Exercise Science Option

The exercise science option within the Health and Human Performance (HHP) major focuses on both clinical and performance-based understandings of human movement. The exercise science option emphasizes a cross-disciplinary understanding of human movement through non-departmental courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, math, and statistics. These courses then serve as the foundation for mechanical (e.g., biomechanics) and nutritional perspectives within the departmental courses. The exercise science option specifically allows students to customize their junior and senior year course work as needed for later application to health-related graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical physician assistant, sports medicine, exercise science graduate programs (exercise physiology, health promotion, biomechanics), as well as medical school. Additional careers for exercise science students can include those within the health and fitness industry (e.g., those requiring ACSM Health-Fitness Instructors and/or Exercise Test Technologist certifications), corporate wellness programs, exercise rehabilitation programs (cardiac rehabilitation, gait laboratories, sport medicine facilities, older adult programs, etc.), as well as careers in the sport and rehabilitative medicine equipment industries. Regardless of a student's career goals, each student's course work will culminate in one of the following "capstone experience" courses: HDPE 465, Exercise Testing and Prescription; HDPE 489/490, Undergraduate Research; or a preapproved internship (HDPE 475/HHD476). Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in all upper division department core courses for graduation.

Click to see what our students have to
say about Health and Human Performance!