Health and Fitness Studies (B.S.)
Students majoring in Health and Fitness Studies may pursue interest in such areas as personal training, strength and conditioning training, worksite wellness, health promotions, fitness centers, and graduate school. See your advisor regarding possible career choices and graduate school requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Majors will be able to:
- Possess understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of movement and performance.
- Demonstrate proficiency in assessing health, fitness, and well-being and prescribing programs to achieve goals in a safe and effective environment.
- Demonstrate practical application of knowledge and ethical decision making in an appropriately supervised organizational setting.
- Analyze and effectively communicate (oral and written) scholarly work in health and human performance.
Departments/Programs:
Required Courses | 45 hours |
---|---|
BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 1090L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 4 hours |
BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II and BIO 1100L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 hours |
HHP 1270 Advanced Emergency Care | 1 hour |
HHP 1320 Introduction to Allied Health | 1 hour |
HHP 2010 Drugs in Modern Society | 3 hours |
HHP 2020 Consumer, Community, and Environment Health Issues | 3 hours |
HHP 2030 Human Sexuality | 3 hours |
HHP 2040 Stress and Disease Management | 2 hours |
HHP 2500 Basic Human Nutrition | 2 hours |
HHP 2650 Strength Training and Conditioning for Coaches | 2 hours |
HHP 2660 Personal Training | 2 hours |
HHP 3100 Worksite Health Promotion | 3 hours |
HHP 3400 Advanced Human Nutrition | 2 hours |
HHP 3850 Biomechanics and Kinesiology | 4 hours |
HHP 4150 Physiology of Exercise | 4 hours |
HHP 4250 Exercise Testing and Programming | 3 hours |
HHP 4970 Internship | 2 hours |
Capstone Courses | 2 hours |
---|---|
HHP 3990 Professional Engagement | 1 hour |
HHP 4990 Senior Capstone | 1 hour |
An introductory study of cellular physiology and tissues along with a comprehensive study of the integumentary skeletal, muscular, nervous systems, and special senses. Does not count toward a biology major.
Three lectures per week.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1090L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Laboratory experiments and investigative exercises supporting BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1090.
An introductory study of the blood, cardiovascular lymphatic, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems in addition to metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance and acid-base balance of the body. Does not count toward a biology major.
Three Lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I or permission of the instructor.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1100L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Laboratory experiments and investigative exercises supporting BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1100.
A study and application of the principles and techniques involved in the advanced administration of first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated electronic defibrillators (AEDs). Students will earn American Red Cross certifications. Cross listed with AT 1270.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This course is designed to introduce students to the world of allied health. The course will explore careers in the allied health fields. Additionally, students will begin to develop the personal and professional skills needed to work in these fields.
(Normally offered each semester.)
A course designed to develop and expand information about the use and abuse of drugs including: alcohol, tobacco, depressants, stimulants, narcotics, inhalants, club drugs, date rape drugs, hallucinogens, marijuana, sport enhancement drugs, prescription and OTC drugs. The course will include history of, and facts about the substances, the pharmacokinetic properties, the formation of laws, the victims, prevention, and approaches to treating the problem.
Prerequisite(s): Major in HHP.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread
A course designed to develop and expand information about the environment, the informed health consumer, healthful aging and community health. The course will acquaint students with the process of aging, consumer protection, the environment, and community from a health perspective.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
A course designed to develop and expand current information about human sexuality in a practical manner. The course will present facts and statistics about anatomy and physiology, gender, sexual orientation, reproduction, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, sexual growth and development, relationships and sexual communication, sexual health, commercialization of sex and sexual coercion.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Diversity Instructive: U.S.
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: UC Reflected Self Thread
A course designed to develop and expand information about stress, mental health, and major chronic diseases. The course will present causes and warning signs of major chronic diseases and coping strategies for emotional stress.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This is a course designed to provide students with the basic scientific principles of nutrition focusing on their personal choices and experiences. The student will develop a definition of nutrition, and learn how nutrition has evolved. The student will be introduced to the concepts of: essential nutrient classifications, defining and developing a healthy diet, recommendations for specific nutrients, eating disorders, energy balance and obesity, body composition, lifetime nutrition (infancy to older adults), and food/beverage choices and the influence on chronic disease and optimal wellbeing.
