B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science Curriculum
The exercise and sport science major provides students with a foundation in the movement sciences, which promotes improvements in health, fitness, and/or performance for the physically active. The primary goal of this program is to prepare students to be evidence-based practitioners of exercise and human movement disciplines who think critically about the science behind their practice.
Students graduating from the exercise and sport science major will be able to seek employment as an exercise specialist, fitness and wellness coordinator, sport performance researcher, and strength and conditioning specialist, as well as enter professional graduate programs in exercise sciences and other fields, such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior.
Learning Outcomes
A successful exercise and sport science graduate is expected to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills related to the areas of physical activity, movement sciences, and sport through practical experiences;
- Obtain knowledge of content area specific to chosen career goals, such as strength and conditioning specialist, coaching, and corporate fitness and wellness, through didactic and internship experiences;
- Demonstrate the importance of the physical, psychological, and emotional demands of physically active individuals through didactic and practicum experience.
General Education Requirements (30 credits)
Students are required to complete 30 credit hours as part of the General Education Program.
Exercise and Sport Science Major Requirements (75 credits)
Core Courses (72 credits)
| Course Number | Course Title | Course Description | Credits |
|
EXSC 1400/ ATTR 1400 |
Health and Fitness | This course will provide students with the basic concepts of health, such as nutritional issues, physiological concerns, and wellness screening. Students will also gain an appreciation for lifetime fitness activities and an understanding of how community programs provide necessary health services to the general public. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency Every Fall and Winter. | 3 |
|
EXSC 2300/ ATTR 2300 |
Sports Nutrition | This course includes the study of nutrition, biochemical processes in energy metabolism, and nutrition-related health problems. Additional emphasis will be placed on nutrition as it relates to physical performance, sports, and fitness. Prerequisite: EXSC/ATTR 1400. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 3 |
|
EXSC 2400/ ATTR 2400 |
Strength & Conditioning | Strength and Conditioning: This course includes the study of the varied aspects of strength and conditioning in a variety of sports. In addition to learning and practicing strength training techniques, students will design a conditioning program and explain their program to their peers. Prerequisite: EXSC/ATTR 1400. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. | 3 |
| BIOL 1500 | Biology/Lab | An introduction to the biological sciences for students interested in pursuing a career in this area. Includes subcellular and cellular organization, structures/function, biochemistry, classical/molecular genetics, and population dynamics - all arranged around evolution as a major theme. Includes laboratory sessions. Prerequisites: MATH 1040 or higher and COMP 1000 or higher. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
| BIOL 3320 | Anat. & Phys. I/Lab | This is the first part of a two-part course that deals specifically with form and function of vertebrate organ systems. The lecture period stresses human physiology and the laboratory is mainly devoted to gross anatomy. However, the lecture and laboratory are presented in a unified fashion with the aim that each reinforces the other in presenting a complete picture of functional morphology. Although lower vertebrates are used for comparative purposes, mammalian systems receive major emphasis in both lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 1500 or equivalent. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
| BIOL 3330 | Anat. & Phys. II/Lab | This is the second part of a two-part course that deals specifically with form and function of vertebrate organ systems. The lecture period stresses human physiology and the laboratory is devoted to histology and gross anatomy. The lecture and laboratory are presented in a unified fashion with the aim that each reinforces the other in presenting a complete picture of functional morphology. Although lower vertebrates are used for comparative purposes, human systems receive major emphasis in both lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 3320. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
| CHEM 1300 | General Chemistry/Lab | This course and the related lab is the first part of a two-semester sequence that studies the laws, principles and theories of atomic structure, molecular structure and bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter/solutions, energetics, oxidation reduction, and laboratory chemistry, including their applications. Prerequisite: MATH 1200 or higher except MATH 2020 and/or other statistics classes. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
| EXSC 1201 | Exercise and Sports Medicine | This course is designed to introduce the student to prevention, recognition, and acute care management techniques for athletic related injuries. Time will be spent addressing the art and science of appropriate taping and wrapping techniques for athletic injuries. Frequency: Fall and Winter. | 3 |
