Exercise Science

The Exercise Science program is designed to prepare students for careers in public, private, hospital, and corporate wellness programs, industrial and cardiac rehabilitation programs as well as fitness and conditioning programs.

Students will also be well-prepared for graduate study in areas such as cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, athletic training, and physical and occupational therapy.

The goals of the Lander University Exercise Science Major prepare students to be able to:

1. Identify and discuss major factors in the evolution of the field of exercise science from its early historical roots to its present position in exercise related careers;
2. Describe and apply bioscience (anatomical, physiological/biochemical, and biomechanical) concepts and changes occurring in the human organism to physical activity, conditioning, and health-related fitness across the lifespan;
3. Describe and utilize a variety of methods, techniques, and procedures to assess the health related components of fitness and subsequently develop appropriate exercise prescriptions that address physical activity, conditioning, and health-related fitness in diverse populations;
4. Understand the scientific method of conducting research and possess the ability to utilize discipline-based research in order to analyze the validity of health-related consumer information; and
5. Exhibit professional dispositions in the exercise-related community conducive to promoting healthy lifestyles.

Entrance Requirements

A student may declare a major in Exercise Science (Level I/pre-professional) upon enrollment in the university. However, Exercise Science majors will not be allowed to enroll in 300- and 400-level (professional) exercise science courses until they have been formally accepted into Level II (professional) of the Exercise Science Program. The application for Level II Acceptance can be found here. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Bruna Lynch at blynch@lander.edu.

Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.

¹ For approved courses see the General Education section
²Students following the Pre-Athletic Training (AT), Occupational Therapy (OT) or Physical Therapy (PT) concentration should take PSYC 101, MATH 121, BIOL 111, and BIOL 202. Students not following the Pre-AT/OT/PT concentration may take any general education course that satisfies each of the general education requirements for the University and may take either PEES 210 or BIOL 202 for the core requirement.
³ If you already have credit for HIST 111, do not take HIST 111R; if you already have credit for HIST 112, do not take HIST 112R; if you already have credit for POLS 101, do not take POLS 101R

• Students following the PT/OT concentration should take PSYC 101, MATH 121, BIOL 111, and BIOL 202. Students not following the PT/OT concentration may take any general education course that satisfies each of the general education requirements for the University and may take either PEES 210 or BIOL 202 for the core requirement.
• PEES 210 or BIOL 202 is a prerequisite for admission into Level II of the Exercise Science program, along with a minimum cumulative Lander GPA of 2.75.
• Students following the PT/OT concentration should speak with an advisor regarding the specific electives required to meet Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy prerequisites.
• Coursework must include at least 30 hours earned in 300 or above level courses, of which 12 hours must be in the major.
• See the 4-year major guide for recommended order in which to take courses