BS in Exercise Science (Health Fitness/Strength Conditioning)
Units required for Major: 60
Total units required for BS: 120
Program Description
Exercise Science program mission is to study the scientific basis of how the human body functions across the lifespan in response to physical activity, exercise and sport. Exercise Science curriculum integrates knowledge from such science disciplines as biology, chemistry, and physiology so that students will gain a deep integrative understanding of human body functions at the mechanical, cellular, organ, and systems levels.
The major in Exercise Science qualifies an individual for career possibilities in cardiac rehabilitation, sports medicine, chiropractic, athletic training, geriatrics, health related fitness programming (fitness and corporate), and further scientific training in graduate school.
The Health Fitness/Strength Conditioning Specialist Concentration is designed for students who are interested in advanced scientific knowledge of how physical activity, exercise and sport alter health and human performance. Many students from this option pursue careers in fitness and corporate wellness, strength conditioning, and further their scientific training in graduate school.
Note: Students graduating with a BS in Exercise Science will not be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement. Students who change major may be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.
Pre-Major Requirements
Freshman or transfer students interested in the BS in Exercise Science are admitted as Pre-Exercise Science Major students.
To change to a BS in Exercise Science, Pre-major students are required to complete the following grade and course requirements and submit a Declaration of Major/Concentration to the Kinesiology Department Office along with transcript copies.
- An overall GPA of 2.0.
- Completion of the Pre-Major required courses with a “C-“ or better. Only first and second attempts will be considered.
Minimum Grade Requirement
All courses counted for the Exercise Science major must be completed with a "C-" or better.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Core Courses (17 Units) | ||
| BIO 10 | Basic Biological Concepts 1 | 3 |
| BIO 22 | Introductory Human Anatomy | 4 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I 1 | 5 |
| or CHEM 6A | Introduction to General Chemistry | |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| or CHEM 6B | Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry | |
| Required Upper Division Core Courses (43 Units) | ||
| BIO 131 | Systemic Physiology | 4 |
| KINS 151 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| KINS 151A | Biomechanics | 3 |
| KINS 152 | Physiology Of Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 152A | Fundamentals of Exercise Programs | 3 |
| KINS 152S | Energy Production & Sports Performance | 3 |
| KINS 144 | Analysis of Weight Training & Muscular Fitness | 2 |
| KINS 156 | Care Of Athletic Injuries | 3 |
| KINS 153 | Cardiovascular Testing and Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| KINS 158 | Motor Learning and Control | 3 |
| Health Fitness/Strength Conditioning Specialist Concentration | 13 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
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Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
Health Fitness/Strength Conditioning Specialist Concentration
In prior consultation with an exercise science advisor, a minimal of 13 units from the recommended list of courses below are required in addition to the core courses above:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SELECT A MINIMUM OF 13 UNITS FROM THE FOLLOWING: | 13 | |
| Nutrition And Wellness 1 | ||
| Nutrition And Metabolism 1 | ||
| Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation | ||
| Planning, Designing and Managing a Fitness Center | ||
| Sport And Aging | ||
| Biomechanics II | ||
| Exercise Physiology of Women | ||
| Prolonged Exercise | ||
| Blood Lactate and Exercise | ||
| Sport and Exercise Psychology | ||
| General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound 1 | ||
| Introduction to Statistics 1 | ||
| Total Units | 13 | |
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Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13-19 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science 2 | 5 | |
| B2 - Life Forms 2 | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 2 | 5 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts 3 | 0 - 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 4 | 0 - 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (12 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (0-3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course 5 | 0 - 3 | |
| Total Units | 46-55 | |
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To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
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Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
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Department offers students a "select from the following option" within the Concentration:
- If student chooses to take STAT 1, they will meet Area B4.
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Department offers students a "select from the following option" within the Concentration:
- If student chooses to take NUFD 113, they will meet Area B5.
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Department offers students a "select from the following option" within the Concentration:
- If student chooses to take NUFD 10, they will meet Area E.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (6 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2 | 0 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
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If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
Note: Students with a declared major of BS in Exercise Science are exempt from the Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.