Exercise and Sport Science Major: Exercise Science Fitness Track - Bachelor of Science (BS)
(College of Science and Health)
Admission to program
Admission to the ESS-exercise science emphasis is competitive and not all who apply may be accommodated.
- To be considered for admission to the exercise and sport science major: exercise science emphasis, the student must have completed at least 30 semester credits, including general education credits and two pre-admission courses (BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100; HPR 105) with a grade of at least "C" in each of these courses and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.
- Applications for admission are accepted in the fall semester (deadline of October 1) and the spring semester (deadline of February 1). All candidates must meet academic requirements, physical fitness standards and professional and personal qualifications and be approved by the Exercise Science Advisory Committee. Consideration for selection is based on the following criteria:
- Cumulative UWL GPA of 2.75 or higher;
- Grade of "C" or better in BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100;
- Grade of "C" or better in HPR 105;
- Fitness evaluation;
- Two professional job shadows (pre-approved by the student's ESS Academic Advisor);
- Extra-curricular experiences related to the emphasis; and
- Narrative statement content and technical writing quality.
Retention and advancement
- Once admitted, a 2.75 GPA (cumulative and major) must be maintained and a "C" grade or better must be earned in all required and elective major courses for retention in the program. Students whose GPA falls below 2.75 will be placed on probation for one semester. Failure to achieve a 2.75 GPA (cumulative and major) by the end of the probation semester will result in ineligibility to continue in the program.
- To be admitted to ESS 450 Exercise and Sport Science Internship, students must achieve a 2.75 cumulative and major GPA and have successfully completed all program course work.
For complete details regarding application procedures, contact the Exercise Science Program Director in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science.
Curriculum
73 credits
Core courses:
(required for all ESS-exercise science emphasis students)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ESS 100 | Physical Activities (6 credits, may include ESS 116) | 6 |
| ESS 201 | Safety, First Aid and CPR | 1 |
| ESS 207 | Human Motor Behavior | 3 |
| ESS 281 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries | 2 |
| ESS 302 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
| ESS 303 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| ESS 323 | Nutrition and Sport | 3 |
| ESS 328 | Field Experience in Exercise Science | 3 |
| ESS 446 | Current Research and Trends in Exercise Science | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Fitness track courses (46 credits):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 6-8 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise Science I and Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise Science II | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| ESS 309 | Strength & Conditioning Methods | 2 |
| ESS 344 | Introduction to Fitness Assessment | 3 |
| ESS 355 | Methods of Exercise Leadership | 3 |
| ESS 368 | Strength Training Techniques and Programs | 3 |
| ESS 403 | Advanced Strength Training Applications and Techniques | 2 |
| ESS 411 | Strength and Conditioning Educator Training | 2 |
| ESS 443 | Fitness Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| ESS 447 | Administration in Fitness and Sport | 3 |
| ESS 449 | Seminar in Fitness/Sports Management | 1 |
| ESS 450 | Exercise and Sport Science Internship | 12 |
| CST 260 | Professional Communication | 3 |
| or ENG 307 | Writing for Management, Public Relations and the Professions | |
| MKT 309 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
General education requirements
Students who select the exercise and sport science: exercise science fitness track major are required to take HPR 105; BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100 (BIO 100 recommended). Additional general education courses must also be selected to complete all category requirements and to meet the university minimum requirement of 42 total credit hours in general education.
All students must complete the general education, college core (waived for exercise and sport science: exercise science fitness track majors), major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
- 1
Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.
- 2
The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
This major is exempt from the CSH College Core requirement.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO 100, 105, or MIC 100 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)1 | 4 | ESS 100 | 1 |
| HPR 105 (Gen Ed Health & Well-Being) | 3 | ESS 2012 | 1 |
| ESS 100 (Select a topic of interest) | 1 | ESS 2053 | 3 |
| ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written) | 3 | CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 | FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Minority Cultures | 3 | Gen Ed Math | 4 |
| Meet with your faculty advisor to discuss the requirements for admission to the ESS-Exercise Science program. | |||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ESS 100 | 1 | ESS 100 | 1 |
| ESS 2063 | 3 | ESS 302 | 3 |
| ESS 207 | 3 | ESS 368 | 3 |
| ESS 281 | 2 | CST 260 or ENG 307 | 3 |
| Gen Ed Global Studies | 3 | ECO 110 (Gen Ed Self & Soc) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 | Gen Ed World History | 3 |
| Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 | ||
| Apply for admission to the ESS-Exercise Science program--see WINGS advisement report and Exercise Science website for details. | |||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ESS 100 | 1 | ESS 100 | 1 |
| ESS 303 | 3 | ESS 328 | 3 |
| ESS 309 | 2 | ESS 355 | 3 |
| ESS 323 | 3 | ESS 403 | 2 |
| ESS 344 | 3 | ESS 443 | 3 |
| MKT 309 | 3 | Gen Ed Lang/Logical Systems | 3-4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ESS 100 | 1 | ESS 450 | 12 |
| ESS 411 | 2 | ||
| ESS 447 | 3 | ||
| ESS 446 | 3 | ||
| ESS 449 | 1 | ||
| University Elective | 4 | ||
| 14 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||