Kinesiology, Bachelor of Science

Contact Information
Contact Name: 
Sharon Hamilton
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean

Program Information

Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information visit Kinesiology & Sport Studies Department.

University Transfer Program

Two Year University Transfer Program

The RDC Kinesiology and Sport Studies program offers the first 2 years of the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology for transfer to the University of Alberta or the University of Lethbidge.

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

The Program

The B.Sc. major is designed to examine the human performance aspects of Kinesiology. Required courses provide an overview of the discipline, but the primary emphasis is the development, function and changing physical and psychological parameters that accompany physical activity involvement at all levels and throughout the lifespan. The B.Sc. in Kinesiology provides a solid foundation in the study of anatomical, mechanical and physiological characteristics that underlie personal achievement in sport and physical activity.

Career and Employment Opportunities

The program can lead into the following areas of study:

  • adapted physical education
  • athletic therapy
  • fitness and health promotion
  • physical education in schools
  • physical activity leadership
  • tourism and hospitality
  • outdoor education
  • sports administration
  • coaching
  • dance
  • sport sciences
  • physical therapy
  • occupational therapy
Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Visit the Kinesiology and Sports Studies page for admission requirements.

Note: For the University of Alberta, you must present ELA 30-1, Math 30-1, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, and Biology 30 or Phys Ed 30 for admission.

Graduation Requirements: 

Visit the Kinesiology and Sports Studies page for graduation requirements.

Program Content
University of Alberta

Year 1:

  • KNSS 200 Structural Anatomy
  • KNSS 201 Biomechanics
  • KNSS 204 Sociocultural Foundations of PE Leisure and Sport
  • KNSS 240 Adapted Physical Education
  • KNSS 270 Leadership & Instruction in Physical Activity
  • MATH 202 Elementary Calculus (or MATH 203 or MATH 221)
  • ENGL 219 / ENGL 220 Essay Composition and Critical Reading/Literary Analysis
  • CHEM 211 Introductory University Chemistry
  • CHEM 251 Organic Chemistry
Year 1 Course Descriptions

CHEM 211

Stoichiometry; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; acids and bases; buffers; titrations. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30

CHEM 251

An introduction ot the chemistry of carbon compounds. Nomenclature; physical properties; sterochemistry; and reactions of hydro carbons; alcohols; thiols; alkyl halides; ethers and epoxides. Use of organic molecules in industry and biology. Prerequisite: CHEM 30 This course is restricted to pre-pharmacy students or department approval. You will only receive credit for one of Chem 241; Chem 251 and Chem 351

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

KNSS 200

Study of human structure including the systems of the body with emphasis on those involved in human movement. Laboratory work includes the use of various learning tools. Prerequisite: Biology 30 recommended

KNSS 201

Qualitative analysis of human movement; using biomechanical principles.

KNSS 204

The study of the nature; function and role of play; physical education; recreation; leisure and games as a basis for understanding the sociocultural foundations of sport and how contemporary society organizes and transfers attitudes and skills.

KNSS 240

Current trends; theory and practice in adapted physical activity including an overview of possible changes to task; environment and instruction as it relates to individuals with a disability.

KNSS 270

Leadership; communication; instructional skills and development are explored on an individual and group basis and applied to a variety of settings and activities.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations. Matrix algebra. Determinants; vectors; lines and planes; vector spaces; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 or equivalent.

Year 2:

  • PSIO 258 Elementary Physiology I
  • PSIO 259 Elementary Physiology II
  • KNSS 202 Physiology of Exercise
  • KNSS 203 Skill Acquisition and Performance
  • KNSS 209 Measurement and Evaluation (or STAT 241 or STAT 251)
  • KNSS 220 Introduction to Athletic Therapy
  • KNSS 253 Psychological Sport Performance
  • PHYS 205 Introductory General Physics

Two of:

  • KNSS 205 History of Sport
  • KNSS 260 Introduction to Coaching Theory
  • KNSS 280 Introduction to Outdoor Education*
  • KNSS 299 Directed Studies in Kinesiology and Sport Studies
  • BIOC 301 Introductory Biochemistry
  • BIOC 393 Introduction to Biochemical Molecules
  • Physical Activiy Course - KPAC or KDNS

*Participation in KNSS 280 requires that all students complete and return a participant information package in early August. If you do not receive the participant information package by the end of July, please contact the Kinesiology department at 403-342-3201.

For transfer and course selection specifics, it is strongly recommended that students see an Academic Advisor.

You must complete an after degree program in Education if you wish to become a certified teacher in Alberta. This normally qualifies you to teach in physical education and health areas, plus one or more other subject areas. Selecting proper courses during your program is important for this reason.

Year 2 Course Descriptions

KNSS 202

This course will examine the effects of exercise on the functioning of the human body. The lecture; laboratory experience and supplementary reading are designed to promote an understanding of the physicological responses to acute and chronic exercise. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PSIO 258/259

KNSS 203

Theory of skill aquisition; motor learning; and performace in a variety of sports; physical activities; and recreation.

KNSS 205

Development of the Olympic Sport Movement and the history of sport and leisure in Canada from colonial times to present providing a foundational understanding of the historical development of sport. Topics will include the historical effect and changes in professionalization; gender roles; culture; Olympic games structure and socialization in Canadian sport and leisure. Prerequisite: KNSS 204

KNSS 209

Methods and techniques for evaluating physical activity programs and participants. Applying tests and measurement in a variety of sport community and institutional settings.

