XS432 EXERCISE SCIENCE SEMINAR: PROFESSIONAL BEST PRACTICES Course Syllabus - Jennifer Walker

Term
Spring 2026
Section
M1
Course Delivery
Hybrid Traditional
Class Program

XS432:

Credits 1
Description

This is a discussion-based course designed to explore current issues, research, professional practice, and more as related to exercise science.

Prerequisites

XS130; Junior or Senior standing

Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details

Meeting Days:
Tuesday
Meeting Times:
9:40-10:25am
Location:
CSS 110
Delivery Details

This class will be in person and have online assignments.

***If WC should move to an online format, we will continue the class using the schedule below.  In person days would meet via Zoom during the scheduled class time.

 

Contact Information

Instructor:
Jennifer Walker
Instructor Email:
jennifer_walker@wilmington.edu
Office Location:
CSS 115
Phone Number
9377604211
Office Hours:
M 1:30-3:00pm, W 1:30-3:00pm, F 10:30-11:30am and 12:30-1:30pm Email me for any other times by appt; either in person, phone or zoom
Course Materials

Textbook;                   Class materials will be provided by instructor (in class or on Blk Bd)
Name:
Edition:
ISBN:
Author:
Publisher:

Instructor's Course Objectives
  1. Determine best course of actions in various situations while working in exercise science
  2. Identify various ethical considerations related to the fields of Exercise Science, health care, etc.
  3. Investigate social media concerns in the workplace
  4. Determine standards in interviews
  5. Identify issues related to research practices with human subjects
  6. Investigate moral and lawful grounds for decision making in Exercise Science
  7. Provide and demonstrate examples of proper etiquette with phone calls, interviews, dining, dress and email and written communication
  8. Understand how to participate in interprofessional practice
Course Schedule

Tentative Schedule;

Course Schedule  

 

Week 

Topic 

**These may not be covered in order**

WK 1  

1-12

-Introduction/expectations of class, Review schedule, MARK DATES!

-Opening discussion- definition Pro Best Prac

-Briefly explain a scenario that has happened in a job setting, classroom, athletic event, etc. in which an “issue” arose. Briefly describe how it was handled or resolved (refer to professionalism, as you understand it). Would you have handled it differently if that issue presented itself again and how so?

WK 2  

1-19

  ONLINE ASSIGNMENT;

- Define “Professionalism”, how will this play a role in your future life and career?  Provide examples.

-Define “Confidentiality”, how will this be involved in your future

-Define “Inter Professional Practice”; how will this apply to your future career

**More details on BB

WK 3  

1-26

  • Professional Best Practices in area of study (official documents?)
  • Soft Skills, Hand Shakes, Resumes, Applications, Interview Prep/Interviews, Negotiations

WK 4 

2-2

-Professional conduct/presentation in the workplace; language, dress, personal hygiene, topics of discussion (ex. politics, personal lives)

-Present yourself professionally

-Work ethic

-Appropriate behavior/professional relationships in the workplace (co-workers, superiors)

WK 5 

2-9

Phone and email etiquette, formal/proper communication, social media use

WK 6  

2-16

Dining etiquette/ dinner parties/networking/conferences

WK 7  

2-23

ONLINE ASSIGNMENT:

-  Cultural differences

-Burnout, Taking on too much, Work-Life Balance
 
 
 
WK 8    3-2No Class; In Service Day
WK 9    3-9 No Class; Spring Break

WK 10 

3-16

  Leaving a job (notice), letter of resignation, discussion of leaving

WK 11  

3-23

 Develop goals, recognize opportunities; professionally and personally

WK12  

3-30

ONLINE ASSIGNMENT:

-Time/Stress Management

-Making Choices (personal vs professional)

WK 13  

 4-6

Work ethic, office protocols/policies (vaccinations, certifications, time off, PTO, etc)

WK 14

4-13

ONLINE ASSIGNMENT:

-Research

-EBP

-Ethics

WK 15  

4-20

-Catch up, open discussion

-Semester topics impacting future thoughts/graduate school/career involvement

Week 16 

4-27

Finals Week

5-4

ONLINE ASSIGNMENT;

-Professional Involvement, organizations (pros/cons)

 

_______________________________________________________________

Final Exam: Final Paper; topic TBD

Subject to change during the semester. Adequate notice of changes will be given.

Course Assignments

Attendance; 20pts per week

Class/group participation;20pts per week

Weekly assignments/projects; 50pts per week

Quizzes; 20pts each

Total Points; Will vary depending on class flow/progress

Course Final Exam
Final Paper; TBD
Evaluation of Work

The grading scale will be as follows:

A =  90 – 100% of total pts.   

                                                    B =  80 – 89% of total pts.     

                                                    C =  70 – 79% of total pts.     

                                                    D = 60 – 69% of total pts.                

                                                    F = 59% and below

*Grading system is straight letter grade, no +/- grades.

* Grades available in Blackboard            

Instructor Course Policies

Instructor's Course Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes.  Class time will involve discussing topics as they pertain to various Exercise Science professions. Lectures and completing/presenting assignments/projects as well as discussions will occur during class.  More than 2 absences will result in  an “F” grade.

“See the current Student Handbook for the College’s Attendance Policy especially as it pertains to excused absences.”   

Instructor's Academic Integrity Policy

        Scholastic misconduct is cause for a failing grade (for the assignment and/or the class) and a letter

       about the incident will be placed in the student’s permanent file in the Office of Academic Affairs.

The student may be asked to appear before the Academic Standards and Appeals Committee as well.

     Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on assignments or examinations,                                 plagiarizing, misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another, or interfering with another student’s work.

“See the current Student Handbook for the College’s Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to

examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges.”

** AI use will NOT be permitted in this class**

Cell Phone/Texting: ABSOLUTELY NO cell phone use (including texting) in class.  Your complete attention is needed at all times.  Cell phone use is considered academic misconduct.

Institutional and Program-Level Policies

Final Exam Schedule

All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.

Undergraduate:  SP25 Final Exam Schedule    Graduate:  

 

Out-of-class Work Expectation

A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week.

Instructional Course Delivery                                                                                                            

Definition of Courses

Academic Integrity Policy

The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions.

Academic Integrity Policy

Class Attendance Policy                              

Institutional Class Attendance Policy

Accessibility and Disability Services