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. 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 public health and physical activity-related careers. 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 Objectives
The overall mission of the School of Public Health is to promote and protect the health and well-being of the diverse communities throughout Maryland, the nation, and the world through leadership and collaboration in interdisciplinary education, research, practice, and public policy.
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.
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 |
| BSCI201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BSCI202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| MATH113 | College Algebra and Trigonometry (or higher level MATH course) | 3 |
| MATH/STAT | Statistics Course | 3 |
| KNES Core Requirements | ||
| KNES285 | History of Physical Culture, Sport, & Science in America | 3 |
| KNES287 | Sport and American Society | 3 |
| KNES300 | Biomechanics of Human Motion | 4 |
| KNES350 | The Psychology of Sports & Exercise | 3 |
| KNES360 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KNES370 | Motor Development | 3 |
| KNES385 | Motor Control and Learning | 3 |
| KNES497 | Kinesiology Senior Seminar 1 | 3 |
| SPHL100 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| KNES Upper Level Option Courses | 12 | |
| Select 12 credits of KNES upper level option courses 2 | ||
| Physical Activity Courses 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1-3 | |
| Introduction to Kinesiology | ||
| Kinesiological Principles of Physical Activity | ||
| KNES Activity | 4 different KNES physical activity courses | 4 |
| Total Credits | 64-66 | |
| 1 | Prerequisite: A professional writing course with a grade of "C-" or better, 6 core and 2 KNES options; STAT100 or equivalent. |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | 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:
- 4yearplans.umd.edu
- the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog