The health and human performance program examines the many dimensions of health and human performance. The major goal of the program is to enable students to make informed health decisions. The program prepares students to become competent entry-level professionals, as well as advanced study candidates.

To achieve these outcomes, the student will analyze the structure and function of the human body, apply physiological and biomechanical concepts to human movement, examine the acquisition of motor skills, explore the multi-dimensional nature of the health and human performance discipline, examine ethical issues and culturally diverse values related to the discipline, achieve the specific physical skills required to be competent in their profession, acquire a lifelong quest for knowledge, and develop a commitment to act responsibly in one’s profession and on behalf of one’s community.

The health and human performance program offers varied opportunities for guided work experiences with schools, hospitals, sports medicine clinics, wellness centers, corporate fitness programs, and fitness facilities. These capstone opportunities allow students to express their multidisciplinary education by applying creative problem-solving and communication skills in professional settings.

Major Learning Outcomes

Human Performance
Students who graduate with a concentration in human performance will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in applying evidence-based principles and skills specific to health and human performance;
2. Ability to use written, oral, and digital communication formats to convey ideas and information to health and human performance professionals;
3. Apply critical thinking and evaluation strategies to real-world situations through research, laboratory experience, service learning, and field internships;
4. Accurately and ethically evaluate the health and human performance of various populations.

Health Sciences
Students who graduate with a concentration in health sciences will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge and skills of the self, others, and social systems to identify problems, create a plan, and implement solutions related to psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors that influence health and wellness;
2. Demonstrate proficiency in applying evidence-based principles and skills specific to health science;
3. Ability to communicate effectively through written, oral, and digital communication formats to convey ideas and information to diverse audiences;
4. Apply critical thinking and evaluation strategies to real-world situations through research, laboratory experience, service learning, and field internships;
5. Demonstrate innovative thinking by applying complex concepts, developing creative solutions, or use previous solutions in creative and adaptive ways for breakthrough in the field;
6. Engage in meaningful reflection to identify, interpret, and evaluate personal, cultural, and professional values to guide ethical decision-making.

Major in Health and Human Performance

Two concentrations are offered under the health and human performance major:
Human Performance
Health Sciences

Human Performance Concentration

A minimum of 52 semester hours* is required, including:
HHP 101: Introduction to Health and Human Performance
HHP 161: Foundations of Human Structure and Function**
HHP 171: Nutrition
HHP 210: Health and Wellness Theories and Applications
HHP 221: Clinical Kinesiology
HHP 223: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
HHP 316: Motor Development and Learning
HHP 321: Biomechanics
HHP 330: Psychology of Sport & Exercise
HHP 357: Physiology of Exercise
HHP 437: Exercise Testing and Prescription
HHP 442: Research Methods in Health and Human Performance
HHP 450: Internship (5 credits)
HHP 471: Sports Nutrition
HHP 490: Senior Seminar

Choose one of the following:
HHP 477: Advanced Theories of Strength Training and Conditioning
HHP 478: Therapeutic Exercise and Advanced Functional Training

*Additionally, First Aid/CPR certification is required before graduation. Verification of your certification should be submitted to the Human Performance advisor prior to submission of your graduation application.
**May substitute BIO 321 Anatomy and Physiology for HHP 161 Foundations of Human Structure and Function.

Health Sciences Concentration

A minimum of 37 semester hours* in HHP courses and a minimum of 31 credits of related coursework, including:
HHP 101: Introduction to Health and Human Performance
HHP 171: Nutrition
HHP 221: Clinical Kinesiology
HHP 223: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
HHP 316: Motor Development and Learning
HHP 321: Biomechanics
HHP 357: Physiology of Exercise
HHP 442: Research Methods in Health and Human Performance
HHP 450: Internship (5 credits)
HHP 478: Therapeutic Exercise and Advanced Functional Training
HHP 490: Senior Seminar
PHA 247: Medical Terminology
BIO 120: Principles of Biology
CHM 101: General Chemistry I
CHM 102: General Chemistry II
BIO 321: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 322: Human Anatomy and Physiology II
PSY 101: General Psychology
SOC 101/225: Introduction to Sociology/Sociology of Public Health
MAT 210: Probability and Statistics

*Minimum major GPA 3.00, recommended 3.50
**First Aid/CPR certification is required before graduation. Verification of your certification should be submitted to the Health Sciences advisor prior to submission of your graduation application.

