About
Students in the exercise science concentration use state-of-the-art metabolic and bio-mechanical analysis systems to develop their understanding of human capacity for movement and work. They practice with the latest applications and modalities for injury evaluation and rehabilitation. In a number of applied settings, students work a wide variety of age groups and physical abilities gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Within this concentration, students can pursue two options for study:

Science Option: The laboratory science-based option prepares students for post-graduate programs in allied health. Graduates from this option go on to attend schools of medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or other medically-based programs of study. This concentration requires an additional 12-15 hours, beyond the major requirements, of laboratory sciences. Within the concentration area some lab science hours may be substituted with specific 300-500 level KPE courses upon permission.

Outdoor Leadership Option: This option prepares students for future careers in outdoor-based non-profits, businesses, and educational settings. Students in this program will take all of the core Outdoor Leadership courses, along with courses in exercise science, physical education, pedagogy, Maine studies, natural resources, and leadership studies. In addition, students in this concentration are required to pursue 12-15 credits of outdoor skills or field experience courses of their choice.

Core Courses
For the Outdoor Leadership option, click the link above. A typical program of study for an exercise science student choosing the Science Option would include the following courses:

BIO 100 Basic Biology
EHD 100 New Student Seminar in Education and Human Development
ENG 101 College Composition
KPE 253 Lifetime Fitness for Health
BIO 208 Anatomy and Physiology
KPE 262 Methods of Teaching Physical Activity
PSY 100 General Psychology
BMB 207 Fundamentals of Chemistry and BMB 209 Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory or
CHY 121 General Chemistry I and CHY 123 General Chemistry Laboratory I
FSN 101 Introduction to Food and Nutrition
KPE 250 Prevention and Care for Sports Injuries
KPE 304 Instruction and Assessment with Technology in Physical Education and Exercise Prescription
KPE 270 Motor Development and Learning
KPE 376 Kinesiology
KPE 378 Physiology of Exercise
KPE 425 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
KPE 426 Exercise Prescription and Leadership
PHY 111 General Physics I
ENG 317 Business and Technical Writing
KPE 367 Adapted Physical Education
KPE 490 Nutrition for Sports and Exercise
KPE 427 Health Fitness Internship

Careers in Exercise Science
Upon graduation, many students become allied health professionals or fitness specialists. The Outdoor Leadership option prepares students for future careers in outdoor-based nonprofits, businesses and educational settings. Graduates who choose the Science Option are well-positioned to pursue advanced degrees in fields such as athletic training, physical therapy and chiropractic medicine.

To Apply
Applying for admission to the University of Maine is easy. Just go to go.umaine.edu/apply/