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Exercise Science

Bachelor of Science

Degree Type:
B.S.
College:
College of Health
Department:
Exercise Science & Sports Leadership

Explore the science of human movement and behavior.

Movement professionals are in high demand. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that occupations such as physical therapist, physical therapy assistant, exercise physiologist, and athletic trainer are all expected to grow much faster than the average occupation through 2033.

The Exercise Science major at 海角社区 prepares you for rewarding careers in service to others, whether training athletes to reach peak performance, supporting patients through recovery after injury, or helping people with chronic conditions improve their overall health. With a pre-physical therapy concentration, this program is also ideal for students interested in pursuing graduate and professional school.

True to our Jesuit roots, our program emphasizes respect and dignity of the whole person. You’ll leave the program ready to work effectively and compassionately with people of all backgrounds.

Immersive Learning

Gain real-world experience through practicums and internships. Our proximity to Cleveland means access to professional sports teams and top-tier hospitals.

Active Campus Life

Get a move on! JCU offers more than 30 intramural and club sports, as well as student organizations like the Exercise Science Club.

  • Immersive Learning

    Gain real-world experience through practicums and internships. Our proximity to Cleveland means access to professional sports teams and top-tier hospitals.

  • Active Campus Life

    Get a move on! JCU offers more than 30 intramural and club sports, as well as student organizations like the Exercise Science Club.

  • 150 hours of internship experience during your senior year

  • 90% of students complete two or more high-impact learning experiences (such as research or internships)

  • 98% acceptance rate for students entering medical or health professional schools

  • 14% growth in demand for physical therapists through 2033, much faster than the average occupation (BLS.gov, 2025)

Program Overview & Outcomes

As an exercise science student, you’ll blend theory and practical application to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of human movement and function across the life span. Throughout the program, you will develop knowledge in:

  • The structure and function of the human body
  • Movement, motor, fitness, and sports skills development and learning
  • Lifespan development and developmental disabilities and regression
  • Health, lifestyle wellness, and working with diverse populations
  • Moral and ethical behavior for a movement professional

You'll develop a comprehensive understanding of human movement, physiology, and the principles of physical fitness. The program combines foundational courses in exercise science with specialized coursework in sports, physical activity, and pre-physical therapy preparation, preparing you for careers in health and fitness industries, rehabilitation sciences, and graduate studies in medical or allied health fields.

View Program Catalog

  • Concentration: Pre-Physical Therapy

    Sci: Principles Of Biology I

    3 Credits

    BL1500

    For science majors. BL1500 is prerequisite to BL1600 and BL1700. Three hours of lecture per week. Basic chemical principles; cell structure and organization; metabolism of plants and animals. Corequisite: BL1505.

    Principles Of Biology Laboratory I

    1 Credits

    BL1505

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory study of the scientific method as applied to biology, focusing on development of skills through inquiry-based learning. Corequisite: BL1500. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Sci: Principles Of Biology Ii

    3 Credits

    BL1600

    For science majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL 1500. Corequisite: BL1605.

    Principles Of Biology Laboratory Ii

    1 Credits

    BL1605

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory study of plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: BL157 or BL1505. Corequisite: BL1600. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Sci: General Chemistry I

    4 Credits

    CH1410

    Four hours of lecture per week. Stoichiometry, thermochemistry, states of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, oxidation-reduction, acid-base, solutions. Corequisite: CH 1430. Offered: Fall.

    General Chemistry Lab I

    1 Credits

    CH1430

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments illustrating principles developed in the corequisite lecture courses. Offered: Fall. Corequisite: CH 1410. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    General Chemistry Ii

    4 Credits

    CH1420

    Four hours of lecture per week. Homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, chemistry of metals and non-metals, and other relevant topics. Offered: Spring. Prerequisites: (CH 1410 or CH 141) and (CH 1430 or CH 143). Corequisite: CH 1440.

    General Chemistry Lab Ii

    1 Credits

    CH1440

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments illustrating principles developed in the corequisite lecture courses. Offered: Spring, Prerequisites: (CH 1410 or CH 141) and (CH 1430 or CH 143). Corequisites: CH 1420. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Sci: General Physics I

    3 Credits

    PH1250

    Suitable for biology, premedical, and predental majors. Topics from the areas of mechanics, oscillations, sound, wave motion, fluids, and thermodynamics. Students who have not had high school physics should consult with the department chair prior to registering. Corequisite: PH 1251.

