Exercise Science
A major in exercise science is designed to prepare students for a variety of health science and fitness careers. With an exercise science degree, students may use their degree as a stepping-stone to an advanced professional degree such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or physician assistant training, all of which are offered at Pacific. Additionally, students may pursue careers in fitness consultation, physical education, and sports medicine among others. Thus, the flexible and interdisciplinary nature of an exercise science undergraduate degree from Pacific enables a student to obtain an education that best meets his/her individual career aspiration.
The Program
Exercise Science continues to be one of the most pursued fields of undergraduate study at Pacific University. The program boasts a strong liberal arts perspective, with quality faculty from diverse disciplines within exercise science. In addition, faculty members from physical therapy and the other allied health programs at Pacific teach courses for the Department of Exercise Science, creating a community of learning that encompasses a broad spectrum of knowledge. The program’s teaching and research facilities include a physiology laboratory, biomechanics laboratory, psycho-motor laboratory, multimedia classroom, as well as a sports medicine laboratory and classroom. Academics within the classroom are rigorous and expectations for students are high. However, the rewards are also great as students receive the opportunity to learn under the best conditions, and with the best of teachers. For example, human gross anatomy involves a rare (not usually found in undergraduate curricula) experience for undergraduates to use cadavers in the learning experience. This is in addition to the standard charts, models, and computer simulations that most college anatomy courses utilize. The many hands-on experiences available to students include those utilizing the following equipment: human cadaver dissection laboratory, video motion analysis, force plate, electrogomometers, electrocardiography (ecg), electromyography (emg), metabolic gas analysis equipment, body composition testing equipment, isokinetic equipment, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and others.
Admissions
If you like more information about Pacific University's Exercise Science program mailed to you, are ready to apply, or have any questions regarding the admissions process please visit our Admissions site.