Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences (B.H.E.S.) degree, students must:

• satisfy all the B.H.E.S. program requirements at the UBC Okanagan campus or elsewhere;
• satisfy at least 50% of the credits for the B.H.E.S program while registered in the program;
• complete at least one 3-credit elective course in Indigenous Studies;
• complete a minimum of 27 upper-level (300/400) credits in HES_O courses;
• complete 48 credits at the 300/400 level
• 30 of these 48 credits must be completed at UBC; and
• complete 120 credits.

B.H.E.S. program course requirements without a concentration

At completion of this degree without a concentration, students will be able to:

• Integrate and apply foundational knowledge to enhance and promote human health.
• Understand the interdisciplinary nature of human health including psychological, physiological, neuromechanical and socio-cultural aspects of movement.
• Conduct and interpret assessments of health and fitness for the general population.
• Understand, critique and apply evidence-based practice to improve the health of society.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Students in the B.H.E.S with no concentration are required to complete the following coursework including a total of 21 Electives (63 credits). Out of the total 120 credits, 48 must be at the upper level with a minimum of 4 (12 credits) and a maximum of 7 electives (21 credits) non-HES electives.

Students can opt to pursue one of three areas of concentration - Clinical Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology and Allied Health or Health Behaviour Change - and satisfy the course requirements of the area of concentration.

To enter into a concentration, students must have a minimum GPA requirement of 70% in all required lower level courses. To complete the concentration students will have to maintain a GPA of 75% in the required courses and pass the applicable competencies necessary to begin practicum in each respective concentration. If a student fails to meet any of the above criteria they can complete the Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences without a concentration. Enrolment in each concentration is limited. Applications for admission to a concentration are available to students with second-year standing and must be submitted in the first week of April of their second year. Application details including a specific deadline are available on the Undergraduate Student Resources page of the School of Health and Exercise Sciences website.

Non-Health and Exercise Science Electives

Many 300/400-level courses require 100/200-level prerequisites, and therefore all non-HES electives should be selected carefully.

Overloading

A student must apply in writing to the School of Health and Exercise Sciences for permission to register in more than 36 credits in a Winter Session or 12 credits in a Summer Session.

¹Courses taken while studying at another institution on a Senate-approved exchange program may satisfy this requirement.

Areas of Concentration

Kinesiology and Allied Health

This concentration focuses on the role of exercise and physical activity in improving health, fitness and performance as well as the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries. At completion of this concentration students will be able to:

• Demonstrate professionalism and leadership in exercise testing and prescription to enhance health and/or recovery from illness and injury.
• Exhibit extensive knowledge of human anatomy and apply this knowledge in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.
• Integrate and apply knowledge, skills and judgment to provide competent services through the continuum of care.
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with others to achieve common goals in the provision of kinesiology and allied health services.
• Demonstrate professional and ethical care in working with clients to enhance health and wellbeing.

Students in the Kinesiology and Allied Health concentration are required to complete the following coursework including a total of 13 Electives (39 credits). Out of the total 120 credits, 48 must be at the upper level with a minimum of 4 (12 credits) and a maximum of 7 electives (21 credits) non-HES electives.

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the notation "Concentration in Kinesiology and Allied Health" will be denoted on the student's transcript.

Health Behaviour Change

This concentration focuses on understanding and applying evidence-informed behaviour change theory and techniques to help individuals and communities adopt and adhere to a number of health behaviours. At completion of this concentration students will be able to:

• Demonstrate professionalism and leadership in working with individuals to change behaviour through the integration of exercise prescription with behaviour change techniques to enhance adherence.
• Design a health behaviour change intervention based on theory.
• Understand the role of evaluation within community-based programming.
• Apply motivational interviewing techniques in one-to-one behavioural support interactions.
• Demonstrate the ability to code use of behaviour change theories, constructs and techniques in real-world contexts.
• Create, implement and evaluate a knowledge translation plan that aims to ensure research is used in practice to improve the health of individuals and communities.

Students in the Health Behaviour Change concentration are required to complete the following coursework including a total of 12 Electives (36 credits). Out of the total 120 credits, 48 must be at the upper level with a minimum of 4 (12 credits) and a maximum of 7 electives (21 credits) non-HES electives.

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the notation "Concentration in Health Behavior Change" will be denoted on the student's transcript.

