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**Review** Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026

Sport and Exercise Science B.S. – Exercise Science Concentration

Program Overview

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Contact: Gary D. Heise, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

Location: Gunter 2620

Telephone: 970-351-1738

Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/sport-exercise-science/

Advising Information:

Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.

To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.

The program consists of three parts:

  1. Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
  2. Required Major Credits
  3. University-Wide Credits

Program Description:

The Exercise Science program is designed to provide students quality academic and professional preparation in the scientific study of exercise science and post-graduate degrees. The program offers a sound theoretical foundation and clinical applications. Graduates will be prepared to pursue enrollment in physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, physician assistant, or other health related professional programs. The Exercise Science program is a National Strength and Conditioning Association education recognition program.

Program Admission Requirements:

Academic Good Standing

Program Requirements:

  • Prior to registering for SES 492, students must complete all SES prefix courses with a GPA of 2.7 or better, have current CPR certification, and have consent of the Internship Director. In addition, the SES Internship Request Form must be submitted two weeks before the start of Final Exam week of the PRIOR SEMESTER. This request requires students to secure an internship experience and provide details of the internship site and supervisor.

Degree Requirements — 120 Credits

1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits

To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the 85 required major credits.

Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.

Written Communication — 6 credits

Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.

See Written Communication courses

Mathematics — 3 credits

STAT 150 is recommended to fulfill Mathematics requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.

See Mathematics courses

Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits

To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.

PSY 120 is recommended to fulfill Social & Behavioral Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.

See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses

Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits

BIO 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 111L, PHYS 220, and SES 220 are recommended to fulfill Natural & Physical Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.

See Natural & Physical Sciences courses

See Liberal Arts Curriculum

2. Required Major — 85 credits

Take all of the following courses:

BIO 110Biology: Atoms to CellsLAS1LASL

4

BIO 210Cell Biology

3

BIO 341Human Anatomy

4

BIO 350Human Physiology

4

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry ILAS1

4

CHEM 111LPrinciples of Chemistry I LaboratoryLAS1LASL

1

CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4

CHEM 112LPrinciples of Chemistry II Laboratory

1

PHYS 220Introductory Physics ILAS1LASL

5

PSY 120Principles of PsychologyLAB3

3

SES 123Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science

3

SES 220Anatomical KinesiologyLAS1LASL

4

SES 322Exercise Physiology I

3

SES 324Exercise Physiology II

3

SES 331Biomechanics

3

SES 490Exercise Assessment and Programming

3

SES 492Internship in Sport and Exercise Science

6-12

STAT 150Introduction to Statistical AnalysisLAX1

3

Note: SES 492: Take 6 credits

Choose 24 credits from the following courses:

BIO 220Genetics

4

BIO 325Introduction to Cancer Biology

3

BIO 351Microbiology

4

CHEM 331Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 331LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory

1

CHEM 332Organic Chemistry II

4

CHEM 332LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory

1

FND 210Medical Terminology

2

PHYS 221Introductory Physics II

5

PSY 230Lifespan DevelopmentLAB3

3

PSY 255Introduction to Mental Health

3

SES 280Prevention and Care of Sports Injuries

3

SES 323Motor Learning and Development

3

SES 333Psychology of Exercise and Physical Activity

3

SES 405Exercise Oncology

3

SES 410Cardiac Rehabilitation

3

SES 424Complementary and Integrative Health

3

SES 426Motor Control

3

SES 431Advanced Methods in Biomechanics

3

SES 436Social Influences on Sport and Exercise Behavior

3

3. University-Wide Credits — 4 credits*

Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 4 credits.

*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.

Program Note

By taking FND 250 as a university-wide elective, all pre-requisite courses will be met for UNC’s M.S. degree in Athletic Training.

Four Year Plan

This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor's degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance. 

Year 1 – 31 credits

Fall Semester

BIO 110Biology: Atoms to CellsLAS1LASL

4

ENG 122College CompositionLAW1

3

SES 123Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science

3

LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4

3

University-Wide Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:16

LAC Arts and Humanities: Choose U.S. Multicultural Studies (MS) or International Studies (IS) course.

Spring Semester

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry ILAS1

4

CHEM 111LPrinciples of Chemistry I LaboratoryLAS1LASL

1

SES 220Anatomical KinesiologyLAS1LASL

4

STAT 150Introduction to Statistical AnalysisLAX1

3

LAC Intermediate WritingLAW2

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Year 2 – 30 credits

Fall Semester

BIO 210Cell Biology

3

CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4

CHEM 112LPrinciples of Chemistry II Laboratory

1

Major Elective

3

LAC HistoryLAH1

3

Total Credit Hours:14

 LAC History: Choose U.S. Multicultural Studies (MS) or International Studies (IS) course.

Spring Semester

BIO 350Human Physiology

4

PSY 120Principles of PsychologyLAB3

3

Major Elective

3

University-Wide Elective

3

University-Wide Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Year 3 – 31 credits

Fall Semester

BIO 341Human Anatomy

4

SES 322Exercise Physiology I

3

LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4

3

Major Elective

3

Major Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Spring Semester

SES 324Exercise Physiology II

3

SES 331Biomechanics

3

LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1

3

Major Elective

3

Major Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Year 4 – 28 credits

Fall Semester

PHYS 220Introductory Physics ILAS1LASL

5

SES 490Exercise Assessment and Programming

3

Major Elective

3

Major Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:14

Spring Semester

SES 492Internship in Sport and Exercise Science

6-12

University-Wide Elective

2

University-Wide Elective

3

University-Wide Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:14

SES 492: Take 6 credits

Advising Notes –

  • Students without a solid background in algebra (or just in mathematics) are strongly recommended to take MATH 124 prior to PHYS 220.
  • Apply for graduation once you are registered for your final semester. Summer students must participate in the spring commencement ceremony. Summer students can apply after November 1st and must be registered for spring coursework.

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