Faculty and Course Web Pages
Associate in Arts Degree with Emphasis: Exercise Science
The Exercise Science Emphasis is an academically comprehensive and technically oriented curriculum designed for individuals wanting to pursue professions in the fitness and wellness industry. These professions may include personal trainers, group fitness leaders and weight management consultants.
Students enrolled in this emphasis will receive instruction on human anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, aerobic and strength training techniques, fitness assessments, exercise prescription, nutrition and wellness concepts. The required courses assist in preparation for national certification exams, specifically the Personal Training Exam of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Required Courses
- EXSC 1129 Fitness for Life I (2 credits)
- EXSC 2300 Introduction to Exercise Science (3 credits)
- EXSC 2305 Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
- EXSC 2310 Foundations of Personal Training (3 credits)
- EXSC 2315 Exercise Prescription (3 credits)
- BIOL 1102 Human Biology (Goal 3) (4 credits)
- HLTH 1107 Principles of Nutrition (3 credits)
- HLTH 1103 College First Aid & Adult CPR (2 credits)
-or- - HLTH 2209 First Responder (3 credits)
TOTAL CREDITS: 23-24
The Exercise Science faculty recommends that students who are interested in the exercise science emphasis enroll in the following elective courses. The elective course list only suggests courses that may enhance learning and understanding in the realm of exercise science. Students should consult an academic counselor or the college catalog for a complete description of the requirements for an Associate in Arts Degree.
Elective Courses
- EXSC 1104 Conditioning I Cardio Kick Boxing (1 credit)
- EXSC 1105 Fitness Yoga (1 credit)
- EXSC/HLTH 1128 Personal Nutrition & Exercise (3 credits)
- EXSC 1153 Backpacking & Wilderness Preservation (3 credits)
- EXSC 2229 Fitness for Life II (2 credits)
- HLTH 1118 Stress Management (3 credits)
- HLTH 1160 Theory & Practice of Tai Chi Chuan (2 credits)
- PSYC 1110 General Psychology (Goal 5) (4 credits)
- MATH 1080 Introduction to Statistics (Goal 4) (3 credits)
- ENGC 1111 Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1) (3 credits)
Sufficient additional credits to meet all MNTC goals to total 64 credits.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you are new to Normandale Community College please call 952/487-8201 or if you are a current or returning student please make an appointment with an academic counselor at 952/487-8261.
For further questions specific to the Emphasis in Exercise Science or Exercise Science course offerings, please contact David Barrett 952/487-8460, Angela Effertz 952/487-8458, or Elizabeth Baker 952/487-8411.
Curriculum
Lecture/Professional
- EXSC 2300 Introduction to Kinesiology (3 credits)
- EXSC 2305 Exercise Physiology (3credits)
- EXSC 2310 Foundations of Personal Training (3 credits)
- EXSC 2315 Exercise Prescription (3 credits)
Individual/Group Fitness
- EXSC 1104/cc204 Cardio Kickboxing (1 credit)
- EXSC 1105/2205 Fitness Yoga (1 credit)
- EXSC 1128 Personal Nutrition and Exercise (3 credits)
- EXSC 1129/229 Fitness for Life (2 credits)
- EXSC 1130 Fitness Walking (1 credit)
- EXSC 1131 Fitness Jogging (1 credit)
- EXSC 1200 Beginning Weight Training (1 credit)
- EXSC 1400 Studio Cycling (1 credit)
Individual/Team Sports
- EXSC 1102 Badminton (1 credit)
- EXSC 1103 Bowling (1 credit)
- EXSC 1107 Golf (1 credit)
- EXSC 1109 Karate (1 credit)
- EXSC 1112 Tennis (1 credit)
- EXSC 1116 Volleyball (1 credit)
- EXSC 1133 Fencing (1 credit)
Outdoor Recreation
- EXSC 1110 Snowboarding (1 credit)
- EXSC 1111 Downhill Skiing (1 credit)
- EXSC 1151 Rock Climbing (2 credits)
- EXSC 1153 Backpacking & Wilderness Preservation (3 credits)
- EXSC 1500 Hiking & Snowshoeing (1 credit)
- EXSC 2253 Advanced Backpacking & Outdoor Leadership (2 credits)
For course descriptions and additional program information visit the Normandale catalog online.
View common course outline information.
Print Fact Sheets:
Department Admin
Dean: Colleen Brickle, Dean of Health Sciences
Dean's Assistant: Linda Willaert
Dept Chair: Cynthia Carow-Schiebe
Mission Statement
The mission of the Exercise Science Department is to provide lecture courses based on the science of kinesiology and offer a variety of lifetime fitness activities in proven concepts of wellness and fitness. The department strives to provide the students with positive experiences and opportunities for self-growth. The Exercise Science Department at Normandale offers a wide variety of courses. Most courses emphasize lifetime physical activities and credits earned will apply as electives for all Associate degree programs offered at Normandale. The selection of courses includes lecture, individual/group fitness, individual/team sports and outdoor recreation activities, as well as professional preparation. Course instruction is provided by faculty with national certifications as personal trainers, fitness instructors, and wilderness educators from NSCA, ACE, American Red Cross, WMA, WEA and AEA. The department boasts primary access to the campus Fitness Center. The Center is a 1,300-square-foot, independently air-conditioned facility holding a wide variety of Cybex resistance training equipment and several aerobic training machines, designed in a unique circuit-training format. Students enrolled in Fitness for Life, Personal Nutrition and Exercise, Beginning Weight Training, and Studio Cycling, and these courses primarily use the facility. The Fitness Center allows instructors to implement individual exercise prescriptions for students with unique health and fitness needs.
Students choosing sport and fitness courses at Normandale will utilize the gymnasiums housed on campus, as well as the quiet, suburbanneighborhood surrounding the NCC campus. A handful of courses are taught off-site at Hyland Hills Ski Area, Southtown Bowl and Braemar Golf Course. Recognizing the need for students to adopt healthy lifestyles, many Exercise Science courses include both a lecture series and physical activity involvement. In addition, the department offers lecture-based classes, such as Introduction to Exercise Science. The purpose of this class is to introduce students to kinesiology (study of human movement) and various sub-disciplines through both lecture and hands-on-learning activities.Other lecture-based courses include Exercise Physiology, Foundations of Personal Training and Exercise Prescription. The Exercise Physiology and Exercise Prescription courses introduce students to the scientific basis of the human body's physiological adaptation to exercise and how this adaptation relates to athletic performance. The Foundations of Personal Training course follows the developmental curriculum designed by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) to familiarize students with all aspects of personal training. This class is a preparatory course for becoming a NSCA Certified Personal Trainer. Normandale Community College is a testing for the NSCA exam. The official NSCA-CPT certifying exam is held biannually in the Twin Cities.
Anyone interested in the following fields of study should enroll in any or all of the previously mentioned lecture-based courses; physical therapy, occupational therapy, Exercise Science, athletic training, nutrition, personal training, cardiac rehabilitation, chiropractic care, sports marketing, sport psychology, leisure studies, sport management, or any other health and fitness related position.
