Degree Requirements
You are reading the 2022/23 Academic Calendar. The 2021/22 version remains in effect until 31 August 2022 and is available here
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 program1;
- complete at least one 3-credit elective course in Indigenous Studies;
- complete a minimum of 30 upper-level (300/400) credits in HES courses;
- complete 48 credits at the 300/400 level, of which 12 credits must be 300/400 level outside of HES;
- 30 of these 48 credits1 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 in 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.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 100 | Foundations of Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HES 101 | Human Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 120 | Introduction to Human Anatomy | 3 |
| HES 130 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HES 102 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| HES 105 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 111 | Human Physiology II | 3 |
| HES 131 | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL XXX | 3 credits of 100-level English | 3 |
| Non-HES Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 200 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| HES 201 | Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| HES 202 | Motor Behaviour | 3 |
| HES 203 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| HES 211 | Exercise Testing | 3 |
| HES 212 | Exercise Training, Conditioning and Rehabilitation for Health, Fitness and Performance | 3 |
| HES 231 | Exercise Counselling & Behaviour Modification | 3 |
| HES 240 | Health Research Methods | 3 |
| 2 Electives (at least one non-HES Elective) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 3 & Year 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 340 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 3 |
19 Electives;
|
57 | |
| Total Credits | 60 |
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 must be submitted by the end November (Winter Term 1) once students have at least 2nd Year standing.
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 11 Electives (33 credits). Of these 11 Electives, a minimum of 5 must be upper-level and of these a minimum of 3 of these upper level electives must be non-HES.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 100 | Foundations of Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HES 101 | Human Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 120 | Introduction to Human Anatomy | 3 |
| HES 130 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HES 102 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| HES 105 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 111 | Human Physiology II | 3 |
| HES 131 | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL XXX | 3 credits of 100-level English | 3 |
| Non-HES Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 200 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| HES 201 | Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| HES 202 | Motor Behaviour | 3 |
| HES 203 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| HES 211 | Exercise Testing | 3 |
| HES 212 | Exercise Training, Conditioning and Rehabilitation for Health, Fitness and Performance | 3 |
| HES 231 | Exercise Counselling & Behaviour Modification | 3 |
| HES 240 | Health Research Methods | 3 |
| HES 220 | Introduction to Athletic Injury | 3 |
| Non-HES Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 305 | Exercise Physiology II | 3 |
| HES 311 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| HES 320 | Functional Anatomy | 3 |
| HES 321 | Lab Techniques in Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HES 340 | Methods of Data Analysis | 3 |
| HES 371 | Professional Practice in Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| 4 Electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 420 | Advanced Functional Anatomy | 3 |
| HES 471 | Professional Ethics in Health and Exercise Sciences | 3 |
| HES 493 | Community Practicum | 6 |
| 6 Electives | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
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). Of these 12 Electives, a minimum of 6 must be upper-level and of these a minimum of 3 of these upper level electives must be non-HES.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 100 | Foundations of Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HES 101 | Human Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 120 | Introduction to Human Anatomy | 3 |
| HES 130 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HES 102 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| HES 105 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 111 | Human Physiology II | 3 |
| HES 131 | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL XXX | 3 credits of 100-level English | 3 |
| Non-HES Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 200 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| HES 201 | Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| HES 202 | Motor Behaviour | 3 |
| HES 203 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| HES 211 | Exercise Testing | 3 |
| HES 212 | Exercise Training, Conditioning and Rehabilitation for Health, Fitness and Performance | 3 |
| HES 231 | Exercise Counselling & Behaviour Modification | 3 |
| HES 240 | Health Research Methods | 3 |
| HES 232 | Introduction to Community Programming | 3 |
| Non-HES Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 331 | Motivational Interviewing | 3 |
| HES 332 | Advanced Theories of Behaviour Change | 3 |
| HES 333 | Health Program Evaluation | 3 |
| HES 340 | Methods of Data Analysis | 3 |
| HES 371 | Professional Practice in Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| 5 Electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 433 | Knowledge Translation | 3 |
| HES 471 | Professional Ethics in Health and Exercise Sciences | 3 |
| HES 493 | Community Practicum | 6 |
| 6 Electives | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
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:
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 100 | Foundations of Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HES 101 | Human Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 120 | Introduction to Human Anatomy | 3 |
| HES 130 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HES 102 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| HES 105 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| HES 111 | Human Physiology II | 3 |
| HES 131 | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL XXX | 3 credits of 100-level English | 3 |
| Non-HES Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 200 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| HES 201 | Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| HES 202 | Motor Behaviour | 3 |
| HES 203 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| HES 211 | Exercise Testing | 3 |
| HES 212 | Exercise Training, Conditioning and Rehabilitation for Health, Fitness and Performance | 3 |
| HES 231 | Exercise Counselling & Behaviour Modification | 3 |
| HES 240 | Health Research Methods | 3 |
| HES 250 | Clinical Assessment | 3 |
| HES 311 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 371 | Professional Practice in Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HES 351 | Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| HES 352 | Exercise Testing of Clinical Populations | 3 |
| HES 353 | Clinical Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| HES 354 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Applications in Chronic Conditions: Cardiovascular Diseases | 3 |
| HES 355 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Applications in Chronic Conditions: Endocrinology & Metabolic Disorders | 3 |
| HES 356 | Health Behaviour Change for Chronic Disease Management | 3 |
| HES 493 | Community Practicum | 6 |
| 1 Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Year 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| HES 471 | Professional Ethics in Health and Exercise Sciences | 3 |
| HES 453 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Applications in Chronic Conditions: Musculoskeletal and Neurological Diseases & Disorders | 3 |
| HES 454 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Applications in Chronic Conditions: Respiratory Disease | 3 |
| HES 455 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Applications in Chronic Conditions: Oncology | 3 |
| HES 459 | Clinical Exercise Physiology Advanced Practice | 3 |
| HES 494 | Advanced Community Practicum | 15 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
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 101, HES 111, HES120.
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 201, HES 202, HES 231, HES 211 and HES 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 Arts" 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 Science" 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 240, HES 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 492 (Honours Thesis)
Upon successful completion of the Honours program, the notation "Research Honours" will be denoted on the student's transcript.
