About

Is being physically healthy and fit a priority for you and those that are important to you? Do you want to develop a deeper understanding of the scientific principles surrounding physical activity and its impact on health and performance at all stages of development?

The exercise physiology (EP) program prepares students for competitive graduate school programs. Graduates have gone on to allied health/patient care programs in medicine, physical therapy, physician's assistance, occupational therapy, nursing, dentistry, optometry, and podiatry. Additionally, many of our graduates pursue post baccalaureate training at the master's and doctoral level in exercise physiology, biomechanics, physiology, biochemistry, and other research-related programs. The combination of course work (science and exercise physiology) provides students with unique insight into utilizing exercise as a treatment modality for health enhancement.

Lecture, labs, and practical experiences separate the EP degree from other programs. The uniqueness of the EP degree is the many "hands on" opportunities available to students. Students are afforded the opportunity to work in a variety of research settings ranging from bench science to applied research. A semester-long internship provides students with a "job-like" experience that many times helps direct the student's career focus.

ECU Advantage

The EP degree is closely tied to the East Carolina University's Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories. These laboratories are nationally and internationally recognized for cutting edge science in a variety of areas. The research scientists associated with these labs have received funding from a variety of prestigious organizations.

Undergraduate students working with research faculty have been nationally recognized for their participation on research projects. Many have presented research at regional and national meetings. The EP program encourages the development of students beyond the classroom. The course diversity, and the research opportunities afforded to majors, makes the Department of Kinesiology's BS in exercise physiology program a truly unique program with a mission of training the next generation of exercise scientists.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Lisa Frederickson (105 Fitness, Instruction, Testing and Training Facility (FITT); 252-737-1293; fredericksonl18@ecu.edu)

The Exercise Physiology, BS provides students expertise in science and exercise physiology with unique insight into utilizing exercise as a treatment modality for health and disease, lifestyle, and performance enhancement. Graduates of the program are prepared to pass national credentialing examinations and pursue further academic training in exercise physiology, physical therapy, medicine, and other allied health careers. 

Students choose between two concentrations: applied exercise physiology or prehealth professions. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for students in the applied exercise physiology concentration and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for students in the prehealth professions concentration.

Students are required to have 32 s.h. of general education courses for admission to the degree program. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in BIOL 1150, BIOL 1151 or BIOL 1100, BIOL 1101; CHEM 1120 or CHEM 1150, CHEM 1151; ENGL 1100, ENGL 2201; and MATH 1065. Majors must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in BIOL 2140, BIOL 2141; BIOL 2150, BIOL 2151 or BIOL 2130; CHEM 1130 or CHEM 1160, CHEM 1161.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I AND
  • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
    • OR
  • BIOL 1150 - Principles of Biology: A Human Approach AND
  • BIOL 1151 - Principles of Biology: A Human Approach Discussion

  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra
  • PHYS 1250 - General Physics I
  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology
2. Core - 24 s.h.
  • KINE 2202 - Motor Learning and Performance
  • KINE 2850 - Structural Kinesiology
  • KINE 3805 - Physiology of Exercise
  • KINE 3806 - Physiology of Exercise Laboratory
  • KINE 3850 - Introduction to Biomechanics
  • KINE 4020 - Exercise Adherence
  • KINE 4805 - Exercise Evaluation and Prescription Laboratory
  • KINE 4806 - Exercise Evaluation and Prescription
  • KINE 4809 - Exercise Prescription for Clinical Populations
  • KINE 4811 - Exercise Prescription for Resistance Training
3. Cognates - 18-23 s.h.
  • BIOL 2140 - Human Physiology and Anatomy I AND
  • BIOL 2141 - Human Physiology and Anatomy I Laboratory AND
  • BIOL 2150 - Human Physiology and Anatomy II AND
  • BIOL 2151 - Human Physiology and Anatomy II Laboratory
    • OR
  • BIOL 2130 - Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy

  • BIOS 1500 - Introduction to Biostatistics OR
  • MATH 2228 - Elementary Statistical Methods I OR
  • MATH 2283 - Statistics for Business

  • CHEM 1120 - Introduction to Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences
    • OR
  • CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I

  • CHEM 1130 - Organic and Biochemistry for the Allied Health Sciences
    • OR
  • CHEM 2750 - Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 2753 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
  • (for premed/pre-dental students)

  • NUTR 1000 - Contemporary Nutrition
    • OR
  • NUTR 2105 - Nutrition Science

  • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
4. Concentrations - 29-42 s.h.

