Exercise Science Major

Major Requirements

Note Bethany’s Program Requirements Disclaimer when planning your coursework.

Mission Statement

The exercise science major provides opportunities to create and foster positive attitudes toward physical and mental health. Liberal learning skills are integrated throughout the major via critical thinking, writing, and oral interpretation from a Christ-centered perspective, maintaining the mission of Bethany Lutheran College.

Academic work within the major empowers students to demonstrate and educate others on the importance of lifelong fitness, while at the same time providing theoretical and practical knowledge and skills needed to establish a lifestyle for themselves and others that promotes health and prevents disease.

An exercise science graduate will be prepared for a career in a variety of health and fitness fields or to pursue an advanced degree. Finally, our graduates are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and Christian ethics through a Biblical worldview and a personal philosophy of wellness.

Student Goals

1. Develop broad learning consistent with the philosophy and objectives of Bethany Lutheran College.
2. Demonstrate foundational knowledge in the principles of biology, chemistry, health and wellness, nutrition, human growth and development, human anatomy, and physiology as they relate to responses and adaptations during physical activity and exercise.
3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the field of exercise science including motor learning and development, kinesiology, exercise physiology, and aerobic and anaerobic conditioning responses in health and disease.
4. Demonstrate competency in health and fitness testing and measurement of individuals.
5. Assess, design, implement and re-evaluate fitness programs for all individuals.
6. Interpret appropriate research and apply it to the practice of exercise science.
7. Formulate a personal philosophy of wellness integral to balanced healthy living.

Program Learning Outcomes

A Bethany Lutheran College exercise science graduate will:

1. Demonstrate competency in health and fitness testing, and measurements of individuals.
2. Appropriately assess, design and implement fitness programs for all individuals.
3. Formulate a personal philosophy of wellness consisting of a balanced, holistic outlook, including Christian ethics, as applied to the field of exercise science.
4. Interpret appropriate research and apply it to the practice of exercise science.

Core Requirements

One of:

• BIOL101 Principles of Biology and Lab
• BIOL151 General Biology I and Lab
• BIOL152 General Biology II and Lab
• CHEM107 General, Organic and Biochemistry and Lab
• CHEM113 General Chemistry I and Lab

All of:

• BIOL221 Human Anatomy and Lab (prerequisite: BIOL151 or consent of instructor)
• BIOL222 Human Physiology and Lab (prerequisite: BIOL221)
• HLTH103 Healthful Living or HLTH240 Current Health Issues
• HLTH201 Nutrition
• HLTH206 Advanced First Aid and CPR
• PHED217 Lifetime Health and Fitness
• PSYC120 Human Growth and Development

All of the following, with a grade of “C–” or higher required:

• HLTH330 History and Philosophy of Wellness
• PHED310 Motor Learning and Behavior
• PHED350 Kinesiology (prerequisite: BIOL221)
• PHED470 Research and Writing in Exercise Science

All of the following, after prerequisites BIOL221 and BIOL222 have been completed, with a grade of “C–” or higher required:

• BIOL490 Introduction to Human Gross Anatomy and Lab
• HLTH470 Introduction to Diseases and Disorders
• PHED450 Exercise Physiology and Lab
• PHED455 Strength and Conditioning
• PHED460 Exercise Testing and Prescription
• PHED480 Topics in Exercise Science

Recommended courses:

• BIOL352 Immunology
• BIOL360 Microbiology and Lab
• COMM330 Introduction to Health Communication
• COMM430 Health Communication Theory and Research
• SOCL320 Research Methods in Social Sciences