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:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- 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 110 | Biology: Atoms to CellsLAS1LASL | 4 |
| BIO 210 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 341 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIO 350 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry ILAS1 | 4 |
| CHEM 111L | Principles of Chemistry I LaboratoryLAS1LASL | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 112L | Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 220 | Introductory Physics ILAS1LASL | 5 |
| PSY 120 | Principles of PsychologyLAB3 | 3 |
| SES 123 | Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science | 3 |
| SES 220 | Anatomical KinesiologyLAS1LASL | 4 |
| SES 322 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| SES 324 | Exercise Physiology II | 3 |
| SES 331 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| SES 490 | Exercise Assessment and Programming | 3 |
| SES 492 | Internship in Sport and Exercise Science | 6-12 |
| STAT 150 | Introduction to Statistical AnalysisLAX1 | 3 |
Choose 24 credits from the following courses:
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 110 | Biology: Atoms to CellsLAS1LASL | 4 |
| ENG 122 | College CompositionLAW1 | 3 |
| SES 123 | Introduction 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 111 | Principles of Chemistry ILAS1 | 4 |
| CHEM 111L | Principles of Chemistry I LaboratoryLAS1LASL | 1 |
| SES 220 | Anatomical KinesiologyLAS1LASL | 4 |
| STAT 150 | Introduction to Statistical AnalysisLAX1 | 3 |
| | LAC Intermediate WritingLAW2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year 2 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| BIO 210 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 112L | Principles 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 350 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| PSY 120 | Principles 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 341 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| SES 322 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4 | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| SES 324 | Exercise Physiology II | 3 |
| SES 331 | Biomechanics | 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 220 | Introductory Physics ILAS1LASL | 5 |
| SES 490 | Exercise Assessment and Programming | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring Semester
| SES 492 | Internship in Sport and Exercise Science | 6-12 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 2 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
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.