Exercise Science (Physical Therapy Concentration), Bachelor of Science

Program Overview

The Department of Health and Human Performance has a focus on preparing Exercise Science majors to function professionally in a changing and diverse society, and to improve the quality of life through the understanding, delivering and promotion of health, physical activity, and wellness. This Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise with a Concentration in Physical Therapy includes most, but not all prerequisites needed to seek admission to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Students may need to take additional courses beyond the BS in Exercise program to meet certain DPT program prerequisites.

This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure.

Specific graduation requirements for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements.

  • Graduation with a grade of ‘B’ or better in BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402.
  • Grade of ‘C’ or better in all advanced KINE coursework fulfilling major requirements for the BS in Exercise Science.

Core Curriculum - 42 hours

The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.

The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.

The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.

020 Mathematics - 3 hours

MATH 1342Elementary Statistical Methods

3

Or

MATH 1343Introduction to Biostatistics

3

Some Doctor of Physical Therapy programs require a statistics course that covers analysis of variance (ANOVA).

 

In the core curriculum at UTRGV, only MATH 1343 includes ANOVA. Students who plan to seek admission to a DPT should become familiar with the statistics requirement of any DPT school to which they plan to apply.

030 Life and Physical Science – 6 hours

BIOL 2401Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 2402Anatomy and Physiology II

4

BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 are given three hour credits for the lecture component.

080 Social and Behavioral Sciences – 3 hours

PSYC 2301General Psychology

3

090 Integrative and Experiential Learning - 6 hours

BIOL 2401Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 2402Anatomy and Physiology II

4

BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 are given one hour credit each for the lab component

Major Requirements - 72 hours

Required Courses - 39 hours

NUTR 2351Introduction to Clinical Nutrition

3

KINE 1351Introduction to Sports and Exercise Science

3

KINE 3353Physiology of Exercise I

3

KINE 3153Physiology of Exercise Lab I

1

KINE 3360Exercise Testing and Prescription

3

KINE 3160Exercise Testing and Prescription Lab

1

KINE 3365Physiology and Techniques of Strength/Power Fitness

3

KINE 3165Physiology and Techniques of Strength/Power Fitness Lab

1

KINE 3370Biomechanics

3

KINE 4310Measurement Techniques in Physical Education and Sport

3

KINE 4351Adapted Kinesiology

3

KINE 4353Physiology of Exercise II

3

KINE 4360Clinical Exercise Physiology

3

KINE 4375Motor Learning

3

KINE 4380Exercise Science Internship

3

Physical Therapy Concentration - 33 hours

BIOL 1406General Biology I

4

BIOL 1407General Biology II

4

CHEM 1311General Chemistry I

3

CHEM 1111General Chemistry I Lab

1

CHEM 1312General Chemistry II

3

CHEM 1112General Chemistry II Lab

1

ENGL 3342Technical Communication

3

HRPT 2303Medical Terminology

3

PHYS 1401General Physics I

4

PHYS 1402General Physics II

4

PSYC 2314Developmental Psychology: Lifespan

3

Or

PSYC 4313Abnormal Psychology

3

Free electives - 6 hours

Free elective credit hours at the advanced level may be needed to achieve the institutional minimum of 42 advanced hours.

Total Credit Hours: 42

Total Credit Hours: 120

View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.

UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.

Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.