Exercise Science

Dr. David Martens
CHAIRPERSON

The purpose of this curriculum is to prepare major students for a career in teaching Physical Education K – 12, being an athletic trainer, or working in the various human performance areas. The course work and related experiences will provide the students with the knowledge, comprehension and proficiency in skills and techniques of Exercise Science which will enable him/her to become a competent successful teacher, athletic trainer or human performance specialist. The curriculum draws significantly and comprehensively from all the resources of the university, the behavioral sciences, the basic sciences, and the humanities. It seeks to employ these resources in action, physically and mentally.

MAJOR PROGRAM IN EXERCISE SCIENCE
The Exercise Science Department offers the B.S degree in exercise science with specializations in athletic training, human performance, and teacher education (certification).

Requirements
To ensure students the opportunity to pursue the objectives of a liberal education, all students enrolled in this program are required to complete 41-47 credits in the liberal arts, known as the University Requirements. In addition, students planning to major in exercise science must take a series of specialization requirements and cognates.

ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is for students who have an interest in the prevention, recognition, management, and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and active individuals. Accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the program is designed to prepare students to work as entry-level athletic trainers with interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional teams, as well as in sports medicine clinics and the corporate setting. Those students completing this program receive a B.S. degree in Exercise Science - Athletic Training, without certification for teaching. Students will also meet eligibility requirements established by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification to sit for the national examination in the semester prior to graduation.
Program admission requirements include the following:

• A minimum Quality Point Ration (QPR) of 2.50 after three semesters, which must be maintained until graduation
• Successful completion of 900 hours of clinical observation and experience (100 hours must be accrued prior to admission into the program).
• Freshman must submit a portfolio and an application for admission into the program in the fall of the sophomore year. Midyear transfer students apply during their second semester on campus.
• Successful completion of or enrollment in specific athletic training courses as described on the application.Requirements

In addition to the University requirements, ATEP students must complete the following courses:
EXS 185 - Concepts & Practices Athletic Training
EXS 191 - Introduction to Exercise Science
EXS 227 - Emergency Principles in Athletic Training
EXS 281 - Anatomy & Physiology I
EXS 282 - Anatomy & Physiology II
EXS 286 - Therapeutic Modalities
EXS 288 - Orthopedic Assessment of the Lumbar Spine and Lower Extremity
EXS 289 - Orthopedic Assessment of the Cervical Spine and Upper Extremity
EXS 302 - Clinical Experience I: Athletic Training Fundamentals
EXS 303 - Clinical Experience II: Therapeutic Modalities
EXS 310 - Pharmacology for Athletic Training
EXS 380 - Sport Psychology
EXS 383 - Kinesiology
EXS 384 - Exercise Physiology
EXS 386 - Fitness Management
EXS 388 - Rehabilitation Techniques in Athletic Training
EXS 402 - Clinical Experience III: Athletic Injury Assessment
EXS 403 - Clinical Experience IV: Rehabilitation Techniques
EXS 410 - Pathophysiology
EXS 485 - Tests & Measurement
EXS 490 - Athletic Training III

ATEP Students are also required to enroll in the following cognate courses:
PCH 200 - Introduction to Nutrition
PHY 100 or 210 - Physics
SHE 203 - School Health

SPECIALIZATION IN HUMAN PERFORMANCE
This 122-credit specialization in human performance is a non-teaching Bachelor of Science option for Exercise Science majors. The curriculum provides students with an understanding of the exercise sciences which include exercise physiology, kinesiology, sports medicine, nutrition and sport psychology. The required six-credit internship provides the student an opportunity to apply scientific course work principles in an exercise/fitness setting. Human performance graduates are prepared for employment in the physical fitness industry. Such occupational opportunities include adult fitness in a corporate, resort, or clinical setting, youth fitness in public and private agencies, and special population fitness for infants, the elderly and physically or emotionally handicapped individuals.

In the second semester of the sophomore year, the student must apply for admission into the professional program. Transfer students should make this application during their second semester at Southern. All admissions requirements may not have been fulfilled at this time. These forms are made available to students in one of their classes or from the department.

Admission into specialization is achieved by accomplishing the following:

• Successful completion of professional preparation courses: EXS 191, EXS 281, EXS 282.

• Successful completion of the University Requirements in the following specific courses: BIO 100 or 110-111, CHE 100 or 200, PHY 111 or 200 or 210 or 230, MAT 107, and PSY 100. A minimum Quality Point Ratio of 2.7 and a minimum grade of C- in the courses listed in 1 and 2 above. Students not meeting these minimum standards must repeat unacceptable course work.

• Note: students must achieve "acceptance" status before enrolling for EXS 386 or EXS 497.

SPECIALIZATION IN TEACHER EDUCATION
The specialization in teacher education is designed for students who want to teach physical education in public and private schools. The successful completion of this program, consisting of a minimum of 125 credits, fulfills the academic course requirements of the Connecticut Initial Educator Certificate PreK-12 in Physical Education and prepares the individual to teach physical education in both the elementary and secondary schools.

Certification requirements include the following:

• A minimum quality point ratio of 2.70 after the first two years of the program must be maintained throughout completion of the course of study.
  
• Combined score of 1100 on SAT's (at least 450 in each area); or the State mandated skills examination in mathematics, reading, and writing before acceptance into the School of Education and passing the Praxis Series Content Area Exams upon completion of course work.
  

Others listed under admission to teacher education programs.

C O O R D I N A T O R S:
Mr. Charles Davis – Athletic Training
Dr. Joan Finn – Human Performance
Dr. Jinjin Yang – Teacher Preparation