General Requirements

Registration in courses PHED 100-169 is contingent upon assessment of students' knowledge and competence in performance during the first two class meetings. Students who wear glasses while participating in vigorous activities must secure departmental approval of provisions made for eye protection in courses PHED 140-146. Course PHED 165 is reserved for students who are reporting for regular freshman or varsity athletic squads.

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Exercise Science is a course of study that leads to a B.S. degree and is housed in the Department of Exercise Science. Exercise Science is the study of the science of human movement. More specifically, it is the study of how people move, why some people are able to move faster or for a longer period of time than others (endurance), and why they fatigue. The use of physiological, biochemical, biomechanical, neurological and psychological principles are at the crux of the course of study. In addition to specific course work, students are encouraged to participate in ongoing faculty and graduate student research efforts in the several departmental laboratories.

Exercise Science is an ideal course of study for students wishing to enter the health professions, such as medicine, dentistry and physical therapy. The required core and elective units allow sufficient flexibility to enable a student to complete course prerequisites for any of the health fields. In addition to the post-graduate health fields, students interested in the general area of corporate fitness-wellness will find exercise science an ideal major.

Required core courses		Units
EXSC 200L	Introduction to Nutrition	4
EXSC 203	Individualized Exercise Prescription	2
EXSC 300L	Physiology of Exercise	4
EXSC 301L	Kinesiology	4
EXSC 310	Sociopsychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity	4
EXSC 407abL	Advanced Exercise Physiology II	4-4
EXSC 408L	Introduction to Biomechanics	4
EXSC 492abL	Practicum in Exercise Science	2-2

Required collateral courses		Units
BISC 110L	Introduction to Biology I, or	4
BISC 112L	Introduction to Biology II, or	4
BISC 113L	Advanced Introduction to Biology I	4
CHEM 105aLbL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbL	Advanced General Chemistry	4-4
MATH 108	Introductory College Mathematics	4
PHYS 135aL	Physics for the Life Sciences	4

In addition, a minimum of 16 units is required from a list of science courses. The choices from this list (which is available from College Advisement or the department) would depend upon the student's future course of study.

Grade Point Average Requirements

Students must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or better (cumulative) for the 34 units of required core requirements, the 24 units of required collateral courses, and the 16 units of required electives. In addition, a minimum grade of C- (1.7) will be allowed for each of the courses in the required core courses (34 units). This requirement will be effective for incoming students (freshmen or transfer) as well as for graduation from USC.

Minor in Exercise Science

For students who would like to obtain basic knowledge of exercise science but are majoring in another area, a minor in this field is offered. The minor may be ideal for someone pursuing a career in the management area of health and corporate fitness.

A minor in a health related science may also be desirable for those in engineering or the physical sciences. Students pursuing a teaching or coaching career at the secondary school level may also benefit from knowledge in this area.

Required courses, Lower division		Units
PHYS 135aL	Physics for the Life Sciences	4
MATH 108*	Introductory College Mathematics (or equivalent)	4
EXSC 202L	Principles of Nutrition and Exercise	2
EXSC 203	Individualized Exercise Prescription	2

*MATH 117 Introduction to Mathematics for Business and Economics, MATH 118 Fundamental Principles of the Calculus or MATH 125 Calculus I are acceptable equivalent courses for MATH 108.

Required courses, Upper division		Units
EXSC 300L	Physiology of Exercise	4
EXSC 301L	Kinesiology	4
EXSC 407aL	Advanced Exercise Physiology	4
EXSC 408L	Introduction to Biomechanics	4

A total of 28 units is required for the minor in exercise science.

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