Home

Prospective Students

Current Students

Alumni & Friends

Community

Parents & Counselors

 

Kinesiology

Photo by Kim Cross

Kinesiology is the study of the body in movement. It is the field of study concerned with understanding how and why people move and the factors which limit and enhance our capacity to move. The focus is on human movement, whether such movement is performed alone or in a social setting; for example, in the context of undertaking a fundamental daily skill (such as walking, speaking or reaching and grasping), completing an occupational task (such as using a tool, or manual handling), executing a highly practiced sport or musical skill, exercising for health, or regaining the function of an injured limb.

Kinesiology has two main goals:

• the generation of knowledge through understanding the basic phenomena of movement;
• the application of knowledge for the benefit of society.

The Biological aspect of Kinesiology includes functional anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control and elements of sport and exercise psychology, which are concerned, with the understanding of the anatomical, mechanical, physiological, neural and psychological bases of human movement.

The Sociological and Cultural aspects of Kinesiology describe, explain and analyze the influences that effect physical activity and improve the social and cultural understanding of physical activities.

The College of Kinesiology offers four study routes in Kinesiology. 

1. The Exercise and Sport Studies route allows for the greatest flexibility in course selection. Students are able to design their program in a manner that will prepare them for a range of opportunities in health, leisure and exercise science fields.  Within the Exercise and Sport Studies route students may select a grouping of courses specifically in either the Leisure and Sport Administration stream or the Fitness and Lifestyle Professional stream.

2. The Physical Education route is intended for two groups of students: those who choose not to access the combined program, and those interested in pursuing a career as an elementary or middle years teacher.  Students are required to complete a second teaching area in addition to physical education.

3. Combined B.Sc. (Kin) and B. Ed. degree program: Students interested in becoming secondary physical education teachers must hold both a Kinesiology and Education degree.  This study route has been designed to allow students to pursue these degrees concurrently.  Most students would be eligible for application after three years of study in the College of Kinesiology and would spend two more years in Education before completing the program.  Students are required to complete a second teaching area in addition to physical education.

4. The Honours program is for honor roll students enrolled in the Exercise and Sport Studies route and will be completed in the third and fourth years of the undergraduate program.  Students interested in pursuing graduate level study in the sport sciences (exercise physiology, biomechanics, growth and development, sport psychology, and others) are advised to follow this route as it provides excellent preparation for graduate level of study.