| EXSC 1450 | Introduction to Exercise Science | This course is designed to introduce all the core concepts of exercise science early in the curriculum. It will provide beginning students with an overview of the foundational content within the area of exercise science as well as options available for professional career opportunities, career development, and employment. Through an introductory review of body systems and physiological concepts, students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the how the body adapts to exercise both acutely and chronically. Basic concepts related to metabolism, skeletal muscle physiology, biomechanics, cardiovascular fitness, nutrition and sports neuroscience will be covered. | 3 |
| EXSC 2090 | Sports Neuroscience | This course integrates the fields of neuroscience with exercise and sports science. The course will explore the neuroscience of exercise and performance, including measures of motor and sensory systems (e.g., afferent and efferent motor pathways) and brain function (e.g., motivation, behavior, and arousal) as it applies to exercise. This course includes an analysis of these measures as they affect exercise and sports performance. Frequency: Fall and Winter. | 3 |
| EXSC 3760 | Biomechanics of Human Movement/Lab | This course provides the application of mechanical concepts to movement problems in sport, rehabilitation, and fitness. The anatomical and mechanical principles that dictate the limits and potential of human movement will be addressed. There is an overlying theme of movement observation, interpretation, and remediation with regard to biomechanics. Includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: EXSC 3700. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
| EXSC 3700 | Kinesiology | A study of the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of the muscle system as it relates to the principles of movement. Students will learn the muscle groups involved with specific movements and the results of the action of particular muscle groups on overall movement. Both normal and impaired movements will be analyzed. Prerequisite: BIOL 3320. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 3 |
| EXSC 3740 | Exercise Physiology/Lab | Study of the integration of cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, and musculoskeletal systems as they apply to the movement of the body through space. Studied at the chemical, cell, and organismal levels. Includes use of instrumentation and procedures commonly employed to measure and analyze cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, and musculoskeletal systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 3320. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter | 4 |
| EXSC 3820 | Exercise Prescription/Lab | This course is designed to assist the student with measurement and interpretation of health and fitness related factors necessary for prescribing preventative and rehabilitative exercise programs. Focus areas include cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, body composition, muscular strength and endurance, and risk stratification. Includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: ATTR 2400. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
| EXSC 4100 | Adapted Physical Education | This course is designed to provide students with the scientific knowledge and practical skills to assess, prescribe and implement exercise and fitness programs for clients with a wide variety of disabilities. Specifically, students will learn federal legislation influences, unique physiological and biomechanical aspects, exercise cautions and contraindications, and effective methods of instruction for these clients. This course is designed to enhance students' current level of knowledge of the material required to prepare for either the Certified Special Populations Specialist (CSPS) or Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer(CIFT) exams sponsored by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and American College of Sports Medicine in collaboration with the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability, respectively. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 3 |
| EXSC 4220 | Motor Learning/Lab | This course provides students with the ability to analyze the emerging interrelationships among the motor, social, emotional, and cognitive forms of behavior and development. The course will discuss topics related to, but not limited to the developmental perspectives, physical growth, maturation and aging, perceptual motor development, physiological changes and exercise, sociocultural influences on motor development, theories, experimental studies and current issues in the acquisition, performance, and retention of motor skills, includes a laboratory component. Prerequisites: EXSC 3700. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
| EXSC 4300 | Research Methods in Sports and PE | This course offers a foundation for conducting research in the areas of exercise/physical activity and sport. Specific attention will be on structure and interpretation of the research structure and data analysis (qualitative and quantitative) for publication and presentation.Frequency: Every Fall and Winter Prerequisite: MATH 3020 or MATH 3020H or MATH 2020 or MATH 2020H. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter | 3 |
| EXSC 4400 | Exercise and Sport Administration | Description: This course offers an in-depth background of the standards, policies and practices of organization, supervision and administration for sport and exercise programs and facilities. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter Prerequisite: EXSC 3800. | 3 |
| EXSC 4500 | Advanced Strength and Conditioning | This course is designed to provide students with the scientific knowledge and practical skills to train various active populations for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. Specifically, students will learn to conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention relative to strength and conditioning. The course is designed to enhance students? current level of knowledge of the material required to prepare for either the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exams sponsored by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Prerequisites: EXSC 3800 or EXSC 3820, and EXSC 2400 and EXSC 3700. Frequency: Every Winter. | 3 |
| EXSC 4901 | Practicum in Exercise Science | This course places students in the workplace with the expectation that the experience will allow them the opportunity to apply and integrate content from all the courses in the program. Workplace site selection is based upon individual student goals and include, but are not limited to, rehabilitation facilities, professional fitness centers, sport performance centers, senior centers, and wellness centers (corporate and community). The Practicum Director and site supervisors will evaluate students’ performances throughout the semester. Additionally, registration for a national certification in the exercise science field (i.e. NSCA-CSCS) is required prior to the completion of the course. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course at Nova Southeastern University satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Course Pre-requisites: EXSC 3740, EXSC 4400 (EXSC 4400 may be taken concurrently) | 3 |
| PHYS 2350 | General Physic/Lab | First of a two-part series covering mechanics, thermodynamics, vibrations, and waves. Includes laboratory sessions. This course has been exempted from the requirements of the Writing Across the Curriculum policy. Prerequisite: MATH 1250 or MATH 2100 or MATH 2100H. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | 4 |
Major Electives (minimum of 3 credits)
| EXSC 3300 | Emergency Care and First Aid | Students will learn to recognize, assess, and treat the acute injuries and illnesses of athletes and others involved in physical activities, preventing disease transmission, emergency care of injuries such as splinting, and to provide proper medical referral. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency: Fall and Winter. | 3 |
| EXSC 3850 | Adapted Community Fitness Programming | This course offers hands on experience personal training Special Olympic athletes. Students will be partnered with an athlete with special needs with whom they will conduct a fitness assessment, develop a fitness program, and implement the program directly. Students will work directly with staff from Broward Special Olympics as well as faculty in the Health and Human Performance Department. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course at Nova Southeastern University satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Course pre-requites: EXSC 3820 | 3 |
| EXSC 3900 | Sports Supplements for Athletic Performance | This course includes the study of macronutrient manipulation, nutrient timing, and the use of dietary supplements (e.g. creatine, beta-alanine, amino acids, etc) to enhance sports performance, increase skeletal muscle mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area, decrease fat mass, and optimize recovery. This course thus explores the physiology of the human organism and is designed to provide a framework in which the student can understand how the human body adapts to various nutritional strategies at the cellular, molecular, and organismal levels in exercising individuals. The course will cover both the basic and applied science aspects of nutritional and supplemental strategies as they relate to the acute and chronic response to exercise. Prerequisite: EXSC 3740. Frequency: Every Fall | 3 |
| EXSC 4900 | Special Topics in Exercise and Sport Science | 3 | |
| EXSC 4950 | Internship in Exercise and Sport Science | A work experience for 16 weeks in the student's major area of study or area of career interest. Consult academic division for specific details and requirements. Prerequisites: cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, major GPA of 3.0 or higher, completion of 60 or more credit hours, supervision of instructor, and permission of academic director. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | (1-12) |
| EXSC 4990 | Independent Study in Exercise and Sport Science | The student selects and independently carries out library and/or empirical research. Faculty supervision is provided on an individual basis. Prerequisite: To be determined by the faculty and the division director. Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL): Successful completion of this course satisfies 1 ExEL unit. Frequency: Every Fall and Winter. | (1-3) |
- Any 3000/4000-level EXSC course not counted as core course for the major (3 credits)