Courses

The Kinesiology major provides a breadth and depth of knowledge of human movement in the context of a strong liberal arts education. Courses address how the human body functions from a physiological, biochemical, mechanical, and psychological view using exercise and physical activity as the model for study. Students gain hands-on experience through multiple rich laboratory experiences. Each student completes a research project as a culminating experience for their degree that exposes the student to all aspects of the research process. Kinesiology majors graduate to become researchers at universities, government agencies and private organizations (such as Nike and the Gatorade Sport Science Institute); strength and conditioning coaches; exercise technologists in healthcare settings; leaders of corporate wellness programs; personal trainers; fitness instructors; and corporate sports leaders. After graduation, students can pursue graduate school in a Kinesiology-related topic, or seek advanced professional degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, medicine, and the like.

Course Catalog

Requirements for a major

Kinesiology

Requirements for a minor

Kinesiology

Courses in Kinesiology

Muscle Physiology

This course is provides an in depth examination of skeletal muscle from the molecular to system level function. Skeletal muscle physiology, production of movement, adaptation to increased and decreased use of skeletal muscle, and the physiological response to insults on system integrity are explored. Prerequisites: KINS 353 or permission of the instructor.

Environmental Physiology

This course explores the physiological responses and adaptations that humans make resulting from exposure to environmental stressors. Exposure to high environmental temperature, low environmental temperature, hypobaria, hyperbaria, reduced gravitational effects, and air pollution will be considered. Prerequisites: KINS 353 or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to Kinesiology

Includes laboratory. Designed to introduce students to the discipline of kinesiology including the major subdisciplines and approaches to studying movement. Laboratory activities are designed to allow for measurement of phenomenon discussed in class, to introduce common laboratory procedures and techniques, and to learn how to collect and analyze data to answer questions of interest in kinesiology.

Off-Campus Extended Studies Course

An off-campus Extended Studies experience in Kinesiology.

On-Campus Extended Studies Course

On-Campus Extended Studies course related to Kinesiology.

First-Year Seminar in Kinesiology

A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of kinesiology. Open only to first-year students.

Scientific Principles of Conditioning

Study of physiological and biomechanical mechanisms underlying both neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory conditioning; acute and chronic adaptations of cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and neuromuscular systems to exercise stress; and methods of enhancing performance via structured aerobic, anaerobic and resistance training. Also presents techniques associated with anaerobic, aerobic and resistance training, and evaluation.

Human Anatomy and Physiology I

An integrated study of the normal function and structure of organs and organ systems in the human organism with some exploration of comparative/ pathophysiology to reinforce concepts of normal physiological function. Topics include examining the fundamental principles of homeostasis, biochemistry, cell biology, and energy metabolism, followed by histology, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: one course in biology or KINS 100.

Human Anatomy and Physiology II

An integrated study of the normal function and structure of organs and organ systems in the human organism with some exploration of comparative/ pathophysiology to reinforce concepts of normal physiological function. Topics include examining the cardiovascular, endocrine, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: KINS 255 or instructor permission.

Sport and Exercise Psychology

An examination of the psychological factors which influence human performance in adults, children and the elderly and the role of gender and race on these psychological factors. In addition, the course involves investigation of the role of psychology in health and exercise. Topics covered include personality, motivation, arousal, anxiety control, psychological skill training in sports,models of behavior change, psychology of injury and other topics.

Topics in Kinesiology

Selected topics in Kinesiology; course may be repeated with different topics.

Biomechanics

(Formerly KINS 409) The science of human motion based on anatomical, mechanical and physiological principles. Laboratory experiences.

Exercise Testing & Prescription

Principles of assessment and exercise program prescription for normal healthy individuals, individuals in sport, and stable disease populations. Laboratory experiences include practical experience in exercise assessment for these populations. Prerequisites: KINS 255 and KINS 256.

Motor Control

This course is an overview of the neural mechanisms underlying the control of human movement. Current theories of human motor control are used as a backdrop for the importance that different portions of the nervous system play in creating movement. Prerequisite: KINS 255 and KINS 256. Not open to students with credit in KINS 250.

Analytics in Sports and Exercise

This course delves into the relevant statistics from various sports, including football, soccer, basketball, and hockey. Students will explore how to calculate and interpret common statistics, connecting these metrics to the performance of both past and present athletes. The course also covers the theory, development, and application of sports analytics. Students will learn how to manipulate and wrangle data, utilize data analytics toolkits such as R, and apply predictive modeling and clustering techniques to identify patterns in structured and unstructured data respectively. By the end of the course, students will understand how analytics can be applied to in-game strategy, player performance evaluation, team management, sports operations, and other critical areas within the sports industry. Any introductory statistics will be a good prerequisite for the course. Offered annually in the spring semester.

Physiology of Exercise

Includes laboratory. Study of physiological factors which influence human performance and the responses of body systems to physical activity. Laboratory emphasizes observation of concepts using the scientific method and developing quantitative skills in data interpretation. Prerequisite: KINS 254 or BIO 335.

Sports Nutrition

Application of nutrition to the context of sport and performance; includes macro and micro nutrient manipulation, fluids, supplements, and exercise metabolism.

Senior Capstone

This class will teach students to use the scientific literature to answer a question of their choosing. For the senior capstone, majors identify a scientific question they are interested in, and review the scientific literature, using the evidence-based research process as a guide. Students will write a literature review and ultimately answer their original question in written form. Prerequisites: Major in Kinesiology; senior status; may not be taken pass/fail.

Projects in Kinesiology

Independent projects under the direction of a kinesiology faculty member. A detailed written project proposal must be approved by the supervising faculty member and the chair of Kinesiology. Prerequisite: Permission of department. May be repeated up to 2 course credits. Not open for pass/fail credit.

Projects in Kinesiology

A continuation of KINS 491.