Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

Advanced training in communication is more vital than ever as our society is reshaped by access to information, technological advancement and increases in global interaction. Graduate students in the Strategic Communication & Leadership program will gain skills needed to excel in the career of their choice, from health care and business to nonprofit foundations and education, and more.

Why Study Strategic Communication & Leadership at UWF?

In our master's programs, you will begin to understand the ways in which exercise is not only tied to improved fitness and athletic performance but also to physical and psychological health.

The M.S. in Movement Sciences & Health offers two specializations: Exercise Science, and Physical Education and Sports Performance.

The perfect combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience will prepare you to succeed in the workplace. Additionally, you will build a professional network that provides mentoring related to career options within your profession, potential employment opportunities, and furthering your graduate education.

What You Will Learn

You will be guided through the curriculum by faculty who are dedicated to your individualized learning. They will get to know you and work closely with you to achieve your professional goals.

The program is based heavily on hands-on experiences where you will have the opportunity to utilize a variety of state-of-the-art laboratories, research tools and equipment.

In the Exercise Science specialization, you are prepared to successfully acquire nationally recognized certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist.

In the Physical Education and Sports Performance specialization, you will learn how to lead individuals in various physical activity settings, including education, sports, fitness, wellness and health. You will examine, evaluate and apply research on skill development and learning in physical education, coaching and physical activity.

The Bachelor of General Studies degree program provides interdisciplinary study across academic disciplines and professional fields. It is designed for nontraditional students whose age, residence, academic interests, or career objectives require a more individualized university degree. The Bachelor of General Studies degree program is designed to:

• Meet the University of West Florida’s mission to provide students with access to high-quality, relevant, and affordable undergraduate learning experiences, and therefore better serve the general educational needs of region;
• Provide students an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree while maintaining family, military, and/or employment obligations;
• Offer a degree option including studies in several disciplinary areas;
• Give students the option to complete courses at the Pensacola campus, Emerald Coast campus, and/or online; and
• Provide students an opportunity to build upon the associate of arts degrees offered by other institutions.

The B.S.B.A. in Business Economics is for students interested in economics as it applies to business and government organizations. The program provides students with a comprehensive view of the area of economics in business, allowing them to apply a set of analytical tools to understand the interrelations between the economy and the business environment under different market conditions.

Economics majors develop technical and analytical skills needed for policy oriented decisions in local and global markets, often based on analysis of fundamental resource allocations issues. Economists work in a broad range of areas that include in-depth inquiries, including the following: business strategy (Should we expand into a new market?); societal policies (What is the best way to fight environmental pollution?); and global issues (What rules should govern trade among nations?). Further inquires are conducted into how trade is affected by the elimination of tariffs and quotas. Students in the B.S.B.A. in Economics actively participate in small projects, such as data analysis and forecasting, intended to provide them with hands-on experience in managerial decision making. Specific topics include healthcare, crime, finance, production, international trade, labor, taxation, politics, the environment, pricing strategies, regulation and deregulation, data analysis and forecasting, and many others.

Many Economics graduates choose to attend graduate school, thereby enhancing their career opportunities. A major in Economics provides outstanding preparation for the M.B.A. degree, and an Economics degree is regarded as an excellent background to study Law or to pursue a Master’s in Economics.

Economics students may choose from the following specializations: Comprehensive Economics and Global Economics.

The BS in Interdisciplinary Sciences is a multidisciplinary program that provides a strong foundation in one area of the sciences and flexibility to add content and skills from other HMCSE STEM programs.  The academic goal of this program is to afford students the opportunity to make connections between ideas and concepts across disciplinary boundaries and to be capable of defining and examining scientific problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The BS in Interdisciplinary Sciences is built upon a foundation within the UWF HMCSE STEM disciplines (Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences, and Computer Science, ) and allows for additional coursework from Chemistry, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics.

The goal of the baccalaureate degree program is to prepare students to embark upon a professional career in Mechanical Engineering or to begin a graduate study. Graduates will be known for their accomplishments in the early stage of their careers and they should:

• Develop mechanical engineering solutions individually and through interdisciplinary teams within a global and societal context.
• Professionally and ethically engage in technical or business activity through engineering ability, communication skills, and knowledge.
• Continue professional growth through post-graduate education, continuing education, or professional activity.
• Contribute to the Northwest Florida regional economic development.