(Normally offered each semester)
A course designed to provide coaches with solid guidelines for designing strength training and conditioning programs for athletes. The course will cover information on designing year-round programs, proper training technique, and physiological changes associated with training.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
A course designed to help the student to acquire knowledge and new skills to become a certified personal trainer. This course is designed for entry-level personal trainers. The students will learn the scientific rationale, teaching tools and the practical experience necessary to perform assessments, create individualized programs and progress your clients to their goals. The student will also learn human movement, exercise science, nutrition, and behavior modification, as well as how to build clientele and increase revenue.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
A course designed to introduce students to concepts and practices relating to worksite health promotion. Students will learn how to develop, implement, and evaluate wellness promotion programs. Students will complete a 20-hour field experience in an assigned worksite in the community to provide invaluable experience.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
This is a course designed to study foods and their effects upon health, development, and performance of the individual. The student will build on materials and knowledge learned from HHP 2500 Basic Human Nutrition. The student will be introduced to the concepts of: link between food and energy, proper water balance and electrolytes, science of supplementation, manipulation of macronutrient intake, nutrient timing, customized nutrition plans, and the key concepts of sport nutrition relative to both exercise and nutrition for optimal health and physical performance.
Prerequisite(s): HHP 2500 Basic Human Nutrition, BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered spring semester)
This course integrates physics with human movement to provide understanding of human movement from a kinetic and kinematic perspective. Students will explore and apply these principles to a human movement or exercise of their choice. In the later part of the course, students will be exposed to the detailed structural kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I and junior standing.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This course explores the physiological effects and adaptations of exercise using a system approach. Students will be exposed to the latest research in the field that contributes to our understanding of how the human body is designed for exercise and movement. Practical application of these principles will be explored during class and throughout the laboratory experience.
One 1.5 hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II and junior standing.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
This course provides students hands-on learning of the laboratory and field tests used for assessing physical fitness and body composition for health and performance. Test results are used in developing individualized exercise programming to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, body weight and body composition, as well as flexibility.
Prerequisite(s): HHP 4150 Physiology of Exercise.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student's major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credit hours. No P/F.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and approval of the supervising faculty member.
This course will provide skills required to conduct a holistic health assessment through comprehensive analysis of a patient's health status across the age continuum. Topics include: dermatological, cardiovascular, ear, nose and throat, neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, renal and urogenital, endocrine and metabolic systems, and psychological medical disorders.
Cross listed with HHP 3330.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and declared major in HHP department.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread
An in-depth study of the lower extremities including skills used to evaluate, treat and manage athletic injuries. Includes one 1-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): Formal admission into ATP or BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II and junior standing and permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
An in-depth study of the upper extremities including skills used to evaluate, treat and manage athletic injuries. Includes one 1-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): AT 2400 Physical Exam of the Lower Extremity.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
A study of injuries common to athletic participants and the prevention and care of such injuries. Cross listed with AT 1300.
(Normally offered each semester.)
Physical Education teachers must possess the knowledge and skills to effectively teach fundamental motor skills and movement patterns to their students. The purpose of this course is to teach students the basic rules and fundamental skills for common PE games. The following sports will be addressed: baseball/softball, basketball, flag football, hockey, volleyball, and soccer. Additionally, students will be introduced to less common PE games and will have the opportunity to learn how to play them.
Normally offered each fall semester.
Physical education teachers must possess the knowledge and skills to effectively teach fundamental motor skills and movement patterns to their students. The purpose of this course is to teach students the basic rules and fundamental skills for common PE activities that students can play throughout their lives. The following activities will be addressed: racquet sports, tennis, track and field, dance and rhythmic activities, fitness activities and golf. Additionally, students will be introduced to less common PE activities and will have the opportunity to learn how to play them.
Normally offered each spring semester.
