Undergraduate Programs
The Field
The major in Kinesiology focuses on the study of human performance within a biophysical context, including aspects of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, biology, nutrition, and computer science. The study of human performance is thus a cross-disciplinary subject field and is referred to as the academic discipline of Kinesiology. For the major in Kinesiology, courses taken outside the department include: physics, chemistry, math, and computer science. These courses provide the foundation for the Kinesiology courses that apply the basic scientific principles to the study of movement.
Career Opportunities
Opportunities for employment exist in recreation and health and fitness centers, exercise rehabilitation programs (for cardiac, pulmonary, stroke, psychiatric patients, etc.), as both exercise leaders and exercise test technicians, as consultants to business and industry, and with manufacturers of sport and rehabilitative equipment. An undergraduate major in Kinesiology prepares students for continuing study in exercise physiology, ergonomics, biomechanics, preventive medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant , and a variety of exercise and fitness occupations.
Entry into the Major
New students must be in good academic standing to enroll in the department major. College transfers must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to enroll in the department major.
Requirements for a Major in Kinesiology
Requirements for students entering the major as of fall 2009
(updated 3/25/11)
The Kinesiology major consists of:
- Requisite Courses: 14 credits of requisite courses
- Kinesiology Requirements: 34 credits of required Kinesiology courses for all majors
- Kinesiology Electives: 15 credits of Kinesiology electives
Minimum Total Credits Required = 63 credits
Specific Requirements:
I. Requisite courses (14 credits)
| Course # | Title | Credits |
| MATH 127 | Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I | 3 |
| MATH 128 | Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences II | 3 |
| PHYSICS 131/133 | Introduction Physics I | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry for Science Majors | 4 |
TOTAL CREDITS |
______ 14 |
The following pertains to the courses above:
1. A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required for all the above courses.
2. Students are strongly encouraged to complete these courses by the end of their second full year in the major as these courses are pre-requisites for many of the KIN major courses
3. Students who must take prerequisite(s) to the Departmental Math requirement will be given an additional semester to complete the Departmental Math requirement.
4. Students may substitute Physics 151/153 for Physics 131/133 and, Math 131 may be substituted for Math 127, and Math 132 may be substituted for Math 128.
5. A grade of C- (1.7) is required for all course substitutions.
II. All Kinesiology majors must complete the following 8 Core Courses (34 credits):
| Course # | Title |
Credits |
| KIN 100 | Introduction to Kinesiology* | 4 |
| KIN 110 | Human Performance and Nutrition* | 4 |
| KIN 270 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| KIN 271 | Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| KIN 272 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| KIN 273 | Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| KIN 350 | Statistics and Measurement for Kinesiology* | 3 |
| KIN 355 | Writing Seminar in Kinesiology* |
3 |
| KIN 430 | Biomechanics* |
3 |
| KIN 440 | Wellness for All* | 3 |
| KIN 460 | Motor Control* |
3 |
| KIN 470 | Exercise Physiology* |
3 |
Total Credits |
________ 34 |
A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required for all of the above courses.
Kinesiology 100/110 are suggested to be completed by the end of the first year in the major.
*COURSES MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK (*) MUST BE TAKEN IN RESIDENCE ON THE UMASS-AMHERST CAMPUS OR THROUGH UMASS-ONLINE.
III. Kinesiology Electives
Students must select 15 credits from the courses listed below.
| Course # | Title |
Credits |
| KIN 215 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries | 3 |
| KIN 297E | Foundations of Personal Training | 3 |
| KIN 297G | Neuromechanics of Human Motion | 3 |
| KIN 297M | Introduction to Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| KIN 297WP | Wellness Programming | 3 |
| KIN 311 | Anatomy of Human Motion | 3 |
| KIN 340 | Exercise Testing and Programming | 3 |
| KIN 380 | Diet, Supplements and Athletic Performance | 3 |
| KIN 390T | Introduction to Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
| KIN 397AB | Principles and Practice of Personal Training and Strength Conditioning | 3 |
| KIN 397P | Exercise in Health & Disease | 3 |
| KIN 397S | Clinical & Public Health Implications of Obesity | 3 |
| KIN 196-496 | Independent Study* (See Below) | 1-6 |
| KIN 498F/G | Teaching Practicum* (See Below) | 1-3 |
| KIN 498 | Internship/Practicum* (See Below) | 1-15 |
| KIN 530 | Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion | 3 |
| KIN 535 | Muscle Mechanics and Modeling | 3 |
| KIN 560 | Exercise Neuroscience | 3 |
| KIN 565 | Movement Coordination and Perception | 3 |
| KIN 570 | Pediatric Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KIN 580 | Muscle Structure and Function | 3 |
| KIN 585 | Energy Metabolism | 3 |
| KIN 597M | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in elective courses selected to fulfill this requirement.
*NOTE: Students may take the KIN Independent Study courses (196, 296, 396, and 496), KIN Teaching Practicum (498F/G) and KIN Internship Practicum (498) to fulfill up to 6 of the required 15 credit of the Kinesiology Electives requirement. The nature of the INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM should be consistent within Kinesiology All INDEPENDENT STUDIES and TEACHING PRACTIA must be approved by a faculty sponsor during the prior semester, or within the first two weeks of the semester in which the student is taking those courses. Any additional Kinesiology Elective Courses taken above the 15 credit requirement can fulfill the University Requirements for graduation if they are completed successfully.
