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:

Additional Elective:

Choose one additional Kinesiology course:

Psychology Component

Chemistry Component:

Choose one option:

Option 1 -

Option 2 -

Mathematics Component:

Physics Component:

Choose one course:

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-

Option 2 -

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:

Additional Electives:

Choose three courses (and co-curricular lab where relevant).

Second-Stage Writing Proficiency

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.

Advising Information

First-year students interested in pursuing the Kinesiology major should take CHEM 120 or CHEM 130 during the fall semester and CHEM 240 in the spring semester, and it is strongly recommended that PSYC 101 be completed during their first year. Additionally, Calculus I (MATH 110 or MATH 114); Calculus II (MATH 120 or MATH 128); and BIO 110, BIO 115, or BIO 130 should be taken by the end of the sophomore year. KINE 104: Introduction to Kinesiology is not required for the major, but can be used as one of the Additional Electives.

Placement Information

All incoming students who are interested in Kinesiology should take the Chemistry Placement Exam during the summer before matriculating. Students scoring a 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP exam have the option of enrolling in CHEM 130 directly without taking the placement test, but are encouraged to contact the Chemistry department chair if they have questions about this placement.

Most students who are interested in majoring in Kinesiology should also take the Calculus Placement Assessment (ALEKS) during the summer prior to their first year. You do not need to take the Calculus Placement Assessment if any of the following are true:

• You received a score of 4 or 5 on either the AP Calculus AB or BC exam;
• You received an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above;
• You have already taken a Calculus 1 course at another accredited college or university. 

An AP Calculus AB score of 4 or 5, or an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above, fulfills the major’s Calculus 1 requirement. An AP Calculus BC score of 4 or 5 fulfills the Calculus 2 requirement. Students should make sure that their official score reports are sent to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Curricular Notes

• PSYC 101 is only open to first years and sophomores. It is highly recommended to complete PSYC 101 in your first year. 

• At least one course take for core should satisfy two core requirements in order to complete all core requirements by the end of the sophomore year

Transfer Credit Policies

The Kinesiology Department policy on transfer credit conforms to College policy. Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for details.

Courses

Kinesiology Courses

Faculty

Tenure and Tenure Track Faculty

Stuart Rugg, chair

Professor

B.S., University of California, Davis; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles 

Non-Tenure Track Faculty

Kirk Bentzen

Visiting Assistant Professor

A.B., Occidental College; M.P.T., University of Southern California; M.B.A., La Sierra University; D.P.T., University of Southern California

Christopher G. Berger

Visiting Assistant Professor

B.A., Arizona State University; MS., University of Oregon; Ph.D., University of Kentucky

Melinda Houston

Visiting Associate Professor

B.A., University of California, Los Angeles; M.S., California State University, Fullerton; Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

Other faculty associated with the Kinesiology department can be viewed here.