Highly Recommended
HHP 437: Exercise Testing and Prescription
HHP 471: Sport Nutrition
PHS 101: Fundamental Physics I
PHS 102: Fundamental Physics II
BIO 203: Genetics
BIO 350: Microbiology
PSY 205: Human Development I
PSY 206: Human Development II
PSY 305: Abnormal Psychology
CHM 220: Fundamental Organic Chemistry
CHM 452:  Biochemistry
CHM 251: Organic Chemistry I 
CHM 252: Organic Chemistry II
IDS 160: Careers in Health Sciences
IDS 260: Investigating Careers in Health Sciences
IDS 360: Preparing for a Health Science Career

Major in Health and Human Performance K-12 Education

A minimum of 34 semester hours is required, including:
HHP 108: Professional Activities
HHP 171: Nutrition
HHP 210: Health and Wellness Theories and Applications
HHP 221: Clinical Kinesiology
HHP 223: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
HHP 316: Motor Development and Learning
HHP 412: Management of Health Enhancement and Sport Programs
PAC 108: Swimming

Choose one of the following:
BIO 321: Human Anatomy and Physiology
HHP 161: Foundations of Human Structure and Function

Choose two of the following:
HHP 321: Biomechanics
HHP 357: Physiology of Exercise
HHP 471: Sport Nutrition
HHP 478: Therapeutic Exercise and Advanced Functional Training

*First aid/ CPR certification required before graduation

This option meets Montana’s health certification requirements. In addition, students must complete the professional education program for K-12 education majors as described in the “Education” section of the catalog. Students seeking an endorsement in K-12 physical education must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required HHP courses, including prerequisites.

Minor Learning Outcomes

Coaching
Students who graduate with a minor in coaching will be able to:

1. Develop and implement an athlete-centered coaching philosophy;
2. Design and implement coaching and skill-development strategies effectively;
3. Develop a plan to evaluate and treat basic athletic injuries;
4. Develop sound administrative coaching practices; and
5. Use written, oral, and digital communication formats to convey ideas and information to various populations.

Exercise Science
Students who graduate with a minor in exercise science will be able to:

1. Acquire a basic understanding of human movement science;
2. Effectively communicate evidence-based concepts in health and human performance; and
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply concepts of health and human performance to various constituencies.

K-12 Physical Education
Students who graduate with a minor in K-12 physical education will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding and awareness of important concepts in health and human performance;
2. Demonstrate the ability to connect concepts of health and human performance to physical education; and
3. Demonstrate ethical reasoning in health, physical activity, nutrition, sport, and exercise sciences.

Minor in Coaching

A minimum of 24 semester hours is required, including:
HHP 161: Foundations of Human Structure and Function
HHP 171: Nutrition
HHP 221: Clinical Kinesiology
HHP 223: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
PSY 330: Psychology of Sport & Exercise
HHP 412: Management of Health Enhancement and Sport Program
HHP 424: Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Sports

Choose two of the following:
HHP 301: Officiating High School Sports
HHP 302: Basketball Coaching
HHP 303: Football Coaching
HHP 305: Track and Field Coaching
HHP 306: Volleyball Coaching
HHP 307: Baseball and Softball Coaching
HHP 308: Strength and Conditioning Coaching
HHP 311: Soccer Coaching

*First aid/ CPR certification required before graduation

Many state education departments do not require a coach to be a certified teacher but do require that coaches meet qualification standards. This option prepares students to meet those qualification standards.

Minor in Exercise Science

A minimum of 25 semester hours in HHP courses, with at least 6 semester hours in upper-division courses, including:
HHP 161: Foundations of Human Structure and Function
HHP 171: Nutrition
HHP 221: Clinical Kinesiology
HHP 316: Motor Development and Learning
HHP 321: Biomechanics
HHP 357: Physiology of Exercise

Choose two of the following courses:
HHP 330: Psychology of Sport & Exercise
HHP 471: Sport Nutrition
HHP 477: Advanced Theories of Strength Training and Conditioning
HHP 478: Therapeutic Exercise and Advanced Functional Training

Minor in K-12 Physical Education

A minimum of 24 semester hours is required, including:
HHP 108: Professional Activities
HHP 161: Foundations of Human Structure and Function
HHP 171: Nutrition
HHP 210: Health and Wellness Behavior Theories and Application
HHP 223: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
HHP 316: Motor Development and Learning
PAC 108: Swimming
EDC 346: Methods and Materials: Teaching Health and PE in the Elementary School

Choose one of the following:
HHP 321: Biomechanics
HHP 357: Physiology of Exercise

*First aid/ CPR certification required before graduation

Students must also complete the professional education program as described in the “Education” section of the catalog. Students seeking an endorsement in K-12 physical education must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required HHP courses, including prerequisites.

