Catalogue Description of Kinesiology Major & Minor
Kinesiology
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.
Requirements for a major
Kinesiology
| Total courses required | Ten KINS plus statistics |
|---|---|
| Core courses | KINS 100, KINS 255, KINS 256, KINS 309, KINS 353, KINS 450 (0.5 credit), KINS 451 (0.5 credit) |
| Other required courses |
|
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Six |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | The senior requirement consists of the completion of KINS 450, Senior Seminar, in the fall semester of the senior year followed by KINS 451, Senior Thesis, in the spring semester. Each senior designs and proposes a research study during KINS 450. During KINS 451 the research is carried out through data collection and analysis. Results are presented in a formal setting. A faculty member mentors students throughout the process. |
| Writing in the Major | Writing in a scientific discipline is an integral part of disseminating knowledge. Gaining new knowledge through the scientific process is meaningless unless the knowledge is passed on to a wider audience. All writing in the sciences requires the presentation of data or ideas with precision, clarity, and objectivity so the reader can evaluate the research based on the facts presented. At all levels students will be exposed to courses that develop their ability to write in this manner. In the Kinesiology courses leading up to the senior thesis, majors will write lab reports, reviews and summaries of original research, and at least one proposal to an institutional review board (IRB) for research involving human subjects. For their senior thesis, majors will again write an IRB proposal for their data collection and a review of current literature prior to writing their thesis in the form of a peer-reviewed journal article. Students must earn a C on their thesis to complete the writing in the major requirement. |
Requirements for a minor
Kinesiology
| Total courses required | Five |
|---|---|
| Core courses | KINS 100, KINS 230, KINS 254, KINS 309, KINS 353 |
| Other required courses | |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Two |