Brigham Young University's Physical Education Department is in the process of changing its name to Exercise Sciences in order to better reflect all emphases within the department.
The name change will be reflected in the class schedules by winter semester 2005 and in the class catalog by fall semester 2005.
Of the four emphases with the department, part of the College of Health and Human Performance, only the physical education teaching emphasis focused on teacher preparation, said Diane Chamberlain, Exercise Science Department chair.
"Physical education has traditionally meant teacher preparation for those going into teaching in the public schools," she said. "Exercise science better reflects and is more inclusive of all emphases rather than just physical education."
In addition to physical education, the other emphases are athletic training, exercise science and fitness and wellness. The physical education teaching emphasis is the smallest of the four. The department is comprised of about 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The name change culminates a two-year process in which the department researched the names of other similar departments at universities across the United States and held meetings and discussions on the issue.
After the research and discussion, the department voted on the name change, which was also approved by the college and university curriculum, the BYU administration and the Board of Trustees.
Chamberlain noted the name change will not affect other aspects of the curriculum.
"We're not changing anything except the name," she said. "Our objectives for each emphasis remain the same."
As part of the change, all 100-level activity classes required for general education requirements--such as beginning volleyball, basketball and tennis--will be listed in the Exercise Science Department beginning winter semester 2005.
The classes were formerly listed in the Physical Education Department.
For more information, call Diane Chamberlain at (801) 422-3341.
Writer: Thomas Grover
