Exercise Science

Exercise Science | Courses | Faculty

110 Totman Gymnasium

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Contact: Frank Rife

Office: 109 Totman

Phone: 545-2634

Web site: www.umass.edu/sphhs/exsci/

Chair of Department: Professor Joseph Hamill. Coordinator of Undergraduate Curriculum:
Associate Professor Rife. Professors Freedson, Kamen, Katch, Clarkson; Associate Professors Caldwell, Kent-Braun, van Emmerik; Assistant Professor Braun; Adjunct Faculty: Frederick, Price, Riccio, Rowland, Volpe.

The Field

Exercise science is an interdisciplinary field focusing on the science of human movement. Its four basic elementsóbiochemistry, biomechanics, motor control, and physiologyócan be integrated to allow exercise scientists to address a wide variety of questions. Some are basic: how are nerves, muscles and joints coordinated to accomplish complex movements? what regulates the mixture of fuels oxidized at rest and during exercise? Others have applications to health: how much of what we call aging is actually due to physical inactivity? how can physical activity be used to prevent and/or manage chronic disease and disability? Still others involve rehabilitation: what factors contribute to musculoskeletal injury and how can they be reversed? and exercise performance: what limits human performance and how can it be optimized? In recent years, the field of exercise science has evolved toward less emphasis on sport and a much stronger focus on a basic understanding of human movement and the role of physical activity and exercise in health and disease. To those ends, exercise scientists use tools from molecular biology, neuroscience, engineering, medicine, and computer science to work on unique problems in a diverse array of settings that include laboratories, hospitals, health and wellness centers, and field environments.

The Major

The major in Exercise Science builds on a foundation of basic science in the areas of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and statistics. Exercise Science courses apply these foundation requirements to the scientific study of human movement.

Requirements

I. Non-Exercise Science courses (28 cr)

PHYSIC 131/133 and 132/134 Introductory Physics I and II (with labs)

CHEM 111 and 112 General Chemistry for Science Majors I and II

MATH 127 and 128 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I and II

STATIS 111 Elementary Statistics

CMPSCI 105 Computer Literacy (or equivalent; CMPSCI 102 does not satisfy this requirement)

Notes on the above courses:

1. A grade of CD or better is required in each.

2. Four courses must be completed by the end of the second semester in the major.

3. The remaining courses must be completed by the end of the fourth semester in the major. Students who must take prerequisites to MATH 127 may have one additional semester to complete the Calculus requirement.

II. Exercise Science Core Courses (21 cr)

130 Introduction to Exercise Science

205 Human Physiology

300 Writing in Exercise Science

304 Human Anatomy

305 Kinesiology

450 Motor Control

474 Measurement and Evaluation Theory

478 Exercise Physiology

Notes on the above courses:

1. All courses must be completed in the department.

2. A grade of C or better is required for each.

3. EXCSCI 130 must be completed by the end of the second semester in the major.

4. EXCSCI 297B and 304 must be completed by the end of the fourth semester in the major.

III. Exercise Science Electives

Students must select at least 18 credits from the courses listed below. At least one course must be numbered 500 or above.

210 Human Performance and Nutrition

301 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries

307 Wellness in the Workplace

310 Exercise Testing and Programming

311 Anatomy of Human Motion

370 Diet, Supplements, and Athletic Performance

396 Independent Study

496 Independent Study

531 Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion

535 Muscle Mechanics and Modeling

550 Muscle Metabolism

570 Children and Exercise

575 Physiological Basis of Physical Training

597B Energy Metabolism

597F Evaluation of Body Composition and Human Performance

597H Exercise Psychology

597J Movement Coordination and Perception

597K Evaluation of Body Composition and Human Performance Practicum

597S Exercise Neuroscience

Notes on the above courses:

A passing grade of C is required for courses numbered 200-499.

A passing grade of CD is required for courses numbered 500 and above.

IV. Cognate Electives ó Students must take at least 12 credit hours at the 200 level or higher in the following areas: Engineering, Mathematics, Nutrition, Psychology, Biology, Nursing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Sport Studies, Public Health, or other areas approved by the student's adviser.

Career Opportunities

An undergraduate major in Exercise Science is excellent preparation for pursuit of an advanced degree that will lead to a career in medicine, research science, physical therapy, or academia. Many exercise scientists also work in the health care system, especially in cardiac, pulmonary, and stroke rehabilitation. Increasingly, exercise scientists are providing their specialized expertise to the growing biotechnology industry, particularly in areas related to cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic health. Exercise science majors are prominent in the health and fitness industry and work with manufacturers of sport and rehabilitative equipment. In any area of employment, Exercise Science majors will find their rigorous training in scientific method, critical thinking, and clear expression of ideas to be a lifelong advantage.

The Minor

The following Exercise Science courses comprise the minor:

130 Introduction to Exercise Science

304 Human Anatomy

305 Kinesiology

450 Motor Control

478 Exercise Physiology

Requirements:

A total of 15 credit hours (5 courses) is needed to satisfy the minor in Exercise Science. No substitutions are permitted. All courses must be taken on campus. Students are eligible to officially add the minor in Exercise Science after they have taken the above courses. Students are reminded that many of these courses have pre-requisites. A student who wishes to minor in Exercise Science should see F. Rife in the Exercise Science Department.

Exercise Science | Courses | Faculty