Meet Your Major

As an exercise science major, you’ll explore the anatomical, biomedical and physiological basis of exercise and human movement.

Designed to deepen your understanding how physical activity affects health and disease, you’ll develop a toolkit for teaching others, changing behaviors and improving lives.

student bandaging arm.

What You’ll Learn 

In the exercise science program, you will:

  • Learn how to help individuals meet and exceed their health and rehabilitation goals.
  • Use state-of-the-art equipment to analyze the performance of our Division I and II athletes.
  • Work with renowned faculty on exercise science research in our Human Performance Laboratory.
  • Gain hands-on, clinical experience with innovative technological tools like the BodPod and our 3-D Gait Analysis.

Hands-on Learning

Put theory into real-world practice by taking part in any number of experiential opportunities, from faculty-directed research projects to internships and co-op placements at places like Northeast Rehabilitation Network, Abilities Rehab and the Harvard University athletic department. You can also get involved with local community organizations by teaching kids about physical fitness through Active Science, Merrimack’s proprietary, interactive mobile app.

Career Options

When you graduate from the exercise science program, you’ll be ready for whatever path you choose. Want to dive into your professional career? You can pursue positions in fields like health promotion; strength and conditioning; and personal training. Thinking about graduate or continued studies? You’ll be qualified to take the National Strength and Conditioning Association and American College of Sports Medicine exams, so you can go on to work in areas like physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, public health, or biomedical science.

What You’ll Take

As an exercise science major, you’ll take a combination of mandatory and elective courses to satisfy the 126-credit requirement.

To graduate with a degree in health science and remain in good academic standing within the department, you must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5.

See the online course catalog for more information.