Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
The Exercise Science program at the University of Kansas prepares students for a variety of career paths after graduation, including admission to most physical therapy schools. Graduates may also work in agencies that dispense health- and fitness-related programs, such as commercial or private health and fitness centers, hospital exercise and cardiac rehabilitation programs, and corporate fitness centers or apply for graduate study in exercise physiology. It also serves as a foundation for graduate-level work in health sciences, such as nursing, chiropractic, medicine (physician assistant, medical doctor, etc.), physical/occupational therapy or dietetics. The program combines rigorous coursework in the sciences with exercise science classes such as biomechanics, exercise biochemistry and neuromuscular exercise physiology.
Incoming Freshman Students: Students can be admitted into the Exercise Science program as freshmen if they meet KU’s assured admission standards and declare Exercise Science as their major.
Incoming Transfer Students: Students can be admitted into Exercise Science as transfer students if they are admitted to KU, declare Exercise Science as their major, and meet the following criteria:
- A KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
Current KU Students: Students can be admitted into Sport Management or Exercise Science as current KU students if they meet the following criteria:
- A KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
Students that do not meet the requirements above can petition through the online SOEHS Admission Petition form.
For information about initial admission to KU, visit the Office of Admissions. Visit the Office of International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Primary responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the student.
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Complete an approved program with a minimum of 120 credit hours of course work. At least 30 hours must be taken in residence.
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A 2.75 minimum KU + Transfer Cumulative grade-point average for all academic coursework, including transfer hours.
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Other general regulations of the School and University, including KU Core Goal requirements.
- Successful completion of internship or required electives.
Requirements to begin internship, if student elects to complete an internship:
- A minimum KU + Transfer Cumulative grade-point average of 2.75.
- All program requirements must be completed before internship.
B.S. in Exercise Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | ||
MATH 101 College Algebra is the designated "math pathway" course. This course will fulfill your Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement. | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| BIOL 100 | Principles of Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL 150 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | |
| BIOL 102 | Principles of Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| HSES 269 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| HSES 305 | Methods of Strength Training and Conditioning | 3 |
| HSES 310 | Research and Data Analysis in Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences | 3 |
| HSES 330 | Principles of Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| HSES 350 | Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries | 3 |
| HSES 369 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| HSES 372 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| HSES 375 | Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology and Motor Control | 3 |
| HSES 470 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| HSES 474 | Exercise Biochemistry | 3 |
| HSES 373 | Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 240 | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOL 241 | Human Anatomy Observation Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 246 | Principles of Human Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 247 | Principles of Human Physiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 200 | Basic Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 203 | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 135 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| MATH 103 | Trigonometry | 2-5 |
| or MATH 104 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| or MATH 115 | Calculus I | |
| or MATH 125 | Calculus I | |
| PHSX 114 | College Physics I | 4 |
| PHSX 115 | College Physics II | 4 |
| Select 11 credit hours from the following list of electives, minors, or certificate programs | 11 | |
| Study Abroad Topics in: _____ (1-3) | ||
| Principles of Personal Training (3) 4 | ||
| Tactical Strength and Conditioning (3) 4 | ||
| Foundations of Sport Science 3 | ||
| Sport and Exercise Nutrition (3) 4 | ||
| Clinical Field Experience (1-6) | ||
| Health and Pathophysiology (3) 4 | ||
| Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (3) 4 | ||
| Health Aspects of Aging (3) 3 | ||
| Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (3) 3 | ||
