2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Exercise Science, BS (EXSCI-BS)

CIP Code: 310505

Program Description

Exercise Science is the study of the body’s response to exercise and physical activity. The field incorporates various sub-disciplines including exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and the psychology of physical activity. Exercise scientists rely on scientific principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics to advance their understanding of how the body responds to exercise and to advocate physical activity to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

The Exercise Science program incorporates both classroom and supervised practical experiences to prepare undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to work as professionals in exercise, health, fitness and wellness fields. Candidates who complete this program will be eligible to apply for the ACSM Health and Fitness Instructor certification, the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification, or other similar professional certifications.

Entry-level professionals in these fields are skilled in evaluating health behaviors, risk factors, conducting fitness assessments, developing and implementing safe and effective exercise prescriptions, and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors. Exercise science professionals can perform these activities in commercial, university, corporate, or community settings where their clients participate in health promotion, fitness, and sports performance activities.

Program Admission Requirements

Students must have at least a 2.50 GPA, and must have earned a grade of C or higher in KNH 2410: Introduction to Kinesiology and Health, prior to being admitted to the program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Apply scientific principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics to problems in the domains of exercise, physical activity, health, and disease.
Conduct fitness assessments to evaluate health behaviors and risk factors.
Develop and implement safe and effective exercise prescriptions.
Work with individuals and groups to modify negative health habits and develop behaviors with positive impacts on health and wellness.
Demonstrate intercultural competence and apply skills ethically and responsibly with diverse groups of clients and patients.
Complete a relevant professional certification exam (for example, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and others).

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Analyze and solve complex problems related to exercise, health, and disease using interdisciplinary scientific principles from biology, chemistry, and physics.
Design and implement comprehensive individualized fitness plans incorporating fitness assessments, identification of risk factors, and promotion of health behaviors, in clinical, recreational, occupational, and community settings.
Demonstrate leadership in group or one-on-one health and fitness settings aimed at promoting sustained health and wellness behavior change.
Critically evaluate ethical dilemmas in health and fitness contexts, and apply culturally responsive solutions tailored to diverse populations.
Achieve professional certification by passing relevant exams and leveraging the knowledge and skills to contribute to the fitness and health industries as certified professionals.
Engage in ongoing professional development by incorporating feedback and research-based practices to enhance performance, knowledge in the field, and evidence-based practice.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 37 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Required:

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 1010L - Introduction to Psychology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
SOC 2000 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3

Element E - Natural Sciences: 9 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Required:

BIO 1070 - Health and Disease Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1070L - Health and Disease Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Required:

PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 1110R - Principles of Physics I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Required Courses: 66 Credit Hours

A. Department of Kinesiology and Health Courses: 49 Hours

ATR 3020 - Strength and Conditioning Credit Hour(s): 3
ATR 3030 - Therapeutic Exercise Credit Hour(s): 3
ATR 4820 - Exercise and Sport Pharmacology Credit Hour(s): 3
HED 1230 - Personal Health Credit Hour(s): 3
HED 2340 - Health Behaviors Credit Hour(s): 3
HED 4570 - Health and Fitness for Chronic Disease and Disorders Credit Hour(s): 3
HPR 2120 - Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Credit Hour(s): 3
HPR 2430 - Motor Development and Learning Credit Hour(s): 4
KNH 2410 - Introduction to Kinesiology and Health Credit Hour(s): 3
KNH 2500 - Basic Anatomy and Physiology for KNH Majors Credit Hour(s): 4
KNH 2530 - Kinesiology Credit Hour(s): 3
KNH 2540 - Psychology of Sport Credit Hour(s): 3
KNH 2550 - Applied Exercise Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
KNH 2600 - First Aid and CPR Credit Hour(s): 2
KNH 2620 - Nutrition for Fitness and Sport Credit Hour(s): 3
KNH 4110 - Fitness Assessment and Programming Credit Hour(s): 3

B. Exercise Science Practicum and Internship: 14 Hours

Exercise Science majors are required to complete the following learning experiences:

Practicum (KNH 2840): 1-credits, 50-hours, observational, fall of Year 2
Internship (KNH 4840): 12-credits, 400-hours, hands-on, spring of Year 4 (taken with KNH 4550, the internship seminar course)
Certification Exam: During the Internship semester, students must also complete a certification exam from an accredited professional organization in their field of interest. More information is available on the program’s website.

Practicum:
KNH 2840 - Practicum in Health, Physical Education and Recreation Credit Hour(s): 1 to 15
Register for 1 credit of KNH 2840 Credits / Units: 1
KNH 4550 - Seminar in Sports Science Credit Hour(s): 1
Internship and Seminar:
KNH 4840 - Practicum in Health, PE and Rec Credit Hour(s): 1 to 15
Register for 12 credits of the Exercise Science Internship section of KNH 4840 Credits / Units: 12

C. Other: 3 Credit Hours

BIO 1010 - Medical Terminology Credit Hour(s): 3

III. General Electives: 17 Credit Hours

In addition to the required courses listed above required coursework, Exercise Science majors must complete 17 credits of general elective coursework. Students are encouraged to choose from the courses listed in sections A-C below, but may substitute other courses for elective credit as needed.

A. Departmental Electives

HED 2330 - Human Sexuality for Educators Credit Hour(s): 3
HED 3350 - Health Communications Credit Hour(s): 3
HPR 2010 - Teaching Invasion Games Credit Hour(s): 3
HPR 2020 - Teaching Fitness in Physical Education Credit Hour(s): 3
HPR 2030 - Teaching Net/Wall Games Credit Hour(s): 3
KNH 2420 - Principles of Emergency Management Credit Hour(s): 3
KNH 3600 - Disaster Response and Recovery Credit Hour(s): 3

B. Approved Electives in Other Departments

ANT 2100 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 2100L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
ANT 2120 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 2120L - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3100L - Human Structure and Function I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
ATH 2100 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 4
ATH 2100L - Lab in Biological Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 0
ATH 3210 - Medical Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 3310 - Human Evolution Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 3320 - Human Variation and Adaptation Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 1050 - Biology of Food Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1050L - Biology of Food Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BMB 2500 - Human Nutrition Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 1500 - Personal Marketing for Career Success Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 2500 - Principles of Marketing Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 3100 - Consumer and Organizational Buyer Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 3500 - Marketing Research and Decision Making Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 3600 - Retailing and E-Commerce Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 3700 - Creativity, Problem Solving, and Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 4100 - Digital Marketing Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 4150 - Viral Marketing and Social Media Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 4300 - Entrepreneurship Credit Hour(s): 3
MKT 4400 - Services Marketing Credit Hour(s): 3
NEU 3100 - How the Nervous System Works I Credit Hour(s): 4
NEU 3200 - How the Nervous System Works II Credit Hour(s): 4
PPH 1080 - Introduction to Public Health Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 2000 - Global Health Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 3300 - Community Health Improvement Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2120 - Human Factors and Design Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2540 - Psychology of Disabilities Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3090 - Psychology of Health Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3110 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3410 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3600 - Human Factors Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3710 - Perception Credit Hour(s): 3
RHB 3620 - Introduction to Drug and Alcohol Abuse Credit Hour(s): 3
RHB 3660 - Wellness for the Helping Professional Credit Hour(s): 3
STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4
STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

C. Raider Active Courses

Up to 6 credit hours of Raider Active courses can be counted toward the Exercise Science degree’s general electives requirement. An individual course number may be counted only once toward degree completion.

Eligible courses: KNH 1000-2010 (see Course Catalog for additional details).

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.

Exercise Science, BS (GPS)