Earn your BS in Exercise Science
The BS in Exercise Science is intended for students seeking careers as professionals in fitness and in strength and conditioning. The major provides focused study in physical fitness, physical activity, sport nutrition, and sport conditioning as they pertain to health and performance outcomes. The curriculum has been approved by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as meeting the academic preparation for certification as an ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and ACSM-certified personal trainer. It also prepares students for certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a certified strength and conditioning specialist and certified special population specialist. The strong physiological science-based curriculum can serve as preparation for professional or graduate study in rehabilitation sciences, performance sciences, or medical fields.
Students who earn the major in Exercise Science can earn a minor in human physiology, but:
- May not also earn a major in human physiology, health promotion, or health studies
- May not earn a minor in lifestyle medicine
The Bachelor of Science with a major in exercise science requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, including at least 48–50 semester hours of work for the major. A minimum of 16 semester hours in the major must be earned at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.
Required Coursework
For full curriculum, please visit the catalog.
Please note the approved changes to Exercise Science core major requirements effective Fall 2026:
Current Requirements | New Requirements |
HHP:2350 Biomechanics of Sport & Physical Activity 3 s.h. | HHP:2350 Biomechanics of Sport & Physical Activity 3 s.h. |
HHP:3045 Physical Activity Psychology 3 s.h. | HHP:3045 Physical Activity Psychology 3 s.h. |
HHP:3400 Applied Exercise Physiology 3 s.h. | HHP:3410 Applied Exercise Physiology with Lab 4 s.h. |
HHP:4200 Metabolic Exercise Testing & Prescription 4 s.h. | HHP:4240 Exercise Testing & Prescription with Lab 4 s.h |
HHP:4210 Musculoskeletal Exercise Testing & Prescription 4 s.h. | HHP:4310 Sport & Exercise Nutrition 3 s.h. |
HHP:4310 Sport & Exercise Nutrition 3 s.h. |
|
Total = 20 s.h. | Total = 17 s.h. |
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to:
- apply principles of biomechanics and musculoskeletal anatomy to better understand movement, exercise, and injury;
- apply understanding of psychological benefits and determinants of physical activity behavior to facilitate behavior change;
- apply understanding of the effects of acute exercise and training on physiological systems;
- design population-specific aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercise programs for health and performance outcomes;
- measure health and fitness outcomes to inform and evaluate tailored exercise programs; and
- apply evidence-based nutrition recommendations to support and enhance sport, performance, and exercise training outcomes.
Questions?
Clay Peterson
Undergrad to Graduate (U2G)
Pre-athletic training
Athletic trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who render service or treatment under the direction of, or in collaboration with, a physician in accordance with their education, training and applicable laws. As a part of a healthcare team, AT services include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
There are two routes available to apply to the Master of Science in Athletic Training at the University of Iowa.
1. Students may either complete the Pre-AT requirements along with their chosen Bachelor’s degree
2. Complete the Undergrad-to-Grad (U2G) program
Pre-AT students who major in Exercise Science BA may potentially earn their Bachelor’s and MSAT in five total years. This option, known as Undergrad-to-Grad program and is best fit for Exercise Science BA students who know from their first semester they want to pursue an MSAT. The U2G program is very rigorous and has a regimented schedule that must be followed in order to complete both degrees in five years. See the curriculum or contact your academic advisor for more details.
