Master of Science in Exercise Science- Health and Human Performance

Credit hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the various aspects of contemporary health, wellness concepts and human performance. The curricular emphases provides and overview of historical perspectives, current status of health promotion, ethical principles, exercise science and risk reduction.

Credit hours: 3
This course is designed to advance students’ written communication skills. Emphasis will be given to scholarly writing style, evaluation and synthesis of research, and APA citations and references.

Credit hours: 3
This course will discuss physical activity epidemiology in light of various diagnoses including heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, disease and mortality, obesity, chronic disease, cancer/immunology, musculoskeletal system, mental health, and special populations. Research and measurement concepts of physical activity, fitness, and maintaining an active lifestyle will be utilized. 

Credit hours: 3
This course provides students with the opportunity to gain insight and understanding about the law and its implications on professionals in the fields of health, wellness, sport, and fitness. 

Credit hours: 3
This course is a study of the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of physical activity for older adults. Topics covered include an overview of aging, benefits of physical activity throughout the lifespan, and fitness assessment and programming options for older adults. 

Credit hours: 3
This course examines a range of topics on human nutrition including nutritional parameters of athletic performance, intervention planning, energy production, the energy nutrients, vitamins and minerals, principles of balanced diets, timing and composition of intakes, hydration, weight management strategies, and nutritional needs for special situations.

Choose one elective course.

Credit hours: 3
This course provides knowledge and application of the grant writing process with specific focus on the health and wellness fields. This will include the development of skills required for Request for Proposals, writing, budgeting and submission of grants. The course will provide examples of sources to obtain grants and the differences that exist among different granting agencies. Students will also have the opportunity to develop a project for program design, implementation and evaluation for a health related organization. 

Choose one elective course.

Credit hours: 3
This course is an introduction to research methods to analyze professional literature in exercise science. The course will explore both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including descriptive and inferential statistics. Special emphasis will be given to planning, conducting, and reporting of research as well as applied statistical analysis and interpretation of data from the field of exercise science. Students will produce an original pilot research project including statistical design. 

Health & Human Performance Track 

Credit hours: 3
This course is a study of psychological theories and techniques that could be used to enhance the performance and personal growth of sports and exercise participants from youth to elite levels.

Health & Human Performance Track 

Credit hours: 3
This course provides in depth inquiry into the acute responses and long term adaptations of the human body to various types of exercise from the cellular level to the entire system. Emphasis is placed on the physiological demands of exercise, metabolic requirements of exercise, and physiological changes that occur in response to exercise. Other factors that can alter the physiological response will also be explored, including gender, age and environment.

Health & Human Performance Track 

Credit hours: 3
This course is designed to increase the practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of the physiological, biomechanical, and administrative aspects of designing and supervising strength and conditioning programs for various populations. Objectives include conducting activity-specific testing sessions, designing and implementing safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and providing guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention. This course will include both classroom instruction and hands-on experience.

Health & Human Performance Track 

Credit hours: 3
This course prepares students to utilize scientific rationale to design, implement and supervise exercise programming for patients with chronic diseases, conditions and/or physical dysfunctions of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and immunologic systems. Students will interpret information from pre-exercise screening and exercise testing and will apply this information to appropriate exercise intervention protocols. Students will be prepared to pursue certification as an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist.

Health & Human Performance Track 

Credit hours: 3
This course will explore the biomechanics of the upper extremities, axial skeleton, and lower extremities. Emphasis will be placed on neuromuscular control of dynamic activities, in particular gait and running analysis. Concepts will be discussed with consideration given to biomechanical principles, force couples, stabilizing musculature, and recognition/normalization of improper mechanics.