USC
University of Southern California
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Please note: Due to late revisions, some text on this page differs from what appears in the printed version of the USC Catalogue. The changes appear below as highlighted text, with corresponding explanations appearing in the right margin.

Courses of Instruction

Exercise science (EXSC)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

EXSC 200L Nutrition: Macronutrients and Energy Metabolism (4, Fa) Gastrointestinal physiology and energy metabolism as it relates to macronutrient intake. Theories and principles of regulation of energy status and acute and chronic effects of exercise. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: BISC 120L or BISC 121L; BISC 220L or BISC 221L.

EXSC 202L Principles of Nutrition and Exercise (2, FaSpSm) Fundamental knowledge of proper nutrition for optimal health performance. Concepts of weight loss, gain; understanding of cardiorespiratory functioning. Laboratory experiments; body composition evaluation, energy metabolism. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.

EXSC 203L Individualized Exercise Prescription (2, FaSp) Principles and theories related to exercise prescription; programs of weight-training, circuit-training, aerobics, flexibility, high and low-intensity training guidelines; safeguards and effectiveness. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.

EXSC 205Lxg The Science of Human Performance (4, FaSpSm) The physiological and nutritional basis of human performance. Factors that facilitate and limit athletic achievement. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. Not available for major credit. (Duplicates credit in EXSC 300L.)

EXSC 250 Drugs and Ergogenic Aids in Sport and Weight Control (4, Sp) Evaluation of drugs, nutritional supplements, and ergogenic aids and their effect on human athletic performance, weight and fat loss. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour.

EXSC 300L Physiology of Exercise (4, Sp) Analysis of the neuromuscular system (anatomy, development, biochemistry, physiology and mechanics). Theories and principles of neuromuscular adaptations associated with acute and chronic exercise. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: EXSC 200L.

The title, description and requirements for this course will change in fall 2009. Show revised version
EXSC 301L Human Anatomy (4, Sp) Introduction to the fundamental concepts and interactions of the biology and mechanics of human motion with emphasis on musculoskeletal anatomy. Analysis of tissues and cells and the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems included. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. (Duplicates credit in the former BISC 212.) Recommended preparation: High school biology.
EXSC 301L Functional Anatomy (4, Sp) Neuromuscular mechanisms involved in performance of skilled movements; analysis of body levers, movement patterns; prevention of injury; training programs; individual experiments. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Corequisite: EXSC 300L.

EXSC 310 Sociopsychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity (4, FaSp) Examination of the individual in a social environment related to sport and physical activity; personality, motivation, attitude, and group behavior viewed in physical activity contexts.

EXSC 350 Nutrition: Micronutrients and Homeostasis (4, Fa) Theories and principles of regulation of vitamin/mineral metabolism as it relates to homeostasis of organ systems. Effects of acute and chronic exercise. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite: EXSC 200L.

EXSC 390 Special Problems (1-4) Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.

EXSC 400L Principles of Perceptual-Motor Learning (4, Fa) Theories and principles of learning applied to gross motor performance; analysis and evaluation of variables affecting learning and performance in exercise, games, sports, and dance. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.

EXSC 407abL Advanced Exercise Physiology (a: 4, Fa; b: 4, Sp) a: Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal systems in exercise. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: EXSC 300L. b: Regulation of metabolic pathways and endocrinology in acute and chronic exercise. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.

EXSC 408L Introduction to Biomechanics (4, Fa) Kinematic and kinetic analysis of human motion; emphasis on performance enhancement and injury prevention. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: EXSC 301L; MATH 108 or MATH 125; PHYS 135aL or PHYS 151L.

EXSC 439L Human Performance and Bioenergetics (2 or 4, Sp) Application of physiology, biomechanics and perceptual-motor principles to the study of skill acquisition and human performance. Four units — Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Two units (kinematic analysis only) — Lecture, 1 hour; laboratory, 3 hours.

EXSC 441L Prevention of Athletic Injuries (4, Fa) Application of scientific principles to conditioning, protecting, and rehabilitating the athlete. Laboratory, 2 hours. Prerequisite: EXSC 301L or BISC 312Lx.

EXSC 442L Advanced Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (4, Sp) Athletic injury assessment; principles, techniques and effects of therapeutic modalities and rehabilitative exercises. Prerequisite: EXSC 441L.

EXSC 490x Directed Research (2-8, max 8, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: departmental approval.

The title of this course will change in fall 2009. Show revised version

EXSC 491L Laboratory Experience in Exercise Science (2 or 4, max 4, FaSpSm) Practical laboratory experience in basic and applied exercise physiology, biochemistry and/or biomechanics. Emphasizing development of laboratory techniques. Prerequisite: EXSC 200L, EXSC 203L, EXSC 300L, EXSC 301L.

EXSC 491L Laboratory Experience in Kinesiology (2 or 4, max 4, FaSpSm) Practical laboratory experience in basic and applied exercise physiology, biochemistry and/or biomechanics. Emphasizing development of laboratory techniques. Prerequisite: EXSC 200L, EXSC 203L, EXSC 300L, EXSC 301L.

EXSC 499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Selected topics in kinesiology.

EXSC 580abcd Experimental Studies of Human Performance II (4-4-4-4, 2 years, FaSp) a: Force and kinematics; b: neuromuscular control of multijoint movements; c: kinetics; d: advanced kinetics.

EXSC 587L Seminar: Advanced Exercise Physiology (4) Body at work, energy liberation and transfer, muscular contraction, neuro-muscular function, cardiovascular and pulmonary response, energy cost, nutrition and environmental adaptation. Primarily for master's students. Laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: EXSC 300L.

EXSC 588L Seminar on Lipid Metabolism and Exercise (4) Metabolism and utilization of lipids and fatty acids in skeletal muscles with applications to exercise. Prerequisite: EXSC 407abL; recommended preparation: EXSC 300L.

EXSC 590 Directed Research (1-12) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

EXSC 591 Research Seminar (4) Study of research design; critical analysis of specific techniques applied to student interests, including problem rationale, selection, development, organization, and data analysis.

EXSC 592ab Seminar in Exercise Science (a: 2, Fa; b: 2, Sp) Scientific presentations by graduate students and invited speakers on selected topics in the areas of bio-chemistry, biomechanics, physiology and psychology.

EXSC 594abz Master's Thesis (2-2-0) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.

EXSC 595 Seminar: Analysis of Human Motor Performance (4) Application of mechanical principles of motion to the study of sport, exercise, and dance, utilizing cinematographic and related techniques.

EXSC 603L Advanced Sociopsychological Aspects of Sport (4, Sp) Critical review of sociopsychological research literature related to physical activity; identification of theories and constructs.

EXSC 627 Quantitative Electromyography in Physiology of Exercise (4) Electromyographic techniques for measurement of relaxation and muscle spasm; estimation of strength, fatigue, and muscular endurance from submaximal efforts.

EXSC 640L Neuromuscular System in Physiology of Exercise (4) Gross structure and ultrastructure of muscle tissue, nervous system control of muscle function as related to exercise physiology. Laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: EXSC 300L, EXSC 301L; BISC 306Lx and BISC 312Lx.

EXSC 690 Directed Readings (1-8, max 8) Graded CR/NC.

EXSC 790 Research (1-12) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

EXSC 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.