• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The exercise science curriculum provides a broad science foundation for students planning to further their education at the graduate or professional level. Students complete rigorous course work in anatomy, chemistry, mathematics, physics, physiology, and psychology to build a foundation of science knowledge needed for success in the upper-level kinesiology courses. The core kinesiology courses emphasize biomechanics, exercise physiology, sport psychology, and motor learning/control. This major provides excellent preparation for graduate work in adapted physical education, ergonomics, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control, sport psychology, and sports medicine. In addition, students with this major prepare for admission to graduate programs in athletic training, physical activity, physical and occupational therapy, medicine, physician assistant, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, chiropractic, osteopathy, and other allied health fields.

Degree Requirements

The four-year exercise science curriculum in the subject matter of human movement and sport, provides the student with an understanding of current theoretical problems. Through the use of restricted electives, the student is asked to relate knowledge from other disciplines to the study of human performance. There is a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) entrance requirement. Graduation requirements include:

• completion of general education requirements.
• completion of exercise science major requirements.
• a minimum of 120 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses used to complete the portion of this degree entitled, kinesiology major courses. 
• No Pass/Fail except for free electives.

General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2021-2022 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Major (83-90 cr.)

Kinesiology Major Courses (26-28 cr.)
Minimum 2.0 GPA required in courses completed to fulfill this requirement.
Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-I 119 Personal Fitness (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 150 Introduction to Kinesiology and Public Health (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• SPH-K 200 Microcomputer Applications in Kinesiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 205 Structural Kinesiology (3 cr.)  +(N&M)-or-ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +(N&M)
• SPH-K 212 Introduction to Exercise Science (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• SPH-K 305 Mechanical Basis of Human Movement (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 391 Biomechanics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 405 Introduction to Sport Psychology (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 409 Basic Physiology of Exercise (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 452 Motor Learning (3 cr.)

Foundational Science (23 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

• BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms (4 cr.)
• BIOL-L 113 Biology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• PHSL-P 215 Basic Human Physiology (5 cr.) +(N&M)
• PHYS-P 201 General Physics I (5 cr.) +(N&M)
• PSY-P 101 Introduction to Psychology I (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• SPH-N 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.) or SPH-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.) +(N&M)

Foundational Chemistry (5-10 cr.)
Complete one of the following chemistry options:

Option 1: Complete the following two chemistry courses

• CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• CHEM-C 127 Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.) +(N&M)

OR

Option 2: Complete the following four chemistry courses:

• CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry I (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• CHEM-C 121 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.) +(N&M)
• CHEM-C 102 Elementary Chemistry II (N&M) (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• CHEM-C 122 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory II (2 cr.) +(N&M)

Foundational Math (6 cr.)

Complete one of the following finite math or calculus options, if not already completed for the General Education Mathematical Modeling requirement:

• MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• MATH-V 118 Finite and Consumer Mathematics (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics for Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• MATH-D 116 and MATH-D 117 Introduction to Finite Mathematics I-II (2-2 cr.) +(N&M)
• MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• MATH-V 119 Applied Brief Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• MATH-M 211 Calculus I (4 cr.) +(N&M)

Complete one of the following statistics courses:

• SPH-Q 381 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 cr.)
• PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
• SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
• STAT-S 303 Applied Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences (3 cr.)

Foundational Communications: (8 cr.)

Complete one of following oral communication courses:

• SPH-B 250 Public Health Communication (3 cr.)
• COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3 cr.) +(A&H)
• ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.) +(S&H)

Complete one of following written communication courses:

• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 280 Literary Editing and Publishing (3 cr.)
• MSCH-C 221 Writing for Electronic Media (3 cr.)

Complete the following course:

• CLAS-C 209 Medical Terms from Greek and Latin (2 cr.)

Specialization Tracks (15 cr.)
Complete a minimum of 15 credits in one of the following four specialization tracks:

Integrated Exercise Science Track
Complete a minimum of 15 credits from the following courses:

• BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology (3 cr.) or BIOL-L 330 Biology of the Cell (3 cr.)
• BIOL-P 451 Integrative Human Physiology (4 cr.)
• CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) or CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
• HPSC-X 200 Introduction to Scientific Reasoning (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• SPH-K 412 Exercise in Health and Disease (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 450 Special Topics in Kinesiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 492 Research in Kinesiology (3 cr.)

