Bachelor of Science

Program Description

The BS degree program in Exercise Science is designed to accommodate a broad range of student interests and professional goals including careers in the health and fitness industry or graduate work in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or exercise science. This is accomplished by offering a thorough and rigid core of theoretical and practical Exercise Science courses balanced with flexibility through program electives. Program electives are based on the professional goals of the student in consultation with an Exercise Science advisor.

Career Opportunities

The BS degree program in Exercise Science is designed to accommodate a broad range of student interests and professional goals including careers in the health and fitness industry or graduate work in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or exercise science.

Admission Requirements

Students transferring into the Exercise Science program from another degree program at Columbus State University or from another institution must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.50 based on a 4.0 scale. Individuals must obtain a change of major form from the Department Chair before entering the program.

Learning Outcomes

Exercise Science graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge that is fundamental to the discipline of exercise science including structure and function of the human body at rest, acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise, and structural kinesiology.
• Demonstrate a range of practical skills necessary to assess the components of health-related fitness.
• Analyze and interpret exercise testing data to develop evidence-based exercise prescriptions for apparently health and at-risk populations.
• Demonstrate knowledge in the area of nutrition as it relates to health and human performance.

Additional Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements: Satisfactory completion of all Board of Regents, university, and program requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in all EXSC courses applied to graduation. 

Students with 7 semester hours in science requirement in Area D must take 2 seminars in Area B. Students with 8 semester hours in science in requirement in Area D need to take only one seminar in Area B.

A grade of "C" or better is required for any EXSC course and all of Areas F, G, and H courses.

Note: Students must have a minimum of 39 semester hours numbered 3000 or above.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5 *
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18 **
BIOL 2221 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
BIOL 2222 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
EXSC 2105 Weight Control
ITDS 2106 Medical Terminology
Advisor Approved Elective
Math/Science Advisor approval required

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 30 **

Area H Advisor Approved Program Electives Required Hours: 15 **
15 hours of upper division courses (3000 or higher)
Select from:
EXSC 4331 Basic Exercise Physiology Lab
EXSC 4698 Internship
EXSC 4899 Independent Study
EXSC 5135 Program Design in Exercise Science
EXSC 5212 Principles of Strength and Conditioning
EXSC 5545 Selected Topics in Exercise Science
Or other as approved by advisor.

Area I: General Electives Required Hours: 15

Total Hours Required: 123