Exercise Science

The exercise science program is structured to provide you with a solid foundation for understanding how and why humans move. This interdisciplinary program includes courses from the fields of biology, chemistry and exercise physiology. Through this program, you’ll understand the essential role of physical activity and exercise in the prevention, treatment and recovery from a variety of disease conditions. You’ll also learn that, as a professional in the field, it becomes your responsibility to educate other people about the benefits of being physically active and the negative side effects of living a sedentary lifestyle. Upon successful completion of the required coursework, you can either seek employment in various areas of allied health or apply to graduate school in the sciences and health professions.

The Tiffin University Exercise Science Lab allows you to experience and practice the new knowledge you’ll acquire in the classroom. The lab has been equipped with instruments such as stopwatches, goniometer, Power Systems 70200 Flex-Tester, MyoTape, balance beam scale, BioScan 916 BIA, Hydraulic Hand Evaluation, compact metronome, heart rate monitor watch, incentive deep breathing exercise spirometer, calipers, Electromyography System (EMG), Monark Ergomedic 884E Sprint Bike, Dartfish Software and more.

In the Exercise Science Lab, you’ll perform studies on body composition, flexibility, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), musculoskeletal fitness and physiology, the biomechanics of exercise, thermodynamics and more.

TU’s program provides an opportunity for you to become certified in First Aid/CPR/AED, and certified as an exercise physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Professional Exercise Science Training

• Our professional program stays up to date with innovations and technological developments related to the latest scientific advances.
• Interactive classes enable you to apply your knowledge, preparing you for academia as well as professional growth.
• You’ll work one-on-one with highly experienced faculty-mentors.
• You’ll apply lessons from the classroom in our brand new, fully equipped Exercise Science Lab.
• Industry certifications are embedded into courses.
• Our students often go on to graduate school, pursuing further study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, medical school, athletic training and more.

As part of a professional program, you’ll benefit from the experience of faculty members as you learn from their firsthand experiences and acquired knowledge. Our program’s instructors bring years of real-world work experience – in clinical exercise physiology; cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic rehabilitation; strength and conditioning; and occupational/corporate health.

And while programs at most institutions emphasize “prep” for professional certifications, our program requires certification exams as a part of the curriculum. Three certifications are embedded into courses – First Aid/CPR, AED, Certified Exercise Physiologist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist – and our faculty will work to provide you with the very best chance in pursuit of these important certifications.

A Practical, Professional Education

As a graduate of the exercise science program, you’ll be equipped with current, relevant field knowledge and career-ready skills, including:

• Biomechanics
• Physiology of exercise
• Basic health screening/interpretation
• Strength and conditioning
• Exercise testing and prescription
• Exercise programming for healthy, athletic and special/clinical populations
• Stress test/ECG interpretation
• Postural analyses
• Corrective exercise training for reducing muscular and skeletal pain
• Chronic disease development
• Lifestyle modification techniques

Experiential learning is important in the study of exercise science in two key ways. The first is competence. For practitioners in the field, competence is the first thing they value when interviewing job candidates. Exercise science can be thought of as a healthcare discipline and incompetence can lead to ineffective or harmful programming. There simply is no substitute for competence and experiential learning is a safe and effective way to gain competence in the field.

Secondly, and very importantly, experiential learning allows you to build a professional network, which may help you to obtain future employment.

Bringing Knowledge to Practice

• You’ll actively serve as a participant and tester/professional in application-based learning activities, including practical assessments and/or mock professional laboratory assignments.
• You’ll participate in a professional internship. Recently, our exercise science students have interned in physical therapy clinics, cardiovascular rehabilitation facilities and in sport science programs.
• Our program emphasizes evidence-based practice. This will require you to work in groups, learning to work as a part of a team, which is a valued skillset among employers.
• Collaborating with students from TU’s diverse population provides valuable experience in working with students of diverse backgrounds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated epidemiological data suggesting obesity rates continue to rise, in part due to physical inactivity. This will only fuel the rates of cardiometabolic diseases, thus increasing the need for exercise and healthcare professionals in preventive/rehabilitation programs.

So, moving forward, exercise science students will have ample opportunity for employment in a growing field. Moreover, our curriculum positions students well who are interested in pursuing professional graduate studies in healthcare, such as medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more.

CAREERS

• Athletic Coach
• Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Corporate Wellness
• Exercise Physiologist
• Nutritionist
• Perfusionist
• Personal Trainer
• Physical Therapist
• Public Health Educator
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Stress Testing Tech

WHERE TU GRADS HAVE WORKED

We currently have graduates working as:

• Corporate Wellness
• Exercise Physiologist
• Nutritionist
• Personal Trainer
• Strength and Conditioning Coach