Below are the departmental learning goals mapped to College-wide goals for student learning.

Knowledge

• Acquire knowledge of the human body’s systems, the interdependence of these systems, and how these systems respond to exercise, diet, physical inactivity, disease, and aging.
• Understand the principles of nutrition and its impact on health and disease.
• Demonstrate scientific literacy orally, visually, and in writing. 
• Understand the basic principles of epidemiology.
• Identify the major U.S. and global public health problems.

Intellectual Skills/Practices

• Perform laboratory skills to study human health and physiological function.
• Develop the ability to prescribe exercise programs to a variety of populations by performing, analyzing, and interpreting health/fitness tests.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret scientific data. 
• Effectively communicate scientific data orally, visually, and in written form to both scientific and lay audiences.
• Develop skills through research and internships for managing the health challenges in diverse populations.
• Assess, explain, and prioritize public health problems and identify selected approaches to address these problems.

Personal and Social Values

• Understand the multiple determinants of and challenge assumptions about individual and community health.
• Develop creative and evidence-based strategies to improve individual or community health.
• Foster values and ethics appropriate in professional settings.
• Appreciate and recognize the value of a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Transformation

• Integrate and apply knowledge across diverse disciplines to address human health problems.
• Apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the study of health and exercise sciences to improve the quality of life in individuals and community.
• Foster habits of a healthy lifestyle in self and others.
• Exhibit professional integrity.
• Develop a passion for lifelong learning and a desire to share new knowledge.
• Develop educated citizens prepared to thoughtfully engage with matters of public health policy.

The Margaret Paulding Award was established in memory of Margaret Paulding, professor of physical education, 1937-1973, and chair of the Department of Physical Education and Dance, 1958-1968, to recognize outstanding student research in exercise science.

Award recipients:

• 2026: Kyle Heise
• 2025: Will Quinn
• 2024: Elena Shostak
• 2023: Lexi Levins
• 2022: Kendall Zaleski
• 2021: Noa Mills
• 2020: Elliot Graham
• 2019: Allison Dalton
• 2018: Alexs Matias
• 2017: Cassandra Eddy
• 2016: Julian Egan-Shuttler
• 2015: Brittney Dioneda
• 2014: Timothy Brodsky
• 2013: Jacob Donohue
• 2012: Elena Stansky
• 2011: Wesley Lefferts
• 2010: Erin Merrell
• 2009: Rebecca Oring
• 2008: Jonathan Brestoff
• 2007: Andrew Miller
• 2006: Mikayla Nemes
• 2005: Maxwell Alexander Ruby
• 2004: Andrea C. Brown
• 2003: Lauren Ruth Zwicky
• 2002: Michael James Ormsbee
• 2001: Clara Harazim Gaspari
• 2000: Erica Lynne Brilhart

Research is a central part of the Health and Human Physiological Sciences experience at Skidmore. Students interested in research are encouraged to connect with faculty members to learn about ongoing projects and opportunities to get involved.

During the academic year, students may pursue independent study (HP 371) with a faculty mentor. Research experiences can include developing research questions, designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and contributing to scholarly writing. Opportunities range from volunteer involvement to credit-bearing independent studies and senior thesis projects.

Students can also apply for summer research opportunities, including the Faculty-Student Summer Research Program, which supports collaborative faculty-student research over five-, eight-, or 10-week sessions. Interested students should speak with faculty members about potential projects and available opportunities.

Learn more about Faculty-Student Summer Research

For many students, research culminates in a senior thesis. While the thesis typically is completed during the spring semester of the senior year, students are encouraged to begin working with a faculty mentor well before then to develop a strong foundation for their project.

Health and human physiological sciences students regularly share their work through presentations, publications, and other scholarly activities. Skidmore supports students as they communicate their research and contribute to ongoing conversations in the field.

Health and human physiological sciences students can study abroad while continuing to make progress toward their degree. Learning in a different cultural and academic environment can broaden perspectives, deepen understanding of global health and human performance, and add new dimensions to the Skidmore experience.

Learn more about the Office of Off-Campus Study and Exchanges