Exercise Science

The Exercise Science program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in various health and fitness occupations or for graduate education in exercise science or other such pre-professional, health-related disciplines as athletic training, physical therapy, physician assistance or medicine. Students must complete one of three concentration areas: Allied Health (preferred track for students planning on a career in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic Medicine, Nutrition, or other medical /clinical related field), Sport Performance (preferred track for students who plan on earning certification in Personal Training and/or Strength & Conditioning), or Pre-Athletic Training (AT). The Pre-AT concentration may be completed at either a traditional (4-year) or accelerated (3-year) pace. The student must have a minimal entrance Math placement of MT106/107 and an English placement of EN101 for consideration to the accelerated Pre-AT program.

The major requires a field experience that serves to complement the classroom learning and provide valuable on-the-job experience. The field experience is designed to allow students to gain professional experience in the fitness or allied health industry. The field experience will provide an opportunity to apply theories, concepts, and terminology into a practical experience in the field of Exercise Science. Students continuing to graduate education in a health-related discipline may utilize these field experience hours toward program required clinical observations.

The Wilmington College Athletic Training Program received approval for a Master of Science in Athletic Training in April of 2019 and will no longer be enrolling students in an undergraduate AT program. All students interested in pursuing AthleticTraining at Wilmington College should follow the requirements for the Exercise Science major, Pre-AT Concentration (page 248), and contact Dr. Eric Dick, Interim AT Program Director, to schedule an interview and academic advising.

Degrees

Courses

XS130: INTRODUCTION TO EXERCISE SCIENCE

Credits 2

Introduction to the history of exercise science and an examination of the science and careers related to exercise science. Topics addressed include foundational anatomy and physiology, basic human movement, clinical testing and exercise prescription, and strength and fitness programming. The course is designed to introduce the student to the exercise science professionals and prepare them for further classes in the major.

XS231: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

Credits 4

This course is designed for those students who intend to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, dentistry, microbiology, pharmacy, physical therapy, athletic training, and medical technology. This course will teach the prefixes, suffixes and combining forms necessary to form proper medical terminology. It will include the rules for proper medical term formation, pronunciation, spelling, and definition of basic terms and abbreviations used in medical records. It will also include learning common pharmaceutical and anatomical terms and terms related to symptoms, diagnosis, surgeries, therapies, and diagnostic tests.

XS285: FIELD EXPERIENCE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE

Credits 1

An opportunity to gain knowledge and experience (within the fields of Athletic Training or Exercise Science) in professional settings. Experiences are integrated with educational objectives to broaden student learning.

XS331: EXERCISE AND SPORT NUTRITION

Credits 4

A study of the basic principles of nutrition and their application to overall health, physical activity, and sport. The topics include macronutrients, micronutrients, caloric expenditure, weight management, fluid & electrolyte balance, supplements, fad diets, nutrition in relation to disease risk & prevention, and athletic performance. 

XS332: EXERCISE SCIENCE SEMINAR: ETHICS

Credits 1

This course is a discussion-based course designed to explore the ethics of professional practice in exercise science. A secondary focus of the course is to explore current best-practices in exercise science.

XS340 : KINESIOLOGY

Credits 4

A study of location and action of major muscles. Emphasis is on learning to describe the organic skeletal and neuromuscular structure of the human body; identifying how these systems adapt to skillful movement, physical activity and fitness and anaylizing their contributions to motor performance using and anaylzing data gathered from various sources. Students will learn specific anatomical structures related to the musculoskeletal system as well as the origin, insertion action and inervation of the muscles of the body. Students learn to properly grade and test the major muscles manually and anaylze the range of motion. They will also learn about the biomechanics of body motion, planes of movement and about the different levers associated with body movement.

XS342: PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL TRAINING

Credits 2

A course designed to teach the principles of physical training. Topics would include how the body works, energy for the body, developing and conducting a physical training program, how to assess and monitor fitness training programs, how to determine the muscular demands for a sport, and how to design a muscular fitness program.

XS355: PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE

Credits 4

A study of how the bodies' structures and functions are altered when exposed to acute and chronic bouts of exercise. How human performance is affected by environmental factors, nutrition, and dietary supplements is emphasized. The measurement of physiological parameters, the effects of various kinds of training, application of nutritional principles for athletes, the effects of learning on performance, positive health behaviors, and the effect of age and sex on physiological response and adaptation are included.

XS360: BIOMECHANICS

Credits 2

A study in the properties of human movement in sport and physical activity. Emphasis is placed on understanding the physical laws that dictate motion and the calculations related to those laws. Further exploration into the current biomechanical literature emphasizes the application of biomechanical principles to professional practice.

XS363: STRENGTH AND FITNESS PROGRAMMING

Credits 2

This is a two-hour lecture/lab course covering the foundations of strength and fitness programming. The foundational anatomy and physiology are reviewed. The components of performance enhancement programming and team injury prevention programming are discussed in detail with lab time for application of learned skills.

XS365: EXERCISE TESTING AND PRESCRIPTION

Credits 4

A study of the current guidelines and recommendations of exercise testing and prescription as outlined by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The basics of testing in the laboratory and in the field are discussed with emphasis on evidence-guided application of testing and program design.

XS367: IGNITION SPEED SYSTEMS CERTIFICATION

Credits 2

The Ignition Speed System course is designed to teach students the entire Ignition Speed System. The Ignition Speed System is comprised of 7 essential elements that combine to help the athlete systematically and progressively develop quickness, speed and agility. Along with the 7 elements of the Ignition Speed System, students will learn testing methods, programing methods, cuing and skill development, as well as basics of energy systems utilized by the body during exercise.

XS470: INTERNSHIP

Credits 4

An internship is an intensive career-oriented work experience related to the student’s academic studies, professional and educational goals. It is also an opportunity to gain practical experience in one’s major field of study, apply knowledge gained in the classroom, and make useful contacts in a professional field. The experience is ideally unique to the student and must be supervised by a qualified supervisor.

XS485: FIELD EXPERIENCE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE

Credits 1 10

An opportunity to gain knowledge and experience (within the fields of Athletic Training or Exercise Science) in professional settings. Experiences are integrated with educational objectives to broaden student learning.

XS496: SENIOR EXERCISE SCIENCE THESIS

Credits 4
Skill
W

This capstone course is designed for Allied Health Concentration exercise science students. Each student will design and implement individual or small-group in-depth research projects. The course requires extensive exploration of current literature, composition of scholarly writing, and presentation of research project findings.