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 33 units of Kinesiology fundamental coursework, the major requires one additional course in Psychology – Introduction to Psychology. Students must take at least 8 additional units from the Kinesiology department which could include electives, directed research, and/or internship.
Fundamental Coursework
Psychology Component
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 units |
Additional Electives
Choose eight units from the courses below:
Pre-professional students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Health Professions Office and with their academic advisor early in their career.
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 3) participated in either/both Kinesiology internship or research and presented their findings at a venue approved by department faculty.
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
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 300, KINE 301, KINE 302, KINE 304, KINE 305, KINE 306, KINE 308, KINE 309, KINE 310 and KINE 311. A student who does not successfully receive 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 departmental writing standards.
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.
Advising Information
First-year students interested in pursuing the Kinesiology major should take PSYC 101 during their first year. KINE 104 - Introduction to Kinesiology is not required for the major, but may be used as one of the Additional Electives.
Sample 4-Year Plan (for Pre-Allied Health students only)
For students intending to pursue graduate education in allied health, the following schedule of KINE major requirements and other allied health-required courses may be followed to ensure successful completion in applying to allied health programs post-graduation from Occidental. KINE required courses are bolded below, but other courses are for allied health only and not required to be a Kinesiology major.
| Fall | Spring |
Year 1 | | |
Year 2 | | - KINE 301
- Calculus 2
- BIO 115 or 130
- Core Requirement
|
Year 3 | | |
Year 4 | - KINE 310
- KINE Elective
- KINE Elective
- General Elective
| - KINE 490 (Senior Seminar)
- KINE Elective
- Statistics (MATH, BIO, or PSYC)
- General Elective
|
All students interested in Allied Health are encouraged to meet with the Office of Pre-Health Advising early in their time at Occidental.
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 taken for core should satisfy two core requirements in order to complete all core requirements by the end of the junior year.
Kinesiology Transfer Student Advice
Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: Students may transfer in no more than half of the required units for the Kinesiology major. Courses typically in consideration for transfer are KINE 104, KINE 210, KINE 300 or KINE 301, KINE 304, and PSYC 101 pending approval from the Kinesiology transfer adviser.
Designated Transfer Adviser
Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Kinesiology AND pursuing graduate programs in Allied Health:
General advice for transfer students wanting to major Kinesiology:
-
Senior Seminar, KINE 490, must be taken at Occidental
-
Fundamental coursework taken outside of Occidental must be the equivalent of Kinesiology courses and must include lab coursework if the equivalent course at Occidental has a lab as a core part of the course
-
Every transfer student should meet with the transfer adviser of the Kinesiology department to determine which courses they should enroll in during their first semester
What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?
Courses
Kinesiology Courses
Faculty
Tenure and Tenure Track Faculty
Kirk Bentzen, chair; designated transfer adviser
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.A., Occidental College; M.P.T., University of Southern California; M.B.A. La Sierra University; D.P.T. University of Southern California; Ph.D. University of the Cumberlands
Stuart Rugg
Professor
B.S., University of California, Davis; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Non-Tenure Track Faculty
Christopher G. Berger
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.A., Arizona State University; MS., University of Oregon; Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Julius Fink
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.Sc. University of Bern; M.A. Yokohama National University; Ph.D. Nippon Sport Science University
Jesse T. Fischer
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.A., Occidental College; M.A., University of Houston; Ph.D., University of Houston
Nicholas O’Connell
A.B., Occidental College; D.P.T., University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Other faculty associated with the Kinesiology department can be viewed here.