Exercise Science Courses


Exercise Science Courses

As an Exercise Science major, you’ll be prepared to enter a multitude of health-related careers and also pursue certifications offered by major sports medicine organizations.

Course Outline

Students in the Exercise Science program will develop a sound science background and communication and writing skills necessary to apply their knowledge to practical hands-on situations. The program also prepares students who are interested in post-graduate study in Exercise Science, and serves as an option for students interested in completing the prerequisites for admission into a variety of professional programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, etc. Below are course descriptions and prerequisites.

exercise science student showing graph
BIO 231 Anatomy and Physiology I

Prerequisite: C- or Better in BIO 101 and 102

BIO 231 is the first course in a two-semester sequence that studies the structures and functions of the human body. Topics covered in BIO 231 include chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of organization and the integumentary, skeletal, muscle, and nervous systems. The general and special senses are also discussed. 3 Lecture and 2 Laboratory hours per week.

BIO 232 Anatomy and Physiology II

Prerequisite: BIO 231

BIO 232 is the second course in a two-semester sequence that studies the structures and functions of the human body. Topics covered in BIO 232 include the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Themes of metabolism, homeostasis, and development are emphasized throughout. 3 Lecture and 2 Laboratory hours per week.

CHM 111, 112 General Chemistry I with Laboratory

Prerequisite: MAT 113 or 115 or 121 or instructor’s approval

General Chemistry I deals with basic descriptions of matter at the atomic and

molecular level. Major topics discussed include balancing chemical reactions, behavior of gases, energy of reactions and bonding theories. General Chemistry I lab allows students to perform experiments to discover how theories discussed in lecture are derived from laboratory observations. (offered every semester)

MAT 113, MAT 115 or MAT 121

MAT 113 College Algebra

Prerequisite: MAT 092 with a grade of C- or higher or placement above MAT 092

Basic algebra, equations and algebraic inequalities, graphs of equations, functions and their graphs, roots, radicals and complex numbers, polynomials and rational functions, systems of equations and inequalities. (offered every semester)

MAT 115 Trigonometry

Prerequisite: MAT 113 or permission of instructor

Trigonometric functions, right triangle trigonometry, solving oblique triangles,

graphing trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, applications of trigonometry, complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions. (offered every Spring)

MAT 121 Calculus I

Prerequisite: MAT 113 and 115 or permission of instructor

Topics will include the Cartesian plane and functions of one variable, limits and their properties, differentiation, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, integration and applications of differentiation and integration. (offered every Fall)

EXS 190 Introduction to Exercise Science

A course designed to help the student define professional goals and assess personal strengths and weaknesses in light of competencies deemed essential for an exercise science career. This course is an overview of professions in the field of exercise science. Objectives include describing various aspects of careers, professional certification and involvement, determining requirements for advanced study and learning the necessary coursework required for a variety of career opportunities.

EXS 191 Research Topics

An area of study of interest to the student and usually taught on a one-on-one basis between a faculty member and the student.

EXS 195 Special Topics

A study of selected topics.

EXS 214 Foundations in Wellness and Personal Training

Prerequisite: Sophomore Status

This course is intended to introduce foundational concepts in Exercise Science. The course will examine strength, speed, cardiovascular and flexibility training through the use of foundational concepts related to physiology, anatomy, kinesiology and psychology. Students will learn introductory techniques for appropriate exercise program design, safe exercise technique and the ways to assess physical improvement in clients.

EXS 235 First Aid and CPR

An investigation of the procedures and practical application of first aid treatment compatible with a typical educational system. This course will be designed to prepare the potential teacher to meet the everyday situations which might arise.

EXS 305 Health Promotion and Behavior Changes

Explores methods appropriate to the promotion and implementation of health/wellness programs in the hospital, community and corporate settings. Students use various models to assess needs, define goals and objectives, implement programs and evaluate success/failure at both the programmatic and participant level.

EXS 315 Nutrition and Human Performance

Prerequisite: NTR 300

Study of the application of principles of nutrition to exercise and sports performance. Importance of nutrition in the training programs of athletes and physically active individuals. Application of nutrition and exercise to diseases of inactivity such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, CHD and osteoporosis.