BIO 120 – Principles of Biology

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester Hours: 4

An introductory course that covers cell structure and metabolism, patterns of inheritance, molecular genetics, evolutionary mechanisms, and diversity. The weekly laboratory sessions teach basic laboratory skills, experimental design, application of statistics, and communication of results via laboratory reports. This course is appropriate for both majors and non-majors. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory per week.

BIO 321 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 4

A course requiring students to incorporate concepts from physics, chemistry, and biology to understand the interface between human structure and function and the regulatory mechanisms in play. Topics include tissue types, skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and reproductive anatomy and physiology. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory session per week. Human cadavers are used in the laboratory.

Prerequisite: BIO 120 and CHM 101 and CHM 102 with a grade of C- or higher. CHM 251 and CHM 252 and PHS 102 or PHS 202 are highly recommended.

BIO 322 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 4

In this continuation of BIO 321, topics include digestive, cardiovascular, renal, urinary acid-base balance, endocrine, and immune system anatomy and physiology. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory session per week. Human cadavers are used in the laboratory.

Prerequisite: BIO 321 with a grade of C- or higher

CHM 101 – General Chemistry I

Semester:  Fall
Semester Hours: 4

This course introduces students to the science of chemistry. The concepts of atoms, molecules, bonding, and energy successfully explain the properties of matter and how reactions happen. Goals of this course include introducing students to representative materials and reactions, to important models and theories of the science, and to the symbols and language of chemists. The laboratory will involve observations of elements, compounds and their reactions (including synthesis), and quantitative measurements of properties or amounts of matter. Three hours of lecture, one two-hour laboratory, and one hour of recitation per week.

Prerequisite: MAT 100 with a grade of C- or higher, or placement into higher mathematics course

CHM 102 – General Chemistry II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 4

This course builds upon the principles introduced in CHM 101 to introduce the topics of thermodynamics, solution-phase chemistry, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory experiments for this course will emphasize quantitative data collection and analysis. Three hours of lecture, one two-hour laboratory session, and one hour of recitation per week.

Prerequisite; CHM 101 with a grade of C- or higher

EDC 346 – Methods and Materials: Teaching Health and PE in the Elementary School

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 4

This course introduces students to the methods and materials fundamental to teaching health enhancement and physical education to elementary school-age children. Content will include concepts of teaching health and physical education, National Standards, and curriculum organization. Content will emphasize the inclusion of all children actively involved, and a multicultural approach. Planning for an overlap of teaching within all subject areas will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: EDC 040, admission to the teacher education program

HHP 101 – Introduction to Health and Human Performance

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 1

This course will introduce students to the Health and Human Performance curriculum and expected standards. Students will be introduced to a variety of future career options related to health and human performance through speakers and research. Students will also be introduced to scientific writing and the importance of communication of information through writing.

HHP 108 – Professional Activities

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce and direct students toward a level of proficiency in team-sports activities, individual sport activities, and in lifetime and fitness activities. Within each activity students will be assessed by their growth in skill level, rule knowledge, and strategic application. Activities include orienteering, ultimate frisbee, cooperative activities, American Indian and multicultural games, fitness testing, educational gymnastics, soccer, team handball, badminton, pickleball, and others.

HHP 122 – First Aid/CPR/Safety Education

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 2

This course focuses on the procedures and practices for emergency care in the case of accident or sudden illness, and awareness of safety and accident prevention. Upon successful completion of this course, students earn certification in first aid through the American Red Cross and certification in CPR through the American Heart Association.

HHP 161 – Foundations of Human Structure and Function

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3

Students examine the basic foundations and functions of the human body, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory systems. 

