Exercise and SPORT Science

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(920) 424-0834

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A major with movement

The Exercise and Sport Science major utilizes a strong scientific base and experiential learning components for students interested in the field of Kinesiology, including careers in fitness, health, and wellness.

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Is this major for me?

If you want to pursue a career in physical health and wellness, or enjoy helping people achieve health and fitness goals, the Exercise and Sport Science program is for you.

While some graduates of this major continue on to graduate programs, many jump right into the workforce without pursuing a master’s degree. These graduates often work in non-licensure applications, such as fitness center management, personal training, corporate health, exercise instructor, and more.

If you want to prepare for a career in health, fitness, or athletic related fields, but aren’t sure if you want to go on to a graduate program, Exercise and Sport Science will be a good fit for you.

How can I use this major?

Career opportunities in kinesiology are varied and numerous. The following is only a partial list of opportunities. The Exercise and Sport Science curriculum is specifically designed for students interested in careers in fitness, health, and wellness.
Subsequently, graduates primarily work in the following areas: 

 

  • Exercise specialist
  • Corporate wellness
  • Community health & wellness
  • Group exercise instructor
  • Personal trainer
  • Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Exercise physiologist

Curriculum

Pre-Admission Courses (9 cr.)

Students must earn a “C” or better in the following:

Kinesiology 121 – Orientation to Kinesiology (1 cr) [“B” grade or better]

Kinesiology 122 – Kinesiology Admissions Seminar (1 cr)

Kinesiology 170 – Medical Terminology (1 cr)

Kinesiology 171 – Prevention, Recognition, & Treatment of Athletic Injuries (2 cr)

Biology 211 – Human Anatomy (4 cr)  [BIO 105]

Required CourseS (29 cr.)

Biology 212 – Human Physiology (4 cr)  [BIO 211]

Kinesiology 173 – Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology (3 cr)

Kinesiology 201- Strength Training Techniques (1 cr)

Kinesiology 331- Motor Learning (3 cr)  [PSY 101]

Kinesiology 340- Biomechanics (3 cr)

Kinesiology 349 – Behavioral Aspects of Kinesiology (3 cr)  [PSY 101]

Kinesiology 350 – Physiology of Exercise (3 cr)  [BIO 212]

Kinesiology 351 – Nutrition for Health & Performance (3 cr)  [KIN 350]

Kinesiology 352 – Performance Assessment Techniques (3 cr)  [KIN 350]

Kinesiology 447 – Admin. & Facilities Mgmt in Kinesiology (3 cr)  [KIN 350 & FA certification]

Elective CourseS (Choose 10 cr.)

Kinesiology 104 – AED, CPR, and First Aid (1 cr)

Kinesiology 200 – Strength and Conditioning Practicum (1 cr)  [KIN 201]

Kinesiology 202 – Advanced Strength Training Techniques (1 cr)  [KIN 201]

Kinesiology 320 – Business of Wellness (3 cr)

Kinesiology 361 – Medical Aspects of Kinesiology (3 cr)  [KIN 350]

Kinesiology 363 – Addictive, Ergogenic, & Therapeutic Agents (2 cr)

Kinesiology 368 – Research Techniques (3 cr)  [Stats class]

Kinesiology 370 – Principles of Strength Training & Conditioning (3 cr)  [KIN 350]

Kinesiology 371 – Strength & Conditioning Program Design (3 cr)  [KIN 370]

Kinesiology 380 – Running Injuries, Assessment, & Intervention (3 cr)  [KIN 340 & KIN 350]

Kinesiology 405 – Group Exercise Leadership (1 cr)  [KIN 201]

Kinesiology 407 – Clinical Experience in E&F (3 cr)  [KIN 352]

Kinesiology 410 – Applied Biomechanical Principles and Techniques (3 cr)  [KIN 340 and Math 106]

Kinesiology 415 – Ergonomics

Kinesiology 425 – Current Topics in Kinesiology (1-3 cr)  [KIN 350]

Kinesiology 427 – Professional Preparation in Strength and Conditioning (3 cr)  [KIN 370]

Kinesiology 443 – Progressive Training Techniques (2 cr)  [KIN 370]

Kinesiology 446 – Kinesiology Independent Study (1-3 cr)

Kinesiology 450 – Advanced Physiology of Exercise (3 cr)  [KIN 350]

Kinesiology 461 – Clinical Experience in S&C (3 cr)  [KIN 370]

Kinesiology 474 – Honor’s Thesis (1-3 cr)

Capstone Course (12 cr.)
Kinesiology 480 – Internship in Kinesiology (12 cr)

Admission To The Major

When students begin at UW Oshkosh with an interest in a Kinesiology major, they are entered into the Pre-Kinesiology major.

