EXSS Courses

• EXSS 101 – Foundations of EXSS (3 credit hours)

Survey of the discipline of exercise and sport science. Analysis of the nature and importance of physical activity, knowledge base of the discipline, and careers in physical activity professions.  Fall, spring, summer. Salyer

• EXSS 141 – Personal Health (3 credit hours)

Elective, open to all students.  This course examines basic wellness concepts in the areas of physical fitness, nutrition, disease prevention, mental health, drug abuse, and human sexuality.  Emphasis is on the individual’s responsibility for his/her own health. Fall, spring, summer. Murray, Salyer, Shields, staff.

• EXSS 159 – Fitness Management (3 credit hours)

Students develop working knowledge of theories, principles and operating procedures involved in managing programs, staff and facilities in health/fitness industry - including management, marketing, operations, legal aspects.  Fall, spring. Schimmelfing.

• EXSS 163 – Women in Sports (3 credit hours)

A sociohistorical study of the influence of work, leisure, politics, family, race, economics, education, and perceived roles on women’s participation in sports. Summer. Osborne. 

• EXSS 175 – Human Anatomy (3 credit hours)

The study of the structure of the human body with special emphasis on the musculoskeletal, articular, and nervous systems.  Prosected cadaver materials are utilized to study the skeletal muscles and body viscera. Fall, spring, summer. Guskiewicz, Myers, Padua, Zinder.

• EXSS 181 – Sport Psychology (3 credit hours)

A comprehensive introduction to psychological and sociological factors that relate to sport involvement and performance.  Issues include psychological aspects of elite athletes, motivation and performance, intervention and performance enhancement, anxiety and skill performance, racial and gender discrimination in sport, and violence in sport. Fall, spring, summer. Silva.

• EXSS 188 – Emergency Care of Injuries and Illness (3 credit hours)

Theory and practice of basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the acute care of athletic injuries. Fall, spring, summer. Petschauer, staff.

• EXSS 193 – Theory and Practice of Modern Dance Technique – Elementary Level (3 credit hours)

Elective.  Prerequisites, PHYA 224 or equivalent.  An intensive study of modern dance technique and philosophy, focusing on the physical principles of movement and their choreographic application.  One hour seminar and 4-1/2 hours laboratory. Fall, spring. Hopkins.

• EXSS 205 – Analysis of Sport Skills I (3 credit hours)

A professional preparation course in the skills, knowledge, safety, and teaching progressions of basketball, track and field, and softball/baseball. Fall. Salyer.

• EXSS 206 – Analysis of Sport Skills II (3 credit hours)

A professional preparation course in the skills, knowledge, safety, and teaching progressions of soccer, tennis, and volleyball. Spring. Salyer.

• EXSS 207 – Coaching Principles (3 credit hours)

A professional preparation course for teaching and coaching.  Includes basic instruction in coaching education and principles, pedagogy for coaching, conditioning for athletes and team building. Fall. Salyer.

• EXSS 208 – Health and Physical Education in the Elementary School (3 credit hours)

This course deals with methods and materials of health and physical education in school levels kindergarten through sixth grade.  Required of elementary education majors.  Does not count toward physical education major. Spring. Salyer.

• EXSS 210  – Physical Education for the Elementary School – Kindergarten Through Sixth Grade (3 credit hours)

This course deals with methods and materials of physical education in school levels kindergarten through the sixth grade. Fall, summer. Mueller, Salyer.

• EXSS 211 – Adapted Physical Education (3 credit hours)

A study of problems related to body mechanics and the needs of the physically handicapped student. Fall. Aponte.

• EXSS 221 – Introduction to Sport and Recreation Administration (3 credit hours)

In this course, students are introduced to the policies and problems of organizing and administering sport, recreation and physical education programs in public and private settings.  Fall, spring. Mueller, Osborne.

• EXSS 265 – Fundamentals of Athletic Training (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 188.  This course is designed to introduce the undergraduate athletic training student to the athletic training profession and provide the basic knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, evaluate, and treat injuries to the head and face, cervical spine, thoracic region, and abdominal/urogenital region, and extremities. Spring. Petschauer.

• EXSS 271 – Athletic Training Clinical (1 credit hour)

Prerequisites, EXSS 265, 175, 188.  This field experience offers implementation of theories and practices of athletic training and sports medicine under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer. Fall. Guskiewicz, Padua, Petschauer.

• EXSS 273 – Research in Exercise and Sport Science (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, MATH 110.  An introduction to research in the fields of physical education, exercise and sport science with emphasis on understanding and application of research findings. Fall, spring. Blackburn, Groff, Sandoval.

• EXSS 275L – Human Anatomy Laboratory (1 credit hour)

Prerequisite, EXSS 175 and Biology 101 Lab, GPA 3.1 but not required for core.  EXSS 275L is a basic human anatomy laboratory course designed to accompany EXSS 175 for students endeavoring to major in the allied health professions. Fall, summer. Guskiewicz.