Professional Track
Complete a minimum of 15 credits from the following courses:

• PSY-P 303 Health Psychology (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 327 Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 416 Physical Activity/Fitness Administration (3 cr.)
• SPH-K ___ Any Appropriate SPH 300/400-Level Course (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 211 Introduction to Sport Management (3 cr.)
• SPH-M 318 Managing the Sport Enterprise (3 cr.)
• SPH-P 309 Public Health Administration (3 cr.)
• SPH-S 332 Ergonomics and Human Factors (3 cr.)

Pre-Health Professions Track
Complete a minimum of 15 credits from the following courses:

• BIOL-L 111 Introduction to Biology: Evolution and Diversity (4 cr.) +(N&M)
• BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-M 200 Microorganisms in Nature and Disease (3 cr.)
• BIOL-M 215 Microorganism Laboratory (1 cr.)
• BIOL-M 250 Microbiology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 118 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry II (5 cr.) or CHEM-N 330 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (5 cr.)
• CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) or CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
• MSCI-M ___ Any MSCI-M Course (3 cr.)
• PHYS-P 202 General Physics 2 (5 cr.) +(N&M)
• PSY-P ___ Any Psychology Course Excluding PSY-P 101 and PSY-K 300 (3 cr.)
• SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) +(S&H) or SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies VT: Medicine in America (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• SOC-S 358 Social Issues in Health and Medicine (3 cr.)
• SPH-F 150 Life Span Development (3 cr.) +(S&H) or EDUC-P 314 Life Span Development (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 160 First Aid and Emergency Care (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 398 Adapted Physical Activity (3 cr.)

Pre-Athletic Training Track
Complete a minimum of 15 credits from the following courses:

• EDUC-G 207 Introduction to Student Athlete Counseling Psychology (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 160 First Aid and Emergency Care (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 401 Emergency Medical Technician (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 404 Emergency Medical Technician Laboratory (1 cr.)
• SPH-K 205 Structural Kinesiology (3 cr.) or ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +(N&M) (whichever course was not completed for the Kinesiology Core)
• SPH-K 280 Basic Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (2 cr.)
• SPH-K 316 Theories of Advanced Conditioning (2 cr.)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification Required
A student applying to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree in exercise science must present evidence of current CPR certification to the School of Public Health - Bloomington recorder's office in SPH Room 123 at the time the student applies for graduation. The document submitted must display a date which indicates that the student is currently certified in CPR. Certification in CPR is acceptable from the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or the National Safety Council.

+ Courses followed by a A&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, arts and humanities requirement.

+ Courses followed by a N&M notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematic sciences requirement.

+ Courses followed by a S&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, social and historical studies requirement.

Suggested Courses for the First-Year Exercise Science Student
Fall Semester (15 cr.)
Chemistry Preparation Course (5 cr.) or a Free Elective (3 cr.)
ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.) or ENG-W 170 Introduction to Argumentative Writing (3 cr.)
MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.) or MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.)
PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.)
SPH-K 150 Introduction to Kinesiology and Public Health (3 cr.)

Spring Semester (16 cr.)
CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (3 cr.) and CHEM-C 127 Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
or
CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry (3 cr.) and CHEM-C 121 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3 cr.)
SPH-I 119 Personal Fitness (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 cr.)
Free Elective (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Majors have the opportunity to work with faculty research specialists in areas specific to kinesiology. Students planning to pursue graduate kinesiology programs are encouraged to gain laboratory research experience offered by departmental faculty. Internship opportunities outside of the department in a wide variety of medical and allied health areas are coordinated by the Kinesiology Career office. Throughout the year, the Kinesiology Club invites speakers from a number of health profession areas to share their expertise and professional perspective with majors. Through these experiences, students learn firsthand about the graduate programs/professions of interest to them. Expert and in-depth advising services help students tailor their major program to meet their eventual goals.

Careers

Many students with this major are preparing to enter graduate programs in their career area of interest, most often a health profession, such as: athletic training, physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician’s assistant, medical doctor, dentist, optometrist, or other allied health profession. Other students go on to pursue graduate degrees in physical activity, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning and control, and ergonomics. Others may seek positions in coaching, cardiac rehabilitation, health screening and education, pharmaceutical sales, or sales and marketing of medical, fitness, or sports-related equipment. This major can be combined with a minor or professional certification to tailor the student’s background to a specific area, such as health care, coaching, fitness, or business.