Exercise Science, B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree program teaches students how the body responds to physical activity and exercise. The degree program provides valuable knowledge and experience in working with individuals to improve their health, fitness, and athletic performance, as well as assist in the prevention and possible reversal of chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Exercise Science degree program includes three concentrations: 1) Exercise Physiology, 2) Strength and Conditioning, and 3) Pre-Allied Health, allowing students access to many different career opportunities. The Exercise Science program curriculum is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in the fields of fitness, wellness, and sports. The program is structured to prepare students to sit for certification exams from gold-standard associations in the fields of exercise and sports science, such as the American College of Sports Medicine® (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association® (NSCA). The degree will also prepare students to enter advanced graduate degree programs in exercise science and health-related fields, such as, but not limited to, athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic medicine.

Students pursuing a degree in Exercise Science are required to complete the Exercise Science Core Curriculum courses, as well as choose at least one (1) concentration from the three (3) options below.

Exercise Science Core Curriculum:

52 credit hours

EXS 101 - Introduction to Exercise Science Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 102 - Reading and Investigation in Exercise Science Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 104 - Foundational Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise Science Semester Hour(s): 2
EXS 105 - Techniques in Strength and Conditioning Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 110 - First Aid, CPR/AED Certification Semester Hour(s): 2
EXS 211 - Health Fitness Facility Management Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 212 - Behavior Modification in Exercise Science Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 230 - Nutrition for Health Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 240 - Kinesiology Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 240L - Kinesiology Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 301 - Exercise Physiology Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 301L - Exercise Physiology Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 320 - Exercise Testing and Prescription Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 320L - Exercise Testing and Prescription Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 340 - Strength and Conditioning Theory and Practice Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 450 - Internship in Exercise Science I Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 101 - Introductory Biology I Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 101L - Introductory Biology I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
BI 102 - Introductory Biology II Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 102L - Introductory Biology II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
BI 220 - Medical Terminology Semester Hour(s): 2
BI 238 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 238L - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
BI 239 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 239L - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1

Exercise Physiology Concentration

22 credit hours

The Exercise Physiology Concentration allows students interested in exercise science to study the structure and function of the human body and how it responds to exercise in acute and chronic situations. It delivers an in-depth study of the special populations and their relationship with exercise. Upon completion of this concentration, students will be prepared to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologists® (ACSM-EP®) certification exam. Students graduating from this concentration can obtain careers in health and fitness facilities, such as, but not limited to, exercise physiologist, health and wellness coach, and fitness facility manager. This concentration is also ideal for students who may be interested in pursuing a graduate degree in a specialized field within exercise science, such as clinical exercise physiology.

EXS 303 - Physiology of Aging Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 304 - Exercise in Special Populations Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 302 - Advanced Exercise Physiology Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 305 - Cardiorespiratory Physiology Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 402 - Gross Anatomy & Applied Assessment Semester Hour(s): 2
EXS 402L - Gross Anatomy & Applied Assessment Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 422 - ACSM-EP Certification Exam Prep Semester Hour(s): 3
CH 103 - General Chemistry I Semester Hour(s): 3
CH 103L - General Chemistry I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1

Strength and Conditioning Concentration

19 credit hours

The Strength and Conditioning Concentration equips students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to assist individuals in enhancing athletic performance and decreasing the risk of sports-related injuries. This concentration prepares students for entry-level employment positions in strength and conditioning and personal fitness training, as well as advanced graduate-level education in the area of strength and conditioning. Upon the completion of this concentration, students will be prepared to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certification exam. The CSCS certification is required to work with athletes at various levels, such as high school, collegiate, and professional sports teams. The Strength and Conditioning concentration curriculum is recognized by the NSCA’s Education Recognition Program (ERP). This concentration also meets the academic requirements for students to sit for the Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) certification exam through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), specific to the field of collegiate strength and conditioning.

SA 221 - Sport Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 330 - Exercise and Sport Nutrition Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 420 - Advanced Concepts in Strength and Conditioning Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 420L - Advanced Concepts in Strength and Conditioning Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
EXS 430 - Athletic Injury Prevention Techniques Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 440 - NSCA CSCS Certification Exam Prep Semester Hour(s): 3
EXS 451 - Internship in Exercise Science II Semester Hour(s): 3

Pre-Allied Health Concentration

19 credit hours

The Pre-Allied Health Concentration is specifically designed for students in the Exercise Science major who have the goal of attending graduate school in a health-related field, such as, but not limited to, athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and chiropractic medicine. Additional chemistry and physics courses included within this concentration will assist in providing prerequisite courses commonly required for acceptance into the aforementioned health-related graduate degree programs. A bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science is the consummate undergraduate degree for individuals seeking employment within these health-related fields. Lake Erie College’s Exercise Science Pre-Allied Health concentration has an early assurance affiliation agreement with Bowling Green State University’s (BGSU) Master of Arts in Athletic Training (MAT), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) graduate degree programs.

CH 103 - General Chemistry I Semester Hour(s): 3
CH 103L - General Chemistry I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
CH 104 - General Chemistry II Semester Hour(s): 3
CH 104L - General Chemistry II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
MT 207 - Probability and Statistics Semester Hour(s): 3
PC 201 - General Physics I Semester Hour(s): 3
PC 201L - General Physics I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
PC 202 - General Physics II Semester Hour(s): 3
PC 202L - General Physics II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1

For more information on the program, please contact the Exercise Science faculty:

Ryan R. Fairall, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, CSCS - Assistant Professor of Exercise Science rfairall@lec.edu

Stacie M. Humm, Ph.D., ACSM-EP/CPT - Assistant Professor of Exercise Science shumm@lec.edu