Students will take a series of courses related to human anatomy and physiology; exercise assessment, prescription and programming; exercise physiology and nutrition. Class size varies in undergraduate courses with lab and recitation sections kept to a maximum of 26 students per section. Labs allow students to practice skills such as ECG interpretation, vital sign monitoring, health risk appraisal, fitness assessment, exercise testing and prescription, and exercise instruction. Students are encouraged to work with faculty on independent study projects. Students also complete practicums and internships to gain hands-on experience in exercise science and nutrition.
Exercise Science (ES)
Exercise & Nutrition Sciences
211 Kimball TowerSouth Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-8028
Dave Hostler
Chair
Chair
The Learning Environment
About Our Facilities
Students will complete lab-based coursework in the Exercise Physiology lab designed to enhance the teaching and training of the clinical and applied aspects of exercise physiology. The lab is located in Diefendorf Annex and serves to prepare students for national certifications in exercise assessment, prescription and programming of healthy and clinical populations. Students have opportunities to work with faculty in department laboratories including the Emergency Responder Human Performance lab, Center for Research and Education in Special Environments (CRESE), the Nutrition and Health Research lab, and the Center for Health Research. CRESE is one of the only research centers in the world that allows scientists to study extreme environments. The full CRESE team includes scientists from three schools: Public Health and Health Professions, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
About Our Faculty
The department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences includes 12 tenured/tenure track faculty members, 5 clinical faculty members, and 7 affiliated faculty members. Faculty research interests include: environmental physiology; emergency responder health and safety; temperature regulation; obesity; food motivation; phytosterols; and caffeine use. Over 130 classes a year are taught by ENS faculty with the support of seven teaching assistants. Undergraduate courses are primarily taught by full-time faculty members with specializations in nutrition and exercise physiology.
Faculty List Directory
Please visit the Exercise Science department website for additional information about our faculty.
ES Courses
- ES 101LEC Taping Wrapping Techniques Lecture
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 102LEC Fundamentals of Wellness Lecture
The purpose of this class is to provide undergraduate students with information, theories, and practices, which support individual wellness and health promotion in the college community. The class utilizes an interactive learning environment that addresses key wellness issues, including: building healthy relationships, suicide prevention, nutrition and physical activity, alcohol and other drug use, sexual health, violence and sexual assault prevention, and media literacy.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- ES 191LLB Group Fitness Instructor Training Lecture
This course is designed to give students the knowledge and understanding necessary to prepare for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification exam and become effect group fitness instructors. Through this course a student will learn basic human anatomy and exercise physiology specific to group fitness instruction, principles of class preparation, class formatting, group exercise program design, how to teach group exercise classes, emergency procedures in a group fitness setting and the business of group fitness. This class will also teach and train students through a 7 week group fitness shadowing and practicum.
Credits: 2
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- ES 198SEM UB Seminar Seminar
The one credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps transition to UB through an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 198 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the UB seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
- ES 199SEM UB Seminar Seminar
The three credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps students with common learning outcomes focused on fundamental expectations for critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and oral communication, and learning at a university, all within topic focused subject matter. The Seminars provide students with an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 199 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the first year seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
- ES 200LEC Introduction to Exercise Science Lecture
Introduces students to a variety of topics related to the discipline and provides students with an overview of career pathways and professional development. Introduces the biological and physical bases of exercise responses and adaptations to chronic physical activity in humans. Emphasizes the integrated exercise responses of the body systems. Examination of appropriate exercise principles and concepts is accompanied by critical examination of misconceptions, fads, and myths that pervade exercise and fitness activities. Recommended for students in their freshman or sophomore year.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
- ES 201LEC Padding Bracing Techniques Lecture
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 207LLB Human Form and Function Lecture
This course introduces basic concepts and content related to human form and function, with specific attention to preparation of students majoring in exercise science and occupational therapy. The course serves as a prerequisite to the human dissection course required for those majors, focuses on basic anatomical terminology and concepts, and emphasizes a systems approach to gross anatomy. The course is offered online except for exams. Quantity of material and expectation for mastery is the same as for similar seated courses.
Credits: 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
- ES 210LD Behavior Driven Disease: A Global Epidemic Lecture
This study abroad course in Jamaica will allow students to explore how lifestyle choices are linked to obesity and overweight from 2 different perspectives the United States and Jamaica. Students will attend classroom sessions before departure to learn how cultural evolution in the U.S. has created an environment of abundance and comfort, leading to widespread over consumption of food and physical inactivity. In Jamaica, participants will interact with faculty and students in health-related disciplines at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, will explore markets and farms in the area to determine the availability and cost of fresh food, and will visit various restaurants and assess nutritional value of the served food. Through observation, immersion and survey, students will explore daily physical activity patterns among individuals in different settings - city, village/town, and rural - to make comparisons and analyze data. Students will also engage and interact with obesity practitioners and patients during visits to community health centers and clinics.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Winter
- ES 300LEC Theory of Athletic Injury I Lecture
Studies the theory and principles of athletic injury as associated with human performance. Emphasizes the application of scientific principles of human growth and development, physical conditioning, injury prevention, and emergency care, and the understanding of rehabilitative procedures.
- ES 310LLR Practical Applications in Exercise Science
- ES 330LEC Lifespan Physiology
- ES 331LEC Intro Emergency Athl Care Lecture
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 340LEC Physical Activity for Special Cases Lecture
Analyzes exercise responses, testing and prescription, and adaptation to chronic physical activity in special populations, including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, work hardening, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, pregnancy, and others.
