Kinesiology
The undergraduate major in Kinesiology at Montana State University is a general pre-health professional curriculum that prepares students for health-related graduate programs (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical school, etc.), exercise science graduate programs (e.g., exercise physiology, health promotion, biomechanics), as well as entry-level occupations within the health and wellness industry. Kinesiology majors can choose to focus their course work within one of the following curriculum options: exercise science or health and fitness. Students within the exercise science option intend to pursue a health-related graduate degree to meet their career aspirations, whereas students within the health and fitness option will pursue careers within the health and wellness industry that do not require a graduate degree.
Exercise Science Option
The exercise science option within the Kinesiology major focuses on both clinical and performance-based understandings of human movement. The exercise science option emphasizes a cross-disciplinary understanding of human movement through non-departmental courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, math, and statistics. These courses then serve as the foundation for mechanical (e.g., biomechanics), physiological, and nutritional perspectives within the departmental courses. The exercise science option specifically allows students to customize their junior and senior year course work as needed for later application to health-related graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical physician assistant, sports medicine, exercise science graduate programs (exercise physiology, health promotion, biomechanics), as well as medical school. Additional careers for exercise science students can include those within the health and fitness industry (e.g., those requiring ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist or the NCSA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), corporate wellness programs, exercise rehabilitation programs (cardiac rehabilitation, gait laboratories, sport medicine facilities, older adult programs, etc.), as well as careers in the sport and rehabilitative medicine equipment industries.
Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all required courses as outlined in the major.
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| CHMY 141 - College Chemistry I & CHMY 142 - College Chemistry I Lab | 4 | |
| M 161Q - Survey of Calculus | 4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
WRIT 101W - College Writing I | ||
or University Core | ||
| CHMY 143 - College Chemistry II & CHMY 144 - College Chemistry II Lab | 4 | |
| COMX 111US - Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| NUTR 221CS - Basic Human Nutrition | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
University Core | ||
or WRIT 101W | ||
| Year Total: | 14-15 | 16-17 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| BIOH 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 5 | |
| KIN 210 - Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 | |
| PHSX 205 - College Physics I | 4 | |
| STAT 216Q - Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| BIOH 211 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | |
| KIN 320 - Exercise Physiology | 4 | |
| PHSX 207 - College Physics II | 4 | |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| HDFS 371 - Research Methods in HHD | 3 | |
| KIN 322 - Kinesiology | 4 | |
| STAT 337 - Intermediate Statistics with Introduction to Statistical Computing | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 6 | |
| KIN 325R - Biomechanics | 4 | |
| Kinesiology Directed Electives | 9 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 13 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| KIN 330 - Motor Control and Learning | 4 | |
| NUTR 411 - Nutrition for Sports/Exercise | 4 | |
| Directed Electives | 6 | |
| Directed Electives | 6 | |
| University Core and/or General Electives | 10 | |
| Year Total: | 14 | 16 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
Kinesiology Directed Electives
Choose a minimum of 9 credits* from the list below:
| HMED 440 | Clinical Observation | 2 |
| KIN 335 | Tissue Injury & Adaptation | 3 |
| KIN 370 | Exercise Program for Older Adults | 3 |
| KIN 410 | Adv Strength Training and Cond | 3 |
| KIN 415 | Adv Exercise Test and Prescrip | 4 |
| KIN 435 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 440R | Sport Psychology | 3 |
| KIN 490R | Undergraduate Research | 1-6 |
| KIN 496 | Student Assistant Practicum in Kinesiology | 2 |
| KIN 498 | Internship | 1-6 |
*All KIN 491 courses will count as kinesiology directed electives
Additional Directed Electives
Choose a minimum of 18 credits from the list below:
| BCH 380 & BCH 381 | Biochemistry and Biochemistry Lab | 5 |
| BIOB 160 | Principles of Living Systems | 4 |
| BIOB 260 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 0,5 |
| BIOB 375 | General Genetics | 3 |
| BIOH 320 | Biomedical Genetics | 3 |
| BIOH 411 | Advanced Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOM 250 & BIOM 251 | Microbiology for Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Microbiology for Health Sciences Lab | 4 |
| BIOM 360 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| BIOO 412 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| CHMY 211 | Elements of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHMY 212 | Elements of Organic Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHMY 321 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHMY 322 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHMY 323 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHMY 324 | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHTH 317 | Health Behavior Theories | 3 |
| CHTH 325 | Leadership & Public Policies in Aging | 3 |
| CHTH 405 | Caregiving & Aging Families | 3 |
| CHTH 430 | Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| CHTH 440 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| HADM 445 | Managing Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HDFS 461 | Principles Wellbeing in Aging | 3 |
| HTH 455 | The Ethic of Care | 3 |
| NEUR 309 | Human Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| NEUR 313 | Neurophysiology | 3 |
| NEUR 425 | Sensory Neurophysiology | 3 |
| NUTR 321 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| NUTR 351 | Nutrition and Society | 3 |
| NUTR 421 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 422 | Micronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| PHL 321 | Philosophy & Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| PHL 345 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| PHL 353 | Philosophy and Technology | 3 |
| PSYX 333 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| PSYX 340 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYX 350 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYX 375 | Behavior Modification | 3 |
| PSYX 380 | Memory & Cognition | 3 |
| PSYX 383 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI 380 | Sociology of Health & Medicine | 3 |
Health and Fitness Option
The health and fitness option within the Kinesiology major prepares graduates for careers requiring leadership in organizing, directing, and managing fitness and wellness programs in corporate and commercial settings. The overall goal of the health and fitness option is to develop basic knowledge, comprehension, and appreciation of a) historical and cultural perspectives of human movement, b) social and psychological influences of human movement, and c) physiological and biomechanical correlates of human performance. From this broad knowledge base, the program's inherent flexibility allows students to pursue a variety of areas related to physical activity and sport. This option also prepares students for professional certifications in fitness and conditioning through professional organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all required and approved elective courses as outlined in the major.
