Health and Sport Sciences (HSS)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


HSS 500. Neuromechanics of Human Performance3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): HSS 387; HSS 394, and Consent of Instructor.

Description: This course provides a foundation for the interaction of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and the control of human performance.

Note: Cross-listed with EXP 607.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 501. Stress and Tension Control3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): HSS 202 or equivalent.

Description: A study of physiological, sociological, and psychological stresses and their underlying mechanisms of action. Emphasis on modification of stress via developed proficiency in relaxation techniques.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 503. Obesity: Causes, Control3 Units

Prerequisite(s): HSS 202 or equivalent.

Description: A study of the physiological, psychological, and sociological factors in the development and modification of obesity. Laboratory experiences in the assessment of obesity will be provided.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 504. Physical Activity and Public Health3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: Students will examine individual, social, organizational, community, environmental, and policy factors that serve as facilitators and barriers to the promotion of physical activity and public health. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct physical activity and public health needs assessments; to plan, implement, evaluate, lead, and manage physical activity and public health interventions, initiatives, and programs; to conduct physical activity and public health research; and to communicate and advocate for physical activity and public health promotion.

Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 505. Environmental Physiology3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): HSS 486 Advanced Exercise Physiology The study of the physiological adaptations to acute and chronic challenges imposed by the environment.

Description: Topics will focus on how different physiological systems respond to various environmental stressors, including heat, cold, and high altitude.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 506. Athlete Monitoring and Data Management3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): Graduate Standing or Consent of Instructor.

Description: Basic Data Management will be taught including data collection, entry, and management in both XCEL and R Programs. Students will learn data collection techniques for Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Force Plate, and Velocity-Based Training forms of athlete monitoring. By the end of the course, students will have strong skills in analyzing monitoring data, visualization of data into meaningful charts, and be proficient in the ability to interpret results into comprehensive reports for coaches and the sports performance team.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 507. Senior Seminar in Exercise Physiology3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): HSS 387 and HSS 394; 90+ hours; and permission of instructor.

Description: Critical and comprehensive examination of well-defined topics related to exercise physiology that are not studied in regular courses. Topics will be announced in schedule of courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 530. Nutrition and Athletic Performance3 Units

Prerequisite(s): HSS 302 and HSS 303; or consent of instructor.

Description: Principles of nutrition with special emphasis on nutrient and energy needs of athletes of optimal performance.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 564. Women's Health Issues3 Units

Description: This course will identify a broad range of health issues that can be unique to women or of special importance to women throughout the world. The course will examine the roles women play as both providers and consumers of health care nationally and internationally.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 565. Nutrition for Children and Adolescents3 Units

Description: Nutritional needs during childhood are covered with emphasis on diet evaluation, menu planning and disease prevention. Nutrition units will be developed using the curriculum planning map.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 567. Healthy Sexuality and AIDS Education3 Units

Description: A study of the basic competencies required for AIDS/STD education and prevention within the framework of healthy sexual functioning.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 575. Administration of Physical Education Program and Athletics3 Units

Description: Administration of the total physical education program on the secondary school level, including units on budget, staff, facilities, programs, equipment, public relations, and evaluation.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 589. Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries II3 Units

Prerequisite(s): HSS 389 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

Description: Focuses on basic anatomy and its relationship in sports-induced injuries. Provides framework for adapting prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation techniques to aid in the treatment of athletic injuries.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 597. Special Topics in Health and Sport Science3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: Examination of well-defined topics not studied in regular courses. Topics will be announced in Schedule of Courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 598. Independent Study in Health and Sport Science1-3 Units

Description: Opportunity for the student, under the supervision of a sponsoring faculty member, to pursue individualized study related to research or practice that is not included in regular courses in the curriculum.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 601. Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education3 Units

Description: Study of sport from various philosophical positions. Relation of theories and thoughts about what constitutes sport to particular time periods. Offered as needed.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 602. Instructional Technology in Health and Sport Sciences3 Units

Description: The course is designed to develop students' technology skills in order to support their activities in K-12 classrooms and other health and wellness settings.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 604. Research Methods in HSS3 Units

Prerequisite(s): HSS 377.

Description: Techniques used in developing the research project. Development of outline for action research project.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 605. Teaching and Learning for Elementary Physical Education4 Units

Description: Philosophy, objectives, curriculum and methods of teaching physical education to elementary students. Must be taken prior to student teaching.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 606. Teaching and Learning for Secondary Physical Education4 Units

Description: Philosophy, objectives, curriculum and methods of teaching physical education to secondary students. Content-area literacy strategies for physical education will be covered. Must be taken prior to student teaching.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 607. Methods of Supervision in Physical Education3 Units

Description: Covers various models of supervision. Several systematic observational data collection systems will be used to develop skills for supervision in physical education.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 608. Curriculum: An Achievement Based Approach3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAT in Physical Education Program.

Description: Presents a variety of curricular approaches to physical education along with activities to help the teacher deliver the content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 609. TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR HEALTH EDUCATION4 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MAT.

Description: This course is designed to cover planning, implementation and evaluation of health education for middle and high school students. This course must be taken prior to student teaching.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 610. Experiential Outdoor Education Leadership3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAT in Physical Education Program.

Description: Teaches necessary skills to lead outdoor experiential education programs.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 611. Seminar in Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAT in Health Physical Education P-12 Program.

Corequisite(s): HSS 612, HSS 613 and HSS 615.

Description: Designed as analysis of student teaching activities for the purpose of improving instructional competence, developing professionalism and reflective teaching skills, and understanding the learner within the instructional context. Each graduate student must complete an action research project during student teaching experience.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 612. Student Teaching: Elementary Physical Education4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAT in Physical Education Program.

