Exercise Science

Curriculum

SEMINAR SERIES

The Exercise Science Seminar Series consists of two courses offered during the sophomore and senior years of the curriculum. Each seminar has a unique focus, relevant to the student and where they stand in the curriculum. The series provides standardization on important topics and allows for students to receive the information in a timely and effective manner.

• Sophomore Seminar: emphasizes professional skills, including written and oral communication specific to the field, networking, mock interviews and becoming involved within the profession at a regional or national level
• Senior Seminar: a capstone course that provides students with an open forum to examine current events and discuss how they relate to the exercise science major

Students earn two credits hour per seminar. While there is some work required outside of the classroom, the intent of the series is not to be overly rigorous, but practical and applicable to the student’s academic career and overall life skills.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a sound foundational knowledge and understanding of human physiology including relevant principles of nutrition, biology, and chemistry, along with an advanced understanding of human anatomy as they relate to responses and adaptations to exercise and physical activity.
• Demonstrate basic laboratory skills pertaining to assessments, laboratory methods, sound experimental and analytical practices, data acquisition, and reporting in the exercise sciences.  
• Demonstrate knowledge of the importance and influence of exercise, physical activity, and nutrition, on an individual’s health and well-being. In addition, students should steadfastly be an advocate for physically active lifestyles as a means to improve quality of life and reduce the risk and prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases.
• Demonstrate requisite skills and abilities for meaningful employment in exercise science-related areas or pursue graduate studies in an exercise science-related area.

Experiential Learning

Students who choose an exercise science major at the University of Mount Union have ample opportunities to get “real-world” experiences outside of the classroom. By getting involved in these experiential and clinical field opportunities, you can strengthen your skills in directly working with many populations including athletes, youth, young adult, middle-aged, and older populations. This hands-on experience is provided through a number of Individualized Direct Experiences (IDEs), which provide structured opportunities for students to work with a multitude of various populations, depending on their area of interest. These opportunities include:
 

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECTS)

• Can a Typical Swimmer’s Snorkel Elicit the Same Physiological Effects as an Acute Sojourn to Moderate Altitude. This project assessed the ability of a snorkel worn during training to elicit the same physiological adaptations as altitude training.
• The Effects of Palm Cooling During Aerobic Training. The purpose of this project was to determine if handheld cooling packs could assist the body in maintaining core temperature while exercising in the heat.
• Does beta-alanine supplementation affect muscular performance after caffeine ingestion? This study examined the effects of caffeine ingestion compared to beta-alanine supplementation in power output, repetitions to failure, rate of perceived exertion, focus, alertness and fatigue.
   

RESEARCH WITH FACULTY OR STUDENT PEERS 

• International Society of Sports Nutrition (2022) in Clearwater, FL
• Midwest American College of Sports Medicine (2022) in Indianapolis, IN 
• Biomechanics (2022)
• American College of Sports Medicine (2019) in Orlando, FL 
   

LABORATORY EXPERIENCE 

Students are routinely involved in running a variety of exercise tests including maximal aerobic capacity tests (VO2 max), body composition testing via air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod), Electromyography (EMG), power output and rate of force development (Ballistic Measurement System), and anaerobic power tests (Wingate) using a cycle ergometer.
 

EXERCISE SCIENCE INTERNSHIPS 

Internships are a valued and strongly encouraged avenue to gain course credit, relevant work experience, and job opportunities. Students have interned locally at the University of Akron and Kent State University, as well as domestically at Louisiana State University, Kansas State University, Iowa State University, and Northern Arizona University as Strength & Conditioning Coaches. Students have also interned at private sport performance facilities such as Premier Sports Conditioning and T3 Sports Performance. In addition, students have gained internship experience at local YMCAs and physical therapy clinics serving in a variety of capacities.
 

CAMPUS PROGRAMS 

• Recreation Center Fitness Trainers and Group Exercise Instructors
• Fitness assessment and evaluation of Mount Union athletic teams
   

COMMUNITY-BASED FITNESS PROGRAMS AND ASSESSMENT

• YMCA-based exercise and physical activity programs
• Through designed coursework, local community members have benefitted from personal training
• Area high school athletic team fitness assessments
   

COMMUNITY SERVICE 

Community service is part of the university's mission and an opportunity for students to share their knowledge, skills, and abilities with others. Through a variety of different programs, the students offer valuable experiences for clients promoting healthy and active lifestyles regardless of age, health status, or living environment. Community Service provides tremendous “real world” experiences for the students and allows them to give back to a larger community that needs support.
 

EXERCISE SCIENCE CLUB

Whether seeking an exercise science degree job or opportunities for further graduate study, students seeking additional support and preparation for a future in exercise science and related fields may find involvement in Mount Union’s Exercise Science Club to be extremely beneficial. From guest speakers to job interview and professional school application preparation, the club offers future exercise science and allied-health professionals with tips and hands-on experiences, allowing them to explore what their future may hold firsthand.

The purpose of the Exercise Science Club is to provide its members with practical experiences with the field of exercise science. Membership is open to those with an exercise science major, exercise science minor, or general interest in the field.

Throughout the academic year, the club has several activities to help prepare its members for a career in health-related fields. These include bringing in outside speakers, performing workshops and arranging outreach experiences.
 

INTER-SCIENCE RESEARCH CLUB

The purpose of the Inter-Science Research Club is to provide its members with practical experiences and research in the field of science. Membership is open to those with a chemistry or biochemistry major/minor, exercise science major/minor, biology major/minor, psychology major/minor or general interest in the field. Projects members of the group are currently working on include: 

• An annual trans-disciplinary campus conference opens to the public
• Presentations during an annual trip to Experimental Biology
• Dispersing the only dedicated pool of cross-departmental funding for research supplies
• Dispersing the only dedicated pool of cross-departmental funding for research travel
• Professor-student research presentations from around campus to increase awareness and collaboration

Throughout the academic year, the club has several activities to help prepare its members for a career in health-related fields.

Careers

According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for those with an exercise science degree is promising and varies slightly depending on the career path of the individual. Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 13 percent over the next decade, and the BLS predicts a 9 percent growth in opportunities for exercise physiology jobs. With an obesity epidemic and host of other health issues plaguing our nation and healthcare reform underway, the need for individuals closely allied with the medical profession appears to be emerging. With an exercise science degree, you can help to fill this demand, while achieving career success. The BLS reports that the current median income for exercise physiologists is upwards of $48,000, and fitness trainers and instructors bring in a median salary of approximately $31,000 per year.