    General Physics Laboratory I

    1 Credits

    PH1251

    Experiments designed to complement PH 125 or PH 1250. Two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite or corequisite: PH 125 or PH 1250. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Sci: General Physics Ii

    3 Credits

    PH1260

    Suitable for biology, premedical, and predental majors. Topics from the areas of electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prerequisite: PH 125 or PH 1250. Corequisite: PH 1261.

    General Physics Laboratory Ii

    1 Credits

    PH1261

    Experiments designed to complement PH 126 or PH 1260. Two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite or corequisite: PH 126 or PH 1260. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Ps1010

    PS1010

    Fundamental principles of behavior, including research methods, learning, memory and cognition, biological basis of behavior, perception, motivation, human development, social psychology, personality, psychopathology, and psychological testing. A prerequisite to all PS courses at the 2000 level and beyond. Students should take either PS 1000 or PS 1010 as it is the pre-requisite for major-level course requirements. Students completing PS 1000 cannot take PS 1010, and vice versa.

  • Advanced Exercise Science

    Current Health Issues

    ESC2000

    Current health issues affecting the daily lives of all people. Physical fitness, mental fitness, behavior, drugs, alcohol, STD, nutrition. Emphasis on current health research; discussion and application of course material.

    Esc2020

    ESC2020

    Essential information for developing the functional first-aid capabilities required by physical education teachers, coaches, allied health professionals, and other special-interest groups. Designed according to the guidelines of the American Red Cross for its course in Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care.

    Esc3030

    ESC3030

    Introduction to basic concepts of athletic training. Emphasis on common athletic injuries, basic conditioning, prevention, recognition, and treatment of athletic injuries. Prerequisite: (EPA 206 and EPA 206L) or (ESC 2060 and ESC 2061). Corequisite: ESC 3031.

    Esc3031

    ESC3031

    Introduction to basic wrapping and taping techniques used to prevent, care for, and treat athletic injuries. A hands-on laboratory course used to develop these basic skills. Corequisite: ESC 3030.

    Esc3040

    ESC3040

    Topics from ESC 3030 expanded: in-depth examination of athletic injury evaluation, management, and basic rehabilitation concepts. Prerequisite: (EPA 303 and EPA 303L) or (ESC 3030 and ESC 3031). Corequisite: ESC 3041.

    Esc3041

    ESC3041

    Extension of EPA 3031. Emphasis on wrapping and taping techniques used to prevent, care for, and treat athletic injuries. This is a laboratory course used to develop these skills. Prerequisite: (EPA 303 and EPA 303L) or (ESC 3030 and ESC 3031). Corequisite: ESC 3040.

    Esc3200

    ESC3200

    Introduction to the multidisciplinary field of sports science; the factors that influence sport performance; the examination and use of technologies designed to measure and assess sport performance; the role of data collection and data management in the analysis of sport performance; and the overall application of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to the allied health, sports, and sport-related fields. Prerequisite: EPA 201 or SPS 201 or ESC 2010 or SPL 2010.

    Esc3400

    ESC3400

    Overview of the holistic nature of lifestyle wellness, the multiple factors that contribute to, or influence, wellness, prevalent themes and types of programs related to wellness, and the role of exercise science and allied health professionals in the wellness process. Examination of the wellness culture within our society and the factors that influence lifestyle wellness throughout the lifespan, such as fitness, aging, illness, disabilities, and injuries as well as a critical investigation of different types of opportunities available for development, learning, and maintenance of lifestyle wellness.

    Esc4130

    ESC4130

    Overview of the adaptations necessary for proper assessment, interpretation, application of various exercise tests, and appropriate exercise prescriptions for special populations. Overview of each unique physiology, effects of the condition on the exercise response, effects of exercise training on the condition, and recommendations for exercise testing and programming in a selected topics format, including normal and diseased. Prerequisite: EPA 412 or ESC 4120.

