Health and Physical Education (B.S.)
Admission into the Education Department and additional education departmental coursework is required. This major is designed to prepare students for the teaching profession in Health and Physical Education. With the addition of approximately 37 hours of education requirements, the student will be eligible for a Nebraska Teaching Certificate.
Learning Outcomes
Majors will be able to:
- Provide the experience of designing and implementing a physical education program utilizing current pedagogical principles.
- Demonstrate teaching abilities, and apply educational and physiological principles to human performance.
- Administer and analyze assessments to evaluate motor skills, motor development and fitness performance.
| Capstone Courses | 1 hour |
|---|---|
| HHP 4990 Senior Capstone | 1 hour |
An introductory study of cellular physiology and tissues along with a comprehensive study of the integumentary skeletal, muscular, nervous systems, and special senses. Does not count toward a biology major.
Three lectures per week.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1090L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
Laboratory experiments and investigative exercises supporting BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1090.
An introductory study of the blood, cardiovascular lymphatic, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems in addition to metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance and acid-base balance of the body. Does not count toward a biology major.
Three Lectures per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I or permission of the instructor.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1100L Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Laboratory experiments and investigative exercises supporting BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
Pre or Corequisite(s): BIO 1100.
A beginning course designed to teach the fundamental skills of water safety, gliding, floating, treading, front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.
Pass/Fail only.
(Normally offered each semester.)
A course designed to improve cardiovascular endurance through individual workouts and to introduce students to fitness-related principles. The student must have swimming competency. May be repeated for a maximum of 2 credit hours.
Pass/Fail only.
(Normally offered each semester.)
A study and application of the principles and techniques involved in the advanced administration of first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated electronic defibrillators (AEDs). Students will earn American Red Cross certifications.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This course provides an overview of the field of Health and Physical Education. Topics addressed will include: How to become a Health and Physical Education teacher; Passing the Praxis; the role of Health and Physical Education in society; the role of Health and Physical Education in the school setting; the history of Physical Education; and current issues in Health.
Normally offered each spring semester.
The purpose of this course is to teach students the fundamental skills and basic rules for games and activities commonly played in physical education classes (baseball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball). Additionally, students will learn about and participate in a few less-common games and activities that are popular throughout the world.
(Normally offered each fall semester).
The purpose of this course is to teach students the fundamental skills and basic rules for games and activities commonly played in physical education classes (badminton, golf, pickleball, tennis, track and field). Additionally, students will learn about and participate in a few less-common games and activities that are popular throughout the world.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
A course designed to develop and expand information about the use and abuse of drugs including: alcohol, tobacco, depressants, stimulants, narcotics, inhalants, club drugs, date rape drugs, hallucinogens, marijuana, sport enhancement drugs, prescription and OTC drugs. The course will include history of, and facts about the substances, the pharmacokinetic properties, the formation of laws, the victims, prevention, and approaches to treating the problem.
(Normally offered each semester.)
A course designed to develop and expand information about the environment, the informed health consumer, healthful aging and community health. The course will acquaint students with the process of aging, consumer protection, the environment, and community from a health perspective.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
A course designed to develop and expand current information about human sexuality in a practical manner. The course will present facts and statistics about anatomy and physiology, gender, sexual orientation, reproduction, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, sexual growth and development, relationships and sexual communication, sexual health, commercialization of sex and sexual coercion.
(Normally offered each semester.)
A course designed to develop and expand information about stress, mental health, and major chronic diseases. The course will present causes and warning signs of major chronic diseases and coping strategies for emotional stress.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This is a course designed to provide students with the basic scientific principles of nutrition focusing on their personal choices and experiences. The student will develop a definition of nutrition, and learn how nutrition has evolved. The student will be introduced to the concepts of: essential nutrient classifications, defining and developing a healthy diet, recommendations for specific nutrients, eating disorders, energy balance and obesity, body composition, lifetime nutrition (infancy to older adults), and food/beverage choices and the influence on chronic disease and optimal wellbeing.
(Normally offered each semester)
A course that will introduce students to current understandings of how complex motor skills are initially learned, and how they are controlled and refined with practice, from a behavioral point of view. A variety of activities will provide students with practical examples to deepen understanding. This course has applications to general exercise science, physical therapy, and coaching.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
An advanced study of the scientific principles and theories related to sport performance in both the private and public sectors. Discussions related to applications and concepts in the exercise sciences, testing and evaluation, exercise technique, sport nutrition, exercise psychology, program design, and strength and conditioning administration and facility organization will be emphasized.
Normally offered each semester.
A course designed to instruct students on how to teach physical education to elementary students. Topics include curriculum development, planning, assessment, behavior management, modifications, and locomotor and object control skills. Students will have numerous opportunities to create and teach PE lessons to each other. For PE majors, a 20-hour practicum experience in a local elementary physical education class is required. For non-PE majors, a final project will be required.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered every fall semester.)
A course designed to instruct students on how to teach Health education in the school setting. This course will prepare students to teach standards-based Health to all grade levels. Topics include curriculum development, planning, CSPAP, assessment, and technology. Students will have numerous opportunities to create and teach Health lessons to each other. For Health and PE majors, a 10-hour practicum experience in a local school Health class is required. For non-majors, a final project will be required.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered every fall semester.)
A course designed to instruct students on how to teach physical education to middle and high school students. Topics include curriculum development, planning, assessment, behavior management, modifications, team sports, individual and lifetime activities, and technology. Students will have numerous opportunities to create and teach PE lessons to each other. For PE majors, a 20-hour practicum experience in a local middle or high school physical education class is required. For non-PE majors, a final project will be required.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered every spring semester.)
A course designed to instruct students on how to teach physical education to students with disabilities. Topics include curriculum development, planning, assessment, behavior management, modifications, IEPs, law, and disability sports. Students will learn about the different disability classifications found in the school system. Students will also participate in a number of disability simulation labs. A 10-hour practicum experience working with students with disabilities in a physical activity setting is required.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
This course integrates physics with human movement to provide understanding of human movement from a kinetic and kinematic perspective. Students will explore and apply these principles to a human movement or exercise of their choice.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I or BIO 3200 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This course explores the physiological effects and adaptations of exercise using a system approach. Students will be exposed to the latest research in the field that contributes to our understanding of how the human body is designed for exercise and movement. Practical application of these principles will be explored during class and throughout the laboratory experience.
One 1.5 hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1100 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology II or BIO 3210 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II and junior standing.
(Normally offered each semester.)
This senior capstone class is the final course for a degree in the Health and Human Performance Department. In a capstone experience, students will reflect on your academic growth while finalizing a customized electronic portfolio. The ePortfolio will be used to review and reflect on previous work, carryout an assessment of their academic career, and project a future vision for an intended career in their chosen field. This ePortfolio can be used for future academic goals as well as to serve as an aid for housing acquired material. Prerequisites: Senior standing and Departmental major or permission of the instructor. No Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and a departmental major, or permission of the instructor.
(Normally offered each semester.)