Exercise Science, A.S.
Major Code: 2542The Exercise Science Associate degree (previously named Human Performance & Health Promotion) will prepare students to find employment in general fitness positions in wellness facilities and general fitness facilities. The curriculum includes a strong foundation in math and science, along with fitness-related classes in general fitness and wellness and exercise physiology. The program is unique in its inclusion of two exercise physiology classes to ensure the complete and comprehensive understanding, by the student, of the body’s response to exercise. Students are taught to handle a diverse set of exercise and fitness situations to strengthen their confidence and marketability in the field. Students are well equipped for immediate entry into the workforce, but are especially prepared for transfer to other programs in the following areas: Exercise Science, B.S. at SUNY Morrisville, Exercise Physiology, Physical Education, Kinesiology, Athletic Training, and Health Education. The Exercise Science program also prepares graduates for employment in fitness centers, recreational facilities, or corporate wellness programs and for certification from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe the role of physical activity in the prevention of and treatment of chronic diseases.
- Describe the chronic and acute responses of the body to physical activity.
- Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise and recommend activities to specifically test or to train either system.
- Evaluate whether the allied health profession is the student's desired career path, and assess ability to model appropriate professional behavior.
- Accurately assess a client’s heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during physical activity.
SUNY General Education Requirements: All SUNY Morrisville AS degree programs require completion of at least 30 credits of SUNY GE, a minimum of seven (out of ten) knowledge and skills areas (including the four required knowledge and skills areas as indicated below), and completion of the two core competencies. The specific courses required within each knowledge and skills area/core competency for this degree program are outlined below.
Knowledge and Skills Areas:
| Field Name | Field Value |
|---|---|
| Communication Written & Oral (required) | COMP 101, COMM 111 |
| Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (required) | as advised |
| Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (required) | MATH 103, MATH 141 |
| Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (required) | BIOL 120, BIOL 150, BIOL 151, PHYS 107 |
| Humanities | PHIL 201 |
| Social Sciences | PSYC 101, SOCI 250 |
| The Arts | as advised |
| US History and Civic Engagment | as advised |
| World History and Global Awareness | as advised |
| World Languages | as advised |
Core Competencies:
| Field Name | Field Value |
|---|---|
| Information Literacy (required) | as advised |
| Critical Thinking and Reasoning (required) | as advised |
Curriculum Requirements
A minimum of 60 credits is required for degree completion.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXSC 100 | Intro to Wellness & Fitness | 4 |
| EXSC 101 | Fieldwork in EXSC | 1 |
| EXSC 200 | Exercise Physiology I | 4 |
| EXSC 201 | Exercise Physiology II | 4 |
| MAST 100 | CPR for Healthcare Providers | 1 |
| NUTR 110 | Nutrition I | 3 |
| BIOL 120 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 150 | Human Anatomy + Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 151 | Human Anatomy + Physiology II | 4 |
| PHYS 107 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
| COMP 101 | Composition and Research | 3 |
| COMM 111 | Introduction to Speech | 3 |
| MATH 103 | College Algebra w/ Trig | 3 |
| SOCI 250 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| MATH 141 | Statistics | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction To Philosophy | 3 |
| SUNY General Education courses in Arts, US History & Civic Engagement, World History & Global Awareness, or World Languages as Advised | 3 | |
| SUNY General Education Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice as Advised | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Sample Course Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EXSC 100 | Intro to Wellness & Fitness | 4 |
| BIOL 120 | General Biology I | 4 |
| NUTR 110 | Nutrition I | 3 |
| COMP 101 | Composition and Research | 3 |
| GNED 100 | First Year Experience | 2 |
| MATH 103 | College Algebra w/ Trig (or higher in the algebra sequence after placement and in consultation with the academic program advisor) | 3 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Spring | ||
| EXSC 101 | Fieldwork in EXSC | 1 |
| COMM 111 | Introduction to Speech | 3 |
| PHYS 107 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
| SUNY General Education Elective as Advised | 3 | |
| SUNY General Education Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice as Advised | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 150 | Human Anatomy + Physiology I | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| EXSC 200 | Exercise Physiology I | 4 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction To Philosophy | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 141 | Statistics | 3 |
| BIOL 151 | Human Anatomy + Physiology II | 4 |
| EXSC 201 | Exercise Physiology II | 4 |
| SOCI 250 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| MAST 100 | CPR for Healthcare Providers | 1 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 62 | |