Exercise Science, Wellness & Sports, B.S.
Upon successful completion of the program of studies for Exercise Science, Wellness & Sports, the student will receive a B.S. in Exercise Science, Wellness & Sports and will have given evidence of the following outcomes and goals:
- Students will recall and apply the major concepts of exercise science, especially in the areas of functional anatomy, physiological responses to exercise, and the principles of nutrition, through standardized testing and in-class exams.
- Within lab demonstrations, class assignments and case studies, students will apply skills related to conducting exercise tests and prescribing exercise programs, including, but not limited to, stratifying the population according to risk, choosing an appropriate test based on health status, conducting fitness tests, and prescribing exercise programs for both healthy and diseased populations.
- Students will communicate effectively in both written and oral formats, alone and in teams, and demonstrate academic research skills as applied to exercise science through assigned writing and research-based assignments and in-class presentations.
- Students will reflect upon and apply professional standards and ethics in exercise science professions through personal integration, case studies, and internship opportunities.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
Major Sequence
Students choose one of two concentrations: Exercise Science or Health and Physical Education.
Exercise Science Concentration
Students must complete 36 exercise science credits, plus courses in related areas, including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ES100 | Exploration of Exercise Science | 1.0 |
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness | 3.0 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3.0 |
| ES251 | Biomechanics 1 | 3.0 |
| ES252 | Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy | 3.0 |
| ES330 | Exercise Physiology | 4.0 |
| ES350 | Exercise Testing & Prescription | 4.0 |
| ES390 | Internship I | 3.0 |
| ES391 | Internship II 2 | 3.0 |
| ES470 | Research Methods in Exercise & Sport | 3.0 |
| Exercise Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Related Courses | ||
| BI111 | Life: Human Biology | 4.0 |
| or BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| or CH151 | Chemistry for the Health Sciences | |
| MA103 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking | 3.0 |
| or BI203 | Experimental Design & Statistics | |
| MA109 | College Algebra 3 | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 58.0 | |
- 1
ES251 Biomechanics can be substituted with PH111 Physics in Everyday Life I and PH112 Physics in Everyday Life II, or PH115 College Physics I and PH116 College Physics II, or PH121 University Physics I and PH122 University Physics II.
- 2
ES391 Internship II can be substituted with ES392 Coaching Internship or ES471 Research Project in Exercise Science.
- 3
Evidence of algebra proficiency may replace MA109 College Algebra.
Transfer students are required to take a minimum of 14 ES credits at GCU, and a minimum of 23 credits including the interdisciplinary courses required for the major. Students may choose to complete the requirements for one or more tracks.
Health & Physical Education Concentration
Students must complete 48 credits in exercise science and related areas (or, 60 credits for students who do not complete the Specific Subject for Grades K-12 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement program), including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Health Sequence Courses | ||
| BI111 | Life: Human Biology | 4.0 |
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness | 3.0 |
| ES160 | First Aid & CPR | 1.0 |
| ES213 | Human A&P for Health & Phys Ed | 3.0 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3.0 |
| PS221 | Child & Adolescent Development | 3.0 |
| ES252 | Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy | 3.0 |
| ES/HPE280 | Substance Use Abuse | 1.0 |
| ES/HPE281 | Sexuality and Health | 1.0 |
| ES330 | Exercise Physiology | 4.0 |
| ES340 | Health & Weight Management | 3.0 |
| ES350 | Exercise Testing & Prescription | 4.0 |
| Required Physical Education Sequence Courses | ||
| ES/HPE260 | Motor Development Learning & Teaching | 3.0 |
| HPE310 | Adaptive Physical Education | 3.0 |
| ES/HPE355 | Methods of Secondary Health & Phys Ed. | 3.0 |
| PE (1 credit) courses that include at least one single, dual, and team activity | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 48.0 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Additional Courses if Student does not complete the Specific Subject for Grades K-12 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement program | ||
| ES390 | Internship I | 3.0 |
| ES470 | Research Methods in Exercise & Sport | 3.0 |
| Exercise Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Note: Praxis II Due Date is November 15 of Year 4.
Transfer students are required to take a minimum of 14 ES credits at GCU and a minimum of 23 credits, including the interdisciplinary courses required for the major. Students seeking teacher certification also complete the teacher certification courses as shown in the School of Education section of the catalog.
