Professor Berryhill, Chair
Associate Professor Belcher
The major in sports medicine and exercise science equips students for graduate study in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Athletic Training, Medicine, Dietetics/ Sports Nutrition, and allied health professions such as Cardiac Technology and Respiratory Therapy. In addition, students will be well prepared for careers in a wide range of professions including personal training, strength and conditioning, corporate fitness, fitness administration, sports psychology, and ergonomics. All courses will be taught from a Christian worldview. Students wishing to declare a major in this discipline must have had a strong science foundation in high school and/or community college.
Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Major: 39 - 42 hours
BIO 230, 231 (Prerequisites for BIO 230 are BIO 105, 106, 107, and 108.)
SME 275, 320, 340, 380 and lab, 410 and lab, 420 and lab, 435, 450, and 470.
(SME 460 and 490 are available, but are not required).
Student majors must successfully complete (70%) a written comprehensive exam at the end of the sophomore year. Question pool will be given at the beginning of the sophomore year. Transfer students will take the exam at a time appropriate to the time of transfer.
Student majors must successfully complete (70%) the senior comprehensive written and oral exams during the senior year prior to graduation. Question pool will be given to students at the beginning of the senior year. Transfer students will take the exam at a time appropriate to the time of transfer.
Students wishing to emphasize personal training, fitness counseling or health and fitness will be required to take SME 302 which may be substituted for SME 320.
Students wishing to emphasize strength and conditioning will be required to take SME 304 which may be substituted for SME 320.
Though SME 460 and SME 490 are not required, students are encouraged to take one of the two courses during their senior year.
Students must complete each course in the major with a grade of C- or better in order to continue in the major.
Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Minor: 18 - 23 hours from BIO and SME.
Course selection will be dependent upon the student’s emphasis in one of these areas: sports medicine and exercise science, health and fitness administration, and pre-athletic training. The student and a SME advisor will determine a specific plan of study.
Honors Program: The sports medicine and exercise science department offers opportunities for students to enroll in honors courses from its department. Students wishing to enroll in the honors program in sports medicine and exercise science must take either SME 460 Selected Topics (3-4) or SME 490 Guided Study (1-3) and present a thesis to a selected honors committee. All courses that are listed as 300 level or above may be taken as an honors course. For students majoring in this department, one must pass a minimum of nine hours of honors courses within the discipline and a minimum of nine hours from the honors courses of other departments. Each course must be passed with a B or better. No more than 18 hours are required for the honors degree. For other honors program policies, see “Honors Program” located in the “Administration of the Curriculum” section of the catalogue.
| 202 | Basic Injury Care and Prevention (3). This course will address fundamentals of first aid and basic injury and wound care and prevention. Designed for students preparing to enter the fields of coaching, sports administration, or sports ministry. NOT OPEN TO SME MAJORS. |
| 275 | Injury: Care and Prevention (3). Prereq: BIO 230. Fundamentals of prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, including first aid will be examined. This course will include an analysis of the etiology, pathology, and current modalities utilized to treat the most common injuries seen in daily activity as well as in sport. The course will include basic skills, techniques, and exercise programs necessary for the care of activity related injuries and the prevention of certain specific injuries. Required of all students with majors in sports medicine and exercise science as well as those declaring majors in athletic studies. |
| 302 | Adaptations and Responses to Aerobic Conditioning (3). Prereq: BIO 230. Principles of cardiovascular and pulmonary conditioning and contributions to a healthy lifestyle will be studied. This class will address the physiological adaptations and responses of the many regulatory systems of the human body as they encounter the effects of aerobic conditioning. The benefits of fitness will be stressed as they relate to weight control, stress reduction, nutrition, drugs, and disease prevention. This class will also include an emphasis on the requirements for becoming a certified personal trainer. |
| 304 | Adaptations and Responses to Anaerobic Conditioning (3). Prereq: BIO 230. Principles of anaerobic conditioning and its contribution to a healthy lifestyle will be examined. This class will include the physiological adaptations and responses of the many regulatory systems of the human body as they relate to the effects of anaerobic training. The benefits of fitness will be emphasized as they relate to weight control, injury prevention, stress reduction, body shaping, injury, nutrition, drugs, strength, speed, and flexibility. Special emphasis will include the principles and techniques of resistive training as well as designing a complete workout program. This class will also include an emphasis on the requirements for becoming a certified strength and conditioning specialist. |
