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Exercise Science

  • Minor

A Pathway to Health, Fitness, and Human Performance

A minor in exercise science at Saint Vincent College provides students with a strong scientific foundation in human movement, physical activity, and exercise performance. The program is designed to complement a wide range of majors and serves as an excellent pathway for students interested in fitness, sports medicine, rehabilitation, coaching, wellness, and human performance, as well as for those planning to pursue graduate or professional study in related fields. Students develop an understanding of the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise, the role of anatomy and biomechanics in movement efficiency and injury prevention, and the principles behind designing safe, effective, and individualized exercise programs for diverse populations and performance goals. Emphasis is placed on applying scientific concepts to real-world settings, bridging theory with practical skill development.

Overall, students completing the exercise science minor gain a comprehensive understanding of how physical activity influences health and performance, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support active, healthy lifestyles and succeed in performance-driven environments.

Undergraduate Programs

Program Highlights

  • The exercise science minor pairs perfectly with majors like sports management, biology, or health science, and is a great minor for anyone pursuing pre-health or pre-allied health tracks.
  • The minor helps prepare you for industry-recognized certifications, such as the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer Certification.
  • Pairing this minor with other majors gives you career opportunities as a strength and conditioning coach, wellness coordinator, exercise specialist, or personal trainer in a variety of clinical, corporate, and community settings.
  • Students gain foundational knowledge and hands-on experience with evidence-based training principles, fitness assessment, and exercise program design.
  • The curriculum also builds a strong foundation for graduate study in physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, and other allied health professions.

Curriculum Requirements

  • Required Courses

    Exercise Science Concentration/Minor (21-22 credits)**

    The following courses are required (11 credits):

    • BL140 Intro to Exercise Science and Lab
    • BL150/151 General Biology I and Lab
    • BL 245/246 Exercise Physiology and Lab 

    Plus, choose one lecture/lab combination (4 credits):

    • HSCI 222 Human Anatomy and Physiology 
    • BL224 Physiology and BL225 Physiology 

    Plus, take two of the following courses (6-7 credits):

    • BL142 Strength and Conditioning Assessment and Prescription
    • HSCI-235 Human Anatomy and Kinesiology
    • HSCI-250 Wellness and Nutrition
    • PY 275 Sport Psychology or PY 218 Life-span Development

    ** A maximum of 11 credits from one’s major program of study can also count towards fulfilling the minor

  • Key Courses

    Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the structure and function of the human body.

    Human Anatomy & Kinesiology: Analyzing the mechanics of human movement.

    Exercise Physiology: Examining how acute and chronic exercise affects bodily systems.

    Wellness & Nutrition: Exploring the role of nutrition in health, fitness, and performance.

    Strength and Conditioning Assessment: Developing skills to assess fitness, interpret data, and design effective training programs.

Undergraduate Programs