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 Human Performance program is designed to provide students quality academic and professional preparation in the scientific study of human movement. The program offers a sound theoretical foundation and practical applications. Graduates will be prepared to work in one or more of the following areas: cardiac rehabilitation, gerontological fitness, fitness and exercise program management, conditioning of athletes, biomechanics, ergonomics, sport and exercise leadership, and /or stress management. The Human Performance program is a National Strength and Conditioning Association education recognition program.
Program Requirements:
- Prior to registering for SES 492, students must complete all SES prefix courses with a GPA of 2.7 or better, have a 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 64 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
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
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.
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
CHEM 281, CHEM 281L, 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 — 64 credits
Take all of the following courses:
| BIO 245 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| BIO 246 | Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| CHEM 281 | Fundamentals of BiochemistryLAS1 | 3 |
| CHEM 281L | Fundamentals of Biochemistry LaboratoryLAS1LASL | 1 |
| SES 123 | Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science | 3 |
| SES 220 | Anatomical KinesiologyLAS1LASL | 4 |
| SES 221 | Weight Training Techniques | 1 |
| SES 280 | Prevention and Care of Sports Injuries | 3 |
| SES 322 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| SES 324 | Exercise Physiology II | 3 |
| SES 331 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| SES 333 | Psychology of Exercise and Physical Activity | 3 |
| SES 426 | Motor Control | 3 |
| SES 490 | Exercise Assessment and Programming | 3 |
| SES 492 | Internship in Sport and Exercise Science | 6-12 |
Note: SES 492: Take 12 credits total; can be taken in 6 credit semester blocks.
Choose 12 credits from the following courses:
Minimum of 6 credits must be from these courses:
| SES 323 | Motor Learning and Development | 3 |
| SES 405 | Exercise Oncology | 3 |
| SES 410 | Cardiac Rehabilitation | 3 |
| SES 431 | Advanced Methods in Biomechanics | 3 |
| SES 480 | Advanced Functional Assessment of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
Remaining credits may also include:
| SES 335 | Principles of Coaching | 3 |
| SES 337 | Sport for High Performance Athletes | 3 |
| SES 424 | Complementary and Integrative Health | 3 |
| SES 436 | Social Influences on Sport and Exercise Behavior | 3 |
3. University Wide Credits — 25 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 25 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 Notes
This concentration is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) education recognition program. Students wishing to participate in the NSCA recognition program should consult their advisor.
By including BIO 110, FND 250, PHYS 220, PSY 120, STAT 150 within LAC choices or university-wide electives, all pre-requisite courses will be met for UNC’s M.S. Athletic Training program.
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
| CHEM 281 | Fundamentals of BiochemistryLAS1 | 3 |
| CHEM 281L | Fundamentals of Biochemistry LaboratoryLAS1LASL | 1 |
| ENG 122 | College CompositionLAW1 | 3 |
| SES 123 | Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
LAC Arts and Humanities: Choose U.S. Multicultural Studies (MS) or International Studies (IS) course.
Spring Semester
| SES 220 | Anatomical KinesiologyLAS1LASL | 4 |
| | LAC Intermediate WritingLAW2 | 3 |
| | LAC MathematicsLAX1 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Year 2 – 32 credits
Fall Semester
| BIO 245 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| | LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4 | 3 |
| | LAC HistoryLAH1 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 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
| BIO 246 | Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| SES 280 | Prevention and Care of Sports Injuries | 3 |
| | LAC Social and Behavioral SciencesLAB1LAB2LAB3 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Year 3 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| SES 221 | Weight Training Techniques | 1 |
| SES 322 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| SES 324 | Exercise Physiology II | 3 |
| SES 331 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| SES 333 | Psychology of Exercise and Physical Activity | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year 4 – 27 credits
Fall Semester
| SES 426 | Motor Control | 3 |
| SES 490 | Exercise Assessment and Programming | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| SES 492 | Internship in Sport and Exercise Science | 6-12 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
SES 492: Take 12 credits; can be taken in 6-credit blocks.
Advising Notes –
- This concentration is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) education recognition program. Students wishing to participate in the NSCA recognition program should consult their advisor.
- 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.