EXS 318 Kinesiology and Biomechanics

Prerequisites: Grade of C- or better in BIO 231 or 232 or EXS 214

Analysis of the anatomical, mechanical, neurophysiological and functional aspects of human movement.

EXS 324 Exercise Physiology

Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in BIO 231 or 232 or EXS 214

The functioning of the systems in the human body as the body meets the stress of the physical demands placed upon it.

EXS 325 Techniques in Evaluating Fitness

Laboratory techniques, procedures and protocols and exercise prescription. Designed to develop skills in using bicycle ergometers, treadmills, skin fold calipers, strength dynamometers and other fitness assessment equipment.

EXS 345 Research and Statistics in Exercise Science

This course introduces the design and application of research methodologies in exercise and sport science. This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the research process, including but not limited to developing a problem, writing a literature review, writing an introduction, formulating the method, examining useful statistic techniques, data collection, summarizing the results and developing a discussion. The student will formulate an original research project that will culminate in the collection of pilot data and analysis of results. (writing intensive)

EXS 351 Principles of Athletic Training

Prerequisites: Grade of C- or better in EXS 214 or EXS 324

Development of the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and manage athletic injuries. Practical application in taping and bandaging.

EXS 380 Junior Seminar Exercise Science

Course provides an opportunity for junior-level Exercise Science students to prepare for practicum experiences and transition to professional practice or graduate school. Preparation for professional certification examinations and post-graduate professional development will be examined.

EXS 425 Advanced Techniques in Evaluating Fitness

Prerequisites: EXS 324 and 325

This course is designed to introduce students to advanced techniques for evaluating fitness in exercise physiology. The course will provide conceptual understanding and practical application for various techniques used in the evaluation of athletic performance and disease conditions.

EXS 430 Strength and Conditioning

Prerequisites: Grade of C- or better in EXS 214 or EXS 324

Presents concepts, theories, techniques and research related to designing, implementing and evaluating safe and effective strength, training and conditioning programs.

EXS 450 Clinical Exercise Physiology I

Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in EXS 214 or EXS 324

The course is designed to provide the students with current information concerning exercise testing and prescription of apparently healthy and special populations. Additionally, the physiology and pathophysiology of various vascular and pulmonary disease processes along with their implications on the exercise testing and prescription will also be presented. (writing intensive)

EXS 460 Clinical Exercise Physiology II

Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in EXS 214 or EXS 324

The course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of various endocrinology and metabolic orthopedic and selected neuromuscular disorders. Information regarding exercise prescription for these populations will also be presented. (writing intensive)

EXS 480 Practicum

Prerequisite: EXS 380 or Instructor Permission

Students spend approximately 150 hours of field experience during the course of the semester working on campus in the area of personal training and strength and conditioning. If warranted, students will be allowed to work off campus in the areas of employee/corporate fitness, older adults’ fitness and/or physical therapy. While involved in off campus experience, students are expected to shadow, observe and take on limited responsibilities in agreement with the field supervisor.

EXS 481 Internship

Prerequisite: EXS 380 or Instructor Permission

Students spend approximately 200 hours of field experience during the course of the semester working off campus in the areas of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, employee/corporate fitness, older adults’ fitness, strength and conditioning and/or physical therapy. While involved in the off campus experience, students are expected to use information from all previous coursework and take an active role in the work requirements in agreement with the field supervisor.

EXS 491 Research Topics

An area of study of interest to the student and usually taught on a one-on-one basis between a faculty member and the student.

EXS 495 Special Topics

A study of selected topics.

NTR 300 Basic Nutrition

A study of nutrition principles with special attention to nutrition for various lifestyles, including the chemistry of digestion, metabolism and nutritive requirements of the body during the life cycle.

North Carolina Wesleyan University is one of only 156 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise is Medicine® initiative for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Campus-wide initiatives focused on physical activity and health at the College helped Wesleyan earn silver-level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program.


Exercise Science External Resources


Slippery Rock University Articulation Agreement

The NC Wesleyan Exercise Science Program has partnered with Slippery Rock University to offer options that will allow our students the opportunity to transition seamlessly into the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at SRU. This athletic training program provides rigorous academic curricula and a superior hands-on, patient-centered clinical experience. Read entire article – Master of Science in Athletic Training at SRU-An Articulation Agreement.

Master of Science in Athletic Training Articulation Agreement with SRU