(Choose one.)

    a. Applied exercise physiology - 32-37 s.h.
    • KINE 2000 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology Professions
    • KINE 4030 - Physical Activity Across the Lifespan
    • KINE 4807 - Advanced Exercise Physiology or KINE 3000 or 4000 level elective
    • KINE 4850 - Group Exercise Leadership Methods
    • KINE 4990 - Pre-internship Seminar for Exercise Physiology
    • KINE 4992 - Internship in Exercise Physiology
      • Recommended electives (6-11 s.h.)

      Choose from the following:

      • KINE 2050 - Computer Applications in Exercise and Sport Science
      • KINE 2900 - Teaching Skillful Movement
      • KINE 3020 - Physical Activity and Disease Prevention
      • KINE 3203 - Fundamentals of Neuromotor Control
      • KINE 3300 - Applied Sports Psychology
      • KINE 3600 - Coaching Theories
      • KINE 3802 - Obesity Prevention and Treatment
      • KINE 3880 - Personal Fitness Training
      • KINE 3881 - Personal Fitness Training Laboratory
      • KINE 4025 - Inclusive Fitness Trainer
      • KINE 4450 - Lifestyle Medicine Coaching
      • KINE 4500 - Independent Study in KINE
      • KINE 4501 - Independent Study in KINE
      • KINE 4502 - Independent Study in KINE
      • KINE 4600 - Essentials of Strength and Conditioning
      • KINE 4808 - Cardiopulmonary Physiology
      • KINE 4900 - ECG Interpretation and Exercise Testing
      • KINE 4901 - Practical Application of Stress Testing
      • KINE 4991 - Practicum in Exercise Research
      • Any KINE elective course...
      • Any KINE elective course except for KINE 1000 and KINE 1001
    b. Prehealth professions - 29-42 s.h.

    (Pre-PT, PA, Nursing, Pre-Med, and Pre-Dental)

    • Choose one of the following:
    • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II AND
    • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
      • OR
    • PSYC 3206 - Developmental Psychology

    • Choose one of the following:
    • BIOL 2110 - Fundamentals of Microbiology AND
    • BIOL 2111 - Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory
      • OR
    • PHYS 1260 - General Physics II AND
    • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II

    • Choose one of the following:
    • BIOL 2300 - Principles of Genetics
      • OR
    • CHEM 2760 - Organic Chemistry II AND
    • CHEM 2763 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
      • OR
    • HIMA 3000 - Medical Terminology for Health Professionals
      • OR
    • HLTH 2700 - Medical Terminology for Public Health Professionals

    • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II AND
    • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II

    • KINE 4807 - Advanced Exercise Physiology
    • KINE 4900 - ECG Interpretation and Exercise Testing
    • KINE 4991 - Practicum in Exercise Research
      • Recommended electives (8-17 s.h.)

      Choose from the following: 

      • KINE 2000 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology Professions
      • KINE 2050 - Computer Applications in Exercise and Sport Science
      • KINE 2900 - Teaching Skillful Movement
      • KINE 3020 - Physical Activity and Disease Prevention
      • KINE 3203 - Fundamentals of Neuromotor Control
      • KINE 3300 - Applied Sports Psychology
      • KINE 3600 - Coaching Theories
      • KINE 3802 - Obesity Prevention and Treatment
      • KINE 3880 - Personal Fitness Training
      • KINE 3881 - Personal Fitness Training Laboratory
      • KINE 4025 - Inclusive Fitness Trainer
      • KINE 4030 - Physical Activity Across the Lifespan
      • KINE 4450 - Lifestyle Medicine Coaching
      • KINE 4500 - Independent Study in KINE
      • KINE 4501 - Independent Study in KINE
      • KINE 4502 - Independent Study in KINE
      • KINE 4600 - Essentials of Strength and Conditioning
      • KINE 4808 - Cardiopulmonary Physiology
      • KINE 4850 - Group Exercise Leadership Methods
      • KINE 4901 - Practical Application of Stress Testing
      • Any KINE course...
      • Any KINE elective course except for KINE 1000 or KINE 1001
5. Minor and/or electives to complete requirements for graduation.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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