- ES 341LD Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature Lecture
Introduces the principles of critical analysis of scientific literature. Students will learn to access, interpret, and analyze research and review articles and information in oral presentations pertinent to their respective fields.
- ES 342LEC Neuroscience I
- ES 343LEC Neuroscience II
- ES 344LEC Neuroanatomy I
- ES 370LLB Biomechanics I Lecture
Introduces the mechanical, neuromuscular, and anatomical bases of human movement. Analyzes quantitative and qualitative biomechanical analyses of multisegment motion from the perspective of joint and muscle mechanics, kinematics, and kinetics.
- ES 371LEC Functional Anatomy Lecture
This course examines the anatomical structures and mechanical aspects of human movement. Basic neuromuscular and biomechanical principles are introduced. Emphasis is placed on understanding the functional anatomy of the musculoskeletal and articular systems; the course will culminate in students utilizing knowledge of these systems to evaluate posture, locomotion, and complex motion. Laboratory exercises concentrate on the role of muscle and joint action during basic movements. Students will be required to apply their knowledge of anatomy towards understanding individual joint function as well as the integrated function of several joints during complex activities such as normal human locomotion.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
Other Requisites: Seats Reserved for Exercise Science BS Majors
- ES 374TUT Ath Train Practicum 1 Tutorial
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 380LEC Exercise Physiology Lecture
Analyzes physiologic responses and adaptations of the various body systems and structures to acute and chronic physical activity and to environmental stress. Emphasizes cellular mechanisms that underlie these responses.
- ES 400LLB Theory of Athletic Injury2
- ES 402LEC Exercise Nutrition
- ES 410LLB Exercise Assessment and Prescription Lecture
Examines assessments of muscle strength and power, using whole body and specific measures. Covers exercise prescription, program administration, and management.
- ES 428LEC Health Promotion, Prevention & Wellness Lecture
Examines health promotion from a public health perspective, a community and corporate perspective, and in terms of individual behavior change.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- ES 429LAB Internship Laboratory
Conducted in settings conducive to the development/refinement of skills and abilities related to a professional role, under the guidance of an approved field supervisor and/or university personnel.
- ES 435LEC Health Coaching and Behavior Modification Strategies Lecture
This course will examine the behavior modification strategies that health and fitness professionals can use to help their clients improve their health, with emphasis on physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco cessation. Students will learn about health behavior theory and positive psychology as it relates to guiding and supporting individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes leading to improved health outcomes. Topics discussed will include motivational interviewing, goal setting, dealing with barriers, decisional balance, active listening, values-based coaching, guided imagery and reframing. Students will gain practical experience by working with peers and individuals outside the classroom setting.
- ES 442LEC Introduction to Exercise Science Lab Techniques Lecture
Develops basic competencies necessary for the evaluation and assessment of needs, interests, and performance in comprehensive health-related fitness programming in compliance with American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. Provides skills training in the administration and interpretation of standard testing/assessment protocols in both on and off-campus laboratory settings.
- ES 445LEC Neuroanatomy 2: Case Studies in Abnormal Neuroanatomy Lecture
This 1 credit course will complement and enhance material students have learned in Neuroanatomy I (ES/OT 344) and provide a real life context to anatomy. The course will use a variety of formats (books, movies, documentaries, popular TV shows) to explore the underlying anomalies in neurological cases. A thorough review of normal neuroanatomy and function will lead to a discussion of how these are disrupted in the particular case. Case studies will be selected to cover a broad range of neurological systems. By integrating illnesses/injures concurrent to learning the physiology/anatomy, students will not only gain an appreciation and understanding of normal neurological function, but more importantly, an appreciation of the resiliency and adaptability of the neurological system and of the human spirit. This class is a valuable complement to the ES/OT 342 Neuroscience I lecture course. This course is an elective for students in the ES, OT, and DPT programs. This course can also be taken for graduate credit. Students in the Biomedical Sciences or Psychology programs are welcome to register.
Credits: 1
Grading: Pass/Not Pass (PNP)
Typically Offered: Winter
Prerequisites: ES 344 or Permission of Instructor
- ES 450LEC Professional Development
- ES 461LEC Special Topics Lecture
Credits: 1 - 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 464LEC Special Topics Lecture
Credits: 1 - 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 468LEC Epidemiology and Public Health for Health Professionals
- ES 472LEC Environmental Physiology Lecture
This course provides an advanced understanding of human capacity to operate in, and adapt to, difficult environments including heat, cold, microgravity, altitude, and depth.
- ES 474TUT Athl Train Practicum 2 Tutorial
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 475LEC Musculaskeletal Injury
- ES 496LAB Practicum Laboratory
Provides an opportunity for the student to gain some practical experience in a field setting. Sites are selected based on the student's career expectations. Arrangements must be made in conjunction with the clinical advisors on faculty.
Credits: 1 - 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- ES 497TUT Honors Thesis Tutorial
Credits: 1 - 4
Grading: Pass/Not Pass (PNP)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 498TUT Undergraduate Research Tutorial
Credits: 1 - 4
Grading: Pass/Not Pass (PNP)
Typically Offered: Varies
- ES 499TUT Independent Study Tutorial
Offers the student a unique educational experience not covered by existing formal courses. This may include library research, laboratory projects, learning new techniques, or participating in ongoing projects.
Credits: 1 - 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer