Course Descriptions
For your convenience, below are the course descriptions for the required classes for the sports psychology major. For more information please visit the academic catalog.
Complete each of the following:
BIO 105 Human Biology
An introduction to the biology of the human body. Topics include overviews of the circulatory, digestive,
respiratory, nervous, reproductive, excretory and musculoskeletal systems. Hands-on laboratory activities give practical experience in understanding how the human body functions.
Fall and Spring Semesters.
3 semester hours.
Satisfies Natural World requirement.
HWL 260 Human Anatomy
Major systems of the body and their functions. Course work involves the use of charts, models and slides, but no dissection.
Fall and Spring Semesters.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: SCI 102, BIO 105 or BIO 111
HWL 353 Stress Management
Stress, sources of stress, the manner in which various psychological systems are involved and affected by stress, diseases that are associated with stress, and a variety of intervention strategies. Includes preventative health behaviors and behavior modification.
Spring Semester.
3 semester hours.
PE 217 Theory of Teaching Physical Fitness
The benefits of the components of physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition and flexibility), instructional techniques necessary to develop the individual components of physical fitness.
Fall and Spring Semesters.
3 semester hours
PE 280 Social Psychology in Sport
This course is intended to develop student understanding of social psychology in sport as well as advance student’s knowledge of theory and practice in the psychological preparation of performance. It will provide an overview of the major social factors and theories affecting those participating in sport and exercise with particular attention given to coach-athlete relationships, team cohesion, group dynamics and motivational climate.
Spring Semester.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: C or higher in IDS 112
PE 301 Sports Psychology
Fundamental concepts of coaching and underlying psychological factors of performance in competition. Topics include assessment, preseason, mid-season, and post-season evaluation, audience effects and aggression and violence in sports.
Fall and Spring Semesters.
3 semester hours.
PE 320 Motor Learning
Psychological and neurological mechanisms involved in the acquisition of motor skills. Emphasis on designing classes and practices which optimize the acquisition of motor skills.
Spring Semester.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor permission.
PE 401 Kinesiology
Applied anatomy and physics examining the specific functions of the musculoskeletal system and the physical laws which govern human motion.
Fall and Spring Semesters.
3 semester hours.
Satisfies Senior Experience requirement.
Prerequisites: C or higher in HWL 260 or C or higher in BIO 211
and 212, junior standing or instructor permission.
PE 404 Practicum in Physical Education and Athletics
Designed to allow the physical education major or minor to attain practical experience (hands-on) in teaching, coaching, and leadership skills prior to student teaching.
Fall and Spring Semesters or Intensive Learning Term.
1-2 semester hours.
Satisfies Senior Experience requirement.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
PE 405 Exercise Physiology
In-depth examination of the physiological systems of the body, and their responses and adaptations to specific stresses placed on them during exercise.
Fall and Spring Semesters.
3 semester hours.
Satisfies Senior Experience requirement.
Prerequisites: PE 217, junior standing or instructor permission.
PE 410 Sport Philosophy and Ethics
Understanding and application of ethical theory and principles of moral reasoning to the analysis of issues and dilemmas in physical education, leisure and sport.
Spring Semester.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: PE 301, junior standing or instructor permission.
PE 415 Exercise Psychology
This course covers the psychological theories for predicting exercise behavior, understanding exercise behavior, mental and physical responses to exercise, and interventions for adhering to and increasing exercise.
Fall Semester.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: PE 280 and PE 301.
PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology
This is a survey course introducing students to many of the discipline’s subfields (e.g., developmental, neuroscience, learning, cognition, social, abnormal) with an emphasis on psychology as a science.
Fall and Spring Semesters.
3 semester hours.
PSY 325 Abnormal Psychology
A survey of psychological disorders, with a special emphasis upon disorders of personality and affect, including depression, suicide and identity. Discussion includes biological, genetic and learned precursors, historically important views and theories.
Fall Semester.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: C or higher in both PSY 110 and IDS 112 and junior standing.
PSY 420 Counseling and Psychotherapy
A survey of individual and group counseling techniques and theories, including psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral and cognitive therapies. Activities include discussions, demonstrations of methods, and applications to different ages, the developmentally disabled and cross-cultural counseling. Activities include discussion and demonstrations to understand techniques, treatment and practitioner ethics.
Spring Semester, odd years.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: C or higher in PSY 110, PSY 325, and IDS 112 and
junior standing
SA 304 Sport, Culture and Society
Cross-cultural study of the role of sport in societies. This class is a recommended elective for the HHP Department.
Spring Semester.
3 semester hours.
Satisfies Global Diversity requirement.
Prerequisites: C or higher in IDS 112.
SA 330 Social Science Statistics
Introduction to statistics and appropriate statistical software in the field of social sciences.
Spring Semester.
3 semester hours.
Satisfies Mathematics Proficiency requirement with a grade of C or higher.
Prerequisites: C or higher in IDS 112 and junior status or instructor permission.
SA 390 Research Link
Students develop a research project based on an issue in which they have an interest in pursuing. This will build off of research which originates in Department Seminar beginning with the second year of study. Students also meet in a group to discuss technique and methodology. Papers will be presented and defended before a panel at the end of the semester.
Spring Semester.
3 credit hours.
Prerequisites: IDS 112 with C or higher, senior status and nine
semester hours of work in Sociology/Anthropology above 200-level.