For degree requirements, please download the Exercise & Sports Science Advisement Sheet. Please note that prior to taking EXSC 401W, EXSC 440W, and EXSC 458W (all shown on the Advisement Sheet, in USC Aiken Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Bulletin, and on this website), with no exception, the student must have documentation of successful completion of the USC Aiken Writing Proficiency Requirement.

For current information regarding semesters in which courses are offered, please consult with your academic advisor. The following serves as a helpful guide (this guide is subject to change, but it generally has remained consistent):

General Education courses are usually offered in multiple semesters each year.

Core Exercise and Sports Science Courses

EXSC A198 Foundations in Exercise and Sports Science (2)  Available Fall and Spring
An introduction to the field of exercise and sports science. The course provides an overview of the scope, history, principles, research issues, professional organizations and publications, and other current information important to professionals in this field.

EXSC A225 Introduction to Athletic Training (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer online
An introduction to the athletic training profession, including basic concepts of epidemiology of athletic injuries, pharmacology, protective devices, emergency care, and nutrition.

EXSC A101 Conditioning I (1) Available Fall and Spring
An introduction to the principles and techniques of cardiovascular training.

OR

EXSC A106 Weight Training I (1) Available Fall and Spring
An introduction to the principles and techniques of weight training.

OR

EXSC A140 Beginning Swimming (1) Available Fall and Spring
An introduction to the fundamental skills of swimming and pool safety. (Can obtain American Red Cross Beginning and Advanced Beginning swimming certifications).

BIOL A243 Human Anatomy and Physiology (4) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Coreq: CHEM A101 or A111) Functional anatomy and physiology of the human body, including basic cellular functions, tissue organization, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. The laboratory will introduce the student to principles of anatomy and physiology as demonstrated by microscopic studies, animal dissections, and physiological experiments.

EXSC A239 Fitness Assessment and Exercise Leadership (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Departmental permission) The study of theory, skills, and assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility as well as exercise leadership for the improvement of these components of health-related physical fitness. Emphasis on the development of skills for fitness assessment ad exercise leadership.

EXSC A203 CPR and First Aid (1) Available Fall and Spring
The study and practice of early emergency care procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid, from which a nationally recognized certification can be obtained.

BIOL A244 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in BIOL A243 and CHEM A101 or A111) Functional anatomy and physiology of the human body, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. The laboratory will introduce the student to the principles of anatomy and physiology as demonstrated by microscopic studies, animal dissections, and physiological experiments.

EXSC A311 Nutritional Aspects of Health, Fitness, and Sports Performance (3)
Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Grade of C or better in BIOL A244 and D or better in CHEM A101 or A111) The study of nutrition as it impacts health, fitness, and sports performance. Particular emphasis is given to basic nutrition, diet analysis, weight control, special diets, eating disorders, and the use of ergogenic aids in sports.

EXSC A321 Anatomical and Biomechanical Kinesiology (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Grade of C or better in BIOL A244) The study of anatomical and mechanical principles governing human motion, with emphasis placed on the ability to analyze human movement utilizing these principles.

EXSC A323 Exercise Physiology (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in BIOL A244 and EXSC A239; Coreq: EXSC A323L) The study of human physiological responses to physical activity. Emphasis is placed on the muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.

EXSC A323L Exercise Physiology Laboratory (1) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in BIOL A244 and EXSC A239; Coreq: EXSC A323) Laboratory experiences related to exercise physiology, including a variety of fitness assessments.

EXSC A328 Electrocardiography (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Grade of C or better in BIOL A244) An introduction to basic concepts of electrocardiography, including cardiac electrophysiology, lead systems, and interpretation of rhythm strips and 12-lead electrocardiograms.

EXSC A337 Health and Behavior Change (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYC A101 or departmental permission) A study of health risk factor identification and modification, emphasizing behavioral changes. Topics such as weight control, physical activity, dietary modification, smoking cessation, and stress management will be discussed as related to the impact on health.

EXSC A423 Exercise Testing (3) Available Fall and Spring
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in EXSC A323, A323L, and A328; Coreq: EXSC A423L) A study of the various methods and procedures utilized to screen and test persons for their level of cardiovascular fitness. Field tests and laboratory assessments will be considered, as well as the appropriateness of various evaluation tools for persons with differing levels of fitness and special conditions.

