The University of Toledo offers a bachelor of science degree in exercise science. This degree requires 120 credit hours for graduation. The degree is for students who want to study the anatomical, physiological, biomechanical and psychological bases of human physical performance. The curriculum has a strong foundation in the natural sciences. Students have the opportunity to concentrate in one of the following areas:

• Human Performance and Fitness Promotion
• Pre-Medical Professions
• Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences 

Many students use the degree as a preparation for graduate education in exercise science, medicine and other allied health fields such as athletic training and physical therapy.

Additional information about the degree can be found at the department’s web site at http://www.utoledo.edu/hhs/exercise-science/undergradprograms.html

Human Performance and Fitness Promotion

Many exercise science students are interested in applying their interest and expertise in human physical performance to the prevention and treatment of disease and disability, to the enhancement of health and fitness, and to the facilitation of sport performance through training and conditioning. The concentration in human performance and fitness promotion is for these students. Beyond the required exercise science courses, these students take additional course work that focuses on the use of exercise and exercise testing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, reduced muscle strength and endurance tolerance. Students in this concentration will focus on the development of exercise programs designed to enhance health, general fitness and exercise performance.

In addition to two internships, many students complete one or more of the certification programs offered by organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. These certifications, in combination with the student’s academic training, provide excellent credentials for employment in fitness/wellness programs or cardiovascular rehabilitation as well as many commercial fitness facilities.

Pre-Medical Professions

The Pre-Medical Professions concentration provides students with the opportunity to complete the exercise science degree and prepare for admission into medical school or physician assistant graduate programs. Students will identify and research the specific admission requirements for those programs to which they intend to apply. If the requirements are not in the degree program, they should be included among the supporting electives in consultation with the program advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all prerequisites for intended programs are completed. All medical and physician assistant programs involve a competitive admission process. Thus, completion of the Pre-Medical Professions option at UToledo does not guarantee acceptance to any graduate program.

Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences

The Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences concentration provides students with the opportunity to complete the exercise science degree and prepare for admission into a graduate entry-level program for athletic training, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. Students will identify and research the specific admission requirements for those programs to which they intend to apply. If the requirements are not in the degree program, they should be included among the supporting electives in consultation with the program advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all prerequisites for intended programs are completed. All athletic training, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs involve a competitive admission process. Thus, completion of the Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences option at UToledo does not guarantee acceptance to any graduate program.

Human Performance and Fitness Promotion Internship Requirements

• Certification in CPR.

• Criminal background check policy

  Human performance and fitness promotion students may be required to complete both an Ohio BCI & I check and an FBI criminal background check. In the event that the background check report identifies a history of criminal activity, the student may be at risk for not being able to successfully complete the required internship education requirements of the program.

  Successful completion of all designated internships is a graduation requirement. Further, students with a criminal background may be "at risk" for not meeting credentialing eligibility requirements (ACSM, NSCA, etc.) in some states due to a felony conviction.

• Medical policy

  Each student, while enrolled in the didactic and internship portions of the curriculum, is required to complete various immunizations, titers, tests, and a physical examination each year as specified in the Student Health Form Packet in the Student Handbook and in conjunction with University affiliate agreements. Students are prohibited to engage in laboratory activities or to attend an internship if this information is not on file for the current year. Students are to refer to the Student Handbook for program information.

  It should also be noted that some internship sites have additional health requirements (flu shots, drug screens, etc.). When these are known in advance, the program will inform the student of any additional health requirements. However, during preparations for upcoming internships, the student is responsible for checking with the Internship Coordinator to determine if there are any additional health requirements. It is recommended that this process be initiated approximately 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the internship to allow adequate time for completion of any additional health requirements. If the student does not complete the additional requirements of the internship site, the student is prohibited from attending that facility for their internship education experience.

  All expenses incurred in obtaining a background check, physical, necessary laboratory tests, immunizations and additional health requirements are the responsibility of the student.

• Physical requirements: must be able to move, lift or carry equipment weighing up to 50 lbs., push equipment up to 600 lbs., and lift/assist clients up to 300 lbs. with assistance. Must have full range of body motion and eye/hand coordination. Required to have corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

  Physical Demands: Performance of appropriate exercise recommendations involves standing, walking, and moving of heavy exercise equipment.

  Speech, Vision and Hearing Demands: Be able to interact and communicate effectively.

  Mental Demands: Must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities (appropriate medical judgment).

  Transportation: Students must provide own transportation to sites up to 100 mile radius.

• BS in Exercise Science, Human Performance and Fitness Promotion
• BS in Exercise Science, Pre-Medical Professions (Pre-Medical or Pre-Physician Assistant)
• BS in Exercise Science, Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences (Pre-Athletic Training, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy)

BS in Exercise Science, Human Performance and Fitness Promotion

Below is a sample plan of study.  Consult your degree audit for your program requirements.

¹

A “C” or better is required in this course.

Courses noted with FL or SP are only offered in those semesters.
Biology, Chemistry, and Math placement can alter this sequence.

BS in Exercise Science, Pre-Medical Professions (Pre-Medicine or Pre-Physician Assistant)

Below is a sample plan of study. Consult your degree audit for your program requirements.

Pre-Medicine Focus

¹

A "C" or better is required in this course.

Pre-Physician Assistant Focus

¹

A "C" or better is required in this course. 

Courses noted with FL or SP are only offered in those semesters.
Biology, Chemistry, and Math placement can alter this sequence.
Please be aware that requirements for medical school  or graduate programs for Physician Assistant may vary. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have completed all prerequisites for the programs in which you intend to apply. 

BS in Exercise Science, Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences (Pre-Athletic Training, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy)

Below is a sample plan of study. Consult your degree audit for your program requirements.

¹

 A grade of "C" or better is required in this course.

Courses noted with FL or SP are only offered in those semesters.
Biology, Chemistry, and Math placement can alter this sequence.
Please be aware that requirements for graduate school for Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Occupational Therapy may vary. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have completed all prerequisites for the programs in which you intend to apply.

• PLO 1.Examine the physiological, biomechanical and anatomical foundations of exercise.\\n
• PLO 2.Describe the role of physical activity in the maintenance of health, with particular focus on the physiological mechanisms whereby physical activity reduces incidences of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.\\n
• PLO 3.Compare and contrast: a) pre-participation screening/ health risk appraisal and stratification, b) fitness assessment and evaluation with appropriate exercise techniques of both apparently healthy and chronic disease populations.\\n
• PLO 4. Perform a search of the scientific literature within exercise science.\\n
• PLO 5. Develop critical thinking/analytical skills in the design and implementation of laboratory research projects.