1. Your Kinesiology Advisor will:
- assist you in Kinesiology course selections.
- check your transcripts to ensure that all Kinesiology requirements have been
met
(sections I, II, and III) for graduation clearance.
(only Major requirements not University requirements)
2. THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES:
- COMPLETE ALL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
- SATISFY ALL GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- SATISFY THE UNIVERSITY’S 120 CREDIT MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
NOTE:
Even if you complete all the General Education Course Requirements and Major Course requirements there is still a minimum of 120 credits required for Graduation eligibility. You should double-check your records and transcripts to be sure you have completed all University requirements.
3. CLARIFICATION - Please note: All Courses in sections I, II, and III must be taken for a grade (no Pass/Fail option with the exception of these Internship Courses: Kin 398A, Kin 498, & Kin 498Y)
THE DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY
MAIN OFFICE – TOTMAN BUILDING 110
OFFICE ASSOCIATE – DARLENE BARTOS/ (413) 545 1337(dbartos@kin.umass.edu)
UNDERGRADUATE ADVISOR - REBECCA THIBAULT/(413) 577-0131 (rthibaul@kin.umass.edu)
| Faculty | Office | Telephone | |
| Dr. Sofiya Alhassan | Totman 150 | 545-3475 | alhassan@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Barry Braun | Totman 107 | 577-0146 | bbraun@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Graham Caldwell | Totman 105 | 545-0017 | gc@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Stuart Chipkin | Arnold 215 | 545-0089 | schipkin@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Priscilla Clarkson | 504 Goodell | 577-3902 | clarkson@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Ned Debold | Totman 158 | 545-4944 | edebold@kin.umass.edu |
| Elizabeth Frechette, MS | Totman 2 | 545-1514 | efrechet@kin.umass.edu |
Dr. Patty Freedson, Dept. Chair |
Totman 111 | 545-2620 | psf@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Joseph Hamill | Totman 23B | 545-2245 | jhamill@kin.umass.edu |
Dr. Gary Kamen |
Totman 160A | 545-0784 | kamen@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Jane Kent-Braun, GPD | Totman 108 | 545-9477 | janekb@kin.umass.edu |
| Judi LaBranche, MS | Totman 101 | 577-1520 | jlabran@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Frank Rife, UPD | Totman 109 | 545-2634 | frife@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Erin Snook | Totman 130A | 545-6438 | esnook@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Brian Umberger | Totman 106 | 545-1436 | umberger@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Richard van Emmerik | Totman 160 | 545-0325 | rvanemmerik@kin.umass.edu |
| Dr. Sarah Witkowski | Totman 106 | 545-6102 | switkows@kin.umass.edu |
Kinesiology classes offered through Continuing and Professional Education
We offer a variety of undergraduate classes through Umass Continuing and Professional Education. These classes include:
- Introduction to Kinesiology (KIN 100) - Gen Ed course
- Human Performance and Nutrition (KIN 110) - Gen Ed course
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II, with Labs (KIN 270, 271, 272, and 273)
- Foundations of Personal Training (KIN 297E)
- Exercise Testing and Programming (KIN 340)
- Diet, Supplements and Athletic Performance (KIN 380)
- Biomechanics (KIN 430)
- Motor Control (KIN 460)
- Exercise Physiology (KIN 470)
We offer undergraduate online courses during the academic year and summer sessions. We also offer undergraduate face-to-face classes during the summer sessions. Course offerings vary semsester to semester, so go to http://www.umassulearn.net/classes for information on the classes being offered by the Department of Kinesiology.
Some Other Course Suggestions
Many post-baccalaureate program require or strongly recommend other courses that many not be required for the UMass Kinesiology degree. You may enroll in these courses as an undergraduate, and these courses will count toward your 120-credit university requirement.
If you are interested in: |
You should also enroll in: |
Some programs may recommend: |
Required Standardized Exam: |
| Physical Therapy | Chem 112 Physics 132/134 Intro to Psych Biology |
Abnormal Psych Internship in PT Statistics |
GRE |
| Medicine | General Biology or Zoology w/lab (2 sem) Chem 112 w/lab 1 yr Organic Chem w/lab Physics 132/134 1 yr English literature or composition |
Statistics Computer Literacy Volunteer work or work in a research lab |
MCAT |
| Chiropractic | two sem biology Chem 112 two sem Organic Chem Physics 132/134 two sem English Composition one sem psych |
||
| Occupational Therapy | Developmental Psych Intro Psych Abnormal Psych Intro to sociology/anthropology motor development or gerontology course Internship in OT |
biology course | GRE |
| Nursing | Developmental Psych Nutrition Microbiology Intro to Biology 1 sem sociology |
Intro to Psych organic chemistry |
|
| Physician's Assistant | Microbiology molecular biology general biology w/lab Organic Chem w/lab Intro to Psych Internship in Patient Care |
genetics cell biology Chem 112 |
|
If you are interested in jobs in the field of Kinesiology, you should contact
http://www.phfr.com
