Kinesiology Major
The Department of Kinesiology has one undergraduate major, the BS in Kinesiology. All majors in the department gain conceptual and experiential knowledge in the anatomical, physiological, psychological, sociological, and historical perspectives on physical activity, movement, exercise and sport. Today there are close to 1000 undergraduates majoring in Kinesiology who will go on to further study in health professions (such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine), sport-related professions (sport management, sport marketing, coaching), fitness-related professions (exercise leader, personal trainer) and other health and physical activity-related careers. Others will pursue a graduate program in research in Kinesiology (MA, MPH, PHD). There are currently 10 students in the departmental Honors Program.
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 Objectives
The overall mission of the Department of Kinesiology is to improve the health and wellbeing of all people through an interdisciplinary understanding of physical activity in its many forms (e.g., exercise, sport, movement activities of daily living). The Department of Kinesiology is committed to providing students with an excellent education in Kinesiology; generating empirical evidence about physical activity; and providing services to the state, nation, and world by furthering and sharing our knowledge and expertise about physical activity.
The undergraduate educational mission of the Department of Kinesiology is to enable students to develop an interdisciplinary knowledge of kinesiology, value physical activity and its integration within the discipline, and understand how kinesiologists work to improve the health and well-being of individuals and society.
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the B.S. degree in Kinesiology, students should demonstrate the following outcomes:
- Students will interpret, synthesize, and critically analyze research underlying the kinesiological dimensions of physical activity and health.
- 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.
- Students will integrate, interrogate, and communicate the connection between the scholarship of kinesiology and the goals of public health.
- Students will engage in a diversity of physical activities both within and outside their formal curriculum.
- Students will integrate their physical activity experiences with kinesiology sub-disciplinary knowledge.
This 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. There is no intent to orient all students toward a particular specialized interest, orientation or career. However, many current students are pursuing careers in medically-related fields (i.e., physical therapy, physician, chiropractor), in the fitness industry (i.e., corporate fitness, personal training, health fitness director) as well as in the sport industry (sport management, sport marketing, events management, equipment sales, athletic director). The program provides a hierarchical approach to the study of human movement. First, a broad core of knowledge is recognized as being a necessary foundation for advanced and more specific courses. Secondly, at the 'Options' level, students select from approved upper level KNES courses, which they believe will provide the knowledge to pursue whatever future goal they set for themselves. To further strengthen specific areas of interest, students should select electives carefully. The program culminates with a senior seminar class in which students develop a thesis, write a substantial paper, and discuss the implications of research.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| College Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| KNES287 | Sport and American Society | 3 |
| KNES293 | History of Sport in America | 3 |
| KNES300 | Biomechanics of Human Motion | 4 |
| KNES350 | The Psychology of Sports | 3 |
| KNES360 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KNES370 | Motor Development | 3 |
| KNES385 | Motor Control and Learning | 3 |
| KNES Core Requirements | 27 | |
| Select 27 credits of KNES core requirements | ||
| SPHL100 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| KNES Upper Level Option Courses | 12 | |
| Select 12 credits of KNES upper level option courses 1 | ||
| Supporting Courses | 18 | |
| Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
MATH/STAT | Statistics course | |
| Kinesiology Senior Seminar 2 | ||
| Physical Activity Courses 3 | ||
| Select 1 of the following: | 1-3 | |
| Introduction to Kinesiology | ||
| Kinesiological Principles of Physical Activity | ||
| KNES P.ACTV | 4 different KNES physical activity courses | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select approximately 30 credits of electives | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 118-120 | |
| 1 | See handbook, or web page. 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 | Prerequisite: A professional writing course with a grade of "C-" or better, 6 core and 2 KNES options; STAT100 or equivalent |
| 3 | See Handbook or webpage |
To complete the Kinesiology degree a minimum of 120 credits is required, including the general education program.
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:
- 4yearplans.umd.edu
- the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog