EXERCISE/SPORT SCIENCE COURSES

ESS 101. INTRODUCTION TO EXERCISE/SPORT SCIENCE 2 sh

This course is an overview of professions in the field of exercise science. Career opportunities in exercise science and allied health will be investigated. Objectives include describing various aspects of careers, determining requirements for advanced study and learning what the necessary coursework would be for pursuing professions of interest. Offered fall and spring.

ESS 263. STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL KINESIOLOGY  4 sh

This course is designed to increase student knowledge and exposure to the structural and functional components of human anatomy including musculoskeletal origins, insertions, actions and innervations; the ability to identify landmarks, surface markings and palpations on a live model; to describe functional movements in various sport activities and then classify and identify which muscles work together to create the motions. Emphasis will be placed on normal walking and running gait, posture, throwing, kicking and jumping. Prerequisite: BIO 161. Offered fall and spring.

ESS 281. PRACTICUM IN EXERCISE/SPORT SCIENCE  2 sh

The practicum introduces the student to professions in sports medicine and health-related fields. Students must choose three different agencies to work in with about 27 hours at each agency. Students must turn in typed reports including a brief discussion of the experience, reflections and a critique of the experience/agency. Students may also assist with patient/client care, and/or training and shadow their supervisor. Students must make arrangements with their professor the semester before taking the practicum. Prerequisites: ESS 101, majors only. Offered fall, winter, spring and summer.

ESS 295. RESEARCH METHODS 4 sh

This course is an overview of research methods and procedures. Areas of investigation include research study and design, research study procedures, scientific writing, data collection, presentation styles and statistical analysis.

ESS 315. ADVANCED STRENGTH TRAINING CONDITIONING  4 sh

This course covers physical fitness testing and strength evaluation of the athlete, components of a physical conditioning program, use of commercial and free weight equipment, technique/skill demonstration, evaluation of and designing and implementing fitness/conditioning programs. The course is designed to assist students in preparation for taking the NSCA-Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) as well as those students preparing for the BOC athletic training exam. The course also ensures a minimal competence among practitioners from a scientific, educational and methodological perspective. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing. Offered fall and spring.

ESS 322. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 4 sh

This course will examine the relationship between physical activity and exercise on various diseases and conditions. Various methods for epidemiological assessment will be discussed in this course as well as current finding regarding the association between physical activity and chronic disease and chronic disease risk factors, and the potential risks associated with increased physical activity will be highlighted. Offered spring.

ESS 333. EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY  4 sh      

This course will examine applied and theoretical issues related to the psychology of physical activity. Theories of motivation and exercise behavior will be examined in relation to the increasing problems of exercise adherence and physical inactivity. Other topics that will be discussed include the psychological benefits of exercise, personality and exercise, body image and the psychology of injury. Various techniques will be discussed in relation to motivating exercise behaviors and how to deal with special populations. This course does not fulfill requirements for a major or minor in psychology. Offered fall.

ESS 422. PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE  4 sh

This course is a study of the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise. An indepth investigation of the impact exercise has on cellular and systemic function will be the primary focus. Laboratory activities include investigation of aerobic and anaerobic power and capacity, metabolism, muscle function, flexibility, heart rate, blood pressure and body composition. This course requires a two-hour lab. Prerequisite: BIO 162. Offered fall and spring.

ESS 424. APPLIED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY  4 sh

Students gain applied knowledge in order to evaluate, develop and supervise exercise programs for both healthy and special populations. Topics include basic terminology, risk identification, types of fitness tests, indications and contraindications to exercise, program administration and effective communication techniques. Prerequisite: ESS 422. Offered fall and spring.

ESS 440. EXERCISE BIOCHEMISTRY  2 sh

This course will examine the physiology that underlies the production of energy and formation of new tissues. This course will center on training-specific adaptations. Other topics explored will be: enzymes, nucleotides, bioenergetics, metabolism and protein synthesis. Various laboratory techniques will be discussed and tested. Prerequisites: BIO 162, ESS 422 or permission of the instructor. Offered fall.

ESS 441. CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY OF NERVE AND MUSCLE  2 sh

This course will examine the physiological processes involved in neural conduction and muscle contraction. Training-specific adaptations will be central to this course of study. Other topics explored include composition of intracellular and extracellular fluids, membrane potential, generation of the action potential, experiments in excitable cell physiology, synaptic transmission, muscle contraction and cardiac muscle. Various laboratory techniques will be discussed and tested. Prerequisite: BIO 162 or permission of the instructor. Offered fall.

ESS 442. SPORT PSYCHOLOGY  4 sh

This course will examine the theories and research related to sport behavior. The course is designed to introduce you to the field of sport psychology through a broad overview of the major topics in sport psychology including, but not limited to, personality, motivation, arousal, imagery, goal setting and burnout. A focus will be on performance enhancement through practical applications of theory. Offered spring.

ESS 443. EXERCISE PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY  2 sh

This course will focus on the psychophysiology of exercise and cover such topics as the influence of exercise on affect, anxiety, depression, sleep, pain and cognitive functioning. The objective of this course is to give the student an overview of research and theory that has incorporated a psychophysiological (and in some cases a psychobiological) approach, i.e., an approach which views the interaction between physiological and psychological states as a reciprocal relationship. Prerequisite: PSY 111 or BIO 162 or permission of the instructor. Offered spring odd years.

ESS 482. INTERNSHIP IN EXERCISE/SPORT SCIENCE  4 sh

Upper-class exercise/sport science majors select a sports medicine or health-related agency for their internship, a capstone experience. Students serve 160 hours at the agency. Students turn in biweekly reports, including a brief discussion of the experience, reflections and a critique of the experience/agency. Students may engage in problem-solving assignments and perform research on some particular topic. Students may also assist with patient/client care and/or training and shadow their supervisor. A research paper is due near the end of the experience. Students should make arrangements with their professors the semester prior to taking the internship. Prerequisites: ESS 281; junior/senior majors; 2.0 GPA overall, 2.0 GPA in major. Offered fall, spring and summer.

ESS 491. INDEPENDENT STUDY  1-4 sh

ESS 495. SENIOR SEMINAR 4 sh

This course examines the current trends, ideas, technology and scientific theory associated with exercise science. Students will design, propose, conduct, write and present a substantive research endeavor. They will examine up-to-date disciplinary ideology and discuss these concepts in a seminar-type setting. They will also develop position papers and discuss methods for implantation of fitness concepts in clinical, commercial and community settings. Additionally, they will lead “journal club” activities and the ensuing discussion of that topic. Prerequisites ESS 295 and ESS 422.

ESS 499. RESEARCH IN EXERCISE/SPORT SCIENCE  1-4 sh

Independent research project supervised by faculty mentor.