• EXSS 276 – Human Physiology (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite, EXSS 175 (or BIOL 252 with permission of the instructor).  A lecture course in elementary physiology, covering the various systems of the body. Fall, spring, summer. Hackney, McMurray, staff.

• EXSS 293 – Theory and Practice of Modern Dance Technique – Intermediate Level (3 credit hours)

Elective.  Prerequisites, EXSS 193 or permission of instructor.  An intensive study of modern dance technique and philosophy, focusing on the physical principles of movement and their choreographic application.  One hour seminar and 4-1/2 hours laboratory. Fall, spring. Hopkins.

• EXSS 322 – Fundamentals of Sport Marketing (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to introduce students to marketing within the sport industry, including the unique aspects of the sport product, sport consumer market, and the sport product world. Spring, summer. R. Southall. Stroman

• EXSS 324 – Finance and Economics of Sport ( 3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, ECON 101; EXSS 101 and 221 are recommended.  This course provides an understanding of the financial and economic growth of sport, economic theory applied to the sport industry, and the basic principles and methods of sound fiscal control. Fall. Stroman.

• EXSS 326 – Legal Aspects of Sport (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 101 and 221 are recommended.  This course provides a foundation in general legal concepts and familiarizes students with those areas they are most likely to encounter in the sports and fitness industry. Spring. Osborne.

• EXSS 360 – Sports Nutrition (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite, EXSS 276 or NUTR 240 or permission of instructor.  The role of nutrition in maximizing physical performance, promoting health, and controlling body weight.  Includes individual nutritional assessments. Spring, summer. Hackney, McMurray, staff.

• EXSS 366 – Evaluation of Athletic Injuries (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 188, 265.  This is an advanced athletic training course, designed to provide the athletic training student with knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and evaluate athletic injuries of the spine and extremities. Fall. Guskiewicz, Padua.

• EXSS 367 – Therapeutic Modalities (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 188, 265, 366.  This is an advanced athletic training course, designed to provide the athletic training student with knowledge and skills necessary for treating injuries. Spring. Guskiewicz.

• EXSS 368 – Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 188, 265, 366, 367. This is an advanced athletic training course, designed to provide the athletic training student with knowledge and skills necessary for rehabilitating injuries. Fall. Petschauer.

• EXSS 369 – Athletic Training Seminar (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 188, 265, 276, 366, 367.  A presentation of the historical and current perspectives of athletic training, including techniques for organizing and administering athletic training programs. Spring. Padua.

• EXSS 370 – General Medicine in Athletic Training (2 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 265, 175, 276, 188.  Advanced course focusing on understanding instrumentation used in assessing internal injury related to sport.  Pharmacology, drug testing, psychosocial interventions, and selected emergency procedures pertaining to athletic injury are also presented. Fall. Petschauer.

• EXSS 376 – Physiological Basis of Human Performance (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 276, and MATH 110; BIOL 252 may be accepted with the instructor's permission; must take laboratory section along with the class.  The application of physiological principles to sport and physical activity.  Both immediate and chronic adaptations to exercise are studied.  Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Fall, spring, summer. Battaglini, Hackney, Marks, McMurray.

• EXSS 379  – Practicum in Fitness (1-3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 159, 175, 276, 360, 376, 410, 476.  An introductory practical experience course designed to enable the student to apply basic exercise science knowledge and skills obtained in coursework within an exercise program designed for healthy/lower risk populations under the direct supervision of an experienced professional in the field.  Fall. spring.  Aguilar, Marks.

• EXSS 380 – Neuromuscular Control and Learning (3 credit hours)

Provides and understanding of the neuromuscular factors controlling movement and how changes in these factors lead to the learning of physical skills.  Promotes the application of neuromuscular control and learning principles to the teaching of physical skills with examples from fields such as athletic training, physical therapy, coaching, and medicine. Fall, spring, summer. Blackburn.

• EXSS 385 – Biomechanics of Sport (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite EXSS 175, MATH 110 or permission of instructor.  The study and analysis of human movement including the fundamental aspects of the musculoskeletal and articular systems.  Principles of biomechanics, including application to neuromuscular fitness activities, aerodynamics in sport, hydrodynamics, rotary motion, throw-like and push-like patterns, and the analysis of projectiles. Fall, spring, summer. Padua, Petschauer, Zinder.

• EXSS 396 – Independent Studies in Exercise and Sport Science (variable credit hours)

Elective.  Prerequisites, any two EXSS courses with B or better, CGPA 3.0, must be a junior or senior.  Individually designed in-depth study of an area of interest within physical education, dance, sport, or health under the supervision of a selected member of the faculty.  Credit varies from 1-3 hours. Fall, spring. Staff.

• EXSS 410 – Exercise Prescription and Testing in a Healthy Population (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite, EXSS 175, 276, 376 or permission of instructor.  Methods and protocols for screening, evaluating, and prescribing exercise. Must take the laboratory section along with the class.  Fall, spring. Battaglini, Marks, McMurray.

