Exercise Science (BS)

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Exercise Science
Program Code: 3138

About This Major . . .

Students enrolled in this concentration should have a strong interest in the sciences as this program applies science to human function.  The student will begin studies with science courses such as physics, general chemistry, and human anatomy & physiology.  Continued studies will include courses such as:  exercise physiology, anatomical kinesiology, biomechanics, physical activity and aging, medical conditions and pharmacology, and sports nutrition, among other subject areas.  This major is designed to prepare students for graduate programs such as: physical therapy, physician’s assistant, occupational therapy, and exercise physiology.

Colorado Mesa students frequently continue their study for graduate or professional degrees at universities widely recognized as top programs in exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical education and public health.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the functions of the individual body systems. (Specialized Knowledge)
    2.
  2. Identify risk factors, exercise cautions and other safety concerns. (Specialized Knowledge)
    3.
  3. Identify the scope and definitions of health, fitness, and human performance with the ability to analyze the data critically. (Applied Learning, Quantitative Fluency)
    4.
  4. Describe procedures and/or statistical analyses for physiological assessments. (Quantitative Fluency)
    5.
  5. Apply biomechanical principles to movement and be able to communicate and formulate conclusions about the results. (Critical Thinking)
    6.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate specialized knowledge. (Communication Fluency)
 

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 1
MATH 113College Algebra-GTMA1 23
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences 4
Select one Natural Sciences course3
Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab4
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of "C" or better and must be complete by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

This is a 4 credit course. 3 credits apply to the Essential Learning requirements and 1 credit applies to elective credit.

3

PSYC 233 is suggested.

4

7 semester hours, one course must include a lab. PHYS 111/PHYS 111L and PHYS 112/PHYS 112L are suggested.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course 11
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 2
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours7
1

KINA 128 is suggested because it is a prerequisite for KINE 403.

2

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.

Foundation Courses

STAT 200Probability and Statistics-GTMA13
BIOL 209
& 209L		Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory		4
CHEM 131
& 131L		General Chemistry I-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1		5
CHEM 132
& 132L		General Chemistry II-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1		5
KINE 265Emergency Care3
Total Semester Credit Hours20

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(48-54 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework toward the major content area.)

Required Core Courses
KINE 200Foundations of Kinesiology3
KINE 203Human Nutrition3
KINE 213Applications of Physical Fitness and Exercise Prescription3
KINE 301Health and Fitness Assessment3
KINE 303
& 303L		Physiology of Exercise
and Physiology of Exercise Laboratory		4
KINE 309Anatomical Kinesiology3
KINE 370
& 370L		Biomechanics
and Biomechanics Laboratory		4
KINE 403Advanced Strength and Conditioning3
or KINE 404 Clinical Exercise Physiology and Advanced Exercise Prescription
KINE 405Sports Nutrition3
KINE 415Physical Activity and Aging3
KINE 494Kinesiology Senior Seminar1
KINE 499Internship3
Total Semester Credit Hours36
Restricted Electives
Select at least four courses totaling 12-18 credits from the list below. Courses listed with a lecture and lab are counted as one course. 12-18
BIOL 210
& 210L
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
BIOL 241
Pathophysiology
BIOL 301
& 301L
Principles of Genetics
and Principles of Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 352
& 352L
Human Physiology
and Human Physiology Laboratory
BIOL 409
& 409L
Gross and Developmental Human Anatomy
and Gross and Developmental Human Anatomy Laboratory
CHEM 311
& 311L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 312
& 312L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 315
Biochemistry I
CHEM 317L
Biochemistry Laboratory
KINE 330
Prevention and Evaluation of Injuries to the Physically Active
KINE 401
Organization, Management, and Legal Liabilities for Youth Fitness Programs
KINE 403
Advanced Strength and Conditioning 1
KINE 404
Clinical Exercise Physiology and Advanced Exercise Prescription 1
KINE 417
Health Behavior Change
KINE 420
Therapeutic Interventions
KINE 440
Clinical Anatomy
KINE 487
Structured Research
PSYC 340
Abnormal Psychology
Other Requirements
CPR card must be current upon graduation
Total Semester Credit Hours12-18
1

Do not double count KINE 403/KINE 404 from the list of major requirements.

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total hours to 120 hours. 8-14 semester hours. If you choose 200-level courses for the Restricted Electives above, make sure you choose 300-level and above courses for electives to ensure having 40 hours of upper division courses for graduation.

MATH 113College Algebra-GTMA11
Select additional electives7-13
Total Semester Credit Hours8-14

While the sequencing below culminates in a total of 116-124 semester credit hours, students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours as required for completion of the degree, including satisfactory completion of all required courses. Plan to complete requirements with varying hour options accordingly.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
KINE 200 Foundations of Kinesiology 3
MATH 113 College Algebra-GTMA1 4
KINA Activity 1
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
KINE 213 Applications of Physical Fitness and Exercise Prescription 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Science 3
Essential Learning - History 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
BIOL 209
& 209L		 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory		 4
CHEM 131
& 131L		 General Chemistry I-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1		 5
KINE 203 Human Nutrition 3
STAT 200 Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CHEM 132
& 132L		 General Chemistry II-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1		 5
KINE 265 Emergency Care 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Science 3
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
 Semester Credit Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
KINE 303
& 303L		 Physiology of Exercise
and Physiology of Exercise Laboratory		 4
KINE 309 Anatomical Kinesiology 3
Restricted Elective 3-5
 Semester Credit Hours14-16
Spring Semester
KINE 301 Health and Fitness Assessment 3
KINE 370
& 370L		 Biomechanics
and Biomechanics Laboratory		 4
KINE 415 Physical Activity and Aging 3
KINA Activity 1
Restricted Elective 3-5
 Semester Credit Hours14-16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
KINE 403
or KINE 404
 Advanced Strength and Conditioning
or Clinical Exercise Physiology and Advanced Exercise Prescription
 3
KINE 405 Sports Nutrition 3
Restricted Elective 3-5
Elective (if needed) 3
 Semester Credit Hours12-14
Spring Semester
KINE 494 Kinesiology Senior Seminar 1
KINE 499 Internship 3
Restricted Elective 3-5
Electives (2 courses) 6
 Semester Credit Hours13-15
 Total Semester Credit Hours116-124

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.