| 320 | Psychomotor Learning and Performance (3). Prereq: BIO 230. The study of the interaction between psychological and physiological factors that affect motor behavior. This class will include an in-depth examination of psychomotor behavior as it relates to external and internal stimuli and how multiple body systems control, regulate, and respond to movement. The course will address motivational techniques, stress, the underlying mechanisms of human performance, structuring the learning experience including goals and feedback techniques, principles of practice organization, and diagnosing and designing the learning experience. |
| 340 | Kinesiology (3). Prereq: BIO 230. A study of the anatomical and physiological aspects of human movement. This course provides foundations in musculoskeletal anatomy, neuromuscular physiology, and tissue mechanics for the study of a variety of human performance activities. |
| 380 | Exercise Physiology and Exercise Physiology Lab (3). Prereq: SME 340. Study of body systems affected by exercise; functions of these systems during exercise; effects of age, gender, body type, and nutrition on capacity for exercise; techniques of assessing physical work capacity, and a critical analysis of research. The course will require participation in lab experimentation and physiological measurements. Lab required. Lab: (1) Introduction to and participation in selected cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, and musculoskeletal testing techniques. Introduction to professional research literature. |
| 410 | Biomechanics of Physical Exercise and Biomechanics Lab (3). Prereq: BIO 230, SME 340 and 380. A study of mechanics applied to human movement. This course presents kinematics, kinetics, and other principles of physics as they relate to the execution of a variety of human performance activities and therapeutics. The course addresses the neurological and biomechanical aspects of human movement and will require participation in lab experimentation and biomechanical measurements. Lab required. Lab: (1) The development of proficiency in selected biomechanical assessment techniques and testing parameters. Collection of data for utilization in evaluating and determining biomechanical effectiveness in movement. |
| 420 | Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription and Lab (3). Prereq: SME 340, 380, and 410. An advanced exercise physiology with a detailed overview of methods of physical assessment and exercise prescription and a critical examination of their relevancy, reliability, and validity. A research project will be conducted and statistical data analysis performed for proper interpretation. Specific applications of fitness assessment tests will be made and corresponding prescriptions for exercises, training regimens, and activities will be designed for fitness enhancement. Lab required. Lab: (1) The development of proficiency in selected fitness assessment techniques and mechanics of testing. Collection of data for analysis and utilization of data in exercise prescription for specific physical needs and fitness outcomes. Examining and understanding professional research literature. |
| 435 | Sport and Exercise Nutrition (3). A complete overview of sport nutrition and the role good nutrition can play in sport and exercise. The course will examine the spectrum of the elite athlete to the recreational athlete and how sound nutritional practices can help them maximize performance, prevent injury, enhance recovery from exercise, achieve and maintain optimal body weight, improve daily training workouts, and plan for overall good health. |
| 450 | Administration in Health and Fitness (3). Prereq: SME 340, 380. A comprehensive presentation of the Christian worldview in administrative philosophies and techniques as they apply to a variety of health and fitness vocations. Management environments such as fitness, healthcare, and education will be studied, along with principles of leadership in each area. |
| 460 | Selected Topics in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science (3-4). Prereq: SME 340, 380. An overview of current issues, research, measurement techniques, and problems in the area of sports medicine and exercise science as they relate to a Christian worldview. Problem-solving models and management techniques will be presented as issues are discussed. |
| 470 | Preprofessional Clinical Experience in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science (1-4). Provides an opportunity for students to experience and observe specific environments and vocations in the area of sports medicine and exercise science and related fields. Areas of study may include management environments such as therapeutic, fitness, corporate, medicine, and educational. Specific observations, papers, surveys, and reports will be a portion of the course requirements. Course is designed to allow up to 4 credits during the last two years. |
| 490 | Guided Study in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science (1-3). Prereq: SME 340, 380. Gives students the opportunity for personalized research and study in the area of sports medicine and exercise science. The student’s needs, interests, and vocational calling determine specific content of the study. Research and projects will be included in the course requirements. |
