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Health and Exercise Science
The Health and Exercise Science Program prepares students to pursue rewarding careers within the healthcare, fitness and wellness fields.
Are you ready to get moving?
Students will receive a solid foundation in the sciences of exercise and health through hands-on experiences and coursework in the health/fitness industry. Our students are prepared for entry into graduate programs towards careers in fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, kinesiology, medicine, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, optometry, sports performance, wellness, and more.
Throughout their time within the program, our students have the opportunity to conduct clinical research, work in rehabilitation settings, develop & lead group exercise and physical activity programs, and more. These opportunities provide skills mastered through service learning engagement with community organizations, and in our world-class neighboring health centers.
Learn more about the Health and Exercise Science Program
Majors will complete four prerequisite courses, a core consisting of ten courses plus one elective spread out across their four years. All Majors are required to have CPR and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of their senior year. 3+3 Exercise Science/DPT students should refer to the undergraduate DPT course sequence in the course catalog. The suggested four-year sequence for core courses is:
First Year
BIOL113 | General Biology | 4 |
OR | ||
BIOL115 | Advanced General Biology | 4 |
CHEM111 | Principles of General Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM112 | Principles of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
BIOL 113, BIOL 115, CHEM 111, CHEM 113, and CHEM 112 include labs
BIOL 113 or BIOL 115, and STAT 118 or STAT 227: prereq. for BIOL 246
CHEM 111, CHEM 112: prereq. for BIOL 231
Students may complete BIOL 113 or BIOL 115 to fulfill Introductory Biology requirement.
Students may complete CHEM 111 or CHEM 113 to fulfill Introductory Chemistry requirement.
First Year or Sophomore Year
STAT118 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
PSYC101 | Introduction to Psychological Science | 4 |
NUTR112 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 4 |
EXSC100 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 2 |
EXSC110 | Form and Function in Resistance Exercise | 2 |
Sophomore Year
BIOL231 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
BIOL232 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
BIOL246 | Foundations of Exercise and Health | 4 |
Junior Year
BIOL332 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
PSYC232 | Health Psychology | 4 |
EXSC361 | Exercise Assessment & Prescription | 4 |
CPR with AED Training -offered during DPT orientation-junior year summer |
BIOL 332 and EXSC 361 include labs
BIOL 332: prereq. for EXSC 361
First Aid Certification offered during EXSC 361 lab at cost
Senior Year
PHYS110 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
BIOL362 | Kinesiology | 4 |
BIOL370 | Internship | 0 |
BIOL 362 includes lab
**Students in the 3+3 Exercise Science/DPT program require 2 semesters of physics prior to entering the grad program:
PHYS 110 Introductory Physics I
PHYS 111 Introductory Physics II
PHYS 110 & PHYS 111 include labs
Courses in DPT curriculum that satisfy Exercise Science degree requirements:
DPT612 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
DPT672 | Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculoskeletal I | 7 |
DPT613 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
DPT673 | Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculos keletal II | 7 |
DPT621 | Human Anatomy | 7 |
DPT622 | Movement Science I | 3 |
DPT652 | Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
DPT 613 and DPT 673: Serves as a replacement for BIOL 370 (Spring)
DPT 621 and DPT 622: Serves as a replacement for BIOL 362
DPT 652: Serves as a replacement for 2nd EXSC elective (1st met by PHYS 110)
Exercise Science Electives:
AST232 | Race, Gender & Health | 4 |
EXSC233 | Strength and Conditioning | 4 |
CHEM223 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 |
SOCI241 | Health, Illness & Society | 4 |
SOCI345 | Health Systems & Policy | 4 |
SOCI266 | Sociology of Sports | 4 |
NUTR110 | Sociocultural Implications of Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR215 | Sports Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
NUTR360 | Lifestyle Rx | 4 |
Mind-Body Medicine | ||
PHYS110 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
NUTR 311: CHEM 223 prereq.
SOCI 345: SOCI 101 prereq.
Required Courses
BIOL246 | Foundations of Exercise and Health | 4 |
BIOL332 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
EXSC100 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 2 |
EXSC110 | Form and Function in Resistance Exercise | 2 |
STAT118 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
Additional Exercise Science Elective
AST232 | Race, Gender & Health | 4 |
EXSC233 | Strength and Conditioning | 4 |
CHEM223 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 |
SOCI241 | Health, Illness & Society | 4 |
SOCI266 | Sociology of Sports | 4 |
SOCI345 | Health Systems & Policy | 4 |
NUTR110 | Sociocultural Implications of Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR215 | Sports Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR360 | Lifestyle Rx | 4 |
NUTR311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
PHYS110 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
You'll work with a faculty advisor to tailor your program to your interests and career goals. Simmons students have many opportunities to further customize with dual majors, accelerated programs, direct entry pathways and complementary minors.
Examples of the Accelerated Programs and Graduate Program Direct Entry Pathways through the Health and Exercise Program include:
- 3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Track
- 4+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Track
- 4+3 Doctor of Occupational Therapy Track
- 4+1 Masters of Nutrition and Health Promotion
- 4+2 Masters of Athletic Training
- 4+3 Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
Facilities and Equipment:
The Exercise Physiology lab contains high level research grade equipment for students to gain experience and develop hands-on skills in assessing determinants of health.
Our students master skills in areas such as measurement and assessment of oxygen consumption (VO2), neuromuscular activation (EMG), thermogenic, metabolic, pulmonary and cardiovascular responses to exercise, and more. Our newly renovated Science Labs and Holmes Sports Center serve as a living lab for acquiring skills in Exercise Assessment and Prescription, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Strength & Conditioning, and Foundations of Exercise and Health.
Internship and Research Opportunities:
Simmons is located in the Longwood Medical area, home to world class medical, clinical and research facilities. Our students have completed a variety of research and internship experiences at regionally and world renowned organizations:
- BostonChildren's Hospital
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Mass General Hospital
- Beth Israel Deaconess
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- Joslin Diabetes Center
- Harvard Medicine Ginty Lab
- Tufts Medical Center
- Spaulding Rehab Hospital
- Boston Medical Center
- and more
Our Faculty
Michael Welch
Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Health and Exercise Science Program
Ling Xin
Assistant Professor
Tim Hanway
Assistant Professor of Practice and Internship Coordinator for the Health and Exercise Science Program
Spotlight on Exercise Science Students and Alums
Developing a Personal Passion into a Capstone Research Project
Exercise Science student and Barbara Lee Fellow Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24 explores the intersection of Exercise Science and Public Health through her internship at the Massachusetts State House.
Undergraduate Recipients of 2023 Senior Scholar Award
Six seniors across the University have been selected as recipients of the 2023 Senior Scholar Award, in recognition of outstanding scholarship and contribution to a field of study.
Major Spotlight: Sydney Iannantuono ’23, Exercise Science
Simmons Academic Mentor, Sydney Iannantuono, tells us what she loves about being an exercise science major and why she thinks her program has the best faculty.
Tackling Time Management with the Simmons Academic Mentors
Saloni Kumar '23 caught up with the Simmons Academic Mentors to bust time management myths, find out their unique study styles, and uncover their expert studying tips.
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