Exercise Science
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Major: | Exercise Science |
| Department: | Movement Sciences and Health Bldg. 72, Rm. 241 850-474-2592 https://uwf.edu/ukcoh/departments/movement-sciences-and-health/ |
| 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 sh of major courses and have 6-9 sh of electives related to the field. Students must maintain:
- Grade of “C” or higher in all courses used to fulfill major requirements
- At least a 2.50 cumulative GPA in the major
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, 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 "University Requirements" section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Exercise Science majors should take the following to satisfy components of General Education:
| Social Science/Behavioral Perspectives: | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Mathematics: | 6-9 | |
| Elements of Statistics | ||
| College Algebra | ||
or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
or MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra | |
| Humanities/Values and Expressions: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Natural Sciencse: | 8 | |
| General Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| Biology I (+Lab) | ||
| Total Hours | 20-23 | |
Multicultural Requirement
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. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions 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 first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
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.
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 prerequisites courses .
| APK 2100C | Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Laboratory | 4 |
| APK 2105C | Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 2045+L | General Chemistry I (+Lab) * | 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.
- ^
These the minimum grade is a D or better
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 sh in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 0-23 | |
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 (Minimum grade of "C" or better required)
| APK 2000 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| APK 4901 | Research Methods in Exercise Science + | 3 |
| APK 3110+L | Exercise Physiology (+Lab) + | 4 |
| If not taken at the lower division | 0-3 | |
| Trigonometry | ||
| 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+L | Exercise Testing and Prescription (+Lab) + | 4 |
| APK 4163 | Sports Nutrition + | 3 |
| APK 3220C | Biomechanical Basis of Movement with 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 | Senior Capstone Experience in Exercise Science + | 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 | 51-54 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA
Major-Related Electives
| Choose a minimum of 6 semester hours, at least 3 semester hours must be at the 3000/4000 level: | 6-9 | |
| Biochemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Biology II (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry II (+Lab) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II (+Lab) | ||
| Organic Chemistry III | ||
| 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 (+Lab) | ||
| Designing Resistance Training Programs | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II (+Lab) | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II (+Lab) | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Total Hours | 6-9 | |