Biology - Major in Biology Program

Year One

Fall 1:
EXSC 710 Advanced Exercise Physiology

This course focuses on integrative physiology and physiological responses to exercise including an overview of major organ systems and cellular metabolism during exercise, and physiological aspects of fatigue and factors influencing physical working capacity and performance. 3 credits.

EXSC 714 Client and Patient Assessment

This course provides the basic knowledge and skills to perform a detailed client/patient assessment including physical, behavioral, and psychological criteria. Students will learn how to integrate and synthesize assessment for information to apply it to the client's/patient's exercise program, refer to other health care providers as needed, and produce health care documentation. Student will develop skills of open-ended and guided questioning, and active listening to identify barriers to the client's/patient's willingness to change and provide strategies to help overcome them. 3 credits.

Fall 2:
EXSC 712 Sport Science

This course will provide an overview of sports performance as it expands on the key scientific underpinnings of sport science including physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, nutrition, and skill development to address the collection and use of data analysis, load monitoring, and performance technology. This course will examine the developing role of the sport scientist which includes knowledge of training theory, determining and evaluation key performance indicators, conducting athlete monitoring and assessments, and managing and disseminating complex performance information to coaches, players, and researchers. Students will engage in readings, discussions, and written assignments aimed at enhancing their ability to both understand and apply concepts to professional practice. Prerequisite: EXSC 710. 3 credits.

Winter:
EXSC 749 Sport Psychology

This course examines psychological theories and research related to sport and exercise behavior. A broad range of topics are discussed that are applicable to different career paths in exercise science and allied health professions. 3 credits.

Spring 1:
EXSC 704 Sports Nutrition

Course content will span the scientific basis for sports nutrition and basic physiology as it applies to exercise, nutrient utilization, and health in athletic populations. Students will be familiar with recommended nutrient intakes, hydration requirements, weight management, and the impact of nutrition on training adaptations for various sports. Special topics will include us of nutritional supplements, eating disorders, and the role of nutrition in immune function and injury rehabilitation. Will require reading, critical thinking, and discussion of current evidence-based literature. Prerequisite: EXSC 710. 3 credits.

EXSC 715 Clinical Exercise Physiology

Students will explore the concept of clinical exercise physiology across various clinical populations. Emphasis will be placed on indications, limitations, risks, and normal and abnormal diagnostic test results for chronic diseases and how behavioral and psychological barriers impact exercise performance. Acute and chronic responses to aerobic exercise on the function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, metabolic, endocrine and immune systems in trained and untrained individuals will be explored. Students will integrate administrative aspects of testing, metabolic calculations, exercise physiology and exercise prescription in both the apparently health and diseased populations. Prerequisite: EXSC 714. 3 credits.

Spring 2:
EXSC 717 Applied Methods in Human Performance and Clinical Exercise Physiology

This course explores advanced sport and clinical exercise performance testing methods. This course examines skeletal muscle structure and function and cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuro musculoskeletal physiology during exercise in general and special patient/client populations. Current methods of nutritional and physical assessment will be evaluated. This course also explores clinical exercise performance testing methods typically employed in the assessment of chronic diseases, the pathophysiology of these conditions, and their treatments. Prerequisite: EXSC 710 and 715. 4 credits.

Summer 1:
EXSC 702 Advance Topics in Strength and Conditioning and Sport Science

This course examines the theoretical understanding of the principles of exercise testing and prescription, and provides an opportunity to engage in advanced fitness profiling and core concepts of exercise prescription aimed to improve fitness and health outcomes. The course will also provide opportunity to develop advanced skills required to administer alternative modalities of health/fitness assessments and to further develop problem solving, decision-making, and communication skills. Prerequisite: EXSC 710 and 712. 3 credits.

EXSC 705 Injury Management and Sport Safety

A course designed to provide entry level knowledge in the field of sport related injuries. This course includes units dealing with the basic anatomy of common injuries, evaluation techniques, preventative measures to reduce the incidences of injuries and knowledge of basic treatment procedures to be used after injuries occur. Legal and ethical issue will also be discussed. Prerequisite: EXSC 717. 3 credits.

Summer 2:
EXSC 738 Management and Leadership in Strength and Conditioning

Students will explore the organizational and administrative aspects of developing and managing a Strength and Conditioning or Sport Enhancement Program in various venues. Industry standards and guidelines for program development and execution will be discussed. Student will apply these standards and guidelines to develop appropriate policies and procedures to ensure safe and effective programming. Prerequisite: EXSC 717. 2 credits.

Or

Summer:
EXSC 719 Computational and Applied Methods in Biomechanics

This course emphasizes the development of the analytical skills necessary to perform comprehensive kinematic and kinetic movement analysis in healthy and patient populations. Students will learn how to process 3D motion capture, force plate, and electromyography data, understand and apply inverse dynamics modeling, perform typical calculations required in biomechanical reporting, and produce graphics for publication or presentation using two common biomechanics software programs, Matlab and Visual3D. 5 credits.

Year Two

Fall:
EXSC 900 Internship

For Clinical Exercise Physiology and Applied Kinesiology degrees, students will undertake a 600 hour/6 credit internship. For the Sport Performance degree, students will undertake a 300 hour/3 credit internship. Internship placements could occur in areas such as industrial, human performance, or medical research/clinical facilities. During the internship, students will engage in human performance assessment, protocol or equipment development, and/or research activities commensurate with the facility while gaining valuable work experience. Graded pass/fail. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: A minimum GPA of 3.0 and either EXSC 730 (Clinical Exercise Physiology Track) or EXSC 717 (Sport Performance Track). 1-6 credits.

Or

EXSC 910 Thesis

Students will plan and execute an original research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. This includes establishing a plan of study, developing the experimental design, learning necessary technical and academic skills, critically reviewing relevant literature in human performance, collecting processing and analyzing data, assembling results for presentation and/or publication, and defending the scientific merits before their thesis committee. Graded pass/fail. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: Completion of all prior coursework or permission of the program director. 1-6 credits.