This degree map is for only the Exercise Science concentration. Please consult your academic advisor for other degree maps.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| GEN101 | Pathway to the Bridge 1 | 2.0 |
| EN111 or EN221 |
Academic Writing and Research I 1 or Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research |
3.0 |
| MA109 | College Algebra 1,2 | 3.0 |
| BI111 or BI121 |
Life: Human Biology 1,2 or Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function |
4.0 |
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEN199 | WI:Discovering Self in the Universe 1 | 3.0 |
| ES100 | Exploration of Exercise Science 2 | 1.0 |
| Intercultural Understanding & Intercultural Communication, or Creative Thinking & Expression 1 | 3.0 | |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I 2 | 4.0 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 14.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Critical Reading & Analysis 1 | 3.0 | |
| ES251 | Biomechanics 2 | 3.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II 2 | 4.0 |
| CH113 or CH151 |
General Chemistry I 2 or Chemistry for the Health Sciences |
4.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 17.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Understanding Human Behavior & Social Systems 1 | 3.0 | |
| Religious Studies 1 | 3.0 | |
| ES252 | Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy | 3.0 |
| MA103 or BI203 |
Introduction to Statistical Thinking 1,2 or Experimental Design & Statistics |
3.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Intercultural Understanding & Intercultural Communication, or Creative Thinking & Expression 1 | 3.0 | |
| ES Elective 2 | 3.0 | |
| ES Elective 2 | 3.0 | |
| ES330 | Exercise Physiology 2 | 4.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3.0 | |
Ethics |
||
| WI:Visioning a Future | ||
Power & Society |
||
| ES350 | Exercise Testing & Prescription 2 | 4.0 |
| ES160 | First Aid & CPR 2 | 1.0 |
| ES Elective 2 | 3.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14.0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3.0 | |
Ethics |
||
| WI:Visioning a Future | ||
Power & Society |
||
| ES390 | Internship I 2 | 3.0 |
| ES470 | Research Methods in Exercise & Sport 2 | 3.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3.0 | |
Ethics |
||
| WI:Visioning a Future | ||
Power & Society |
||
| ES391 | Internship II 2 | 3.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
- 1
General Education
- 2
Major
This degree map is for only the Health and Physical Education concentration with the option for Teacher of Health and Physical Education (K–12) with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement. Please consult your academic advisor for other degree maps.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| GEN101 | Pathway to the Bridge 1 | 2.0 |
| EN111 or EN221 |
Academic Writing and Research I 1 or Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research |
3.0 |
| Intercultural Understanding & Intercultural Communication 1 | 3.0 | |
| Mathematical Reasoning 1 | 3.0-4.0 | |
| Creative Thinking & Expression 1 | 3.0 | |
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 17.0-18.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEN199 | WI:Discovering Self in the Universe 1 | 3.0 |
| Critical Reading & Analysis 1 | 3.0 | |
| Physical Education 2 | 1.0 | |
| Physical Education 2 | 1.0 | |
| PS221 | Child & Adolescent Development 1,2 | 3.0 |
| BI111 | Life: Human Biology 1,2 | 4.0 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 18.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Religious Studies 1 | 3.0 | |
| ES213 | Human A&P for Health & Phys Ed 2 | 3.0 |
| HPE/ES260 | Motor Development, Learning & Teaching 2 | 3.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HPE280 | Substance Use Abuse 2 | 1.0 |
| HPE281 | Sexuality and Health 2 | 1.0 |
| ES252 | Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy 2 | 3.0 |
| HPE310 | Adaptive Physical Education 2 | 3.0 |
| ED3110 | Ethics & Foundations of American Ed 3 | 3.0 |
| SPE3030 | Foundations of Special Education 3 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 14.0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ES330 | Exercise Physiology 2 | 4.0 |
| HPE355 | Methods of Secondary Health & Phys.Ed. 2 | 3.0 |
| Physical Education 2 | 1.0 | |
| Physical Education 2 | 1.0 | |
| ED3130 | Essentials of Instruct. for Elem & Secon 3 | 3.0 |
| SPE3032 | Assessment in Special Education 3 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Power & Society 1 | 3.0 | |
| Physical Education 2 | 1.0 | |
| Physical Education 2 | 1.0 | |
| ES350 | Exercise Testing & Prescription 2 | 4.0 |
| ED3210 | Literacy Integration in Sec. Cont. Areas 3 | 3.0 |
| ED3250 | Methods of Instr. Secondary Subjects 3 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEN400 | WI:Visioning a Future 1 | 3.0 |
| Ethics 1 | 3.0 | |
| ES340 | Health & Weight Management 2 | 3.0 |
| ED3260 | UDL& Bl. Learn Strat. In Sec. Ed. 3 | 3.0 |
| SPE3031 | Literacy & Curriculum Planning 3 | 3.0 |
Praxis II due date is November 15 2 |
||
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ED4306 | Secondary Education Clinical Practice 3 | 9.0 |
| ED4309 | Educ. Ref. and Eff. Prac. Ele. & Sec. 3 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 12.0 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0-122.0 | |
- 1
General Education
- 2
Major
- 3
Teacher of Health and Physical Education (K–12) with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement