Advising Course Plan - Health Science Major - Kinesiology/Exercise Science Interest
Kinesiology/Exercise Science is a rapidly expanding field with strong career prospects (e.g. health department settings, federal agencies, prevention research centers, physiological/medical research centers, academic settings, health coach/personal training, and professional, commercial, and nonprofit organizations). Those interested in pursuing a career in Kinesiology/Exercise Science will apply directly to their program(s) of choice. Requirements and prerequisites will differ somewhat between programs, but required courses generally include introductory biology, anatomy & physiology, general chemistry, and preferred courses include biomechanics, exercise physiology, and therapeutic exercise. A background in biochemistry is also beneficial for most Masters programs; therefore, a year of organic chemistry prior to this is helpful, though again not required. Additionally, more Kinesiology programs use calculus-based information, especially in biomechanics-focused graduate programs, so calculus may be advisable to take as well.
Furthermore, it is important to verify that the research focus of the program(s) you are applying to match with your own. In some cases, a faculty sponsorship at the university is required (e.g. at the University of Maryland (https://sph.umd.edu/department/knes/graduate-student-application-information). Please be sure to look at an early stage at various graduate program requirements for different universities and areas. Your required and elective courses as an HLSC major will prepare you well for graduate work in this growing, evolving field, which has as its main focus prevention and treatment of chronic disease using a multi-pronged approach. Related to this approach, many Masters and Ph.D. programs in Kinesiology (e.g. at the University of South Carolina http://www.sph.sc.edu/exsc/grad.htm) are now focusing on epidemiology and public health in this approach to combatting chronic disease, so related courses in Public Health Studies – perhaps even as a minor - will benefit you as well as an applicant to such programs.
Sample Schedule (Note: This sample schedule is more rigorous than required (e.g. it includes a chemistry minor which is beneficial though more than is required by most graduate programs in Kinesiology), but it would make an applicant attractive to top graduate programs).
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| BIOL 141P1,* | Introductory Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics | 1 |
| HLSC 119V | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| FSEM 1001 | First Year Seminar (unless transfer student) | 1 |
| General Education requirement1 | 1 | |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 142P1,* | Introductory Biology: Animal and Plant Physiology | 1 |
| PSYC 101S1 | Introduction to Psychology | 1 |
| MATH 141Q | Calculus I with Analytic Geometry (or General Education requirement (A, B, H, L course)) | 1 |
| General Education requirement (A, B, H, L course) | 1 | |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 141Q should be taken at some point during this year if it was not taken in First Year. | ||
| HLSC 2011 | Anatomy Physiology I | 1 |
| CHEM 141P* | General Chemistry I | 1 |
| BIOL 301* | Microbiology | 1 |
| PUBH 284 | Foundations of Epidemiology | 1 |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 142P* | General Chemistry II | 1 |
| HLSC 2021 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 1 |
| MATH 125Q | Introduction to Mathematical and Statistical Modeling | 1 |
| PUBH 140V | Introduction to Public Health | 1 |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Summer | ||
| Take GRE exam in preparation for graduate school applications - by the end of summer before Fourth Year. | ||
| Term Units | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Junior Seminar must be taken during this year. | ||
| Junior Seminar | 1 | |
| CHEM 201* | Organic Chemistry I (HLSC elective) | 1 |
| PHYS 121P or 141P* | College Physics I University Physics I | 1 |
| COMM 108 | Public Speaking | 1 |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| HLSC 4981 | Senior Research Proposal | 1 |
| CHEM 301* | Organic Chemistry II (HLSC elective) | 1 |
| PHYS 122P or 142P* | College Physics II University Physics II | 1 |
| COMM 108 | Public Speaking | 1 |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HLSC 4991 | Senior Research Project | 1 |
| CHEM 204* | Biochemistry I | 1 |
| HLSC 4111 | Exercise Physiology | 1 |
| General Education requirement (A, B, H, L course)1 | 1 | |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 200+ level course that meets Chemistry requirement | 1 | |
| HLSC 313* | Biomechanics (HLSC elective) | 1 |
| General Education requirement (A, B, H, L course) or elective1 | 1 | |
| General Education requirement (A, B, H, L course) or elective1 | 1 | |
| Term Units | 4 | |
| Total Unit: 32 | ||