KNSS 220

Athletic therapy in theory and practice. Sports medicine; care and prevention of injuries; and safety in athletics and physical education. Prerequisite: KNSS 200

KNSS 253

The course provides an introduction to sport psychology and mental performance with a focus on understanding human behavior in physical activity and sport. This course examines the prespectives of sport psychology in conjunction with personality and social psychology.

KNSS 260

A range of coaching topics; both theoretical and practical. Note: This course meets the standards of N.C.C.P. Part A and part B. Theory.

KNSS 280

Concepts and experiences in outdoor education and leadership are explored through a four day fall camp held during the fourth week of August followed by weekly lectures. (See course notation in the Kinesiology and Sport Studies Program Description of the Academic Calendar)

KNSS 299

Participation in applied practical experience through the completion of a cooperative work experience of 90 to 100 hours plus 45 hours of seminars of 30 weeks or two academic terms. Prerequisite: Consent of Chairperson.

BIOC 301

An introduction to the fundamental principles of biochemistry. Protein structure and function; lipids and the structure of biological membranes; nucleotides and the structure of nucleic acids; bioenergetics and the metabolism of carbohydrates; lipids; and nitrogen; the integration and regularion of cellular metabolism. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 and 251 or 351 Restrictions: Students may only transfer BIOC 301 or BIOC 393 for credit.

BIOC 393

This is essentially the same course as BIOC 301 but has a laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 and 251 or 351 Restrictions: Students may only transfer BIOC 301 or 393 for credit.

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics; vectors; and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Physics 30 or equivalent. Math 30 Pure.

PSIO 258

This course is an introduction to the essentials of human physiology. The main focus of this course is on systemic functions in the human body with emphasis on systems that respond and adapt to exercise stress. The course will focus on the cardiovascular; respiratory; musculoskeletal; nervous and endocine systems. Pre/Corequisite: KNSS 200

PSIO 259

Integrative human physiology focusing on functions of the human body with special emphasis on control and integration of these functions. The responses and adaptations to exercise will be used as a foundation upon which the concepts of control and integration wil be discussed. Some topics from PSIO 258 will be revisited to discuss control and integration of cellular and systemic function Prerequisite: PSIO 258 Note: For Kinesiology students only

STAT 241

Elementary statistics. Probability. Descriptive statistics. Sampling distributions. Testing hypotheses. Correlation and regression. Prerequisite: Math 30

STAT 251

Data collection and presentation; descriptive statistics. Probability distributions; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Point estimation and hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression analysis. Goodness-of- fit and contingency table. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in any of STAT 241; PSYC 309; SOCI 311; or BUS 306.

University of Lethbridge

Year 1:

  • KNSS 200 Structural Anatomy
  • KNSS 210 Fitness and Wellness Theory & Practice
  • KNSS 307 Growth and Development
  • BIOL 217 Introduction to Cellular Biology
  • Six General Learning Electives (ENGL 219 and ENGL 220 recommended)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

KNSS 200

Study of human structure including the systems of the body with emphasis on those involved in human movement. Laboratory work includes the use of various learning tools. Prerequisite: Biology 30 recommended

KNSS 210

Basic concepts of fitness and nutrition and how they apply to individual needs.

KNSS 307

Changes in physical growth and motor development with emphasis on individual differences.

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

Year 2:

  • PSIO 258 Elementary Physiology I
  • PSIO 259 Elementary Physiology II
  • KNSS 201 Biomechanics
  • STAT 251 Introduction to Applied Statistics I
  • PHYS 205 Introductory General Physics

One of:

  • KNSS 204 Introduction to Sociological Foundations of Physical Education, Leisure and Sport
  • KNSS 250 Introduction to the Administration of Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Programs
  • KNSS 253 Psychological Sport Performance

One of:

  • MATH 202 Elementary Calculus I
  • MATH 203 Elementary Calculus
  • MATH 221 Linear Algebra

Two KNSS options

One General Learning Elective

Year 2 Course Descriptions

PSIO 258

This course is an introduction to the essentials of human physiology. The main focus of this course is on systemic functions in the human body with emphasis on systems that respond and adapt to exercise stress. The course will focus on the cardiovascular; respiratory; musculoskeletal; nervous and endocine systems. Pre/Corequisite: KNSS 200

PSIO 259

Integrative human physiology focusing on functions of the human body with special emphasis on control and integration of these functions. The responses and adaptations to exercise will be used as a foundation upon which the concepts of control and integration wil be discussed. Some topics from PSIO 258 will be revisited to discuss control and integration of cellular and systemic function Prerequisite: PSIO 258 Note: For Kinesiology students only

KNSS 201

Qualitative analysis of human movement; using biomechanical principles.

STAT 251

Data collection and presentation; descriptive statistics. Probability distributions; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Point estimation and hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression analysis. Goodness-of- fit and contingency table. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in any of STAT 241; PSYC 309; SOCI 311; or BUS 306.

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics; vectors; and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Physics 30 or equivalent. Math 30 Pure.

KNSS 204

The study of the nature; function and role of play; physical education; recreation; leisure and games as a basis for understanding the sociocultural foundations of sport and how contemporary society organizes and transfers attitudes and skills.

KNSS 250

Basic knowledge and skills needed to administer a sport; physical activity; or recreation program.

KNSS 253

The course provides an introduction to sport psychology and mental performance with a focus on understanding human behavior in physical activity and sport. This course examines the prespectives of sport psychology in conjunction with personality and social psychology.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations. Matrix algebra. Determinants; vectors; lines and planes; vector spaces; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 or equivalent.