Mechanical Engineering is one of the largest, broadest, and oldest of the engineering disciplines.  It is the engineering discipline that applies the principles of engineering, materials science, thermal sciences, mechanics, mathematics and physics for the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. Because of the extremely rapid growth and changes relating to the application of mechanical engineering principles, the curriculum is designed to concentrate on a solid core of foundation courses. Electives are included to permit a student to delve deeply into selected subject matter and to learn other pertinent subjects.

Mechanical Engineers are capable of working in a wide variety of industry sectors, including aerospace, manufacturing, energy, environment, transportation, materials, and structures.

The Legal Studies Program provides students with a broad understanding of basic principles of law and the role and function of the legal system.  While no specific major is prescribed for admission to law school, many pre-law students elect to major in Legal Studies.  The Legal Studies Program, in addition to preparing students for law-related careers, provides a foundation for law school or other graduate education. All of the full-time Legal Studies faculty are attorneys who are graduates of ABA-Approved law schools and are available for law school advising.  Legal Studies students are encouraged to work closely with Legal Studies Advisors in planning their programs. Satisfactory completion of program requirements leads to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in Legal Studies.

The B.A. in Psychology enables students to study human behavior. An understanding of psychological processes entails understanding the multiple influences created by the biological characteristics of the organism, the effects of learning and experience, social and cultural dynamics, and developmental change. As a scientific discipline, the study of psychology requires competence in research methodology and critical thinking. Psychology is also an applied discipline, with applications in behavioral and physical health, business, education, and law, among others. Students completing a major in psychology will be prepared to pursue a wide range of careers at the bachelor's level or to pursue advanced training in psychology or other professional schools (such as medicine and law). Students will attain a high-quality liberal arts degree focused on knowledge in the discipline of psychology, integrity in the application of that knowledge, effective project management, and excellent critical thinking and communication skills.

The B.S. in Physics focuses on the study of matter and its motion.  Ultimately, the goal of physics is to understand how nature behaves from the smallest sub-atomic particle to the entire universe, making it the most fundamental natural science. The various topics covered include electricity and magnetism, electronics, fluids, mechanics, optics, quantum phenomena, concepts of relativity, thermodynamics, waves, and several related laboratory activities.

The Physics Department offers the traditional B.S. program in Physics with specializations in Physics or Engineering Physics.  In addition to graduate school, a trained physicist may enter the employment market as a research scientist. Those with an engineering physics background are eligible for entry-level jobs as engineers in organizations such as the Department of Defense, NASA, and the various national labs.

Students interested in obtaining certification to teach this subject area in secondary education need to contact an advisor in this department to carefully plan the course work to satisfy degree and some teacher certification requirements. A degree in this major is required for participation in teacher education certification options.

UWF's Interdisciplinary Humanities programs promote excellence in education, personal growth, civic awareness and unique learning experiences by offering cutting-edge curricula relevant to the needs of employers. Designed for students desiring exposure to issues that transcend a single discipline, interdisciplinary studies offer students the opportunity to raise questions, create new knowledge, and solve problems in ways that are not possible in a singular disciplinary context. In the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies specialization, students critically and creatively explore the significance of gender in all areas of life, examining the social formation of human identities, practices, and institutions. This specialization requires the completion of an approved minor or double major and participation in the university’s annual Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Conference. The combination of this interdisciplinary specialization with a related minor or double major prepares students for a wide array of careers in community relations, law, criminal justice, politics, business, communications, counseling, social work, and teaching and provides students with an enhanced understanding of how gender operates in these professional environments. The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program also offers a host of co-curricular events and activities that help students to cultivate their professional skills and put theory into practice. Beyond the annual Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Conference, the students host art exhibitions, poetry open mic nights and community reading groups and publish a national feminist student journal.

The B.S.B.A. in Accounting is an included program in the University's accreditation by AACSB International. The B.S.B.A. in Accounting is designed to provide students with basic conceptual accounting and business knowledge as a foundation for career development. The Accounting Specialization also provides the traditional background in accounting and is the first step towards state designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).