Exercise Science General Information
The Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science degree is grounded upon a strong Liberal Arts and Sciences foundation, with Exercise Science course content rooted in the basic sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. The curriculum framework is aligned with a rigorous set of internal and external outcomes. Internal outcomes emphasize Truman’s Liberal Arts and Sciences mission while external outcomes reflect the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) certification. The curriculum also features a required summer internship; a value-added, portfolio-based senior capstone; and specializations that provide students opportunities for advanced study in a variety of human movement or allied health professions.
Specializations in the Exercise Science major include:
Pre-Medical Sciences Physical Therapy, Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Etc. (15 hours)
Applied Exercise Physiology, Cardio/pulm rehab, Management, Strength & Conditioning, Biomechanics (15 hours)
Physical Education/Health/Coaching (15 hours)
Major Requirements
The Exercise Science Major consists of the Liberal Studies Program (LSP) Requirements, discipline-related Required Support courses, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Requirements, Major Requirements, and Pattern Courses. The total number of semester hours for a B.S. Exercise Science degree is 124-141.5, depending on the LSP courses and pattern chosen. Below you will find the Exercise Science Required Support, B.S., and Major course requirements.
Download degree worksheets from the Registrar's website located at: http://registrar.truman.edu/catalog/worksheets.asp
Download a general 4-year sequence for Exercise Science majors
| Required Support |
Semester Hours 10-12* |
| BIOL 107 Introductory Biology I* (recommended) or BIOL 100 Biology with Lab | 4 |
| MATH 192 Essentials of Calculus (4), or MATH 194 Liberal Arts & Sciences Calculus (3), or MATH 198 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (5)* | 3-5 |
| PSYC 166 General Psychology* | 3 |
| * May be used to fulfill Liberal Studies Program requirements | |
| B.S. Requirements |
Semester Hours 8 |
| BIOL 325 Human Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL 365 Human Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOL 365 Human Anatomy Lab | 1 |
| Core Requirements |
Semester Hours 26 |
| ES 190 Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| ES 224 Research Methods & Data Interpretation | 4 |
| ES 245 Nutrition in Health, Fitness and Sport | 3 |
| ES 342 Concepts of Biomechanics | 3 |
| ES 342L Concepts of Biomechanics Lab | 1 |
| ES 345 Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ES 343 Movement Neuroscience | 3 |
| ES 345 Assessment and Prescription I | 4 |
| ES 498 Capstone in Exercise Science | 2 |
| Core Electives Select six (6) hours from the following: |
Semester Hours 6 |
| ES 362 Ergogenic Aids & Human Performance | 3 |
| ES 363 Health and Wellness Psychology OR ES 365 Injury and Rehabilitation Psychology | 3 |
| ES 364 First Aid and Injury Care | 3 |
| ES 367 Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| ES 369 Physical Activity and Disability | 3 |
| ES 460 Assessment & Prescription II | 3 |
| ES 463 Advanced Physiological Assessment | 3 |
|
Additional ES Courses |
Semester Hours |
| ES 192 Microcomputer Applications | 2 |
| ES 205 First Aid and CPR/PR | 2 |
| ES 450 Professional Issues in Exercise Science | 1 |
| ES 501 Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ES 502 Social Problems in Sport | 3 |
| ES 503 Exercise and Sport Psychology | 3 |
| ES 505 Advanced Biomechanical Analyses | 3 |
| ES 506 Advanced Sport Management | 3 |
| ES 532 Cardiac Pathophysiology | 3 |
Graduation Requirements:
- An overall cumulative 2.0 GPA
- A 2.0 GPA in all courses completed at Truman
- A 2.5 GPA in select major, required support, and B.S. requirements (major GPA calculation)
- 40 hours of 300+ level undergraduate courses
- 63 hours of liberal arts and sciences coursework
- Minimum 124 total hours of undergraduate coursework
- Assessment, residency, and all other requirements as outlined in the General Catalog
- Grade of "D" or higher must be achieved in all Required Support, B.S. requirements, major and pattern requirements
The major culminates in a four-credit, 200-hour required summer field experience. Depending on the student’s specialization, the field experience provides opportunities to design and implement programs in an organizational setting under the supervision of highly qualified professionals in the field.
Assessment is a core institutional value and is a substantive component of the Exercise Science Major. Faculty members evaluate teaching effectiveness through pre/post assessment and student evaluations. Many faculty employ additional modes of assessment to garner information regarding specific aspects of their courses or teaching style. The American College of Sports Medicine Health Fitness Specialist (ACSM HFS) is the senior exit examination. Many students also sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification exam and several admissions tests including: the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Pre-Dental Admission Test (PDAT).
Research Opportunities:
A significant feature of the Exercise Science program is the use of scholarly research to facilitate learning. Students are provided numerous in-class opportunities to conduct research on a variety of self-selected topics. The program’s Human Performance Laboratory and Biomechanics/Motor Learning and Control Laboratory represent important resources for the facilitation of student research. Interested students are also provided substantial opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of faculty mentors. These projects are often presented at the local, state, and national levels and provide students with excellent opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Outcome Statements of the Exercise Science Major
The primary objective of the Exercise Science Program is to assist students in preparing themselves for success in graduate study or to be competent practitioners in the allied health or other human movement related professions. Graduates of the Exercise Science program should:
- Develop the ability to assimilate, synthesize, and apply information from multiple sources and disciplines;
- Appreciate the need to maintain current knowledge in the field and develop the skills necessary to maintain that knowledge;
- Become critical thinkers, consumers, and competent practitioners of research design and statistical analysis;
- Analyze and assess human movement in a variety of developmentally appropriate levels and contexts;
- Understand the mechanisms underlying behavior change and to facilitate the consumption and integration of positive behaviors by the persons with whom they work;
- Acquire skills to plan, implement, and evaluate effective
exercise or health-related intervention programs.