HHP 171 – Nutrition

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course focuses on the essential nutrients and their principal sources and functions; the assessment, analysis, and modification of dietary intake; the relationship between nutrition and fitness; and the stages of the life cycle. This is not a chemistry-based course.

HHP 210 – Health and Wellness Theories and Applications

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

Topics covered in this course include community/environmental health, consumer issues, death and dying, healthy lifestyles, infectious diseases, medical ethics, psychological health, risk factor management, sexuality, and substance abuse.

HHP 221 – Clinical Kinesiology

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 4

Explores the anatomical structures and mechanical aspects of human motion. Students will learn the processes by which neuromuscular functions are involved in movement and sport performance.

Prerequisite: HHP 161 or BIO 321

HHP 223 – Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 4

Students learn procedures and practices in prevention, immediate care, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and sudden illness. Topics include taping, bandaging, and conditioning for athletic competition.

HHP 299 – Directed Reading

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 1-3

This course allows a student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.

HHP 301 – Officiating High School Sports

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 2

Students demonstrate knowledge and practical skills in officiating a minimum of three high school sports from the following: football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, and wrestling. Upon successful completion of the course, students can be certified by the Montana Officials Association, which permits immediate employment as middle school, high school, or youth sports officials.

HHP 302 – Basketball Coaching

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 2

Coaching theories of basketball are examined, including fundamentals, techniques, strategies, practice sessions, utilization of personnel, and the ethics of coaching.

HHP 303 – Football Coaching

Semester: Spring; Even years
Semester hours: 2

Coaching theories of football are examined, including skills, systems of play, practice sessions, strategies, conditioning, personnel utilization, off-season programs, and the ethics of coaching.

HHP 305 – Track and Field Coaching

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 2

Students examine the following topics: mechanical analysis of track and field events; conditioning and training methods; teaching, coaching, and officiating techniques including practical experience in these areas; and management of track and field meets.

HHP 306 – Volleyball Coaching

Semester: Spring; Odd years
Semester hours: 2

This course covers mechanical analysis and study of coaching theories, including but not limited to, skills, strategies, and systems of play.

HHP 307 – Baseball and Softball Coaching

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 2

Theories of coaching baseball and softball are examined, including skills, strategies, practice sessions, conditioning, teaching, and coaching the young athlete.

HHP 308 – Strength and Conditioning Coaching

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 2

This course allows for experiential learning of current concepts in strength and conditioning. Additionally, it allows the opportunity to apply scientific knowledge of how to properly train athletes and clients for the primary goals of improving athletic performance and fitness. This course assists students in preparing for a profession in personal training and/or strength and conditioning.

HHP 311 – Soccer Coaching

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 2

Theories of coaching soccer are examined, including skills, strategies, practice sessions, conditioning, teaching, and coaching the young athlete.

HHP 316 – Motor Development and Learning

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 4

This course focuses on the factors that influence the learning of motor skills. Content includes features of skill development, processes of perception, and components of action as these relate to the acquisition and teaching of goal-directed movement. Practical application of theory is a central part of the course.

HHP 321 – Biomechanics

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 4

This course focuses on the principles of human movement. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating the ability to analyze human motion in terms of improving human movement performance. Concepts of biological/mechanical aspects of musculoskeletal structures are also included.

Prerequisite: HHP 221

HHP 330 – Psychology of Sport & Exercise

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3

Students will explore, discuss, and critically evaluate psychology theory and behaviors observed in sport and exercise contexts. Through this process, students are expected to critically evaluate their own perspectives and experiences surrounding sport and exercise psychology, and develop their own opinions surrounding relevant topics including motivation, attributions, arousal, goal-setting, confidence, and group effects. To facilitate development of communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, these topics will be discussed across different scenarios and populations.

HHP 357 – Physiology of Exercise

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 4

Students explore the effects of exercise on the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems. Physiological aspects of various training methods are examined. Laboratory experience is included.

Prerequisite: HHP 161 HHP 171

HHP 412 – Management of Health Enhancement and Sport Programs

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

Students explore the organization, supervision, and administration of various health enhancement and sport programs.

HHP 424 – Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Sports

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This capstone course covers issues of concern in sports today, such as substance abuse, gender issues, Title IX’s impact on college sports, sportsmanship, standards of morality, questions of value, and rightness and wrongness.

