Course Descriptions - Online Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science
The online exercise science degree from the University of Saint Mary is a degree completion program that takes an average of two years to complete. The program is made up of 17 courses that are taught by experienced faculty members who have backgrounds in areas like exercise science, athletic training, dietetics, personal training, strength and conditioning, and group fitness.
You’ll get the opportunity to learn basic life-saving emergency care and first aid treatment skills, apply nutrition strategies to improve exercise performance and health, become familiar with basic biomechanics in order to understand how to analyze posture and movement dysfunctions, identify and prevent sport injuries, understand the impact of exercise on certain diseases and special conditions, and perform fitness assessments that enable you to write individualized exercise prescriptions.
Core Courses
EX 150 Introduction to Health Sciences (2 credits)
This course is designed as an introduction to the field of health sciences. Students will be introduced to a wide array of health science professions and will examine the basic qualifications, responsibilities, employment opportunities, and challenges in this field. In addition to understanding these professions, exposure to this field will prepare students to make decisions about their future education and careers.
EX 205 Introduction to Health & Wellness (2 credits)
This course focuses on the latest trends in health, exercise, and wellness across the lifespan. The course will examine behaviors that increase the risk of major health conditions as well as those that promote individual, family, and community wellness.
EX 230 Exercise Physiology (2 credits)
The purpose of this course is to increase the student’s knowledge of human physiology and the adaptations that occur during exercise. The focus of this course is on how the body responds to acute and chronic exercise.
EX 251 First Aid and Emergency Procedures (2 credits)
This course introduces the basics of life-saving emergency care and first aid treatment. Topics include rescue breathing, CPR, first aid for choking and bleeding, and other first aid procedures. A standard first aid and emergency cardiac care certification will be awarded to those that qualify.
EX 305 Methods of Fitness Assessment (3 credits)
This course exposes students to laboratory and field tests used for assessing physical fitness components for the purpose of creating exercise programs.
EX 310 Nutrition for Health and Performance (3 credits)
Students will gain an understanding of nutrient use and nutrition strategies to improve exercise performance and overall health. Course topics include macro and micronutrients as well hydration requirements for health and performance. Weight control, nutrition supplements, and ergogenic aids used by athletes and the general population will also be examined.
EX 350 Sport Injuries and Illnesses (3 credits)
An introduction to the different types of injuries and a basic overview of how to prevent, identify, and care for a variety of injuries and illnesses that regularly occur to the physically active.
EX 376 Concepts of Strength Training and Conditioning (3 credits)
The purpose of the course is to understand how to develop and implement strength training and conditioning programs for physically active individuals.
EX 380 Exercise Prescription for General Populations (3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to provide students opportunities to learn how to create effective and appropriate individualized exercise plans for healthy individuals. This course will emphasize the use of fitness assessment data to design exercise prescriptions for enhancing cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, body composition, balance, and flexibility for healthy individuals.
EX 400 Motor Skill Development (3 credits)
The study of theories, principles, and concepts behind human development and performance of motor skills from birth through adulthood.
EX 405 Community Health (3 credits)
Introduces the student to the core functions of public health with an emphasis on community health programs and current trends of population health. Describes organization and administration of local, state, and national health agencies, their purposes and functions, and an overview of methods for solving community health problems.
EX 445 Health Promotion Planning (3 credits)
This course will provide students with the necessary skills for developing, implementing, and evaluating health programs for targeted populations. Students will gain an understanding of various behavior change models, learn how to gather information, develop, and implement health promotion programs.
EX 480 Exercise in Special Populations (3 credits)
A course focusing on the role of exercise in the aging process and alleviating certain health-related issues and disabilities in a variety of populations.
EX 485 Applied Corrective Exercise (3 credits)
The application of corrective exercises to improve postural imbalances and coordinated movement patterns to recondition the body post-injury care and to reduce risk of injury in sport and work environments.
EX 490 Internship in Exercise Science (3 credits)
This course offers an opportunity to gain practical experience and develop skills in an exercise science setting. Students will be required to complete a capstone project that includes collecting and analyzing data to make decisions on exercise programs. Students will also review material to prepare for personal training certification.