EXSC A423L Exercise Testing Laboratory (1) Available Fall and Spring
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in EXSC A323, A323L, and A328; Coreq: EXSC A423) Laboratory experiences in submaximal and maximal exercise testing. Required laboratory supplies must be purchased from the USC Aiken bookstore.

EXSC A424 Exercise Prescription (3) Available Spring and Summer
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in EXSC A311, A423, and 423L) A study of concepts and procedures necessary to develop appropriate exercise prescriptions for various populations and fitness levels. Compliance, risk of injury, and other specific programming issues will also be addressed. Case studies are utilized to assist in the application of information.

Health & Fitness Management Concentration Courses

BADM A225 Principles of Financial Accounting (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
The study of the accounting process and the information produced by that process, with an emphasis on corporations and financial reporting.

BADM A226 Principles of Managerial Accounting Accounting (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: BADM A225) The study of the accounting process and information produced within a business to provide managers with the decision-making tools necessary for planning, managing, and controlling the organization.

BADM A350 Principles of Marketing (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: ECON A221 or ECON A222) Marketing functions, trade channels, price policies, expenses and profits of middlemen, and public policy with respect to marketing practices.

BADM A371 Principles of Management and Leadership (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Junior Standing or Acceptance into the School of Business Administration Professional Program) A comprehensive survey of the basic principles of management and leadership applicable to all forms of business. The course provides the student with a basis for thinking about complex business situations in the framework of analysis of the management and leadership process.

ECON A221 Principles of Macroeconomics (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Math placement above 108 or completion of MATH A108) Includes the measurement of national levels of production, inflation and unemployment, and the effects of monetary and fiscal policies on those variables.

ECON A222 Principles of Microeconomics (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: Math placement above 108 or completion of MATH A108) Includes the analysis of price determination in a product and resource markets under competitive and noncompetitive conditions.

3-4 Credit Hour MGMT OR EXSC Course
Choose from: MGMT A373, A376, A378, A401, A442, A473, A477, A559; EXSC A332, A425, A426.

EXSC A401W Management of Fitness Related Programs (3) Available Fall only

(Prereq: Grade of C or better in EXSC A198) The study of management issues associated with fitness, clinical, and athletic training-related facilities. Emphasis is placed on administrative, philosophy, programming, facility design and usage, equipment selection, operational policies and procedures, liability concerns, and other related aspects.

EXSC A439 Internship in Fitness Management (3-12) Available Spring and Summer

(Prereq: Grades of C or better in EXSC A423 and EXSC A423L) A supervised internship experience in fitness management-related area which brings together the various information learned from all prior major courses. The student must hold current CPR certification from the beginning of the internship to the end. (Contract required)

Basic Sciences Concentration Courses

BIOL A122 Biological Science II (4) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer

Biological principles and concepts from the tissue through ecosystem levels of organization including evolutionary processes. This is one of two required introductory courses for biology majors and related disciplines. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week. Students who earned credit for BIOL A102 may not earn credit for BIOL A122.

CHEM A112 General Chemistry II (4) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
(Prereq: CHEM A111 or departmental permission) The second portion of a two-semester sequence of courses that introduces the principles, vocabulary, and methods of chemistry appropriate for those in engineering, mathematical, and natural sciences. Three lecture hours and three lab hours presented in an integrated format of 3 two-hour meetings per week.

PHYS A201 General Physics I (4) Available Fall and Summer
(Prereq: Placement into MATH A141 or a grade of C or better in one of the following courses: MATH A111, A112, A122) The first part of an introductory course sequence covering mechanics, electromagnetism, wave motion, thermodynamics, optics, relativity, and atomic and nuclear physics. No previous background in physics is assumed. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week.

PHYS A202 General Physics II (4) Available Spring only
(Prereq: PHYS A201 or departmental permission) A continuation of PHYS A201. Three hours of lecture and three laboratory hours per week.

11 Credit Hour Science Electives Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
Recommended courses: BIOL A250, A302, A360; CHEM A331 & A331L; EXSC A201, A322, A425, A426, A499; MATH A122, A141; PHYS A202; PSYCH A310, A320, A480. Other 200-level courses from these topic areas may be approved by the department.

