Sports Science, BSEd

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Program Description

Sports Science is the study of the body’s response to exercise and physical activity. The field incorporates various sub-disciplines including exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and the psychology of physical activity. Sports scientists rely on scientific principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics to advance their understanding of how the body responds to exercise and to advocate physical activity to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Majors in the Sports Science B.S.Ed Program must choose from one of two concentrations: Health and Fitness, or Sports Medicine. Each concentration is described below.

Health and Fitness Concentration

The Health and Fitness concentration will incorporate both classroom and supervised practical experiences to prepare undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to work as professionals in the health and fitness industry. Candidates who complete this program will be eligible to apply for the ACSM Health and Fitness Instructor certification, the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification, or other similar professional certifications.

Entry-level health and fitness professionals will be skilled in evaluating health behaviors, risk factors, conducting fitness assessments, developing and implementing safe and effective exercise prescriptions, and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors. Health and fitness professionals can perform these activities in commercial, university, corporate, or community settings where their clients participate in health promotion, fitness, and sports performance activities.

Sports Medicine Concentration

The Sports Medicine concentration is a pathway to healthcare graduate programs. This concentration incorporates both classroom and supervised practical experiences to prepare undergraduate students with the core knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue an advanced healthcare degree. The concentration meets all the requirements for graduate programs in athletic training, and, with minor program of study modifications, can also be a pathway to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant, and other related fields.

Admission Requirements

Health and Fitness Concentration

Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA, and must have earned a grade of C or higher in KNH 2410: Introduction to Kinesiology and Health, prior to being admitted to the program.

Sports Medicine Concentration

Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA, and must have earned a grade of C or higher in ATR 2610: Introduction to Allied Health Care Professions, prior to being admitted to the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Health and Fitness Concentration

• To apply scientific principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics to problems in the domains of exercise, physical activity, health, and disease.
• To complete a relevant professional certification exam (e.g., ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist).
• To conduct fitness assessments to evaluate health behaviors and risk factors.
• To develop and implement safe and effective exercise prescriptions.
• To work with individuals and groups to modify negative health habits and develop behaviors with positive impacts on health and wellness.
• To demonstrate intercultural competence and apply skills ethically and responsibly with diverse groups of clients and patients.

Sports Medicine Concentration

• To demonstrate core knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare.
• To describe internal and external factors and trends impacting healthcare.
• To explain the legal and regulatory environment in healthcare.
• To collaborate with a variety of healthcare professionals in the decision-making process for patient care.
• To prepare students to pursue advanced degrees in healthcare and eventually to practice effectively as healthcare providers.

For More Information

• Sports Science, B.S.Ed
• School of Nursing, Kinesiology and Health Sciences
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services

Program Requirements: Health and Fitness Concentration

I. Wright State Core: 40.5 Hours

ELEMENT 1 COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

• ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3

•  

• ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

• or

• ENG 2120 - Research Writing and Argumentation: Health Sciences Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 2 MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3 GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

• ATH 2500 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology for Health Care Professionals Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 4 ARTS / HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5 SOCIAL SCIENCE: 6 HOURS

• SW 2720 - Multicultural Competence in a Diverse World Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 6 NATURAL SCIENCE: 9 HOURS

Required

• KNH 2500 - Basic Anatomy and Physiology for KNH Majors Credit Hour(s): 4
• CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 7.5 HOURS

• BIO 1070 - Health and Disease Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1070L - Health and Disease Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• PHY 2460 - Concepts in Physics for Educators I Credit Hour(s): 4

II. Required Curriculum Content: 62 Hours

• ATR 3020 - Strength and Conditioning Credit Hour(s): 3
• ATR 3030 - Therapeutic Exercise Credit Hour(s): 3
• ATR 4820 - Pharmacology for Athletic Training Credit Hour(s): 3
• BIO 1010 - Medical Terminology Credit Hour(s): 3
• HED 1230 - Personal Health Credit Hour(s): 3
• HED 2340 - Health Behaviors Credit Hour(s): 3
• HED 4570 - Health and Fitness for Chronic Disease and Disorders Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 2120 - Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 2430 - Motor Development and Learning Credit Hour(s): 4
• KNH 2410 - Introduction to Kinesiology and Health Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2530 - Kinesiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2540 - Psychology of Sport Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2550 - Applied Exercise Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2600 - First Aid and CPR Credit Hour(s): 2
• KNH 2620 - Nutrition for Fitness and Sport Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2840 - Practicum in Health, Physical Education and Recreation Credit Hour(s): 1 to 15
• KNH 4110 - Fitness Assessment and Programming Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 4550 - Seminar in Sports Science Credit Hour(s): 1
• KNH 4840 - Practicum in Health, PE and Rec Credit Hour(s): 1 to 15

III. Electives: 17.5 Total Hours

A minimum of 17.5 elective credits must be taken from the courses listed in sections A, B, and C below. Courses other than those listed may be eligible for elective credit with approval of the Program Director.

A. DEPARTMENTAL ELECTIVES

The following courses in the School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences can be taken for elective credit. Other courses taught within the department may be eligible for elective credit with permission of the Program Director.

