Welcome to the Department of Exercise and Sport Science
Mission
The mission of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science is to enhance health and quality of life through discovery, dissemination, and the application of knowledge regarding human movement. This mission is accomplished through undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, service, and clinical activities.
Proud Past – Vision for the Future
Exercise and Sport Science is an interdisciplinary field of study with historical roots in physical education, which formally came into existence in 1885. As an interdisciplinary field of study we attempt to understand movement from the perspective of a performer (e.g., gymnast, basketball player, runner, etc.), a practitioner (e.g., athletic trainer, fitness leader, teacher, etc.), or a scientist. The department changed its name from Physical Education to Exercise and Sport Science in 1988 to reflect the changing emphasis from preparing teachers to promoting active lifestyles in a variety of settings using research based evidence. In 2007, the National Research Council recognized our field of study as belonging to the life sciences and by including us in their Taxonomy of Research Doctoral Programs. This will result in periodic evaluations of programs to benchmark excellence. Our department is currently ranked number 26 and our vision is to move into the top 15 by 2010.
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