A course designed to develop and expand information about coaching, coaching styles, and coaching strategies. The course will cover practical coaching theories and include information about organization, communication, and motivation.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This course focuses on the systematic approach to word building and term comprehension of medical terms. Includes definitions, spellings, pronunciations and common abbreviations of medical terms.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This course is an introduction to the field of massage therapy in rehabilitation programs and personal wellness plans. The class will address local, national and global perspectives, current research, history and development in the field. Laboratory experiences with methods in wellness massage are emphasized.
(Normally offered each fall semester and summer.)
This course examines psychological theories and practices related to sport and exercise behavior. The course is designed to introduce you to the field of sport and exercise psychology by providing a broad overview of the major topics in the area.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
A course designed to introduce students to clinical exercise. This course will involve learning basic cardiovascular physiology, the phases of cardiac rehabilitation, and appropriate exercise and testing procedures. Introduction to interpreting electrocardiograms and case-study analyses are also included.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This course examines the sports industry in relation to facility design, facility maintenance and risk management of operating sporting and recreational facilities. Students are required to complete 20 hours of facility/event management experience.
(Normally offered each semester.)
A course that will introduce students to current understandings of how complex motor skills are initially learned, and how they are controlled and refined with practice, from a behavioral point of view. A variety of activities will provide students with practical examples to deepen understanding. This course has applications to general exercise science, physical therapy, and coaching.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
A course designed for students interested in teaching elementary physical education. Topics include curriculum development, teaching goals and objectives, curriculum guide and lesson plans, constructing and using evaluation tools and measures, and methods and material (including technology) used in teaching elementary physical education. A 20-hour practicum experience in the elementary physical education class setting is required.
Prerequisite(s): Major in HHP and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered every fall semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Speaking Instructive
A course designed for students interested in teaching elementary, middle school and secondary health education. Topics include curriculum development, teaching goals and objectives, the study of health content, a framework for comprehensive school health education program, teaching strategies, curriculum guide development and lesson planning, constructing and using evaluation tools and measurements, methods and material (including technology) used in teaching health education. A 10-hour practicum experience in health education will be required.
Prerequisite(s): Major in HHP and and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered every fall semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Speaking Instructive
A course designed for students interested in teaching middle and/or secondary physical education. Topics include curriculum development, teaching goals and objectives, curriculum guide and lesson plans, constructing and using evaluation tools and measures, and methods and materials (including technology) used in teaching middle and/or secondary physical education. A 20- hour practicum experience in the middle and/or secondary physical education class setting is required.
Prerequisite(s): Major in HHP and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered every spring semester.)
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Speaking Instructive
Research and Statistical Methods is designed for senior-level HHP majors to develop an understanding of the research process and the rationales for basic behavioral statistics in the field of exercise science. This class will focus on the creation of a research proposal for exercise science and on developing reading, writing, and practical skills to interpret and conduct research.
Prerequisite(s): HHP 3850 Biomechanics and Kinesiology or HHP 4150 Physiology of Exercise or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester)
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Discourse Instructive
This course will focus on developing skills to conduct a research study, analyze results, and complete a research paper. Students will present their research proposal to recruit subjects, give an informal elevator speech regarding the state of their research project, and at the end of the course, formally present their research study at
the NWU Student Symposium.
Prerequisite(s): HHP 4800 Research And Statistical Methods or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This class is designed to prepare students who are entering the professional field of health and human performance. Real-life, hands on tools for career advancement will be examined and then applied including the creation of goals and objectives, a personal statement, a cover letter, and a professional resume with references. An investigation into graduate schools (and the requirements for applying) or the job market for your intended career will be explored, as well as searching for alternative career paths. No Pass/Fail.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing or permission of the instructor.
This senior capstone class is the final course for a degree in the Health and Human Performance Department. In a capstone experience, students will reflect on your academic growth while finalizing a customized electronic portfolio. The ePortfolio will be used to review and reflect on previous work, carryout an assessment of their academic career, and project a future vision for an intended career in their chosen field. This ePortfolio can be used for future academic goals as well as to serve as an aid for housing acquired material. Prerequisites: Senior standing and Departmental major or permission of the instructor. No Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and a departmental major, or permission of the instructor.