    Esc4320

    ESC4320

    Study of human motor behavior as influenced by cognitive and physiological development, maturation, motivation, and learning. Emphasis on normal development as well as regressive development as a function of aging and/or disability. Prerequisite: EPA 208 or PS 175 or PS 261 or ESC 2080 or PS 2680 or PS 2610; acceptance into Exercise Science major, senior standing.

    Esc4330

    ESC4330

    Principles and concepts of body movement specific to joint biomechanics, and related issues and use of appropriate terminology; principles related to the selection and use of assessment techniques for cardiovascular efficiency and strength and conditioning; principles that guide the development and implementation of strength and conditioning programs. Laboratory experiences included. Prerequisite: EPA 409 or ESC 4090. Prerequisite or corequisite: EPA 407 or ESC 4070.

  • Exercise Science Core Requirements

    Esc2010

    ESC2010

    Major ideas, institutions, movements, and individuals in the fields of exercise science, physical education, and sports studies. Includes an examination of potential careers in exercise science, physical education, sports leadership, and allied health professions. Includes a practicum experience.

    Esc2050

    ESC2050

    Structure and function of the human body, including cells, tissues, and skin, as well as the skeletal, articular, and muscular systems. Corequisite: ESC 2051.

    Esc2051

    ESC2051

    Includes use of slides, human skeletons, and dissections to study cells, tissues, and skin, as well as the skeletal, articular, and muscular systems of the human. Corequisite: ESC 2050.

    Esc2060

    ESC2060

    Structure and function of the body, including the nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, renal, reproductive, and digestive systems. Prerequisite: ESC 2050. Corequisite: ESC 2061.

    Esc2061

    ESC2061

    Dissection and examination of animal hearts and brains; use of various measuring devices for studying the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, renal, reproductive, and digestive systems. Corequisite: ESC 2060.

    Esc2080

    ESC2080

    Study of lifespan normal developmental patterns (cognitive, sensory, neurological, skeletal, muscular, emotional, and social), and the relative influence of these systems on neuromotor maturation, motor skills development, and learning across the lifespan.

    Esc2229

    ESC2229

    Overview of basic nutritional guidelines relevant to daily life; the role of nutrition in the development and efficiency of energy systems and energy balance; disabilities related to insufficient or inappropriate nutritional practices.

    Esc2320

    ESC2320

    Research methodology used in exercise science, allied health and sports studies. Emphasis on the individual aspects of the research process, such as the use of research databases, developing reviews of literature, developing research questions. Development of a research proposal is required. Prerequisite: QA course.

    Esc3597

    ESC3597

    This course is designed in consultation with the 海角社区 Career Services Center. The purpose is to provide students with a comprehensive professional development experience. Students will be asked to take a critical reflection on their career goals and action plan. Students will be able to build upon their professional behavior content knowledge, as well as apply that content knowledge in an applied professional setting. Field work is required during the semester enrolled. Prerequisite: EPA 201 or SPS 201 or ESC 2010 or SPL 2010. Crosslisted as: SPL 3597.

    Esc4070

    ESC4070

    Study of human physiology during exercise and as a function of physiological problems associated with physical stress. Emphasis on bioenergetics and neuromuscular concepts of exercise, as well as cardiorespiratory and environmental consideration in exercise. Prerequisites: (EPA 206 and EPA 206L) or (ESC 2060 and ESC 2061) or BL 231 and BL 231L) or (BL 2320 and BL 2325). BL 2320 and BL 2325 can be taken concurrently.

    Esc4090

    ESC4090

    Experience in movement, analysis of the physiological bases of muscular activities, and general effects on body functions. Prerequisites: (EPA 206 and EPA 206L) or (ESC 2060 and ESC 2061) or (BL 231 and BL 231L) or (BL 2320 and BL 2325). BL 2320 and BL 2325 can be taken concurrently.

    Esc4120

    ESC4120

    Overview of the proper assessment and interpretation of various exercise tests, and appropriate exercise prescriptions for apparently healthy individuals. Designed to prepare exercise science students for the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist certification and for employment in various health and fitness settings. Prerequisite: EPA 407 or ESC 4070. Prerequisite or corequisite: EPA 409 or ESC 4090.

    Esc4350

    ESC4350

    The nature of ethics through the study of ethical issues in exercise science and sports leadership, e.g., use of performance-enhancing drugs, fitness guidelines for youth sports, recruiting, eligibility, and professionalism. Prerequisite: EPA 232 or SPS 232 or ESC 2320 or SPL 2320. Acceptance into Exercise Science or Sports Leadership major; senior standing.

    Esc4997

    ESC4997

    Candidates select an internship assignment in line with their graduate school area of interest, e.g., athletic training, strength and conditioning, physical therapy. A proposed plan must be approved by the internship coordinator prior to enrollment; final research paper must relate to the internship. Completion of internship experience is required. Prerequisite: Acceptance into Exercise Science major; senior standing.

  • Sports and Physical Activity

    Spl2030

    SPL2030

    Exploration of the cultural and structural relationships of sport to society. Particular attention to issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, crime and deviance, education, religion, economics, and politics as they relate to sport. Also, the historical development of other social institutions.

    Spl2150

    SPL2150

    Overview of principles, theory, and practice related to the psychological and sociological factors involved in exercise, fitness, play, and sport.

    Spl3000

    SPL3000

    Explores major leadership theories and models, and practical application of theories; examines methods used by successful coaches in different sports throughout history; also, leadership qualities focused on individuals, teams, and organizations. Prerequisite: EPA 201 or SPS 201 or ESC 2010 or SPL 2010.

    Spl3010

    SPL3010

    Comprehensive overview of diversity and inclusion within North America and international sport and sport organizations. Analyzes the ways people in sport and sport organizations can differ, and how power and inequality based on diversity impacts academic and occupational experiences and outcomes. Covers issues of non-dominant groups and historically under-represented groups in the U.S.; emphasis on race, class, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and disability.

    Spl3030

    SPL3030

    Examines the cultural and structural relationships of women and gender (relations) in sport and society. Focuses on issues of culture, structure, and organizations as they relate to masculinities and femininities, gender relations, and sex and sexuality. Surveys historical and current developments of women and gender in sport in North American Society.

    Spl3050

    SPL3050

    Explores the roles that sport and physical activity have played in the U.S. and globally, their history, and current issues. Specific comparison of the U.S. and Ireland. Includes mandatory spring trip to Ireland to experience topics discussed in class. Prerequisite: EN 1250 or equivalent.

    Spl3060

    SPL3060

    The management of sports at professional, collegiate and special event levels, focusing on its role in planning and decision making in attracting fans and sponsors. Other topics include sports branding; athlete management; globalization; event sponsorship and marketing; media involvement; fantasy sports; sports vendors; and sports innovations. Also considers current opportunities and threats facing sports and trends that may impact the future of sports and its various audiences.

    Spl3120

    SPL3120

    Critical analysis of sports governance at multiple levels, including the development and implementation of policies and procedures at different levels of competition, e.g., pros, college, high school; evaluation of how contemporary sport deals with issues such as gender, race, ethnicity, and national identity; and development of a perspective on future issues in sports governance.

    Spl4080

    SPL4080

    Administrative functions of planning and organizing programs in athletics and exercise science. Additional emphasis on staffing, directing, and coordinating programs. Includes field experience in candidate's area of study. Prerequisite: Acceptance into Exercise Science or Sports Leadership major required.

    Spl4130

    SPL4130

    Introduction to facility management for health, fitness, physical activity, recreation, and sport. Organization and management principles; policy and procedure development; ethical decision-making; planning for success; special event planning; and management of human resources, the marketplace, finances, risk, programming, and volunteers.

Related Programs

Still deciding on your program of study at 海角社区 or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore.

Complementary Minors

  • “My major in exercise science helps me understand how the body works and how to improve health and performance. I like that the major is practical, connects science with fitness, and gives me the tools to help people live healthier lives.”

    Nora Bradley ’28 Exercise Science Major

Where Our Alumni Go

Our alumni pursue meaningful careers within healthcare, nutrition, fitness, wellness, sports, and even business. Others pursue graduate and professional school in areas like exercise physiology, sports leadership, or physical therapy.

Cleveland Clinic

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