Exercise Science
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Major: | Exercise Science |
| Department: | Movement Sciences and Health Building 72, Room 241 850-474-2592 http://uwf.edu/msh |
| College: | Usha Kundu, MD College of Health |
| CIP Code: | 31.0505 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
The Exercise Science major is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the fitness industry, cardiac rehabilitation, clinically-related health fields, and graduate school. The program has specific courses (APK 4125 Exercise Testing and Prescription, APK 4114C Physiological Basis of Strength Development) that prepare students for certifications such as the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM EP-C) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (NSCA CSCS). The coursework precedes a capstone course that allows students to receive valuable work experience just prior to graduating. The University of West Florida’s undergraduate degree program in Exercise Science is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and addresses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) needed to pass the ACSM Exercise Physiologist-Certified exam. The curriculum is endorsed by the NSCA for meeting their recommended educational guidelines.
Program Requirements
Students in the Exercise Science major must complete 51-54 semester hours (sh) of major courses and have 6-9 sh of electives related to the field. Students must maintain:
- Grade of "C" (73%) or higher in all courses used to fulfill major requirements.
- At least a 2.50 cumulative GPA in the major.
- Withdrawing from a course is considered the same as receiving below a "C" in a graded course.
- Students may repeat a major course one time only and must successfully pass the course on the second attempt in order to progress in the program.
- Students who receive less than a passing grade of "C" (73%) in a major course will receive academic advising to develop an individualized revised academic plan of study.
General Education
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Exercise Science majors should take the following to satisfy components of General Education:
| Social Sciences: | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Mathematics: | 6-9 | |
| Elements of Statistics | ||
| College Algebra | ||
or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
or MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra | |
| Communication: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Natural Sciences: | 8 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Biology I and Biology I Laboratory | ||
| Total Hours | 20-23 | |
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.
As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 | Complete a course or Assessment. |
| Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 | Course and Assessment. |
| Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course and Assessment. |
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Algebra through Calculus | ||
| Students will be placed on a starting point based on their mathematics placement. | ||
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3-4 |
| or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
Minimum grade requirement of "C" or better in common prerequisite courses.
| CHM 2045 & 2045L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory * | 4 |
| BSC 1085 & 1085L | Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory * | 4 |
| BSC 1086 & 1086L | Anatomy and Physiology II and Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory * | 4 |
| HUN 2201 | Fundamentals of Human Nutrition | 3 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology ^ | 3 |
| or DEP 2004 | Human Development Across the Lifespan | |
| SPC 2608 | Public Speaking *,^ | 3 |
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra * | 3 |
| or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
| or MAC 1114 | Trigonometry | |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics * | 3 |
| HSC 3406C | Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
- ^
For these courses, the minimum grade is a "D" or better
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 12-18 | |
Recommend APK 2000 Introduction to Exercise Science and ATR 2000 Basic Care and Prevention Principles of Athletic Training be taken at the lower division.
Major
A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for all Major courses.
| APK 2000 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| APK 4901 | Research Methods in Exercise Science + | 3 |
| APK 3110 & 3110L | Exercise Physiology and Exercise Physiology Laboratory + | 4 |
| ATR 2000 | Basic Care and Prevention Principles of Athletic Training + | 3 |
| ATR 3132 | Functional Kinesiology + | 3 |
| APK 4200 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement + | 3 |
| APK 4125 & 4125L | Exercise Testing and Prescription and Exercise Testing and Prescription Laboratory + | 4 |
| APK 4163 | Sports Nutrition + | 3 |
| APK 4220 & 4220L | Biomechanics of Human Movement and Biomechanics of Human Movement Laboratory + | 4 |
| APK 4119 | Exercise Testing for Special Populations + | 3 |
| APK 4114C | Physiological Basis of Strength Development + | 3 |
| APK 4944 | Exercise Science Practicum + | 3 |
| APK 4941C | Exercise Science Internship + | 3-6 |
| Choose one of the tracks below: | 6 | |
Clinical or Preprofessional Track: | ||
| Aging and Physical Performance + | ||
| Electrocardiogram Interpretation and Graded Exercise Testing + | ||
Strength and Conditioning Track: | ||
| Designing Resistance Training Programs + | ||
| Applied Resistance Training and Conditioning + | ||
| Total Hours | 48-51 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Major-Related Electives
| Choose a minimum of 9 semester hours, at least 6 semester hours must be at the 3000/4000 level: | 9-12 | |
| Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | ||
| Organic Chemistry III | ||
| Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Lab | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Human Development Across the Lifespan | ||
| Gerontology | ||
| Health Ethics and Professionalism | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Health Aspects of Stress Management | ||
| Changing Health Behaviors | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Designing Resistance Training Programs | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Total Hours | 9-12 | |
Accelerated Bachelor's (BS) in Exercise Science and Master's (MS) in Exercise Science (Accelerated BS/MS) Program
Minimum Requirements for admission include:
- Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25/4.0.
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 in major at UWF.
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
Process
A prospective student who meets the minimum requirements for admission to the Accelerated Bachelor's (BS) in Exercise Science and Master's (MS) in Exercise Science Program must schedule a meeting with their undergraduate faculty advisor and graduate advisor to discuss and develop a degree plan for the student's Accelerated BS/MS program. The student must then submit an Accelerated BS/MS program application and letter of recommendation to the graduate advisor.
Eligibility and Restrictions
Students must have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours, including credits earned from advanced placement, prior to applying to the Accelerated BS/MS program. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters and at least 24 credit hours at the University of West Florida prior to application to the Accelerated BS/MS program.
For admission into the Accelerated BS/MS program in the summer semester, application materials must be submitted by April 1. For admission into the Accelerated BS/MS program in the fall semester, application materials must be submitted by July 1. For admission into the Accelerated BS/MS program in the spring semester, application materials must be submitted by November 15.
Admission into the Accelerated BS/MS program does not guarantee admission into the MS program upon completion of the BS. Students must still submit an Express Admission application for the MS program. Students who are a part of the Accelerated BS/MS program cannot be provisionally or conditionally admitted into the MS program.
Program Requirements
Upon admission into the MS, the 12 graduate credit hours completed as an undergraduate student will count for 12 semester hours in Exercise Science coursework for the MS. Students in the Accelerated BS/MS program must earn a grade of "B" (3.0/4.0) or better in each of the graduate level courses that are being applied to both degrees. Courses completed with a grade of "B-" or below cannot be applied to the MS degree.
Students accepted into the MS program must complete all MS requirements within 24 months of completing the BS degree. If the MS program requirements are not completed within 24 months; the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours toward both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the graduate credit hours either toward completion of the bachelor’s degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the Accelerated BS/MS program.
If a student in the Accelerated BS/MS program completes the BS degree requirements with an overall GPA of less than 3.25/4.0, the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours to both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the credit hours towards completion of the BS degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the Accelerated BS/MS program.
A student who becomes ineligible to continue participating in or withdraws from the Accelerated BS/MS program cannot apply any graduate credit hours toward both degrees.
Students who are enrolled in the Accelerated BS/MS program are eligible for graduate assistantship positions only after completing the BS degree.
General Education
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Exercise Science majors should take the following to satisfy components of General Education:
| Social Sciences: | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Mathematics: | 6-9 | |
| Elements of Statistics | ||
| College Algebra | ||
or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
or MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra | |
| Communication: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Natural Sciences: | 8 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Biology I and Biology I Laboratory | ||
| Total Hours | 20-23 | |
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Algebra through Calculus | ||
| Students will be placed on a starting point based on their mathematics placement. | ||
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3 |
| or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
Minimum grade requirement of "C" or better in common prerequisite courses.
| CHM 2045 & 2045L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory * | 4 |
| BSC 1085 & 1085L | Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory * | 4 |
| BSC 1086 & 1086L | Anatomy and Physiology II and Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory * | 4 |
| HUN 2201 | Fundamentals of Human Nutrition | 3 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology * | 3 |
| or DEP 2004 | Human Development Across the Lifespan | |
| SPC 2608 | Public Speaking * | 3 |
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra * | 3 |
| or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
| or MAC 1114 | Trigonometry | |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics * | 3 |
| HSC 3406C | Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 12-18 | |
Recommend APK 2000 Introduction to Exercise Science and ATR 2000 Basic Care and Prevention Principles of Athletic Training be taken at the lower division.
Major
A minimum grade of "C" or better is required.
| APK 2000 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| APK 4901 | Research Methods in Exercise Science +, # | 3 |
| or APK 5702 | Statistics in Exercise Science | |
| or HLP 6535 | Research Procedures | |
| APK 3110 & 3110L | Exercise Physiology and Exercise Physiology Laboratory + | 4 |
| ATR 2000 | Basic Care and Prevention Principles of Athletic Training + | 3 |
| ATR 3132 | Functional Kinesiology + | 3 |
| APK 4200 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement +, # | 3 |
| or APK 5210 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | |
| APK 4125 & 4125L | Exercise Testing and Prescription and Exercise Testing and Prescription Laboratory + | 4 |
| APK 4163 | Sports Nutrition + | 3 |
| APK 4220 | Biomechanics of Human Movement + | 3 |
| or APK 5226 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | |
| APK 4220L | Biomechanics of Human Movement Laboratory + | 1 |
| APK 4119 | Exercise Testing for Special Populations + | 3 |
| APK 4114C | Physiological Basis of Strength Development + | 3 |
| APK 4944 | Exercise Science Practicum + | 3 |
| APK 4941C | Exercise Science Internship + | 3-6 |
| Choose one of the tracks below: | 6 | |
Clinical or Preprofessional Track: | ||
| Aging and Physical Performance +, # | ||
| Electrocardiogram Interpretation and Graded Exercise Testing + | ||
or APK 6172C | Cardiac Electrophysiology | |
Strength and Conditioning Track: | ||
| Designing Resistance Training Programs + | ||
| Applied Resistance Training and Conditioning +, # | ||
| Total Hours | 48-51 | |
- +
Courses included in the Major GPA.
- #
Students must earn a "B" or better in ABM graduate course substitution.
Major-Related Electives
| Choose a minimum of 9 semester hours, at least 6 semester hours must be at the 3000/4000 level: | 9-12 | |
| Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | ||
| Organic Chemistry III | ||
| Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Lab | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Human Development Across the Lifespan | ||
| Gerontology | ||
| Health Ethics and Professionalism | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Health Aspects of Stress Management | ||
| Changing Health Behaviors | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Introduction to the Physician Assistant Profession | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Total Hours | 9-12 | |
Graduate Courses
| Up to 12 credit hours of advisor-approved 5000 and 6000-level courses below will be allowed to substitute for the undergraduate degree requirements. Other 5000-level courses may be allowed to substitute with advisor approval. | 3-12 | |
| APK 5116C | Applied Physiology in Muscular Development | 3 |
| APK 5601 | Preventative Health in the Aging Population | 3 |
| APK 5226 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| APK 5702 | Statistics in Exercise Science | 3 |
| APK 6127C | Clinical Exercise Testing and Interpretation | 3 |
| APK 6172C | Cardiac Electrophysiology | 3 |
| HLP 6535 | Research Procedures | 3 |
| APK 5210 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | 3 |