• EXSS 412 – Exercise Prescription in Clinical Populations (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite, EXSS 175, 276, 376, and 410 or permission of instructor.  Introductory course in the theoretical basis of exercise testing and prescription for clinical populations, enabling students to develop safe and effective exercise programs for diseased populations.  Spring.  Marks.

• EXSS 476 – Theory and Application of Strength Training and Conditioning for Fitness Professionals (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175 and 276.  This is an intermediate to upper level course designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of the physiological, biomechanical, functional, and administrative aspects of designing and supervising strength and conditioning programs for various populations.  Fall, spring.  Aguilar.

• EXSS 478 – Performance Enhancement Specialization for Fitness Professionals (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 276, and 380.  An upper level course designed to provide students who have a fitness background with the theoretical and practical knowledge related to the Performance Enhancement Specialization for athletes of all ages.  Spring. Aguilar.

• EXSS 479 – Performance Enhancement Specialization for Health Professionals (1 credit hour)

Prerequisites, EXSS 175, 276, 366, and 368.  An upper level course designed to provide students who have a health profession background with the theoretical and practical knowledge related to the Performance Enhancement Specialization for athletes.  Spring. Aguilar.

• EXSS 693H – Senior Honors Thesis (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite, EXSS 273, CGPA 3.2, major GPA 3.4 and permission from the director of department's Honors program.  Directed independent research under the supervision of a faculty adviser who teaches in the Exercise and Sport Science curriculum. Fall, spring. Petschauer.

• EXSS 694H – Senior Honors Thesis (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, EXSS 273, CGPA 3.2, major GPA 3.4 and permission from the director of department's Honors Program.  Preparation of an honors thesis and an oral examination on the thesis. Fall, spring. Petschauer.

Recreation Courses

• RECR 310 – Women , Work and Leisure (3 credit hours)

Implications of the relationship between women and leisure from a lifestyle perspective, and an analysis of the changing role of women and changing leisure concepts from a feminist perspective. Spring.  

• RECR 311  – Recreation and Leisure in Society (3 credit hours)

An introduction to leisure studies and its various elements developed from historical, philosophical, and theoretical perspectives with a focus on the meanings of leisure in individual and community life.  Fall. 

• RECR 370 – Recreation Services across the Lifespan (3 credit hours)

An analysis of the issues that affect recreation programming for persons across the lifespan. Constraints associated with age, economics, and disabling conditions will be explored. Spring.   

• RECR 390 – Selected Issues Seminar ( Var. credit hours)

Current issues, techniques, and research of a topical short-term nature are the focus of these seminars.  Fall, spring.

• RECR 396 – Independent Studies in RECR (Var. credit hours)

Individual readings, research and/or field study of a recreation issue, problem, service system, or activity pattern. The course may take the form of an independent study or seminar depending upon student interests and enrollment. Fall, spring.  

• RECR 420 – Program Planning in Recreation Services (3 credit hours)

This experiential course covers the concepts and skills used in program planning. Students apply their program planning skills to real life situations and implement a recreation program for community agency.

• RECR 430 – Introduction to Group Dynamics and Community Leadership (3 credit hours)

An analysis of the techniques, methods, and motives of group and community leaders. Special attention is focused upon the roles of organizational structure, personnel policies, and in-service training programs. Spring.  

• RECR 440  – Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Issues (3 credit hours)

A survey course taught from a psychosocial perspective addressing the roles of public and private agencies in meeting increased demand for outdoor recreation. Emphasizes the implications of environmental awareness on outdoor recreation. Spring.   

• RECR 470 – Recreation and Leisure Across the Lifespan (3 credit hours)

An analysis of aspects that affect recreation and leisure behavior from birth to death with a focus on issues associated with race, class, gender, sexual identity, and disabling conditions. Fall.   

• RECR 475 – Disability, Culture, and Therapeutic Recreation (3 credit hours)

An examination of disability from a cultural perspective with the application of theoretical and scientific knowledge to provide recreation interventions that facilitate participation in life by individuals with disabilities. Fall.  

• RECR 581  – Internship in Recreation (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: three or more courses in recreation. Students will have an opportunity to receive varied practical on-the-job experience in one of many agency types. Generally offered in the summer.  

• RECR 676 – Clinical Skills in Therapeutic Recreation (3 credit hours)

Development of helping skills for the practice of therapeutic recreation emphasizing rationale, techniques, and role responsibilities of therapeutic recreation in the area of leisure education.  A 20-hour practicum is required.

• RECR 677 – Disabling Conditions and the Practice of Therapeutic Recreation (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites, RECR 475 and 676.  Instruction in the relationship between various disabling conditions and the practice of therapeutic recreation.  A 24-hour practicum is required.

• RECR 691H – Honors in RECR (3 credit hours)

Special studies for undergraduates. Intensive study on a particular topic under the supervision of a qualified member of the staff. For RECR majors, with special permission of the faculty members involved and the director of undergraduate studies. Fall, spring.   

• RECR 692H – Honors in RECR (3 credit hours)

Honors project in recreation. The completion of a special project, approved by the department, by a student who has been designated a candidate for undergraduate honors. The second of a 2-course honors sequence. Fall, spring.