Kinesiology Major

Program Director: Polly Sebastian Schurer

The Department of Kinesiology offers a Bachelor of Science Degree. Students gain conceptual and experiential knowledge in the anatomical, physiological, psychological, sociological, and historical perspectives on physical activity, movement, exercise and sport. Our undergraduates majoring in Kinesiology will go on to further study in health professions (such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine), sport-related professions (athletic training, strength and conditioning, sport management, sport marketing, coaching), fitness-related professions (exercise leader, personal trainer) and other public health and physical activity-related careers (physical education, recreation). Our students are prepared to pursue graduate programs in Kinesiology and related fields.  We offer a vibrant departmental Honors Program to students who excel in our program and seek research experience.

A brief description of the program follows. Students should obtain a current Student Handbook for the Kinesiology degree on the web at www.sph.umd.edu/KNES. The program requires a grade of "C-" or better in all required course-work.

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the B.S. degree in Kinesiology, students should demonstrate the following outcomes:

  1. Students will interpret, synthesize, and critically analyze research underlying the kinesiological dimensions of physical activity and health.
    2.
  2. Students will develop principled reasoning skills necessary to apply and extend kinesiology knowledge to address problems that are relevant to physical activity and the health of diverse populations.
    3.
  3. Students will integrate, interrogate, and communicate the connection between the scholarship of kinesiology and the goals of public health.
    4.
  4. Students will engage in a diversity of physical activities both within and outside their formal curriculum.
    5.
  5. Students will integrate their physical activity experiences with kinesiology sub-disciplinary knowledge.

The Kinesiology program offers students the opportunity to study the interdisciplinary body of knowledge related to human physical activity and sport, and to pursue specific specializations so that each individual can prepare for a particular career goal within the broad discipline.  To complete the Kinesiology degree a minimum of 120 credits is required, including the general education program.

Course Title Credits
Supporting Courses
BSCI170
& BSCI171		Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology
and Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory		4
BSCI201Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BSCI202Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
MATH113College Algebra and Trigonometry (or higher level MATH course)3
MATH/STATStatistics Course3
Foundation Courses
SPHL100Foundations of Public Health3
KNES200Introduction to Kinesiology3
KNES Core Requirements
KNES285History of Physical Culture, Sport, & Science in America3
KNES287Sport and American Society3
KNES300Biomechanics of Human Motion4
KNES350The Psychology of Sports & Exercise3
KNES360Physiology of Exercise4
KNES370Motor Development3
KNES385Motor Control and Learning4
KNES Upper Level Option Courses15
Select 15 credits of KNES upper level option courses 1
Physical Activity Courses 2
KNES Activity4 different KNES physical activity courses4
Total Credits67
1

See handbook or webpage. Note: all Option courses have one or more KNES Core courses as a prerequisite. Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C-" or better.

2

See handbook or webpage.

Click here for roadmaps for four-year plans in the School of Public Health.

Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages: