Exercise Science General Information

The Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science is grounded in a strong Liberal Arts and Sciences foundation and rooted in the basic sciences of physics, biology, chemistry, and psychology.  Exercise Science majors engage in the study of all aspects of human movement including motor skill development and acquisition, movement production and efficiency, energy systems and metabolism, anatomical structures (cadaver anatomy lab), and psycho-sociological influences.  Visit our HES Lab Facilities page for more information!  Students also engage in the advanced study of a selected concentration area (pattern) in the human movement or allied health professions. 

Patterns in the Exercise Science major include:

Biomechanics (20-24 hours)

Exercise Physiology (23-25 hours)

Physical Education/Health/Coaching (34-35 hours)

Pre-Medicine (32-35 hours)

Pre-Physical Therapy (31-32 hours)

Pre-Physician's Assistant (25-28 hours)

Psycho-Social Aspect of Sport (28 hours)

Sport and Recreational Management (25 hours)

Individualized patterns may also be designed to meet personal goals.  Click on the pattern names above to view a description and course requirements. A description of all patterns is also available for download. 

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 9-25*
BIOL 107 Introductory Biology I*	4
ES 192 Microcomputer Applications	2
ES 344 Lifespan Motor Development	3
HLTH 150 Nutrition in Health and Wellness	3
HLTH 195 & 196 Personal Well-Being Requirement*	2
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
STAT 190 Basic Statistics*	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
Major Requirements	Semester Hours 27-28
ES 190 Foundations of Exercise Science	3
ES 232 Sport Management*	3
*ES 232 is not required for students completing Pre-Medicine pattern.
ES 247 Data Interpretation in Exercise Science	2
ES 270 Research Methods in Exercise Science	2
ES 431 Injury Care of Active People	2
ES 334 Physiological Assessment	3
ES 342 Concepts of Biomechanics	3
ES 343 Motor Learning and Control	2
ES 343 Motor Learning and Control Lab	1
ES 345 Introduction to Exercise Physiology	3
ES 502 Social Problems in Sport*or ES 503 Exercise & Sport Psychology	3
*ES 502 is required for Sport & Recreation Management pattern. Both ES 502 and ES 503 are required for Psycho-Social pattern.
Capstone Experience	Semester Hours 3
ES 450 Senior Seminar	1
ES 456 Concepts of Aquatics	1
AND two of the following courses:
ES 451 Applied Movement Analysis: Aerobic Conditioning	1
ES 452 Applied Movement Analysis: Aerobic Dance	1
ES 453 Applied Movement Analysis: Anaerobic Conditioning	1
ES 454 Applied Movement Analysis: Dance	1
ES 455 Applied Movement Analysis: Gymnastics	1
Pattern Courses	Semester Hours 20-35

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 specialized interest, 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 Program.  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 Instructor (ACSM HFI) examination became the official senior exit examination of the major in June 2007.  The HFI will be implemented as the senior exit exam during the Spring 2008 semester or earlier, if possible.  Until the implementation of the HFI, the senior exit exam will be the College Learning Assessment (CLA).  Many students also sit for the certification exams of the National Athletic Training Association (NATA), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). 

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:

1. Develop the ability to assimilate, synthesize, and apply information from multiple sources and disciplines;
2. Appreciate the need to maintain current knowledge in the field and develop the skills necessary to maintain that knowledge;
3. Become critical thinkers, consumers, and competent practitioners of research design and statistical analysis;
4. Analyze and assess human movement in a variety of developmentally appropriate levels and contexts;
5. Understand the mechanisms underlying behavior change and to facilitate the consumption and integration of positive behaviors by the persons with whom they work;
6. Acquire skills to plan, implement, and evaluate effective exercise or health-related intervention programs.
    

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