杜魯門州立大學(xué)

The mission of the Health and Exercise Sciences Department is to prepare students of strong academic ability and character to become agents of change for the health and well-being of all people.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HES DEPARTMENT

The health and exercise sciences faculty and staff are dedicated to providing students with a world-class education in a stimulating and supportive environment. This student-centered philosophy is expressed through an emphasis on problem-based learning, practical experience, and scholarly research that promotes a rich learning environment, greatly enhancing student development.

The exercise science discipline combines both applied and research perspectives in the integrated study of human movement. Students utilize this background in human movement as preparation for careers in health (e.g., medicine, physical therapy) and applied professions (e.g., sport management, strength and conditioning). Knowledge, skills, and abilities are developed through engaging curricular and co-curricular experiences. Three state-of-the-art laboratories (human cadaver, human performance, biomechanics/movement neuroscience) support the curriculum and provide students unique opportunities for scholarly research and individualized study. Cooperative partnerships with local agencies provide students additional avenues for skill development/job experience, and articulation agreements with select graduate programs provide some students special advantages in the graduate admissions process.

The Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science degree is grounded upon a strong liberal arts and sciences foundation, with exercise science course content rooted in the basic sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. The curriculum framework is aligned with a rigorous set of internal and external outcomes. Internal outcomes emphasize Truman’s liberal arts and sciences mission while external outcomes reflect the job task analysis of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) certification. The curriculum also features a required internship or practicum, a senior capstone, and concentrations that provide students opportunities for advanced study in a variety of human movement or allied health professions.

Assessment is a core value of the institution and is a substantive component of the Exercise Science degree program. The EP-C certification examination serves as the required senior exit exam and aggregate scores are used to evaluate the efficacy of the curriculum and of individual courses within the required program.

INTERNAL OUTCOMES FOR THE EXERCISE SCIENCE MAJOR

Develop the ability to assimilate, synthesize, and apply information from multiple sources and disciplines.
Appreciate the need to maintain current knowledge in the field and develop the skills necessary to maintain that knowledge.
Become critical thinkers, consumers, and practitioners of research and statistical analysis.
Analyze and assess human movement and health-related fitness in a variety of developmentally appropriate levels and contexts.
Understand and apply the mechanisms underlying behavior change.
Acquire skills to plan, implement and evaluate effective exercise- or health-related intervention programs.
Acquire specific skills in preparation for professional certification, as detailed by leading professional organizations’ certification requirements.

EXTERNAL OUTCOMES FOR THE EXERCISE SCIENCE MAJOR

The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health Fitness Specialist serve as the external outcomes for the Exercise Science major.