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| CHMY 141 - College Chemistry I & CHMY 142 - College Chemistry I Lab | 4 | |
| M 151Q - Precalculus | 4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
WRIT 101W - College Writing I | ||
or University Core | ||
| University Core | 3 | |
| BGEN 204 - Business & Entrepreneurship Fundamentals | 3 | |
| COMX 111US - Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| NUTR 221CS - Basic Human Nutrition | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
University Core | ||
or WRIT 101W | ||
| Year Total: | 17-18 | 15-16 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| BIOH 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 5 | |
| KIN 210 - Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 | |
| PHSX 205 - College Physics I | 4 | |
| University Core | 3 | |
| BIOH 211 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | |
| STAT 216Q - Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 14 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| HDFS 371 - Research Methods in HHD | 3 | |
| KIN 322 - Kinesiology | 4 | |
| Kinesiology Directed Electives | 6 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| KIN 320 - Exercise Physiology | 4 | |
| KIN 370 - Exercise Program for Older Adults | 3 | |
| KIN 325R - Biomechanics | 4 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 14 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| KIN 330 - Motor Control and Learning | 4 | |
| NUTR 411 - Nutrition for Sports/Exercise | 4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Kinesiology Directed Electives | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 4 | |
| University Core and/or General Electives | 7 | |
| Year Total: | 14 | 14 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
Kinesiology Directed Electives
Choose a minimum of 9 credits* from the list below:
| KIN 335 | Tissue Injury and Adaptation | 3 |
| KIN 415 | Adv Exercise Test and Prescrip | 4 |
| KIN 435 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 440R | Sport Psychology | 3 |
| KIN 490R | Undergraduate Research | 1-6 |
| KIN 498 | Internship | 1-6 |
*All KIN 491 courses will count as kinesiology directed electives.
Additional Directed Electives
Choose a minimum of 8 credits from the list below:
| BCH 380 & BCH 381 | Biochemistry and Biochemistry Lab | 5 |
| BGEN 210 | Accounting and Finance Basics | 3 |
| BIOB 160 | Principles of Living Systems | 4 |
| BIOB 260 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| BIOB 375 | General Genetics | 3 |
| BIOB 425 | Adv Cell & Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOH 320 | Biomedical Genetics | 3 |
| BIOH 411 | Advanced Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOM 250 | Microbiology for Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| BIOM 251 | Microbiology for Health Sciences Lab | 1 |
| BIOM 360 | General Microbiology | 5 |
| BIOO 412 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| BMGT 410 | Sustainable Business Practices | 3 |
| BMKT 325 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BMKT 337 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| BMKT 446 | Marketing for Entrepreneurs | 3 |
| CHMY 211 | Elements of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHMY 212 | Elements of Organic Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHMY 321 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHMY 322 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHMY 323 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHMY 324 | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHTH 317 | Health Behavior Theories | 3 |
| CHTH 325 | Leadership & Public Policies in Aging | 3 |
| CHTH 405 | Caregiving & Aging Families | 3 |
| CHTH 430 | Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| CHTH 440 | Principles Of Epidemiology | 3 |
| HADM 445 | Managing Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HDFS 461 | Principles Wellbeing in Aging | 3 |
| HTH 455 | The Ethic of Care | 3 |
| NEUR 309 | Human Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| NEUR 313 | Neurophysiology | 3 |
| NUTR 321 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| NUTR 351 | Nutrition and Society | 3 |
| NUTR 421 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 422 | Micronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| PHL 321 | Philosophy & Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| PHL 345 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| PHL 353 | Philosophy and Technology | 3 |
| PSYX 333 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| PSYX 340 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYX 350 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYX 375 | Behavior Modification | 3 |
| PSYX 380 | Memory & Cognition | 3 |
| PSYX 383 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| SFBS 429 | Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Food and Health | 3 |
| SOCI 380 | Sociology of Health & Medicine | 3 |