Academic Catalog

Exercise Science (B.S.) 2023-2024 Catalog Year
Marieb College of Health & Human Services
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science program curriculum focuses on health, wellness, and maximizing the performance of athletes, fitness-oriented persons, and special populations such as children and older adults. Students learn how the body responds to activity and exercise throughout the lifespan. Students also learn how the body can attain a higher level of wellness and/or increase performance capabilities.

The Exercise Science program prepares graduates for entry level careers that deal with the enhancement of individual health and/or performance capabilities. Graduates are also provided with the background necessary for advanced study in exercise science or other health-related disciplines including athletic training, physician assistants, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, sports nutrition, and sports psychology.

Exercise Science graduates will sit for either the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification exam. For successfully meeting established criteria, the National Strength and Conditioning Association officially recognizes Florida Gulf Coast University's Educational Program in Strength and Conditioning. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recognizes the FGCU campus at the Gold level status for Exercise is Medicine (EIM).

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
  • Complete an Exercise Science program portfolio, which includes the following:
    • Resume
    • Responses to Section 2 and Section 3 on the Exercise Science portfolio development guidelines
  • Submit the following materials:
    • Exercise Science Technical Standards Signature form (signed by physician)
    • Physical Exam Form (signed by physician)
    • Present/Future Coursework Planning Sheet
    • Program Prerequisite Reporting Sheet
    • Immunization Form
    • Establish a CastleBranch account for submission of required immunizations and health insurance
  • Complete BSC 1010C with a minimum grade of "B-" (B minus) by the end of Semester 1.
  • Complete PSY 2012 and MAC 1105 with a minimum grade of "C" by the end of Semester 1.
  • Complete BSC 1085C with a minimum grade of "B-" (B minus) by the end of Semester 2.
  • Complete MAC 1147 with a minimum grade of "C" by the end of Semester 2.
  • Complete BSC 1086C with a minimum grade of "B-" (B minus) by the end of Semester 3.
  • Complete CHM 1046 & CHM 1046L, BSC 1011, BSC 1011L & HSC 2577 with a minimum grade of "C" by the end of Semester 3.
  • Complete all other required lower division requirements (general education, CLWS, INKN, Civic Literacy and earning 60 credit hours) with a minimum grade of "C" by the end of the summer term immediately following Semester 4.
  • Students must have an institutional GPA (or cumulative GPA in Gulfline, includes FGCU credits and grades) of 2.5 or higher by the end of Semester 4.
  • Students must follow a pre-approved Program of Study approved by the student's faculty advisor.
  • A student must perform at the appropriate level of generic abilities and criteria as outlined in the Professional Behaviors Plan.
  • For Experiential Learning I & II, the Exercise Science program will attempt to place students at an approved site. In some situations, students will need to secure their own pre-approved placement which must meet the Exercise Science program's requirements for community site education. Please see the Exercise Science program website for additional criteria on Experiential Learning.

For timely degree completion, students must complete appropriate milestones. Failure to meet milestone requirements may result in required major reselection. Refer to the program website or Student Guidebook for further information on milestones and progression standards.

In addition to the program requirements, students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • Complete a minimum of 48 credits at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
  • Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
  • Complete all Required Courses in the Major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Earn a minimum grade of C for all Exercise Science major courses.
  • Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
  • Satisfy the Service Learning requirement. See: https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/.
  • Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
  • Perform at Entry Level in all criteria of the Professional Behaviors Plan.
  • Submit an application for graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
  • Meet all FGCU requirements for graduation.
  • Adhere to requirements as stated in the Exercise Science Student Guidebook.
  • Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
Program Requirements
  1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
    To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.

  2. Common Prerequisites
    For this major, common prerequisite courses with an asterisk (*) require prior knowledge and skills demonstrated through degree acceleration programs (e.g., the College Board's Advanced Placement Program [AP], International Baccalaureate Program [IB], College-Level Examination Program [CLEP], Advanced International Certificate of Education Program [AICE]); dual enrollment; placement exam; or college coursework.

    FGCU Course: BSC 1010C Gen’l Biology w/Lab I (4) Minimum grade of B-
    Acceptable Substitute: BSCX010C or (BSCX010 and BSCX010L)

    FGCU Course: BSC 1011 General Biology II (3) and BSC 1011L General Biology II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: BSCX011C or (BSCX011 and BSCX011L)

    FGCU Course: BSC 1085C Hum Anat & Physio w/Lab I (4) Minimum grade of B-
    Acceptable Substitute: BSCX085C or (BSCX085 and BSCX085L) or (PETX322 and PETX322L) or APKX100C  or (BSCX093 and BSCX093L)

    FGCU Course: BSC 1086C Hum Anat & Physio w/Lab II (4) Minimum grade of B-
    Acceptable Substitute: (BSCX086 and BSCX086L) or PETX323C or APKX105C or (BSCX094 and BSCX094L)

    FGCU Course: *CHM 1045 General Chemistry I (3) and CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: CHMX045C or (CHMX045 and CHMX045L)
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

    FGCU Course: CHM 1046 General Chemistry II (3) and CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: CHMX046C or (CHMX046 and CHMX046L)

    FGCU Course: HSC 2577 Nutri Human Health & Wellness (3) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: HUNX201

    FGCU Course: *MAC 1147 Precalculus (4) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: MACX147 or MACX311 or (MACX140 and MACX114)
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

    FGCU Course: PSY 2012 General Psychology (3) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: PSYX012

  3. Required Courses in the Major (52 credits)
    APK 3125 Fitness Assess/Ex Prescription (3)
    APK 3125L Fitness Assessment Lab (2)
    APK 3141C Anat and Biomech Human Mvmt 1 (3)
    APK 3142C Anat and Biomech Human Mvmt 2 (3)
    APK 3312 Pharm & Ergo Aids Sport & HP (2)
    APK 3931 Selected Topics: Human Perform (1)
    APK 4050 Evidence Based Practice (3)
    APK 4112 Sport & Human Exer Psychology (3)
    APK 4120 Clinical Exercise Physiology (3)
    APK 4123 Human Perf and Energy Supplies (2)
    APK 4137 Exercise and Sport Physiology (4)
    APK 4137L Exercise and Sport Phys Lab (2)
    APK 4138 Methods of RT & Conditioning (3)
    APK 4138L Method Resistance Training Lab (2)
    APK 4930 PDS II Prep for Entering (2)
    APK 4941L Experiential Learning I (5)
    APK 4951 Capstone in Exercise Science (2)
    PET 3627C Care & Prevent HP Injuries (3)
    PHY 2053 College Physics I (3) and PHY 2053L College Physics I Laboratory (1)

  4. Restricted Electives in the Major (3 credits)
    Select one of the following in consultation with a college advisor/student success counselor:

    APK 4948L Experiential Learning II (5)
    CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I (3) and CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
    HSC 3161 Genetics for Health Sciences (3)
    PCB 3063C Genetics (3)
    PHY 2054 College Physics II (3) and PHY 2054L College Physics Laboratory II (1)
    OTH 3417C Musculoskeletal Anatomy (3)
    OTH 3429C Neuroanatomy & Function (3)
    Or other course approved by advisor to support career or educational aspirations

  5. University Requirements (3 credits)
    IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)

  6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
Total Credits Required: 120

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