USC: Academic Bulletins

Overview

The mission of the Department of Exercise Science is to expand and disseminate the body of knowledge concerning the relationship between exercise participation and human health.

Programs of Study

The undergraduate program in exercise science is a rigorous science-based program designed primarily to prepare students for entry into post-baccalaureate/graduate programs in health-related fields. Courses are offered in three major tracks: health fitness, motor development, and scientific foundations. The health fitness track focuses on mastery of knowledge/techniques related to programming for enhancement of health through physical activity. The motor development track prepares students to analyze/diagnose motor deficiencies and to prescribe physical activities to improve motor function in individuals across the life span. The scientific foundations track provides an in-depth study in the basic sciences related to human physiology and physical activity.

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to the degree program offered by the Department of Exercise Science. Transfer admission requires department approval as well as prerequisites.

Transfer Admission

1. Students enrolled in other colleges on the Columbia campus must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and must have at least 12 USC credit hours.
2. Students from other USC campuses must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and must have taken at least 12 USC credit hours. Additionally, students from other USC campuses who have fewer than 30 semester hours must also meet Columbia campus freshman admission requirements.
3. Transfer students from regionally accredited institutions must present a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all college work taken. Students who have fewer than 30 semester hours of college work must also meet Columbia campus freshman admission requirements.

Retention and Progression Standards

1. If the semester, yearly, or cumulative grade point average of a student is below 2.00, the student will be notified in writing.
2. A student in exercise science must have an overall C average and complete the following courses with a grade of C or better before enrolling in any course in exercise science: ENGL 101, ENGL 102, BIOL 101/101L, BIOL 102/102L, CHEM 111, and MATH 141.
3. A student in exercise science must earn a grade of C or higher in all departmental course work (EXSC), in cognate courses, and in PHYS 201/201L, PHYS 202/202L, and CHEM 112.
4. An exercise science major may attempt an EXSC course and the courses listed in paragraph three above a maximum of two times to fulfill the requirement. A grade of W will be included as an attempt.
5. An exercise science major may repeat a maximum of three EXSC courses.
6. An exercise science major must receive a grade of C or higher in any course in order for it to serve as a prerequisite.

Attendance Requirements

Students enrolled in the Department of Exercise Science are subject to attendance regulations of the University described elsewhere in the bulletin.

When a student enrolls in a particular course, the student is obligated for all the work which may be assigned. Punctual and regular attendance is vital to the discharge of this obligation. The student is responsible for all assigned work in a course, and absences, excused or not, do not absolve the student of this responsibility.

Degree Requirements

1. General Education Requirements (47 hours)

Language Arts (ENGL 101 and 102 and THSP 140 or one of ENGL 283, 285, 287, 288, or 289) (9 hours)
Natural Sciences (BIOL 10l, 101L; BIOL 102, 102L; CHEM 111; PHYS 201, 201L) (16 hours)
Quantitative (MATH 141 and STAT 201) (7 hours)
Liberal Arts (PSYC 101, SOCY 101, history elective plus an additional social science elective) (12 hours)
ARTE 360 (3 hours)
Foreign Languages--Students shall demonstrate in one foreign language the ability to comprehend the topic and main ideas in written and, with the exception of Latin and Ancient Greek, spoken texts on familiar subjects. This ability can be demonstrated by achieving a score of two or better on a USC foreign language test. Those failing to do so must satisfactorily complete equivalent study of foreign language at USC.

2. Exercise Science Core Requirements (30 hours)

CSCE 101 or 102; UNIV 101; EXSC 191, 223, 224, 351, 530, 530L, 531, 535.

3. Track Requirements

Health Fitness (46 hours)
CHEM 112 or PHYS 202 and 202L (4 hours)
EXSC 341 (3 hours total), 410, 454, 481 (18 hours)
HPRE 502 or EXSC 507 (3 hours)
PSYC 420 or 523 or EXSC 563 (3 hours)
SPTE 325 (3 hours)
Cognate* (9 hours)
Electives* (6 hours)
Total (123 hours)

Motor Development (50 hours)
CHEM 112 or PHYS 202 and 202L (4 hours)
EXSC 303, 342 (3 hours total), 410, 482, 562, 563 (24 hours)
HPRE 502 or EXSC 507 (3 hours)
PSYC 420 or 523 (3 hours)
PEDU 141 or 142 (1 hour)
Cognate* (9 hours)
Electives* (6 hours)
Total (127 hours)

Scientific Foundations (45 hours)
BIOL 302, 302L, CHEM 112, 333, 331L, 334, 332L, PHYS 202, 202L (20 hours)
CHEM 550, 550L or BIOL 541, 541L (4 hours)
EXSC 395 (3 hours)
EXSC 499 (3 hours)
PSYC 460 or EXSC 410 or 563 (3 hours)
Electives* (12 hours)
Total (122 hours)

*Advisor approved.

Course Descriptions (EXSC)

101 -- Lifetime Physical Activity. (1) Principles of behavior changes and skills necessary to promote lifelong physical activity.
191 -- Introduction to Exercise Science. (3) (Coreq: EXSC 101) The concepts of exercise physiology and motor control.
223 -- Anatomy and Physiology I. (4) (Prereq: ENGL 101, 102; BIOL 102, 102L; CHEM 111; MATH 141) The structure and functions of the human body: the skeletal, articular, nervous, and muscular systems. Three lecture, one recitation, and two laboratory hours per week.
224 -- Anatomy and Physiology II. (4) (Prereq: EXSC 223 or consent of instructor) The structure and functions of the human body: the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Three lecture, one recitation, and two laboratory hours per week.
303 -- Perceptual-Motor Development. (3) (Prereq: EXSC 223) Theoretical foundations and clinical experience in human physical growth and motor development.
341A -- Health Fitness Practicum. (1) (Prereq: EXSC 223 and 224) First hour of a supervised practicum in a clinical setting for the Health Fitness Track.
341B -- Health Fitness Practicum. (1) (Prereq: EXSC 223 and 224) Second hour of a supervised practicum in a clinical setting for the Health Fitness Track.
341C -- Health Fitness Practicum. (1) (Prereq: EXSC 223 and 224) Third hour of a supervised practicum in a clinical setting for the Health Fitness Track.
342A -- Motor Development Practicum. (1 each) (Prereq: EXSC 303) First hour of a supervised practicum in a clinical setting for the Motor Development Track.
342B -- Motor Development Practicum. (1 each) (Prereq: EXSC 303) Second hour of a supervised practicum in a clinical setting for the Motor Development Track.
342C -- Motor Development Practicum. (1 each) (Prereq: EXSC 303) Third hour of a supervised practicum in a clinical setting for the Motor Development Track.
343 -- Practicum in Exercise Science. (1-3) (Prereq: EXSC 223) Supervised practicum in a research or clinical setting for scientific-foundations track.
351 -- Acquisition of Motor Skills. (3) (Prereq: EXSC 223) Scientific and behavioral foundation of the learning and performance of motor skills.
395 -- Research Seminar in Exercise Science. (3) The research process in exercise science; participation in, presentation and discussion of current research.
410 -- Psychology of Physical Activity. {=PSYC 565} (3) (Prereq: EXSC 224 or consent of instructor) Introduction to psychosocial factors in physical activity. Topics include mental health effects of exercise, behavior change theories applied to physical activity, and physical activity determinants and interventions.
454 -- Health/Fitness Programs. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) Design and implementation of health/fitness programs.
481 -- Practicum in Community Fitness Programs. (9) (Prereq: EXSC 341a,b,c) Supervised experience in the administration of community-based fitness programs. Concurrent seminar with the supervising instructor.
482 -- Practicum in Motor Development. (9) (Prereq: EXSC 342 a,b, c) Supervised practical experience in clinical and/or field setting; individualized program and activity planning, and evaluation of neuromuscular abilities.
499 -- Independent Study. (1-3) (Prereq: EXSC 395) Enrollment and topic to be approved in advance by advisor and instructor.
507 -- Exercise, Sport, and Nutrition. (3) (Prereq: EXSC 224) The relationship between exercise, sport performance, and nutrient metabolism.
530 -- The Physiology of Muscular Activity. (3) (Prereq: EXSC 223 and 224) The individual and combined roles of the major organ systems of the body in maintaining homeostasis during muscular exercise.
530L -- Physiology of Muscular Activity Lab. (1) Laboratory procedures in exercise physiology; measurement of physical fitness components.
531 -- Adult Fitness Program. (3) (Prereq: EXSC 530 or consent of instructor) Scientific bases of clinical exercise programming. The fitness instructor's role in encouraging changes in exercise behavior.
535 -- Biomechanics of Human Movement. (3) (Prereq: EXSC 223, 224, PHYS 201) Kinetic and kinematic principles governing efficient human movement. Selected methods of analyzing human movement will be reviewed.
555 -- Current Topics in Exercise Science. (1-3)
562 -- Impairments of the Human Motor System. (3) (Prereq: biology, anatomy, physiology, or the equivalent) Role of motor development in the growth and development of individuals exhibiting impaired motor control.
563 -- Physical Activity and the Physical Dimensions of Aging. (3) (Prereqs: EXSC 351 and 530 or consent of instructor) The effects of age and physical activity on physical and motor functions of elderly individuals.

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