In order to obtain admission into one of the majors in the Department of Kinesiology, students must submit an application. Students are required to complete the Pre-Admission courses listed above (Biology 211 along with Kinesiology 121, 122, 170, 171)

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to be considered for admission and students in the Department of Kinesiology must finish their undergraduate degree with a 2.75 GPA in all Kinesiology courses. Therefore, pre-admission grades and GPA are reviewed during the admissions decision in order to assess the likelihood of success in completing the major.

To apply, a student submits an admission portfolio that includes a cover letter, a resume, and an admissions essay. The deadline for submission of the admission portfolio is on the last Friday of each semester.

Students may apply for admission while the courses are in progress; however, admission is dependent upon successful completion of each course. All applications will be reviewed and evaluated within three weeks following the end of the semester. Students will receive formal notification of the admission committee’s decision no later than five weeks after the semester ends. The decision will be sent to each student’s University email address.

If you have any questions about whether or not you should apply please contact the Admissions Committee chair, Dr. Dan Schmidt (schmidtw@uwosh.edu).

Advising

Kinesiology students will begin advisement at the  University Advising Resource Center (UARC). Once students are admitted to a major, they will be assigned a faculty advisor in the Department of Kinesiology. Students are expected to meet with their faculty advisor each semester, at least one week prior to their registration date.

When students arrive at the meeting with the advisor they should bring:

  • An updated Academic Report (don’t print)
  • A list of courses they plan to take the following semester
  • A copy of the the major 4-Year Plan found on the Student Resources page

 

A major function of the advisor is to work with the student in designing their curriculum, so they not only complete the requirements of the program but also maximize the worth of their undergraduate education. Another purpose of an academic advisor is to give students counsel with respect to their intended career directions. Although faculty and staff will do their best to follow the student’s progress, it is the student’s responsibility to make absolutely sure they complete all degree requirements and are thus eligible to graduate.

If you have questions prior to program admission, Dr. Dan Schmidt and Dr. Brian Wallace are the primary faculty advisors for this major.  Please reach out with any questions about this major.

NOTE: It is crucial that students meet with an advisor every semester as courses in the department may not be offered each semester. Your advisor will help you choose the best elective courses for your intended career goals.

 

Wait List Policy

If a class you’d like to take is full, you may elect to get on the wait list. You can view full courses in TitanWeb by unchecking the “Show Open Only” box when searching for Kinesiology. If the full class has an online wait list, it will display a yellow triangle in the status box. To join the wait list simply “enroll” in the course, checking the box for “wait list if class is full.” You should see a message confirming that you’re on the wait list upon completion.

If you need assistance, contact Deb Suess in the Kinesiology office at (920) 424-0834. Don’t procrastinate, or our ability to help may become limited.

Careers and Internships

The Kinesiology internship provides the opportunity for development and practice at a clinical placement of the student’s choosing (with approval from the Department of Kinesiology). Theory, principles and techniques, as well as the skills learned in the classroom are developed throughout the internship placement. The internship experience is required and is viewed as an integral part of the student’s professional preparation. The internship is designed to provide a quality, hands on leadership experience that is specifically related to the student’s career goals.  The internship experience should be compatible with the goals of the Department of Kinesiology, the student’s professional goals, as well as with the specific needs of the internship site.  Students attain internships in selected business, industry and commercial settings throughout the state, country and possibly internationally.

Exercise and Sport Science majors should pursue internships that fit their career path.  Cardiac rehabilitation, personal training, community health, corporate health and wellness, and senior health and fitness are examples of potential internships that could be a great fit for the student in this major.   The Department of Kinesiology has developed strong relationships with many different types of internship sites, including, but not limited to:

  • Ripon Medical Center (Ripon, WI)
  • Evergreen Retirement Community (Oshkosh, WI)
  • Xperience Fitness (Appleton, WI)
  • PDS Fusion (Oshkosh, WI)
  • Oshkosh YMCA (Oshkosh, WI)
  • Fox Valley Autism Treatment Program (Appleton, WI)
  • JET Functional Fitness (Oshkosh, WI)
  • Froedtert Medical Center (Menomonee Falls, WI)
  • Bellin Health Titletown (Green Bay, WI)
  • Movement Revolution (Deerfield, IL)

 

Current students can find more information about the internships on the Canvas Page

For other questions about the internship, please contact:

Craig Biwer MS, CSCS, ACSM-EP
Internship Coordinator
biwerc@uwosh.edu
920-424-3070