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BS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with Emphasis in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Human Performance

Degree Program Description

This program is for students with a passion for health and wellness, evidence-based science, helping people, and using physical activity and nutrition to positively impact human health and performance. Students earning this degree are well-prepared for employment opportunities that include fitness assessment, lifestyle intervention education, exercise supervision and program administration in schools, businesses and hospitals, health education and promotion, and entry-level positions in cardiac and pulmonary or spine rehab. This is a rapidly expanding area with opportunities in corporate and commercial industries, government, and non-profit sectors.

In addition to the job opportunities listed above, past graduates of this area have continued their studies in a variety of areas such as graduate school for Exercise Science/Physiology, Kinesiology, Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician's Assistant, Chiropractic, Nursing, Public Health.

Graduates of this program are qualified to sit for the following certifications without any additional courses or education beyond our core requirements: ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM EP-C), ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM CPT), ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor (ACSM GEI), NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach, ACE Certified Personal Trainer.

Major Program Requirements

Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with emphasis in Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Human Performance does not require an application or have a pre-program status. Students may declare the major and emphasis area by indicating it when they apply to MU and transition directly into the program. After the first semester at MU, students must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA (term and CUM) to declare the program. Current MU students will need to complete a transfer of division form. A current student in another program within the college should notify their advisor of their wishes. There are specific grade requirements for most courses within the emphasis, these are outlined on the degree requirement sheet and noted on the degree audit. 

Grade Requirements:
C- or higher: BIO_SC 1010/BIO_SC 1020 or BIO_SC 1500, MPP 3202 or BIO_SC 3700, PTH_AS 2201 (or the equivalent). All NEP courses.                       

C- or higher:CHEM 1400 and CHEM 1401

Students must complete all university requirements, including general education, in addition to the degree requirements below.

Science Foundation
BIO_SC 1010
BIO_SC 1020
General Principles and Concepts of Biology
and General Biology Laboratory
5
or BIO_SC 1500 Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory
BIOCHM 3630General Biochemistry3
or BIOCHM 4270 Biochemistry
CHEM 1400College Chemistry I3
CHEM 1401College Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM 2030Survey of Organic Chemistry3
or CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2130Organic Laboratory I (recommended)2
MPP 3202Elements of Physiology5
or BIO_SC 3700 Human Physiology
PTH_AS 2201Human Anatomy Lecture3
PTH_AS 2203Human Anatomy Laboratory (recommended)2
Math and Statistics
MATH 1100College Algebra (C- or better required)3
or MATH 1160 Precalculus Mathematics
STAT 1200Introductory Statistical Reasoning3
or ESC_PS 4170 Introduction to Applied Statistics
or ABM 2225 Statistical Analysis
Communication
COMMUN 1200Public Speaking3
or AGSC_COM 2220 Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Emphasis Core Requirements

Nutritional Sciences
NEP 2340Human Nutrition I3
NEP 2380Diet Therapy for Health Professionals3
NEP 2450Nutrition Throughout the Life Span3
NEP 4970PANHP Capstone: Sports Nutrition3
Exercise Physiology
HTH_PR 4250Human Kinesiology3
NEP 1330Introduction to Exercise and Fitness Laboratory2
NEP 1340Introduction to Exercise and Fitness3
NEP 1485Career Exploration in Exercise Science1
NEP 2140Exercise Practicum I3
NEP 3450Activity Throughout the Lifespan3
NEP 3550Corporate, Community, and Personal Fitness3
NEP 3850Physiology of Exercise3
NEP 4200Sports Performance and Conditioning3
NEP 4860Exercise Prescription3
Supporting Electives
15 credit hours. A minimum of 9 hours must be taken from the NEP area in the list below. 15
NEP:
AFNR 2191International Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Humanities (Program-approved experiences only.)1-6
NEP 2460Eating Disorders3
NEP 3001Topics in Nutritional Science1-3
or NEP 4001 Topics in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology
NEP 3390Teaching and Counseling Techniques in Nutrition2
NEP 3420Role of Inactivity in Chronic Diseases3
NEP 4340Human Nutrition II Lecture3
NEP 4360Nutritional Assessment3
NEP 4370Medical Nutrition Therapy I3
NEP 4400Pathophysiology of Diseases Affecting Metabolic Health3
NEP 4480Pediatric Exercise Physiology3
NEP 4550Exercise is Medicine2
NEP 4590Community Nutrition3
NEP 4750Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation - A Multifactorial Process3
NEP 4870Exercise for Special Populations3
NEP 4940Internship in Nutritional Science and Exercise Physiology1-6
Other Areas:
BIO_SC 2200General Genetics4
CDS 2190Medical Terminology3
ESC_PS 4200Positive Psychology3
H_D_FS 2400Principles of Human Development3
or H_D_FS 2400W Principles of Human Development - Writing Intensive
H_D_FS 3430Adolescence and Young Adulthood3
H_D_FS 3440Adulthood and Aging3
MICROB 3200Medical Microbiology and Immunology4
PHYSCS 1210College Physics I4
or PHYSCS 1220 College Physics II
PRST 4150Contemporary Issues in Sport3
PRST 4333Park and Sport Facility Operations3
PSYCH 2210Mind, Brain, and Behavior3
PSYCH 3830Health Psychology3
SOCIOL 3310Social Psychology3
SOCIOL 3430The Sociology of Sport3
Electives to equal 120 credit minimum
Organic chem lab, anatomy lab and internships are available and highly recommended.

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIO_SC 1500 or 1010 and 10205ENGLSH 10003
MATH 11003NEP 14851
NEP 13403CHEM 14003
NEP 13302CHEM 14011
PSYCH 10003Hist or Pol Sc3
 Humanities3
 16 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 2030 or 21003BIOCHM 3630 or 42703
CHEM 2130 (recommended)2MPP 32025
COMMUN 1200 or AGSC_COM 22203NEP 21403
NEP 23803NEP 23403
PTH_AS 2203 (recommended)2STAT 1200 or ABM 22253
PTH_AS 22013 
 16 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NEP 34503NEP 24503
NEP 3850W3NEP 35503
NEP Supporting Area32000+ social/behavioral science 3
Humanities3Supporting Area3
 General Elective/Writing Intensive3
 12 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HTH_PR 42503NEP 42003
NEP 49703NEP 48603
NEP Supporting Area3NEP Supporting Area3
Supporting Area 3General Elective6
Electives3 
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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