHP:4210 Musculoskeletal Exercise Testing and Prescription, 4 semester hours
HHP:4310 Sport and Exercise Nutrition, 3 semester hours

Students must complete at least 6 semester hours selected from courses numbered HHP:2000 or above. Possible electives to consider:

HHP:2130 Human Development Through the Lifespan, 3 semester hours (no prerequisites)
HHP:2280 Cultural Competency in Health Promotion, 3 semester hours (no prerequisites)
HHP:3045 Physical Activity Psychology, 3 semester hours (prerequisite HHP:2200)
HHP:3050 Obesity: Causes, Consequences, Prevention and Treatment, 3 semester hours (prerequisites HHP:2200 and HHP:2310)
HHP:3200 Health Behavior and Health Promotion, 3 semester hours (prerequisites HHP:2200 and HHP:2310)
HHP:3300 Human Growth and Motor Development, 3 semester hours (no prerequisites)
HHP:3430 Health Management and Administration (prerequisites HHP:2200, HHP:2310, HHP:1100, HHP:1300)
HHP:3850 Promoting Health Globally, 3 semester hours (no prerequisites)
HHP:3900 Writing for Health and Human Physiology, 3 semester hours (no prerequisites)
HHP:3930 Practicum in HHP, 1-3 semester hours
HHP:4020 Health Coaching, 3 semester hours (prerequisites HHP:2200 and HHP:2310)
HHP:4365 Practicum in Health Coaching, 3 semester hours (prerequisite HHP:4020)
HHP:4490 International Med: Experiential Learning (Winter only), 3 semester hours (no prerequisites)
HHP:4930 Health and Human Physiology Internship, 3-12 semester hours

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Questions?

Clay Peterson

Associate Professor of Instruction

clayton-peterson@uiowa.edu

319-384-1708

Undergrad to Graduate (U2G)

Athletic trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who render service or treatment under the direction of, or in collaboration with, a physician in accordance with their education, training and applicable laws. As a part of a healthcare team, AT services include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

There are two routes available to apply to the Master of Science in Athletic Training at the University of Iowa.

1. Students may either complete the Pre-AT requirements along with their chosen Bachelor’s degree

2. Complete the Undergrad-to-Grad (U2G) program

Pre-AT students who major in Exercise Science BA may potentially earn their Bachelor’s and MSAT in five total years. This option, known as Undergrad-to-Grad program and is best fit for Exercise Science BA students who know from their first semester they want to pursue an MSAT. The U2G program is very rigorous and has a regimented schedule that must be followed in order to complete both degrees in five years. See the curriculum or contact your academic advisor for more details.

To stay on track, you MUST complete Year 1-3 courses by the end of Spring, Year 3.

Fall - Exercise Science BS & Pre-athletic training
Year	coursES						Total
1	AT:1010 Exploring AT 1 sh (Offered FALL ONLY)	CHEM:1070 Gen Chem I 3 sh	HHP:2200 Physical Activity & Health 3 sh	Gen Ed: RHET:1030 Rhetoric 4 sh (or other Gen Ed).	PSY:1001 Elementary Psych 3 sh	CSI: 1600 Success at Iowa 2 sh	16 s.h.
2	STAT:1020 Elementary Stats and Inference 3 sh	HHP:1100 Human Anatomy 3 sh	World Language 4-5 sh (if needed)	HHP:2310 Nutrition & Health 3 sh	Gen Ed 3 sh		16-17 s.h.
3	HHP:2350 Biomechanics of Sport and Physical 3 sh	HHP:3400 Applied Exercise Physiology 3 sh	HHP:4310 Sport & Exercise Nutrition 3 sh	World Language 4-5 sh (if needed)	Gen Ed 3 sh		16-17 s.h.

Spring - Exercise Science BS & Pre-athletic training
Year	course					Total
1	CHEM:1080 Gen Chem II 3 sh	CPH:1400 Public Health 3 sh Or 1600 or 1800	BIOL:1141 Human Biology: Health Professions 4 sh	ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature 3 sh	Gen Ed 3 sh	16 s.h.
2	HHP:1300 Fundamentals of Human Physiology 3 sh	PHYS:1400 Basic Physics 4 sh	HHP: 2500 Physical Activity Psychology 3 sh	World Language 4-5 sh (if needed)	Gen Ed 3 sh	17-18 s.h.
3	AT:1200 First Aid & CPR for AT 2 sh (Offered SPRING ONLY)	HHP:4200 Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription 4 sh	HHP:4210 Musculoskeletal Exercise Testing and Prescription 4 sh	World Language 4-5 sh (if needed)	APPLY TO ONLY MSAT (using ATCAS by Feb. 1)	14-15 s.h.

Summer - Exercise Science BS & Pre-athletic training
year	course		total
2	CLSA:3750 Med Term 2 sh (online)	RCE:4199 Coun Related 3 sh (online)	5 s.h.

Summer - MSTA & Final BA courses
year	course			total
4 (First Year of MSAT, final year of Exercise Science BA)	AT: 3060 Advanced Anatomy for AT 4 sh *Exercise Science major elective*	AT:4000 Foundations of AT Practice 3 sh (counts as HHP elective)	AT:4075 Med Emergency Techniques 2 sh (counts as HHP elective) *Exercise Science major elective*	9 s.h.
5 (Final Year of MSAT)	AT:5000 Pathology & Assessment of Non-Orthopedic Conditions 3 sh	AT:5075 Diagnostic Imaging & Lab Studies 1 sh	AT:5200 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology in Sports Medicine 2 sh	6 s.h.

Fall - MSTA & Final BA courses
year	course				total
4 (First Year of MSAT, final year of Exercise Science BA)	AT:4125 Clinical Experience I 3 sh	AT:4200 Orthopedic Pathology & Clinical Examination I 4 sh	AT:4300 Therapeutic Interventions 2 sh	AT:4400 Rehab Techniques 3 sh	12 s.h. BA in HHP: Ex Sci granted to U2G students
5 (Final Year of MSAT)	AT:6100 Research in AT 2 sh (online)	AT:6125 Clinical Experience III 6 sh	AT:6200 Administration & Leadership 2 sh (online)	AT:6400 Seminar in AT 2 sh (online)	12 s.h.

Spring - MSTA & Final BA courses
year	course					total
4 (First Year of MSAT, final year of Exercise Science BA)	AT:4250 Orthopedic Pathology and Clinical Exam II 4 sh	AT:4375 Nutrition for AT 2 sh	AT:4450 Applied Rehab Concepts 3 sh	AT:4525 Clinical Experience II 4 sh	AT:6300 Psychosocial Recognition & Referral 2 sh (online)	15 s.h.
5 (Final Year of MSAT)	AT:6250 Applied Research in AT 2 sh	AT:6450 Advanced Topics in AT 1 sh	AT:6525 Clinical Experience IV 5 sh			8 s.h.

Questions?

Contact Dr. Lundstrom

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