Corequisite(s): HSS 611.

Description: Provides supervised observation, participation and teaching in physical education at the elementary and secondary school levels.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 613. Student Teaching: Middle/Secondary Physical Education4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAT in Physical Education Program.

Corequisite(s): HSS 611.

Description: Provides supervised observation, participation and teaching in physical education at the elementary and secondary school level.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 614. Action Research Project3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAT in Physical Education Program.

Corequisite(s): HSS 611 and HSS 612.

Description: Each graduate student must complete an action research project during the student teaching experience.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 615. Student Teaching: Health Education4 Units

Description: Five weeks of supervised observation, participation, and teaching health education in middle and high schools. Must be taken concurrently with HSS 612 and HSS 613.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 618. Diverse Populations in Physical Activity and Health3 Units

Description: The study of social and cultural system of diverse groups, related to physical activity and health.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 619. Practicum: Psychomotor Assessment of Dysfunctions in Adapted Physical Activity3 Units

Description: Administration of tests of psychomotor functioning; interpretation of findings; writing the educational diagnosis; participation in multidisciplinary settings.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 620. Instructional Design in Adapted Physical Activity3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Background in physical education and/or special education, or consent of instructor.

Description: Designed to provide knowledge and understanding which will enable students to plan and conduct diversified programs of developmental activities, games, sports, and rhythms suited to the interests, capabilities, and limitations of typical students.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 621. Diagnostic/Assessment in Adapted Physical Activity3 Units

Description: Instructional intervention applied to the physical education setting; emphasis on design, implementation and evaluation of assessment tools and procedures in programs for the disabled.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 625. Instructional Leadership in Physical Education3 Units

Description: A critical examination of the current knowledge base and best practices in K-12 physical education instruction, programming, assessment and professional development.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 629. Introduction to Health Consultation3 Units

Prerequisite(s): HSS 501 and HSS 503.

Description: Study of the basic skills required for health behavior change using a health counseling approach with emphasis on the development of skills needed to design and facilitate health counseling programs.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 630. Nutrition and Athletic Performance3 Units

Prerequisite(s): College nutrition course or consent of instructor.

Description: Principles of nutrition with special emphasis on nutrient and energy needs of athletes for optimal performance.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 631. Leadership in Health Promotion3 Units

Description: Analysis of administrative and organizational factors of health education and promotion from within the program, within the organization, and between organizations. Emphasis will be placed on policy making, administration, and functional issues such as collaboration and consultation at the organizational level.

Note: Cross-listed with HSS 531.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 649. Psychological Aspects of Physical Education and Sport3 Units

Description: Analysis of the interaction among personality, motor ability, group dynamics, and environment in physical education and sports performance.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 650. Personality and Social Development in Sport3 Units

Description: Systematic study of man's behavior in sport in relation to his social environment. Emphasis on the relationship between physical activity and interpersonal competence, attitudes, personality and aggression.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 655. Current Trends and Studies in Health and Sport Sciences.3 Units

Description: Examination of current literature, research and trends in HSS.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 659. Motor Control and Learning: Lab3 Units

Description: Experiments in motor learning that promote the use of basic apparatus and practical applications of research.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 660. Motor Control & Learning3 Units

Description: Analysis and critical review of literature on selected topics relating to motor control and learning. Emphasis on research in the area of motor learning.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 663. Sexuality Education3 Units

Description: Survey of the dynamics of family life and parenting skills. Scope of family life education, methods, source materials and current issues.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 669. Administering Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs3 Units

Prerequisite(s): A year of sport management or consent of instructor.

Description: Special problems in administration of health promotion and disease prevention programs in a variety of community organizations. Program planning and organization; financing and budgeting; measuring program effectiveness; integration of health promotion and disease prevention programs and strategies with existing healthcare delivery systems.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 675. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Individual Level3 Units

Description: Techniques for identifying patterns of health-negative behaviors and life-style patterns on the part of an individual and health-negative circumstances in an individual's immediate environment. Development, implementation, and evaluation of person-focused changed strategies designed to eliminate, offset, and/or minimize the effects of health-negative behaviors and microenvironmental factors.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 676. Community Health Promotion and Disease Prevention3 Units

Description: Analytic techniques for identifying health-negative factors in the organizational and community setting; developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic plans and programs for health promotion and disease prevention at the organizational and community level.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 684. Program Planning in Health Education and Promotion3 Units

Description: Effective design, implementation, and evaluation of health instruction within the school and community setting. Emphasis on the development of sequential learning opportunities designed to meet individual and societal health needs and interests.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 690. Seminar in Comparative Analysis3 Units

Prerequisite(s): At least one graduate methods course.

Description: Qualitative Comparative Analysis is a method of doing cross-case analysis with a specific focus on the influence of context as it relates to health and prevention.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 692. Cooperative Internship/Practicum1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Completed 21 hours toward degree; completed 6 hours of HSS courses.

Description: Supervised practical work experience in an organization or business related to the student's academic field, area of specialization, or career interest.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 697. Special Topics in Health and Sport Sciences1-3 Units

Description: Examination of one or more selected topics in the study of Health and Sport Sciences.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 699. Directed Readings in Health and Sport Sciences1-3 Units

Description: Supervised readings and written project relating to a specific research topic in health.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

HSS 789. Advanced Research Design3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Summer Only

Prerequisite(s): LEAD 701, and either LEAD 600 or EDAP 639, or permission of instructor.

Description: Discussion of quantitative research methods and their application to the design of a study. Emphasis on designs for causal inferences about the effects of an intervention on outcomes variables, especially quasi-experimental designs.

Note: Cross-listed with ECPY 789, EDAP 789, and LEAD 789.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes