Are you interested in sport, physical activity, and wellness? Would you like to work with children, adults and seniors and help them become and remain physically active? If so, a degree in kinesiology may be an appropriate undertaking for you.

Kinesiology explores human development and movement from a number of lenses. For example, the physical, psychological, and social experiences of sport and physical activity are investigated to provide students with a holistic view of how they affect human development.

Within the kinesiology degree, students take courses in areas including (but not limited to) sport psychology, exercise physiology, biomechanics of sport and physical activity, motor learning and control, human development, and research methods. Students interested in international study opportunities should contact their faculty advisor and check potential exchange opportunities well ahead of time.

Upon degree completion, students will have the ability to apply their knowledge to a number of fields or have can continue their studies in fields such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and education. In addition, graduate studies in any of the sub-disciplines of kinesiology are possible for interested students.

Students interested in the program directly out of high school are required to register in the Faculty of Science and complete a list of pre-kinesiology courses. Students having completed the qualifying courses need to apply to the Kinesiology program by March 31 of the current year. 

 

The Honours program in Kinesiology is designed to provide research experience at the undergraduate level within the BSc Program. It is available to students with a strong academic background who intend to continue studies at the post graduate level in Kinesiology or related field, or to students who intend to pursue a career where research experience would be an asset.

The Honours program differs from the major in requiring a two-semester research course with thesis report for a total of 126 semester hours for the degree. The research component is to be completed within the BSc program through completion of Kinesiology 4900: Advanced Research and Thesis.

The following are the course requirements for the Honours program in Kinesiology.

Year One

• Kinesiology 1010  – Introduction to Kinesiology
• Biology 1210  – Human Anatomy
• Biology 1220  – Human Physiology
• Chemistry 1110  – General Chemistry I
• Chemistry 1120  – General Chemistry II
• One of BCA 1010, 1020 or 1030
• Math 1120 – Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Life Sciences
• Psychology 1010  – Introductory Psychology I
• Psychology 1020 – Introductory Psychology II
• One free elective

Year Two

• Kinesiology 2020  – Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Kinesiology 2210  – Introduction to Exercise Physiology
• Kinesiology 2320  – Introduction to Motor Learning and Control
• Kinesiology 2510  – Anatomical Kinesiology
• Foods and Nutrition 2110  – Introductory Nutrition I
• Foods and Nutrition 2120  – Introductory Nutrition II
• Biology 1310  – Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
• Statistics 1210  – Introductory Statistics
• Physics 1210  – Physics for Life Sciences I
• One free elective

Year Three

• Kinesiology 3120 – Introduction to Biomechanics
• Kinesiology 3310 – Introduction to Research Methods
• Kinesiology 3410 – Human Motor Development
• Kinesiology 3430 – Physiological Assessment and Training
• Kinesiology 3820 – Program Planning and Evaluation
• Two Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
• One Humanities elective
• Two free electives

Year Four

• Kinesiology 4810 – Analysis of Human Movement
• Kinesiology 4900  – Advanced Research and Thesis
• Six Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
• One Humanities elective

Note: Honours students are advised to consult with their advisor for assistance in choosing electives that will support their research project.

Entrance Requirements

For admission to the Honours program, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Kinesiology courses combined and an overall GPA of 2.7 in all previous courses. Permission of the Department is also required and is contingent on the student finding an advisor and on acceptance of the research project by the Department of Applied Human Sciences. Students interested in completing the honours program should consult with the Department Chair as early as possible, no later than March 31st of the student’s third year.

To graduate with Honours in Kinesiology, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Kinesiology courses combined and an overall GPA of 2.7.

 

 

Students following this degree program must complete 57 semester hours of required courses in Kinesiology and 6 semester hours of required courses in Foods and Nutrition, and 6 semester hours of courses in humanities. Students are advised to consult with the Department Chair or their Faculty Advisor prior to registration.

The following are the course requirements for a Major in Kinesiology.

Kinesiology courses

• 1010 - Introduction to Kinesiology
• 2020 - Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
• 2210 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology
• 2320 - Introduction to Motor Learning and Control
• 2510 - Anatomical Kinesiology
• 3120 - Introduction to Biomechanics
• 3310 - Introduction to Research Methods
• 3410 - Human Motor Development
• 3430 - Physiological Assessment and Training
• 3820 - Program Planning and Evaluation
• 4810 - Analysis of Human Movement
• Eight Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level

Foods and Nutrition

• 2110 - Introductory Nutrition I
• 2120 - Introductory Nutrition II

Required Courses From Other Departments

Mathematics

• 1120 - Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Life Sciences

Statistics

• 1210 - Introductory Statistics

Chemistry

• 1110 - General Chemistry I
• 1120 - General Chemistry II

Physics

• 1210 - Physics for Life Sciences I

Biology

• 1210 - Human Anatomy
• 1220 - Human Physiology
• 1310 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology

BCA courses and Writing Intensive Course

One of:

• BCA 1010 - Writing Studies - Engaging Writing, Rhetoric, and Communication;
• BCA 1020 - Inquiry Studies - Engaging Ideas and Cultural Contexts; OR
• BCA 1030 - University Studies - Engaging University Contexts and Experience; AND
• One writing intensive course

Psychology

• 1010 - Introductory Psychology I
• 1020 - Introductory Psychology II 

Students are advised to consult with the Department Chair or their Faculty Advisor prior to registration.

Following is the usual sequence for completion of courses:

Year One

• Kinesiology 1010 - Introduction to Kinesiology
• Biology 1210 - Human Anatomy
• Biology 1220 - Human Physiology
• Chemistry 1110 - General Chemistry I
• Chemistry 1120 - General Chemistry II
• One of BCA 1010, 1020 or 1030
• Math 1120 – Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Life Sciences
• Psychology 1010 - Introductory Psychology I
• Psychology 1020 - Introductory Psychology II
• One free elective

Year Two

• Kinesiology 2020 - Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Kinesiology 2210 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology
• Kinesiology 2320 - Introduction to Motor Learning and Control
• Kinesiology 2510 – Anatomical Kinesiology
• Foods and Nutrition 2110 - Introductory Nutrition I
• Foods and Nutrition 2120 - Introductory Nutrition II
• Biology 1310 – Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
• Statistics 1210 - Introductory Statistics 
• Physics 1210 – Physics for Life Sciences I
• One free elective

Year Three

• Kinesiology 3120 - Introduction to Biomechanics
• Kinesiology 3310 - Introduction to Research Methods
• Kinesiology 3410 – Human Motor Development
• Kinesiology 3430 - Physiological Assessment and Training
• Kinesiology 3820 - Program Planning and Evaluation
• Two Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
• One Humanities elective
• Two free electives

Year Four

• Kinesiology 4810 – Analysis of Human Movement
• Six Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
• One Humanities elective
• Two free electives

 

 

Graduates of our Kinesiology program are eligible to apply for many certifications after graduation. Depending on the desired certifications, students may need to take certain elective courses beyond the core curriculum of the program.  Additionally, most certifications require an entrance exam and volunteer hours prior to becoming certified. Students are encouraged to review certification requirements early in their degree so they are able to plan their education and volunteer hours accordingly. Below is a list of popular certifications, although this list is not exhaustive.
 

American Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP):

• Certified Personal Trainer (CSEP-CPT) and Certified
• Exercise Physiologist (CSEP-CEP)

College of Kinesiologists of Ontario
 

Health and Fitness Federation of America:

• Certified Personal Trainer (HFFC-CPT) and Certified
• Exercise Physiologist (HFFC-CEP)
   

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA):

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

High School Graduates

American Applicants must have successfully completed Grade 12 in a university preparatory program with a minimum of 70% overall average in five grade 12 academic subjects:

• Grade 12 Academic English
• Grade 12 Academic Mathematics
• Grade 12 Academic Chemistry
• Grade 12 Academic Biology
• One additional Grade 12 Academic course

Please note: Successful completion of Grade 12 Chemistry (or equivalent) is required as a prerequisite for permission to register in CHEM-1110.

University Students

Applicants attending or having attended a university must meet the same requirements as listed above, but can also complete the course requirements by taking degree level courses.

Refer to the Specific Program Admission Requirements in the BCA Academic Calendar for more information.

BCA's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards. 

Tuition

$6,390 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($639 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $7,470 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Science, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

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BCA supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms. 

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Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

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