Program: Exercise Science (B.S.) - South Dakota State University

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 07, 2025

Male student runs on a treadmill.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Lee Weidauer, Associate Professor
School of Health and Human Sciences
Wagner Hall 405, Box 2275A
605-688-4630

Program Information

Exercise Science is the study of human movement performed to maintain or improve physical fitness. Exercise Science graduates are well trained to assess, design and implement individual and group exercise and fitness programs for individuals who are healthy and those with controlled disease. They are skilled in evaluating health behaviors and risk factors, conducting fitness assessments, writing appropriate exercise prescriptions, and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits. Exercise Science professionals work in university, corporate, commercial or community settings in which their clients/patients participate in health promotion and fitness-related activities. Exercise Science students will have the opportunity to become a certified American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) during their senior year in the program. Students will also be prepared to become a certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor and Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Exercise Science students have the opportunity to gain hands on experience by completing an on-campus internship and an off-campus field experience. Students have selected sites both domestically and internationally in the fields of strength and conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation, worksite wellness, fitness management, community physical activity promotion and biomechanics.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences.

All Exercise Science students have the opportunity to sit for the Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam offered through the American College of Sports Medicine during their final year in the program.

Course Delivery Format

Course instruction occurs through face to face and online course instruction that includes lectures, discussions, laboratories, internship and field experiences, and service learning.

Program Application

Students who declare Exercise Science as a chosen major must meet minimum grade requirements in key courses to progress through the program. Progression to the 300 and 400 level exercise science courses (with the exception of EXS 354 ) requires successful completion with a grade of C or better in the following courses: BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy (COM) , BIOL 221L - Human Anatomy Lab (COM) , BIOL 325 - Physiology (COM) , and BIOL 325L - Physiology Lab (COM) and GPA of 2.75 or higher. To stay on track to complete the program in 4 years students should complete the BIOL 221 , BIOL 221L , BIOL 325 , and BIOL 325L prior to the start of the fall semester of their junior year.

Academic Requirements

A minimum final grade of “C” is required in all Major Requirements courses. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher to progress/graduate from the program.

Requirements for Exercise Science Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: HDFS 210 - Lifespan Development (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 and PSYC 101 - General Psychology (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 114 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3 or higher level SGR #5 course
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: Select from the following
- CHEM 106 - Chemistry Survey (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 , CHEM 106L - Chemistry Survey Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 , CHEM 108 - Organic and Biochemistry (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4 , and CHEM 108L - Organic and Biochemistry Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
- CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 , CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 , CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 , and CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements

EHS 119 - EHS Seminar Credits: 2
EHS 319 - Life, Love, and Money Credits: 2

Major Requirements

BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy (COM) Credits: 4
BIOL 221L - Human Anatomy Lab (COM) Credits: 0
BIOL 325 - Physiology (COM) Credits: 4
BIOL 325L - Physiology Lab (COM) Credits: 0
CHRD 475 - Motivational Interviewing and Wellness Counseling Credits: 3
EXS 350 - Exercise Physiology (COM) Credits: 2-3
EXS 354 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (COM) Credits: 2
EXS 354L - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Lab (COM) Credits: 1
EXS 367 - Health and Human Performance Credits: 2
EXS 367L - Health and Human Performance Lab Credits: 1
EXS 380 - Professional Development Credits: 1
EXS 400 - Exercise Test and Prescription (COM) Credits: 2
EXS 400L - Exercise Test and Prescription Lab (COM) Credits: 1
EXS 420 - Group Exercise and Facility Management Credits: 1
EXS 420L - Group Exercise and Facility Management Lab Credits: 1
EXS 450 - Clinical Exercise Physiology (COM) Credits: 3
EXS 454 - Biomechanics (COM) Credits: 2
EXS 454L - Biomechanics Lab (COM) Credits: 1
EXS 455 - ECG and Clinical Stress Testing Credits: 3
EXS 480 - Certification Exam Preparation Credits: 1
EXS 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (2 credit required)
EXS 496 - Field Experience (COM) Credits: 1-6 (3 credits required)
HLTH 220 - Social Determinants of Health Credits: 3
HLTH 250 - Pre-Professional First Aid and CPR (COM) Credits: 2
and HLTH 250L - Pre-Professional First Aid and CPR Lab Credits: 0
or HLTH 364 - Emergency Medical Technician (COM) Credits: 3
and HLTH 364L - Emergency Medical Technician Lab (COM) Credits: 1
HLTH 479 - Health Promotion Programming and Evaluation Credits: 2
HSC 445 - Epidemiology Credits: 3
NURS 201 - Medical Terminology Credits: 1
NURS 323 - Introduction to Pathophysiology Credits: 3
NUTR 315 - Human Nutrition (COM) Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	32-33 Credit Hours
College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements	4 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	58-60 Credit Hours
Electives**	23-26 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

Exercise Science (B.S.)

Exercise Science (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main CampusClose