The department offers programs designed to prepare students as specialists in exercise physiology and fitness/wellness.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
The University of Florida admits students as freshmen into the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. The exercise physiology specialization prepares students for careers in one of the health professions or graduate study in exercise science. Fitness/wellness prepares students to function as exercise technicians, exercise specialists and/or wellness instructors in hospital, corporate, private or government agencies.
Exercise Physiology
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
The exercise physiology specialization prepares students for a career in the health professions, including medical, nursing, dental, physical or occupational therapy, and physician assistant, or for graduate study in exercise science or biomedical health fields. The curriculum provides a strong basic science background and requires additional coursework in the biological aspects of exercise. Students are required to complete a one semester internship as a capstone experience. All required courses must be completed before the internship. A maximum of two Cs can be earned in tracking courses. All other tracking grades must be B or better.
Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 2 of 9 critical-tracking courses with a 3.0 GPA on tracking coursework: APK 2100C, APK 2105C, APK 3110C, BSC 2010/2010L, BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L, MAC 2311, PSY 2012
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with a 3.0 GPA on tracking coursework
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with a 3.0 GPA on tracking coursework
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 2 critical-tracking courses with a 3.0 GPA on all tracking coursework
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete all 9 critical-tracking courses with a 3.0 GPA on all tracking coursework
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Back to Top
Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1, 3 credits, and
CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory, 1 credit
State Core GE-P |
4 |
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
State Core GE-M |
4 |
Composition
State Core GE-C ; WR |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Science
3/4000 level; GE-S; GE-D/N; WR |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2, 3 credits, and
CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory, 1 credit
GE-P |
4 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
PSY 2012 General Psychology
State Core GE-S |
3 |
Mathematics
GE-M; recommend STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics I |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
APK 2100C Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory
GE-B |
4 |
BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1, 3 credits, and
BSC 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1, 1 credit
GE-B |
4 |
Composition
GE-C; WR |
3 |
Elective
3/4000 level |
2 |
Humanities
State Core GE-H; GE-D/N |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory
GE-B |
4 |
| ATR 2010C Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries |
3 |
BSC 2011 Integrated Principles of Biology 2, 3 credits, and
BSC 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2, 1 credit
GE-B |
4 |
| HSC 3537 Health and Medical Terminology |
3 |
Elective
WR |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 3110C Physiology of Exercise and Training |
3 |
| APK 3200 Motor Learning |
3 |
APK 3400 Sport Psychology or
APK 3405 Exercise Psychology |
3 |
PHY 2053 Physics 1, 4 credits, and
PHY 2053L Laboratory for Physics 1, 1 credit
|
5 |
| Approved elective |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 3113 Principles of Strength and Conditioning |
3 |
| APK 4120 Clinical Exercise Physiology |
3 |
| APK 4125C Physical Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription |
3 |
| Approved electives |
7 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 3220C Biomechanical Basis of Movement |
3 |
| APK 4050 Research Methods in APK |
3 |
| APK 4112 Advanced Exercise Physiology |
3 |
| APK 4115 Neuromuscular Aspects of Exercise |
3 |
| Approved elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 4940C Internship |
12 |
| Total |
12 |
Back to Top
Approved Electives for Exercise Physiology: 13 credits
These electives may not be offered every semester. Refer to the course descriptions section for prerequisites.
| Courses |
Credits |
|---|
| AGR 3303 Genetics |
3 |
| APK 3163 Sport Nutrition |
3 |
| APK 3400 Introduction to Sport Psychology |
3 |
| APK 4103C Kinetic Anatomy |
3 |
| APK 4144 Movement Neuroscience |
3 |
| APK 4912 APK Undergraduate Research |
0-5 |
| APK 4943 Teaching Experience in APK |
1 |
| BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry |
4 |
| BCH 4024 Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
4 |
| CHM 2200 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry |
3 |
| CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry 1 |
3 |
| CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry 2 |
3 |
| CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
2 |
| CLP 3144 Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
| DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| HSC 4233 Patient Health Information |
3 |
| HUN 2201 Fundamentals of Human Nutrition |
3 |
| MCB 3020 Basic Biology of Microorganisms |
3 |
| MCB 3020L Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms |
1 |
| MDU 4003 Introduction to the Professions of Medicine |
3 |
| MDU 4031 Medicine and the Law |
3 |
| MDU 4061 Introduction to Medical Bioethics |
3 |
| MDU 4850 Diseases of Eating |
3 |
| PCB 3063 Genetics |
4 |
| PET 4948C Practicum in Exercise and Sport Sciences |
1-5 |
| PHY 2054 and 2054L Physics 2 (4) and Physics 2 Laboratory (1) |
5 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 |
3 |
Back to Top
Fitness/Wellness
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
The fitness/wellness specialization emphasizes the practical and applied aspects of exercise science. Students in this specialization become exercise technicians and specialists in hospitals and corporate, private or state agencies. Many students in this specialization also pursue careers in health professions. Students are required to complete a one semester internship as a capstone experience. All required courses must be completed before the internship.
Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 2 of 8 critical-tracking courses with a 2.5 GPA on tracking coursework: APK 2100C, APK 2105C, ATR 2010C, ECO 2023 or AEB2014, HUN 2201, MAC 1140 or MAC 1147 or calculus, PSY 2012, STA 2023. Minimum grades of C are required in APK 2100C, APK 2105C and ATR 2010C.
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with a 2.6 GPA on tracking coursework
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with a 2.7 GPA on tracking coursework
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with a 2.8 GPA on tracking coursework
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Back to Top
Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra, 3 credits, or
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry, 4 credits, or
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 4 credits
GE-M |
3-4 |
PSY 2012 General Psychology
State Core GE-S |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science
State Core GE-B or P; CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1, BSC 2005 Biological Sciences, or BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 recommended |
3 |
Composition
State Core GE-C; WR |
3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
AEB 2014 Economics Issues, Food and You, 3 credits, or
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics, 3 credits
GE-S |
3-4 |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
State Core GE-M |
3 |
Composition
GE-C; WR |
3 |
Elective
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication or SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking recommended |
3 |
Humanities
State Core GE-H |
3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
APK 2100C Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory
GE-B |
4 |
HUN 2201 Fundamentals of Human Nutrition
GE-B |
3 |
Electives
Recommend GE-N, WR |
8 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory
GE-B |
4 |
| ATR 2010C Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries |
3 |
HSC 3102 Personal and Family Health
GE-S |
3 |
| Elective |
2 |
Elective
GE-D; WR |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 3110C Physiology of Exercise and Training |
3 |
| APK 3163 Sport Nutrition |
3 |
| APK 3200 Motor Learning |
3 |
MAN 3025 Principles of Management
GE-S |
4 |
| Approved elective |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 3113 Principles of Strength and Conditioning |
3 |
| APK 4050 Research Methods in APK |
3 |
| APK 4125C Physical Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription |
3 |
| Approved electives |
7 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 3220C Biomechanical Basis of Movement |
3 |
APK 3400 Sport Psychology or
APK 3405 Exercise Psychology |
3 |
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing
GE-S |
4 |
| Approved electives |
6 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 4940C Internship |
12 |
| Total |
12 |
Back to Top
Fitness/Wellness Approved Electives: 16 credits
Approved electives may not be offered every semester. Refer to the course descriptions section for prerequisites.
| Courses |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 3400 Introduction to Sport Psychology |
3 |
| APK 4103C Kinetic Anatomy |
3 |
| APK 4112 Advanced Exercise Physiology |
3 |
| APK 4115 Neuromuscular Aspects of Exercise |
3 |
| APK 4120 Clinical Exercise Physiology |
3 |
| APK 4144 Movement Neuroscience |
3 |
| APK 4912 Undergraduate Research |
1-5 |
| APK 4943 Teaching Experience in APK |
1 |
| CLP 3144 Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
| DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| ENT 3003 Principles of Entrepreneurship |
4 |
| FIN 3403 Business Finance |
4 |
| HSC 4232C Exercise Therapy, Adapted Physical Activity and Health (GE-S and D) |
3 |
| HSC 3537 Health and Medical Terminology |
3 |
| HSC 4233 Patient Health Education |
3 |
| HSC 4579 Women's Health Issues |
3 |
| LEI 3320 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services |
2 |
| MDU 4003 Introduction to the Professions of Medicine |
3 |
| MDU 4061 Introduction to Medical Bioethics |
3 |
| PET 4948C Practicum in Exercise and Sport Sciences |
1-5 |
| SPM 3306 Sport Marketing |
3 |
| SPM 4723 Legal Issues in Sport and Physical Activity |
3 |
Back to Top