U2G curriculum
To stay on track, you MUST complete Year 1-3 courses by the end of Spring, Year 3.
| Year | coursES | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AT:1010 Exploring AT 1 sh (Offered FALL ONLY) |
CHEM:1070 Gen Chem I 3 sh | HHP:2200 Physical Activity & Health 3 sh |
Gen Ed: RHET:1030 Rhetoric 4 sh (or other Gen Ed). |
PSY:1001 Elementary Psych 3 sh |
CSI: 1600 Success at Iowa 2 sh |
16 s.h. |
| 2 | STAT:1020 Elementary Stats and Inference 3 sh |
HHP:1100 Human Anatomy 3 sh |
World Language 4-5 sh (if needed) |
HHP:2310 Nutrition & Health 3 sh |
Gen Ed 3 sh |
16-17 s.h. | |
| 3 | HHP:2350 Biomechanics of Sport and Physical 3 sh |
HHP:3400 Applied Exercise Physiology 3 sh |
HHP:4310 Sport & Exercise Nutrition 3 sh |
World Language 4-5 sh (if needed) |
Gen Ed 3 sh |
16-17 s.h. | |
| Year | course | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEM:1080 Gen Chem II 3 sh | CPH:1400 Public Health 3 sh Or 1600 or 1800 |
BIOL:1141 Human Biology: Health Professions 4 sh |
ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature 3 sh |
Gen Ed 3 sh |
16 s.h. |
| 2 | HHP:1300 Fundamentals of Human Physiology 3 sh |
PHYS:1400 Basic Physics 4 sh |
HHP: 2500 Physical Activity Psychology 3 sh |
World Language 4-5 sh (if needed) |
Gen Ed 3 sh |
17-18 s.h. |
| 3 | AT:1200 First Aid & CPR for AT 2 sh (Offered SPRING ONLY) |
HHP:4200 Metabolic Exercise Testing and Prescription 4 sh | HHP:4210 Musculoskeletal Exercise Testing and Prescription 4 sh |
World Language 4-5 sh (if needed) |
APPLY TO ONLY MSAT (using ATCAS by Feb. 1) | 14-15 s.h. |
| year | course | total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | CLSA:3750 Med Term 2 sh (online) |
RCE:4199 Coun Related 3 sh (online) |
5 s.h. |
| year | course | total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (First Year of MSAT, final year of Exercise Science BA) |
AT: 3060 Advanced Anatomy for AT ***Exercise Science major elective*** |
AT:4000 Foundations of AT Practice 3 sh (counts as HHP elective) |
AT:4075 Med Emergency Techniques ***Exercise Science major elective*** |
9 s.h. |
| 5 (Final Year of MSAT) |
AT:5000 Pathology & Assessment of Non-Orthopedic Conditions 3 sh |
AT:5075 Diagnostic Imaging & Lab Studies 1 sh |
AT:5200 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology in Sports Medicine 2 sh |
6 s.h. |
| year | course | total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (First Year of MSAT, final year of Exercise Science BA) |
AT:4125 Clinical Experience I 3 sh |
AT:4200 Orthopedic Pathology & Clinical Examination I 4 sh |
AT:4300 Therapeutic Interventions 2 sh |
AT:4400 Rehab Techniques 3 sh |
12 s.h. |
| 5 (Final Year of MSAT) |
AT:6100 Research in AT 2 sh (online) |
AT:6125 Clinical Experience III 6 sh |
AT:6200 Administration & Leadership 2 sh (online) |
AT:6400 Seminar in AT 2 sh (online) |
12 s.h. |
| year | course | total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (First Year of MSAT, final year of Exercise Science BA) |
AT:4250 Orthopedic Pathology and Clinical Exam II 4 sh |
AT:4375 Nutrition for AT 2 sh |
AT:4450 Applied Rehab Concepts 3 sh |
AT:4525 Clinical Experience II 4 sh |
AT:6300 Psychosocial Recognition & Referral 2 sh (online) | 15 s.h. |
| 5 (Final Year of MSAT) |
AT:6250 Applied Research in AT 2 sh |
AT:6450 Advanced Topics in AT 1 sh |
AT:6525 Clinical Experience IV 5 sh |
8 s.h. | ||
Questions?
Create your academic path
You'll find degree overviews, requirements, course lists, academic plans, and more to help you plan your education and explore your possibilities.
Current course list
The MyUI Schedule displays registered courses for a particular session and is available to enrolled students. The list view includes course instructors, time and location, and features to drop courses or change sections.