Prerequisite: junior or senior standing

HHP 437 – Exercise Testing and Prescription

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course is focused on guiding students to understand the methodology and implementation of exercise testing and prescription for the general and special population. This course will also provide knowledge on exercise testing techniques for all components of physical fitness.

Prerequisite: HHP 357

HHP 442 – Research Methods in Health and Human Performance

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce students to, and engage them in, the process of developing, executing, and evaluating research in the field of health and human performance. This course will discuss quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and how this data is used in measurement, evaluation, and assessment of human performance.

HHP 450 – Internship

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 1-12

This is a guided work experience in cooperation with an established health-related program. Forty-five hours of experience on the job are required for one hour of credit. The student must arrange the internship in agreement with the instructor and the Office of Career Services. Contract is required. Pass/no pass grading.

Prerequisite: junior or senior standing

HHP 471 – Sport Nutrition

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course will cover the critical components of nutrition and how it relates to sport performance. The topics will include nutrient timing, daily caloric intake, sport-specific nutrition, vitamins & minerals, hydration, composition of diets, weight management, sports supplements, and environmental nutritional needs.

Prerequisite: HHP 171

HHP 477 – Advanced Theories of Strength Training and Conditioning

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of strength and conditioning. Emphasis is placed on the exercise sciences (including anatomy, exercise physiology, and biomechanics) and nutrition, exercise technique, program design, organization and administration, and testing and evaluation. Additionally, this course is designed to prepare students for the nationally accredited Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification exam, as well as other certification tests (CPT, ACSM, etc.)

Prerequisite: HHP 321 and HHP 357

HHP 478 – Therapeutic Exercise and Advanced Functional Training

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course’s main purpose is to study the basic types of exercises applied in the treatment of disease and injury. The course is designed to explain the principles and apply the techniques of therapeutic exercise as they relate to athletic injury and disease. The advanced functional training portion identifies key movements required in athletics. Students will apply their knowledge in designing a program from the initial moment of injury throughout the healing process, until the athlete can safely return to play.

Prerequisite: HHP 161, HHP 223

HHP 490 – Senior Seminar

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 2

This course encourages senior students in health and physical education to develop job marketing and search skills, as well as prepare for graduate school or a professional career.

Prerequisite: HHP 442

HHP 499 – Directed Reading

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 1-3

This course allows a student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.

Prerequisite: junior or senior standing

MAT 210 – Probability and Statistics

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 3

This course provides a non-calculus-based study of discrete probability theory and its statistical applications. Distribution theory and its applications in hypothesis testing and setting confidence intervals are discussed.

Prerequisite: MAT 100 or satisfactory on a placement exam

PAC 108 – Swimming

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 1

PHA 247 – Medical Terminology

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 2

Open to any student. This course assists those studying in the fields of medicine and health care. Through textbook readings and the use of Web-related tools, the principles of medical terminology will be described and applied. The course offers a broad introduction to concepts underlying medical terminology. Medical examples will illustrate concepts and methods. This course does not meet core curriculum requirements.

PSY 101 – General Psychology

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3

A survey of the field of psychology investigating such topics as learning, motivation, human development, personality, social psychology, and physiological psychology. In order to make inquiry into any academic discipline, the student must first learn the language and methodology of that discipline; the field of psychology is no exception. Therefore, this course will include the study of major psychological theories, terminology, and investigative methods, as well as limited opportunity to apply those methods.

SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3

Students examine the nature of the sociological perspective, macro- and micro-sociological theory, and sociological methodology and research. Society’s social organization, social structure, social interaction, socialization, social institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, ethnic and racial minorities, gender, the family, education, religion, and other topics from a sociological perspective are also explored.

SOC 225 – Sociology of Public Health

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course considers public health from a sociological perspective, situating the historical and present health management challenges facing the United States population in context. It will consider the emergence of ‘public health’ as an area of popular and political interest, the reasons for health disparities across the population, and the rise and fall of various health concerns. It will address the main public health problems of the present moment, including HIV/AIDS, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and communicable diseases. It will also focus on the sociological impetuses for various public health movements, such as the anti-vaccination trend that the U.S. is currently experiencing. Overall, the course will expose students to the complex relationship between health, healthcare, and social forces.

• Amanda Botnen, Professor
• Mindie Clark, Assistant Professor
• Patrick Hughes, Assistant Professor
• Christopher Irvine, Assistant Professor