Exercise Science is an interdisciplinary field tying together traditional disciplines as biology, physiology, psychology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, genetics, nutrition, and sociology to facilitate an understanding of the links between physical activity, exercise, fitness, performance, diet, and health.
Exercise Science has become an increasingly valued discipline within public health, the medical community, and even high-performance environments. Exercise has even been acknowledged for its role in the treatment of heart disease, hypertension, obesity, type II diabetes, cancer, depression, anxiety, and other chronic diseases & stress related disorders.
The mission of the Department of Exercise Science (EXSC) is to promote an environment of excellence and achievement in human health and performance. As part of our forward-thinking vision, EXSC is used as a resource to train the next generation of scientists and practitioners in the latest techniques and technologies in the field. In addition to advancing the science, we emphasize translation of this research for greater integration into practice and application.
The department’s Ph.D. program has consistently been ranked as one of the top 5 programs in the United States by the National Academy of Kinesiology. Our program prepares graduates for entry into positions in universities, colleges, research oriented settings, and industry. Specific areas of research specialties correspond to those listed for the departmental faculty.
In addition to the bachelor degree in exercise science, we offer four advanced degrees. Each graduate degree has specific application deadlines and requirements.
Just one year after receiving the top service award from the National Association of Athletic Trainers, Toni Torres-McGehee has been selected as the winner of the 2024 USC Educational Foundation Outstanding Service Award.
A nationwide search is underway for the next dean of the Arnold School, and Chandler is prepared to hand over the reins after 17 years as its leader. His office is packed, and, here, he unpacks his reflections on his tenure as dean.
After graduating in May, Professional Athletic Training Student Above and Beyond Award winner Kimberly Nardi will begin working with professional and collegiate athletes at a performance-based sports complex in Georgia.
Exercise science assistant professor Bridget Armstrong has been awarded $3.5 million from the National Institutes of Health to test the effectiveness of PATCH, a wearable device designed to measure children's routine activities.
Funded with $3.5 million from the National Institutes of Health, the exercise science associate professor will be looking for patterns of weight gains and BMI increases based on behavioral, social, environmental and biological factors.
Inspired by his practicum experience at a rehabilitation hospital during his B.S. in Exercise Science program, '07 alumnus Christopher Gaskins forged a career in occupational therapy and neuroscience while working with stroke and military populations.