Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Kinesiology B.A./B.S.


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Kinesiology is the study of physical activity across a range of tasks including exercise, daily living, play, sport, and work. Course work integrates biological and behavioral approaches using biomechanical, physiological, psychological, and sociological perspectives to study physical activity from cell to society. This life science discipline emphasizes breadth and depth of content, scientific methodology, and intellectualism for lifelong learning, thinking, and action.

Kinesiology promotes an understanding of the necessity of movement activities for an individual’s physical and psychological health.

Students may earn a BA or BS degree in Kinesiology or BS dual degree  with majors in nutrition and exercise science. Within these degrees, students emphasize exercise physiology or public health physical activity. Students may also complete a health fitness instructor sub-curriculum that prepares graduates to seek careers in corporate and community settings in fitness and wellness, and in hospital settings in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

Many students enter graduate and professional schools for preparation for careers in exercise physiology, public health physical activity, physical therapy, pharmacy, medicine, dietetics, biomechanics, exercise and sport psychology, and other related fields.

General requirements for undergraduate major

A total of 124 credit hours are required for graduation. The BA/BS program is obtained by following the curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Kinesiology majors must take a minimum of 35 kinesiology credit hours that include 17 credit hours from the lower-level core, 12 credit hours in an emphasis area, and 6 credit hours from other elective kinesiology courses at the 300 level or above.

A minimum grade of C and GPA of 2.2 are required for all kinesiology courses meeting degree requirements.

Kinesiology Upper-level Emphasis (12 credit hours)


Select an emphasis in Exercise Physiology or Public Health Physical Activity Behavior.

Exercise Physiology Emphasis (12 credit hours)


Select one course (3 credit hours) from the biological basis of human movement.

Public Health Physical Activity Behavior Emphasis (12 credit hours)


Select one course (3 credit hours) from the behavioral basis of human movement.

Kinesiology Electives (6 credit hours)


  • 300 level or above

Basic science prerequisites


Prerequisites for courses are identified in the course descriptions. Below is an overview of basic science prerequisites. Students also need to fulfill requirements  for the BS or BA in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Physical Science requirement


As part of the College of Arts and Sciences Physical Science requirement (one course with a laboratory), Kinesiology students must complete one of the following:

  • Chemistry–any course
  • Physics–any course

Pre-professional curricula


Students seeking admission to physical therapy, medical, and other health professional schools may major in kinesiology (or another discipline) provided the required pre-professional course work is completed.  Students should seek a pre-professional health professions advisor from the College of Arts and Sciences dean’s office and a kinesiology advisor for proper planning to meet academic and professional goals.

Health fitness instructor sub-curriculum


This sub-curriculum consists of a series of classes that complements the kinesiology degree in preparing students to design, implement, and administer physical fitness programs in YMCAs, private corporations, hospitals, clinics, and fitness clubs. Students completing this emphasis are prepared to seek health/fitness instructor certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. The following courses are required in addition to those required for the kinesiology degree:

Total hours required for graduation (124 credit hours)


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