• HED 3320 - Diverse Needs in Health Credit Hour(s): 3
• HED 3350 - Health Communications Credit Hour(s): 3
• HED 4430 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 2020 - Teaching Fitness in Physical Education Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 2040 - Adventure Education Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 3010 - Teaching Invasion Games Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 3030 - Teaching Net/Wall Games Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2420 - Principles of Emergency Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 3500 - Technology and Emergency Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 3600 - Catastrophe Readiness and Response Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 4890 - Workshop in Health, PE and Rec Credit Hour(s): 1 to 6

B. NON-DEPARTMENTAL ELECTIVES

The following courses taught outside the School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences can be taken for elective credit. Other courses taught outside the department may be eligible for elective credit with permission of the Program Director.

• ANT 2100 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 2100L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• ANT 2120 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 2120L - Human Anatomy & Phys II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3100L - Human Structure Funct I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• ATH 2100 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 4
• ATH 2100L - Lab in Biological Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 0
• ATH 3310 - Human Evolution Credit Hour(s): 3
• ATH 3320 - Human Variation and Adaptation Credit Hour(s): 3
• BMB 2500 - Human Nutrition Credit Hour(s): 3
• CSD 3210 - Introduction to Health Care Issues Credit Hour(s): 3
• CSD 3230 - Health Care Financial Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• MKT 1500 - Personal Marketing for Career Success Credit Hour(s): 3
• MKT 2500 - Principles of Marketing Credit Hour(s): 3
• MKT 3600 - Retailing and E-Commerce Credit Hour(s): 3
• MKT 4300 - Entrepreneurship Credit Hour(s): 3
• MKT 4400 - Services Marketing Credit Hour(s): 3
• NEU 3100 - How the Nervous System Works I Credit Hour(s): 4
• NEU 3200 - How the Nervous System Works II Credit Hour(s): 4
• PPH 2000 - Global Health Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 1010L - Introduction to Psychology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• PSY 2120 - Human Factors and Design Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3090 - Psychology of Health Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3110 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3410 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3710 - Perception Credit Hour(s): 3
• RHB 3620 - Introduction to Drug and Alcohol Abuse Credit Hour(s): 3
• RHB 3660 - Wellness for the Helping Professional Credit Hour(s): 3
• STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4
• STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4
• URS 4300 - Nonprofit Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
• URS 4940 - Youth and Community Engagement Credit Hour(s): 3

C. RAIDER ACTIVE COURSES

Up to 6 credit hours of Raider Active courses can be counted toward the degree in Sports Science: Health and Fitness Concentration. An individual course number counts toward degree completion credit only once.

Eligible courses: KNH 1000-2010 (see Course Catalog for additional details).

Total: 120 Hours

Program Requirements: Sports Medicine Concentration

I. Wright State Core: 43 Hours

ELEMENT 1 COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

• ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 2 MATHEMATICS: 4 HOURS

• STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4

• OR

• STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

ELEMENT 3 GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

• ATH 2500 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology for Health Care Professionals Credit Hour(s): 3
• Any additional course from this area.

ELEMENT 4 ARTS/HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

• Any course from this area.

ELEMENT 5 SOCIAL SCIENCE: 7 HOURS

May substitute SOC 2000 for SW 2720.

• PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 1010L - Introduction to Psychology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• SW 2720 - Multicultural Competence in a Diverse World Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 6 NATURAL SCIENCE: 10 HOURS

• CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
• CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 1220R - General Chemistry Lab II Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 7 HOURS

• BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 1120R - Cells and Genes Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
• COM 1010 - Essentials of Public Address Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Curriculum Content: 77 hours

• ANT 2100 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 2100L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

• OR

• ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3100L - Human Structure Funct I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

•  

• ANT 2120 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 2120L - Human Anatomy & Phys II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

• OR

• ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

•  

• ATR 2610 - Introduction to Allied Health Care Professions Credit Hour(s): 3
• ATR 2620 - Emergency Medical Response Credit Hour(s): 4
• ATR 3020 - Strength and Conditioning Credit Hour(s): 3
• ATR 3030 - Therapeutic Exercise Credit Hour(s): 3
• BIO 1010 - Medical Terminology Credit Hour(s): 3
• HED 1230 - Personal Health Credit Hour(s): 3
• HED 4570 - Health and Fitness for Chronic Disease and Disorders Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 2120 - Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Credit Hour(s): 3
• HPR 2430 - Motor Development and Learning Credit Hour(s): 4
• KNH 2420 - Principles of Emergency Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2530 - Kinesiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2550 - Applied Exercise Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 2620 - Nutrition for Fitness and Sport Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 3600 - Catastrophe Readiness and Response Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 4110 - Fitness Assessment and Programming Credit Hour(s): 3
• KNH 4840 - Practicum in Health, PE and Rec Credit Hour(s): 1 to 15

• Section for Allied Health Capstone Project (4 credit hours)

• PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
• PHY 1110R - Principles of Physics I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
• PSY 3010 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 3010L - Research Methods in Psychology I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• PSY 3110 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3410 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• RHB 3620 - Introduction to Drug and Alcohol Abuse Credit Hour(s): 3

Total: 120 hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

• Health and Fitness Concentration, Sports Science (GPS) 
• Sports Medicine Concentration, Sports Science (GPS)