EXSC A458W Research Methods in Exercise and Sports Science (3) Available Fall only
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in EXSC A323 and EXSC A323L, with satisfactory completion of a statistics course) An exploration of the fundamental concepts of research design, data collection, and data analysis. This class involves students in the development and presentation of a research proposal including the introduction, review of literature and methods. Students who earned credit for EXSC A359 may not earn credit for EXSC A458.

EXSC A459W Research Topics in Exercise and Sports Science (3) Available Spring only
(Prereq: Grade of C or better in EXSC A458) Exploration of research topics in different aspects of exercise science. The course is designed to familiarize students with current issues and research in exercise science. Students will read and discuss literature relevant to exercise and sports science.

EXSC A499 Senior Research in Exercise and Sports Science (3) Available Spring only
(Prereq: Grade of C or better in EXSC A458 and permission from the instructor) Independent study research project in exercise and sports science. Students will work directly with a faculty mentor to collect and analyze data, write a manuscript, and present the results in written and/ or oral form. This course could substitute for EXSC A459 or count toward basic science concentration science electives. (Contract required)

EDPY A330 Lifespan Growth and Development (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
An overview of general principles of life-long human growth and development, wit special emphasis on the relationship of teaching and learning theories to physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development.

PSYC A310 Developmental Psychology (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
A survey of human development from conception through senescence, the description and explanation of changes resulting from maturation and environmental experiences.

Allied Health Concentration Courses

EXSC A201 Medical Terminology (3) Available Fall, Spring, and Summer
This course covers the meaning, spelling, and pronunciation of medical terms. Medical terms are dissected into roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

EXSC A322 Personal Training Certification (3) Available Spring only
(Prereq: EXSC A239 with a C or better or departmental permission) This certification course prepares students to practice as a professional Personal Fitness Trainer. WITS (World Instructor Training School) is the certifying agency for this certification. The course includes classroom learning and practical lab application. Topics include anatomy: biomechanics; exercise physiology; fitness testing and health assessment; nutrition; exercise prescriptive; equipment usage; special populations; and legal and safety issues. Each student will prepare and sit for a 100-question written certification exam as well as a 30-minute practical exam.

EXSC A425 Clinical Exercise Physiology (3) Available Fall only
(Prereq: EXSC A323, EXSC A323L with a C or better) This is an advanced undergraduate course designed to provide students with an understanding of exercise physiology for clinical populations. Topics include the pathophysiology, medical treatment, and lifestyle management of chronic cardiac, pulmonary, metabolic, and neuromuscular diseases. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Other topics such as weight control, physical activity, dietary modification, smoking cessation, and stress management will be discussed as they relate to current professional standards. This course is designed to prepare students for American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and other clinical certifications.

EXSC A426 Fitness and Performance Coaching (4) Available Fall only
(Prereq: EXSC A198, EXSC A239, EXSC A321 with a C or better) This course is designed to prepare students to coach fitness and performance programs in athletic, recreational, and physical education environments. This course involves students refining and applying techniques pertinent to fitness and performance, including screening, mechanical analysis, coaching cues, movement modification strategies, programming, nutrition, and recovery. This course prepares students for certifications consistent with professional standards.

EXSC A440W Topics in Allied Health (3) Available Fall and Spring
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in EXSC A323 and 323L) This topics course provides information in areas such as nuclear medicine, sonography (both rest and exercise), respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistant (PTA), occupational therapy assistant. 

EXSC A441 (3) Available Spring and Summer
(Prereq: Grades of C or better in EXSC A201, A423, A423L, and EXSC A440 or consent of the Department Chair) This course provides the student with a supervised field experience in an allied health-related area (140 contact hours) that brings together information learned from all prior major courses.

[An Independent Study Contract is required. This contract will ensure the reservation of these select field experiences for students seeking an allied health experience in areas such as nuclear medicine, sonography (both rest and exercise), respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistant (PTA), occupational therapy assistant (OTA), cardiac rehabilitation, athletic training, dietetics, personal training, and other select exercise, education, and therapeutic allied health-related areas. The contract will preclude registration by students from one of the other exercise and sports science concentrations. Signatures will be required from a member of the Exercise and Sports Science Allied Health Concentration Committee and from the Department Chair.]