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EXSC 103
Professional Foundations in Exercise Science
Professor: Dr. Wayne C. Miller
Office: Building K, Room 106
Office hrs: Monday 10:30 - noon, Tuesday 9:30 - 11 a.m., Wednesday 4-6 p.m.
Phone: 994-2952 e-mail: wmiller@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu
Text: There is no text for the course. The body of knowledge coming to this
class is too broad to be placed into one textbook. Therefore, you must be
able to take good notes from the lectures and discussions in class.
Background material can be obtained from any basic book on exercise
physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, wellness, nutrition, etc.
This course is an introduction to exercise science. During the course, we will
investigate exercise as a scientific discipline. This includes a view at the basic sciences
as they relate to exercise and a look at the application of scientific knowledge to
exercise and performance. Numerous topics will be covered throughout the course
and thus, we will only be able to touch briefly upon each topic.
Course Objectives:
1. To become familiar with the history and development of exercise science.
2. To become familiar with various career options, requirements, certifications, and
professional organizations in the area of exercise science.
3. To understand how various scientific disciplines become integrated under the broad
topic of exercise science.
4. To understand the process of scientific research; basic vs. applied research;
research methodologies; and how to obtain, interpret, and understand exercise
science research.
Evaluation: Points
Abstracts: 5 abstracts @ 20 points each ....................................................... 100
Quizzes: 2-3 unannounced quizzes @ 20-50 points each ........................... 100
Term Paper: Written plus oral presentation ...................................................... 100
Final Exam: Thursday, December 12th 8:30 a.m. ............................................ 200
Grading Scale:
450+ A, Plus and minus grade adjustments will be made according to
400- 449 B, ñ student attendance and participation in class. In other words,
350 - 399 C, ñ your grade may be adjusted partially (ñ) according to your
300 - 349 D, ñ class attendance and contribution to class discussions. At the
<300 F end of the semester if your point score is on the borderline, it
could be adjusted up or down depending upon how actively
involved you were in the class during the semester.
Summary of Evaluations
Abstracts:
Read a research article from a current (this year, 1996) professional journal. This
must be an original research report, not a review article. In other words, the author(s)
must have collected some type of data relative to exercise science or one of its
subdisciplines, analyzed the data, and drawn some conclusions. Make two copies of
the research article (one for yourself and one for me). Make an enlarged copy of the
abstract on a transparency for use on an overhead projector. Write a one to two page
critique of the article. Evaluate the need for the study, appropriateness of the
methodology, and the author(s) interpretation. Be prepared to discuss this article in
class along with your critique on the day the assignment is due. We will place the
abstract on the overhead and you, as the expert scientist, will lead the class discussion
for 10-15 minutes. Only some students will be selected randomly to present orally.
Quizzes:
There will be 2-3 unannounced quizzes this semester. The quizzes will take
approximately 15 minutes. There will be 2-10 questions on the quizzes, which may be
multiple choice, short answer, or essay. The material covered on the quizzes will
include anything discussed in class or relevant to readings or assignments performed
to date.
Term Paper:
Option 1 - Basic term paper. Select a topic in one of the concentration areas
of exercise science. Write a 6-10 page term paper on the topic.
Reference all material used in the paper, numbering your citations
chronologically. Once a reference has been cited, further reference
to that citation will carry the same reference number. List your
references at the end of the paper.
Option 2 - Professional Preparation. Write a 6-10 page paper on a specific
professional area of specialization within exercise science. Include
a discussion on educational requirements, professional
organizations, certifications, internships, assistantships, journals,
annual meetings, etc. associated with that particular specialty. If
you have obtained any brochures, pamphlets, or documents from
any of these organizations you may include them in an appendix,
but don't copy their text as part of your report nor include their
material as part of the 6-10 page requirement. However, you may
refer to some of these appended materials in your report.
Reference all citations as described in Option #1.
Option 3 - Research Proposal. Write a 6-10 page research proposal. Select a
topic of interest in exercise science. Design a research project to
answer a question or pursue a hypothesis. This must be an
original idea, not one that has already been answered. Write the
paper as if it were to be part of a professional research report.
Write an introduction to the problem that reviews previous related
literature. Reference all citations as explained in Option #1. Write
the methodology to include a description of the subjects,
experimental procedures, tests or evaluations, and data analysis.
You will present a brief summary of your term paper orally to the class. Be ready to
present on the first day of presentations. Order of presentations will be selected at
random. You may wish to make some visual aids to help in your presentation.
Final: The course final will be inclusive and be held on the University scheduled
final examination date. Tentative schedule is Thursday, December 12th
from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
All written assignments will be done on a word processor, computer, or type
writer. Text will be no larger than 12 point. Text will be double spaced, references
single spaced. A minimal of NLC print will be accepted. Use good quality paper
that is 8.5" by 11". Print on one side of the paper only.
Assignments turned in late will automatically receive a 10% reduction in grade
(points). No assignments will be accepted more than 3 days after the original
deadline.
There is no extra credit or make-up work given for this course.
.EXSC 103 Professional Foundations in Exercise Science
Topic Schedule: Fall 1996
August 27 Introduction, Disciplines in Exercise Science, History of Exercise Science
29 Introduction to the library, MiniMedline, On-line catalog - Meet in the
Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, Room B-103
September 3,5 Scientific Research, Data Collection & Analysis, Research Questions, How to
read and evaluate scientific research articles,
10 Professional Organizations, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM),
Certifications, Licensures
12 Library Visit #2, Computer Use, the Internet and the World Wide Web - Meet
in the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, Room B-103
17,19 Abstracts Due the 17th, Metabolism, Energy Expenditure, Exercise
Evaluations
24,26 Basic Nutrition, Sport Nutrition, Ergogenic Aids
October 1,3 Abstracts Due the 3rd, Health Promotion Programs & Services
8,10 Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
15,17 Abstracts Due the 17th, Epidemiology
22,24 Physical Education, Athletic Training, Coaching, Sports Medicine
29,31 Abstracts Due the 31st, Conditioning, Fitness, Personal Training
November 5,7 Exercise Prescription for Special Populations
12,14 Abstracts Due the 14th, Muscle Physiology, Molecular Biology
19,21 Body Composition, Obesity, Weight Control
26 Term Papers Due - Presentations Begin
December 3,5 Term papers and presentations
12 Final Exam at 8:30 a.m.