| Undergraduate Research in Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences (1-6) | ||
| Health and Human Sexuality (3) 3 | ||
| Independent Study (1-3) | ||
| Internship in: _____ (Exercise Science) (15) 2 | ||
| Special Course: _____ (1-5) | ||
| Culture and Health | ||
| Culture and Health, Honors | ||
| Introduction to Child Behavior and Development (3) | ||
| Culture and Health | ||
| Culture and Health, Honors | ||
| Culture and Health | ||
| Culture and Health, Honors | ||
| Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | ||
| Principles of Genetics (4) | ||
| Immunology (3) | ||
| Fundamentals of Microbiology | ||
| Immunology Laboratory (2) | ||
| Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures (3) | ||
| Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory (2) | ||
| Biochemistry I (4) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I (3) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II (3) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (2) | ||
| Medical Terminology: Greek and Latin Roots | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Elementary Statistics (3) 7 | ||
| Medical Ethics: Life and Death Issues | ||
| Child Development (3) ) | ||
| Psychological Disorders (3) ) | ||
| Elements of Sociology (3) 3 | ||
| Principles of Sociology (3) 4 | ||
| Sociology of Health and Medicine (3) | ||
| Spanish for Health Care Workers (3) | ||
| A maximum of 6 credit hours of foreign language courses can be counted as required electives credit | ||
| Healthcare Delivery Systems (3) | ||
| Legal Aspects of Healthcare (3) | ||
| Health Information Systems (3) | ||
| Quality and Performance Improvement in Healthcare (3) | ||
| Introduction to Healthcare Management (3) | ||
| Healthcare Reimbursement (3) 5 | ||
| Capstone | ||
| HSES 473 | Clinical Fitness Evaluation Techniques | 3 |
| Total Hours | 120-123 | |
Sport Management Minor 5, Business Minor 5, Entrepreneurship Certificate, Psychology Minor 5, Sport & Exercise Psychology Minor, Public and Population Health Minor 4,5, Nutrition Minor 4,5.
- 1
Must have a minimum grade of "C-" or better.
- 2
Students may apply for an internship at an approved site once all coursework is completed. A 2.75 KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA is required before one can apply for an internship. Internship students are required to be present at the internship site a minimum of 40 hours per week for 16 weeks - NO EXCEPTIONS.
- 3
Currently, only offered on the Lawrence Campus
- 4
Currently, only offered on the Edwards Campus
- 5
A list minor may be declared and completed in its entirely OR taken as individual courses toward the required 11 elective hours.
- 6
Trigonometry must be completed as a sequence to MATH 101 (College Algebra) to meet degree requirements, unless a higher-level math is completed in its place (MATH 104-Precalculus Mathematics, MATH 115-Calculus I, or MATH 125-Calculus I).
- 7
MATH 365 cannot be completed for credit if a student has already earned credit for MATH 107
This is a sample plan of study. Students should consult with their academic advisor to create an individualized plan for degree completion.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (Core 34: English (SGE))010* | 3 | ENGL 102 (Core 34: English (SGE))010* | 3 |
| MATH 101 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 3 | MATH 103 | 2 |
| BIOL 100 or 150 | 3 | BIOL 240 | 3 |
| BIOL 102 | 1 | COMS 130 (Core 34: Communications (SGE))020* | 3 |
| PSYC 104 (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE))050* | 3 | Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences Lecture (SGE)040 | 3 |
| HSES 269 | 3 | Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences Lab (SGE)040 | 1 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 246 | 3 | BIOL 247 | 2 |
| BIOL 241 | 2 | CHEM 135 | 5 |
| CHEM 130 | 5 | HSES 350 | 3 |
| PHIL 160 (Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE))060* | 3 | Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 |
| HSES 330 | 3 | Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 310 | 3 | HSES 375 | 3 |
| HSES 369 | 3 | HSES 470 | 3 |
| HSES 372 | 3 | BIOL 200 | 3 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | BIOL 203 | 2 |
| Required Elective1 | 3 | PHSX 114 | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 305 | 3 | HSES 473 | 3 |
| HSES 373 | 3 | HSES 474 | 3 |
| PHSX 115 | 4 | Required Elective1 | 3 |
| Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Required Elective1 | 3 |
| Required Elective1 | 2 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
- 1
Courses that fulfill the Required Elective requirement.
Notes:
* - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Identify the core scientific principles that underpin exercise science and physical activity.
- Locate accurate, reliable, peer reviewed scientific information and critically evaluate research and data in exercise science.
- Evaluate and design exercise technique and exercise programs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of risk assessment and injury prevention.
- Provide evidence of participation in activities that enhance collaboration and lead to professional growth and development.