Exercise Science Minor
The Exercise Science Minor is for students interested in learning about human movement, how the body responds to exercise, and the benefits of an active lifestyle. The minor offers students many choices for which classes to take, allowing you to tailor the minor to your specific interests and career plans. Regardless of which courses you select, the Minor gives students content and hands-on experiences from a variety of disciplines within Exercise Science. You'll spend a lot of time in the Movement Science Lab, Metabolic Analysis Lab, or gym, using equipment to test the different dimensions of physical fitness and skill, such as strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, balance, power, and more.
Career Opportunities
Health- and fitness-related careers are in high demand, and will be for the foreseeable future, making the Exercise Science Minor a great choice for anyone considering a career in the medical, allied health, fitness, or athletic fields. More specifically, the minor supports students considering careers in:
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Chiropractic Medicine
- Sports Medicine and Athletic Training
- Nursing
- Physician Assistant
- Nutrition
- Sport & Exercise Psychology
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Strength & Conditioning
- Personal Training
- Group Exercise Instruction
- Other Allied Health and Medical Professions
Coursework
The Exercise Science Minor is 19 credits across 6 courses and students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses to complete the minor successfully.
The two required courses are:
- ESC 150: Introduction to Exercise Science
- ESC 343: Foundations of Exercise Physiology (Prerequisites: ESC 150 and BIO 150/238/350)
Students must also take four elective courses from the following options:
- ESC 244: Movement Science & Skill Analysis
- ESC 260: Principles of Nutrition
- ESC 278: Medical Terminology
- ESC 336: Motor Behavior (Prerequisites: ESC 150 and 244)
- ESC 340: Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries (Prerequisites: ESC 150 and BIO 150/238/350)
- ESC 348: Group Exercise Techniques & Leadership (Pre/Corequisite: ESC 343)
- ESC 350: Nutrition for Sport & Fitness (Prerequisite: ESC 260)
- ESC 352: Psychology of Physical Activity (Prerequisites: ESC 150 and PSY 101 or HON 151)
- ESC 375: Exercise Testing & Programming (Prerequisite: ESC 343)
- ESC 425: Exercise Metabolism & Weight Control (Prerequisite: ESC 260 and 343)
Admission Requirements
The Exercise Science Minor is open to any Undergraduate student. Interested students must meet the following criteria to be admitted into the minor:
- GPA of 2.00 or above
It is strongly recommended that students complete BIO 150: Human Biology as one of their Natural World & Technology General Education courses because it is a prerequisite for ESC 343, which is required for the minor. While this is not a requirement for declaring the minor, it is necessary to progress through it.
Related Majors
Any student interested in learning more about exercise and health can complete the Exercise Science Minor. However, students from the following majors tend to benefit more based on their future career plans, including:
Double Minor in Exercise Science and Coaching
Students who also have an interest in Coaching may complete an additional 12 credits across 4 courses to earn a second minor. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses to complete the minor successfully. For more information about the Coaching Minor, please click here.
The three required courses are:
- ESC 220: Fundamentals of Coaching
- ESC 325: Sport Psychology
- ESC 340: Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries
Students must also take one elective course from the following options:
- DS 100: Introduction to Disability Studies
- ESC 213: Organization & Administration in Health, Fitness, and Sports Facilities
- ESC 260: Principles of Nutrition
- ESC 387: Theory & Practice of Power & Agility Training
- ESC 445: Coaching Internship
- HCS 225: Communication and Sport
- PSY 361: Psychology of Group Interaction
- SOC 275: Sociology of Sport & Leisure
The following courses count towards both the Coaching and Exercise Science Minors:
- ESC 244: Movement Science & Skill Analysis
- ESC 343: Foundations of Exercise Physiology
Exercise Science Minor and PAGE Certificate
Students who have an interest in personal fitness or strength and conditioning may also benefit from completing the Power, Agility, & Group Exercise (PAGE) Certificate. Students must complete an additional 6 credits across 2 courses with a grade of C or higher. For more information about the PAGE Certificate, please click here.
The two required courses are:
- ESC 348: Group Exercise Techniques & Leadership
- ESC 387: Theory & Practice of Power & Agility Training