Exercise Sciences
Growing the Whole Person
As has been stated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, the ultimate goal of a BYU education is to provide "a first-class academic experience while nurturing an environment of faith in God and the practice of Christian principle." The Department of Exercise Sciences is dedicated to fulfilling that aim. The department and faculty are committed to combining high technical qualifications with a commitment to the university, to the students and the to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Diverse Undergraduate Programs
The department offers four unique programs of study at the undergraduate level:
Athletic Training
The study of athletic training appeals to those who would like to work in a field that combines an athletic setting with health and fitness care. A student in athletic training will learn to apply knowledge of human anatomy, exercise physiology, conditioning, nutrition and therapy in the prevention, immediate care, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.
Exercise Science
The program is designed to provide the basics from which the student can pursue the specialized training in physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, physician's assistant, chiropractic, and other health-care professions. The exercise science emphasis explores the intriguing relationship between exercise and the function of the human body. The basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, chemistry, physics, and nutrition are applied to help understand this relationship. The impact that movement and exercise have on the human organism is almost interminable, making study of this discipline enthralling.
Fitness and Lifestyle Management
Fitness and lifestyle management is a departure from the typical U.S. medical model in that the focus is on helping individuals achieve optimal health and fitness, rather than on discovering and treating disease. Recent research findings, along with rising health care costs, have spurred an interest in keeping people healthy to improve both the quality of life and also to avoid the unnecessary medical expenses.
Physical Education Teacher Education (K-12)
Students preparing to teach and/or coach physical education will have a variety of experiences that will enhance proficiency in the knowledge and skills requisite to working in the contemporary school setting. Majors learn to perform a variety of sport fitness, and dance activities personally. After becoming proficient, students take courses and have practical experiences in teaching and coaching children, adolescents, and adults. The discipline is interesting and rewarding, and those in a teaching/coaching career help others pursue and practice healthy lifestyle habits.
Challenging Graduate Programs
The department has an extensive graduate program which offers students an extensive graduate program which offers students an opportunity to expand their knowledge and research skills. the department offers four Master of Science (MS) specializations:
- Athletic Training
- Exercise Physiology
- Health Promotion
- Physical Education-Pedagogy
The department offers three PhD specializations:
- Exercise Physiology
- Health Promotion
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Engaged Faculty
The faculty of the department is the key to its success. Our large staff of resident faculty brings academic expertise, years of experience and professional service to their classrooms. Under faculty tutelage, students learn, reason, synthesize, and understand-whether the faculty member is lecturing in a lower division class, leading discussion in an advanced class, interacting one-on-one with a student in the office, or working side by side with a student in a research laboratory.
Learning Outside the Classroom
A major focus of students' education, whether in their undergraduate major or doing advanced graduate work, is the opportunity to "apply knowledge" in real world settings. Innumerable opportunities are afforded students to work outside the classroom, whether it is assisting with research in the Human Performance Research Center, working in the Y-Be-Fit Program, interning as a student trainer with the athletic teams, teaching in the public schools, volunteering for data collection at the World Senior Games, or experiencing learning through the many "mentoring grants" awarded yearly.