Clinical Exercise Physiology

This concentration focuses on the role of exercise and physical activity in the prevention, rehabilitation, and management of a variety of chronic conditions. At completion of this concentration students will have a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic health conditions and the role of exercise in the management of these conditions and be able to:

• Conduct and interpret assessments of health, fitness and performance status for healthy individuals, those at-risk of disease and those with one or more chronic condition.
• Prescribe safe and effective exercise therapy, rehabilitation programs and health and wellness interventions that specifically modify disease and promote long-term health and fitness in individuals living with chronic conditions.
• Administer safe and effective group and individualized exercise training programs, ensuring appropriate levels of patient care, functional health and exercise monitoring and suitable use of equipment and technology.
• Design, implement and evaluate evidence-based methods for lifelong health promotion & disease prevention, including implementation of strategies to promote healthy living, physical activity and holistic health through patient, client and community education.
• Demonstrate leadership and professionalism in the practice of clinical exercise physiology, including knowledge of and adherence to relevant legal, professional and policy standards, as well as skill in clinical communication, teamwork and organizational management.

Students in the Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration are required to complete the following coursework:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the notation "Concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology" will be denoted on the student's transcript.

Promotion Requirements

Promotion to Second Year

Successful completion of 24 or more credits which must include first-year Health and Exercise Sciences core courses: HES_O 101, HES_O 111, HES_O 120.

Promotion to Third Year

Successful completion of 48 or more credits which must include 3 credits of first-year English and second-year Health and Exercise Sciences courses: HES_O 201, HES_O 202, HES_O 231, HES_O 211 and HES_O 212.

Promotion to Fourth Year

Successful completion of 78 or more credits.

Minor Programs

Students who wish to focus their non-HES electives may undertake an optional minor program in conjunction with the B.H.E.S. degree. All courses in the minor must be taken outside of Health and Exercise Sciences.

Students completing the B.H.E.S. may complete a Minor in Arts or Science. Students must pay particular attention to the number of upper-level credits required for a minor versus the number of credits available in their upper-level non-HES electives. Careful planning is required. Students are advised to seek assistance from Academic Advising to ensure appropriate program planning.

Minor in Arts

An acceptable program must comprise courses in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, or the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies that are for credit toward a B.A. degree, and consists of 18 upper-level credits in a single subject field or specialization. Students should design a coherent, academically sound course of studies for their minor. All courses must be acceptable for a B.A. major in the subject area or field, but a student is not bound by the other requirements that the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, or the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies sets for a major or minor in the field. Students who wish to pursue a minor in Arts should be aware of the prerequisites for many of the upper-level courses in Arts. Upon successful completion of the minor program, the notation "Minor in [Name of single subject or specialization]" will be denoted on the student's transcript.

Minor in Science

An acceptable program must comprise courses in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science that are for credit toward a B.Sc. degree, and consists of 18 upper-level credits in a single subject field or specialization. Students should design a coherent, academically sound course of studies for their minor. All courses must be acceptable for a B.Sc. major in the subject area or field, but a student is not bound by the other requirements that the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science sets for a major or minor in the field. Students who wish to pursue a Minor in Science should be aware of the prerequisites for many of the upper-level courses in Science. Upon successful completion of the minor program, the notation "Minor in [Name of single subject or specialization]" will be denoted on the student's transcript.

Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences Honours Program

The B.H.E.S. Honours Program will enable high-achieving students in Health and Exercise Sciences to gain additional research experience through the completion of an Honours thesis. Honours students will be required to complete a substantive research project and to prepare a thesis based on that project under the supervision of a faculty member.

Admission Requirements

Admission of students to the Honours Program will be on a competitive basis. A limited number of students will be accepted each year based on compatibility with research interests of potential supervisors and supervisor availability. Students must meet the following requirements:

• Fourth-year standing by the fall term when commencing the honours program;
• Minimum weighted average of 80% from all second and third year Health and Exercise Sciences courses*;
• Minimum weighted average of 80% over the last 60 credits*;
• Acceptance by a supervisor approved by the Director;
• Completion of HES_O 240, HES_O 340 with a minimum grade of 80% in each. *In courses taken twice, the higher grade only will be calculated into the weighted average

Graduation Requirements

• All general program requirements for the B.H.E.S. degree;
• Minimum weighted average of 80% over the last 30 credits;
• Completion of HES_O 492 (Honours Thesis)

Upon successful completion of the Honours program, the notation "Research Honours" will be denoted on the student's transcript.