Kinesiology
Overview
Kinesiology encompasses the study of human development, anatomy, physiology, mechanics, and motor learning. Within each sub discipline students study positive and negative stressors that govern human performance. In addition, discussions focus on numerous clinical conditions, and the exercise, nutritional, and medical techniques used to prevent and control these problems. The purpose of this major is to develop and integrate the concepts and principles from each sub-discipline to understand the complexity of the human mind and body. This major prepares students for advanced studies in medicine, physical therapy, dentistry, kinesiology, and other related life science programs.
Departmental Mission Statement: Our mission is to foster in a diverse group of students an understanding and appreciation of human functions and to encourage and develop learning skills that enhance their personal and professional growth.
Goals:
- Critical Thinking. Students should learn how to engage in critical, evidence-based thinking.
- Integration across Levels of Analysis. Students should understand and integrate different levels of analysis in their working model of human form and function.
- Mastery of Core Knowledge. Students are expected to master a significant proportion of the vocabulary and core body of knowledge in Kinesiology.
- Mastery of Discipline-Specific Conventions. Majors should be able to read and understand the primary source literature in Kinesiology (journals and books) and to integrate and present that information in prescribed, discipline-specific ways, including oral and written exposition.
Requirements
Major
In addition to the 37 units of Kinesiology coursework (33 units of required coursework and one Kinesiology elective), the major requires additional course work in Psychology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology.
Fundamental coursework:
| KINE 300 | Human Anatomy I | 4 units |
| KINE 300L | Human Anatomy I Lab | 1 unit |
| KINE 301 | Human Anatomy II | 4 units |
| KINE 301L | Human Anatomy II Lab | 1 unit |
| KINE 302 | Biomechanics | 4 units |
| KINE 302L | Biomechanics Laboratory | 1 unit |
| KINE 304 | Human Physiology | 4 units |
| KINE 304L | Human Physiology Lab | 1 unit |
| KINE 305 | Exercise Physiology | 4 units |
| KINE 310/PSYC 310 | Motor Learning and Control | 4 units |
| KINE 310L/PSYC 310L | Motor Learning and Control Laboratory | 1 unit |
| KINE 490 | Senior Seminar | 4 units |
Additional Elective:
Choose one additional Kinesiology course:
| KINE 201/SOC 210 | Sport in American Society | 4 units |
| KINE 210 | Nutrition and Homeostasis | 4 units |
| KINE 299 | Women's Sports and Empowerment | 4 units |
| KINE 306 | Biochemistry of Exercise and Energy | 4 units |
| KINE 308 | Diet, Disease, and Exercise | 4 units |
| KINE 309/PSYC 309 | Developmental Motor Behavior | 4 units |
| KINE 311/PSYC 311 | Sport and Exercise Psychology | 4 units |
Psychology Component
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 units |
Chemistry Component:
Choose one option:
Option 1 -
| CHEM 120 | Foundations of General Chemistry | 4 units |
| CHEM 240 | Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry | 4 units |
Option 2 -
| CHEM 130 | Advanced Placement General Chemistry | 4 units |
| CHEM 240 | Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry | 4 units |
Mathematics Component:
| Calculus 1 | 4 units |
|
| Calculus 2 | 4 units |
Physics Component:
Choose one course:
| PHYS 110 | Introductory Mechanics | 4 units |
| PHYS 115 | General Physics I | 4 units |
Biology Component:
A year of biology is needed for kinesiology, but if your goal is to enter a pre-health professional program after graduation, you should take BIO 110 or 115, and BIO 130 as indicated in option 1 or 2 below.
Choose one option:
Option 1-
| BIO 110 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and the Environment | 4 units |
| BIO 130 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 units |
Option 2 -
| BIO 115 | General Zoology | 4 units |
| BIO 130 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 units |
Pre-professional students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Health Professions Office and with their academic advisor early in their career. Students planning to apply to medical schools should take two semesters of Physics and four semesters of Chemistry. Students planning to apply to physical therapy schools should take two semesters of Physics and at least two upper-division Psychology courses.
Honors in the Major
Honors in Kinesiology may be awarded at graduation to qualified students. Students eligible for College honors are those who have: 1) earned an overall College grade point average of 3.25 or better, 2) earned a grade point average in departmental courses of 3.5 or better, and have 3) performed independent research and presented their findings at an undergraduate conference (e.g., Occidental’s summer research program or the Southwest Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference).
Minor
Five courses (22-24 units) are required for the Kinesiology minor.
Fundamental Coursework:
| KINE 300 | Human Anatomy I | 4 units |
| KINE 300L | Human Anatomy I Lab | 1 unit |
| KINE 301 | Human Anatomy II | 4 units |
| KINE 301L | Human Anatomy II Lab | 1 unit |
Additional Electives:
Choose three courses (and co-curricular lab where relevant).
| KINE 104 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 4 units |
| KINE 201/SOC 210 | Sport in American Society | 4 units |
| KINE 299 | Women's Sports and Empowerment | 4 units |
| KINE 302 | Biomechanics | 4 units |
| KINE 302L | Biomechanics Laboratory | 1 unit |
| KINE 304 | Human Physiology | 4 units |
| KINE 304L | Human Physiology Lab | 1 unit |
| KINE 305 | Exercise Physiology | 4 units |
| KINE 306 | Biochemistry of Exercise and Energy | 4 units |
| KINE 308 | Diet, Disease, and Exercise | 4 units |
| KINE 309/PSYC 309 | Developmental Motor Behavior | 4 units |
| KINE 310/PSYC 310 | Motor Learning and Control | 4 units |
| KINE 310L/PSYC 310L | Motor Learning and Control Laboratory | 1 unit |
| KINE 311/PSYC 311 | Sport and Exercise Psychology | 4 units |
Second-Stage Writing
Students majoring in Kinesiology will satisfy the second-stage writing requirement by successfully completing the written research paper requirements with a letter grade of "B" or better for two of the following 300-level courses: KINE 302, KINE 305, KINE 306, KINE 309, KINE 311 and KINE 395. A student who does not successfully received a letter grade of B or better will be allowed to revise the paper to satisfy the requirement. Students should familiarize themselves with the writing requirement at the time of declaring the major. See the department chair for additional information regarding writing standards for the department.Comprehensive Requirement
The comprehensive experience is fulfilled by the successful completion of the requirements in KINE 490.Transfer Credit Policies
The Kinesiology Department policy on transfer credit conforms to College policy. Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for details.