Major in Exercise and Sport Science

Requirements for the Major

The Exercise and Sport Science Major requires completion of a minimum of 52 units.

Students enrolled in the ESS program will have the option of receiving a B.A. or B.S. degree, depending on the courses completed. Students who have a specific purpose for the B.S. degree (e.g., Physical Therapy graduate school), should consult with an ESS advisor for more detailed information.

Effective Fall 2004, all classes taken for the Exercise and Sport Science major or minor, including courses taken outside of the ESS Department (e.g., Biology, Chemistry), require a minimum grade of C- in order to graduate. If the minimum C- grade is not achieved and the course is a prerequisite for a higher-level course, the student may not register for the higher-level course until the prerequisite course is repeated and a C- minimum grade is achieved.

Course Requirements - B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in ESS requires 52 units as follows:

Required Lower Division ESS Courses (24 units)

• ESS - 100 Motor Skill Performance and Analysis
• ESS - 120 Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science
• ESS - 200 Statistics
• ESS - 220 Motor Development
• BIOL - 113 Human Anatomy
• BIOL - 114 Laboratory in Human Anatomy
• BIOL - 115 Survey of Human Physiology
• BIOL - 116 Laboratory in Survey of Human Physiology

Note: Students who have no Chemistry knowledge should take Pre-Chemistry before 0121-115.

Required Upper Division Courses (16 units)

• ESS - 300 Kinesiology
• ESS - 310 Exercise Physiology
• ESS - 325 Exercise and Disease Prevention
• ESS - 320 Motor Learning

Elective Upper Division ESS Courses (12 units)

• ESS - 315 Exercise Psychology
• ESS - 240 Interdisciplinary Study of Human Aging
• ESS - 330 Exercise and Health Promotion
• ESS - 340 Neuroscience
• ESS - 350 Biomechanics
• ESS - 354 Exercise Testing and Program Design
• ESS - 356 Movement for Special Groups
• ESS - 362 Sport, Culture and Society
• ESS - 364 Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary School
• ESS - 366 Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary School
• ESS - 368 Nutrition for Exercise and Health
• ESS - 370 Social Issues in Personal and Community Health
• ESS - 372 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
• ESS - 376 Teaching Sport Skills
• ESS - 390 Special Topics
• ESS - 397 Field Observation in Physical Education
• ESS - 398 Professional Practicum
• ESS - 399 Directed Study
• ESS - 410 Research Seminar

Course Requirements - B.S.

In addition to the Exercise and Sport Science Course Requirements for the Major (B.A.), a student may choose to obtain a B.S. degree by taking at least 25 hours from the following list of Supporting Science courses:

• CHEM - 111 General Chemistry I
• CHEM - 113 General Chemistry II
• CHEM - 236 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
• PHYS - 100 Introductory Physics I
• PHYS - 101 Introductory Physics II
• BIOL - 105 General Biology I
• BIOL - 106 General Biology II
• BIOL - 134 Microbiology
• BIOL - 135 Laboratory in Microbiology

Learning Goals/Outcomes for the B.A. and B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science

Exercise and Sport Science Mission Statement

The mission of the Exercise and Sport Science (ESS) Department at the University of San Franciso is to educate students in preparation for careers in exercise, sport, and allied health sciences. Students are introduced to a breadth of academic experiences and are encouraged to participate in providing service to the community.

To facilitate the acquisition of material identified in the learning ourcomes listed below, our learning environment combines required and elective courses in addition to seminars, student advising, and career internship opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome 1: Understanding Human Movement

• Scientifically measuring the human body
• Evaluating and analyzing movement
• Designing preventative and rehabilitative programs
• Teaching motor skills

Learning Outcome 2: Promoting Physical Activity, Health, and Well-Being

• Recognizing relationships between lifespan physical activity, prevention of disease, and public health
• Recognizing relationships between proper nutritional habits, prevention of disease, and public health
• Understanding contributions of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health to overall wellness
• Contributing to community health by encouraging and participating in a variety of volunteer service activities.

Learning Outcome 3: Understanding Context

• Recognizing cultural diversity
• Understanding representations of the human body
• Learning the impact of social, economic, and political forces
• Experiencing exercise, sport, and allied health settings

Learning Outcome 4: Enhancing Communication

• Requiring essay and analytical writing
• Requiring scientific and technical report writing
• Presenting ideas in career-related settings
• Counseling, listening to, and advising others

Learning Outcome 5: Solving Problems

• Learning what questions to ask
• Developing analytical and critical reasoning skills
• Improving time management skills
• Thinking creatively and synthesizing information for integrative solutions

Learning Outcome 6: Managing Information

• Interacting with Internet and web-based technology
• Learning to use laboratory equipment and instrumentation
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Preparing data for presentation