Kinesiology Programs - Bachelor of Science

Students who complete the kinesiology program from ASU School of Nutrition and Health Promotion will receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Kinesiology. It is a discipline emphasizing the study of movement as it relates to physical activity, health and disease prevention, exercise and sport. Using both human and animal models and reflecting research ranging from basic to applied, it draws from an interdisciplinary body of knowledge grounded in the biological, psychological, physical and social sciences. Undergraduate students in the program gain disciplinary knowledge of anatomical, biomechanical, developmental, neural, physiological and psychological mechanisms underlying human development.

Biomechanics: applies the laws of mechanics to the study of human movement, with special focus on kinematics and kinetic determinants of locomotion patterns in walking, running, cycling and swimming. Biomechanics utilizes neuromusculoskeletal modeling and computer simulated locomotion in both clinical and sport applications, and examines the mechanisms underlying repetitive strain injuries.

Exercise Physiology: examines physiologic systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, endocrine and metabolic) under conditions of stress, with a special focus on exercise stress. This discipline also studies the effects of dietary nutrients on resting and exercise metabolism, subcellular systems involved in the provision and regulation of energy transfer during exercise, and the interrelationships of exercise and training with stress, hormones, neurotransmitters and the immune system.

Motor Control: examines how movement is regulated and controlled via the nervous system in normal and pathological populations, especially those with motor deficits attributed to basal ganglia dysfunction. This discipline also examines upper extremity coordination, particularly finger and hand posture, in reaching and prehensile movements.

Motor Development: studies the generation and evolution of human movement across the life span. Motor development investigates cerebral asymmetries and specificity of learning as it applies to children with Down's syndrome.

Exercise and Health Psychology: investigates the relationship between psychological constructs and physical activity as well as the influence of physical activity participation on cognitive function, mental health and other psychobiological states. In addition, this discipline identifies the biological, demographic, psychological and behavioral correlates that predict physical activity involvement.

Plan of Study

• Fall 2011 (PDF)