Exercise Science Major
Exercise Science Major
The exercise science (EX) major is designed for those students who are seeking a broad background in exercise, fitness, and sport science. It can also serve as a foundation for graduate study in athletic training, physical therapy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, cardiac rehabilitation, wellness, strength and conditioning, and nutrition. The didactic and clinical components allow students the opportunity to explore related areas of study, including exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, exercise prescription, and fitness assessment. Graduates from the EX major are prepared to pursue either employment opportunities in health and fitness settings or graduate school in those health professions noted above. Five accelerated pathways culminating in either a graduate professional degree in Physical Therapy, Exercise Science and Nutrition, Public Health, Athletic Training, or Occupational Therapy are available as an EX major. Students interested in pursuing an accelerated program should contact the EX program for additional information.
Differential Tuition
Sacred Heart University has implemented a differential tuition for the EX program. The cost of EX education is increased relative to other majors due to intensive clinical laboratory courses and clinical supervision required to maintain the professional standards of exercise science education in addition to the associated expenses of clinical education. This charge will be reflected as a program fee each semester in addition to undergraduate tuition and fees. The fee will be initiated for EX upon admission to the major.
All EX students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 and receive a C or better in all prerequisite and required courses. This undergraduate program leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Exercise Science.
Additional Requirements
All students are required to maintain current CPR with AED Certification (or its equivalent), annual PPD verification and sexual misconduct training. SHU offers both CPR certification and sexual misconduct training annually and PPD testing can be obtained from University Health Services. Students will not be permitted to participate in any designated EX service learning courses and/or clinical experiences (EX 366, EX 367) without completing the above criteria. Students are responsible for providing transportation to off-campus sites.
Faculty
WENDY BJERKE, PhD, PAPBS
Clinical Professor
BEAU GREER, PhD, CSCS
Graduate Program Director
Professor
JONATHAN HUDAK, MS, CSCS
Clinical Exercise Scientist
CHRYS MALONEY
Administrative Assistant
MATTHEW MORAN, PhD
Undergraduate Program Director
Associate Professor
PETER RONAI, MS, RCEP, CEP, EP-C, CSCS, FACSM
Clinical Professor
ERIC SCIBEK, MS, ATC, CSCS
Clinical Associate Professor
ALICJA STANNARD, PhD
Assistant Professor
CHRISTOPHER TABER, PhD, CSCS, CEP, PES, USAW2
Assistant Professor
JUSTIN WAGNER, PhD
Assistant Professor
Program Requirements
Exercise Science Required Courses (32 credits)
| EX 100 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| EX 240 | Concepts in Sports Medicine with Lab | 4 |
| EX 250 | Exercise Physiology with Lab | 4 |
| EX 255 | Nutritional Aspects of Human Health & Performance | 3 |
| EX 260 | Kinesiology with Lab | 4 |
| EX 290 | Behavioral Aspects of Exercise | 3 |
| EX 362 | Exercise Testing & Prescription with Lab | 4 |
| EX 363 | Developing Strength & Conditioning Programs with Lab | 4 |
| EX 397 | Practical Application of Exercise Science | 3 |
Exercise Science Electives (9 credits)
| EX 253 | Pathophysiology & Pharmacology | 3 |
| EX 270 | Neural Control of Human Movement | 3 |
| EX 280 | Coaching Methods | 3 |
| EX 299 | Special Topics in Exercise Science | 1-3 |
| EX 320 | Pediatric Exercise Science | 3 |
| EX 358 | Exercise & Aging | 3 |
| EX 361 | Functional Gait Analysis | 3 |
| EX 366 | Clinical Rotation | 3 |
| EX 367 | Internships in Exercise Science | 3 |
| EX 398 | Independent Research in Exercise Science | 1-3 |
Required Supporting Courses (37 credits)
| BI 111 | Concepts in Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 |
| BI 113 | Concepts in Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 112 | Concepts in Biology II: Cells to Organisms | 3 |
| BI 114 | Concepts in Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 206 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BI 208 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 207 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BI 209 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
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| CH 117 | General Organic & Biochemistry: An Overview | 3 |
| CH 119 | General Organic & Biochemistry Lab | 1 |
| | or | |
| CH 151 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 153 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
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| MA 131 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| MA 140 | Precalculus | 4 |
| PS 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PS 295 | Health Psychology | 3 |
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| PY 104 | Elements of Physics | 3 |
| | or | |
| PY 111 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PY 113 | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |