Catalogue 2007-08

• USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
• Kinesiology
  • Undergraduate Degree
  • Graduate Degrees
  • Courses of Instruction

Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

The Department of Kinesiology offers a course of study that leads to a B.S. degree. As with any degree in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete all applicable general education, writing, diversity and language requirements. Specific degree requirements include 34 units of required core courses within kinesiology and 24 units of required collateral courses within the sciences. Students must also complete 16 units from a restricted list of electives. While restricted to the sciences, the electives allow students to tailor the degree to their individual needs. In addition to specific course work, students have several options for acquiring practical experience and/or participating in ongoing research efforts of the faculty.

Pre-health: Kinesiology is an ideal course of study for students wishing to enter the health professions, e.g., physical therapy, medicine, dentistry and occupational therapy. Along with the required core and collateral courses, the elective units allow sufficient flexibility to complete course prerequisites for any of the health fields. Our academic advisor can provide direction in planning course selections toward specific fields. In addition to the post-graduate health fields, students interested in the general area of corporate fitness-wellness will find kinesiology an ideal major.

Required core courses		Units
EXSC 200L	Nutrition: Macronutrients and Energy Metabolism	4
EXSC 203L	Individualized Exercise Prescription	2
EXSC 300L	Physiology of Exercise	4
EXSC 301L	Functional Anatomy	4
EXSC 310	Sociopsychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity	4
EXSC 400L	Principles of PerceptualMotor Learning	4
EXSC 407abL	Advanced Exercise Physiology	4-4
EXSC 408L	Introduction to Biomechanics	4

Required collateral courses		Units
BISC 120L	General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution	4
BISC 220L	General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology	4
CHEM 105aLbL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbL	Advanced General Chemistry	4-4
MATH 108	Precalculus	4
PHYS 135aL	Physics for the Life Sciences	4

In addition, a minimum of 16 units is required from the list of science courses that follows. The choices from this list would depend upon the student's future course of study.

Electives		Units
BISC 212Lx	Human Anatomy	4

BISC 307L	General Physiology	4
BISC 320L	Molecular Biology	4
BISC 330L	Biochemistry	4
BISC 421	Neurobiology	4
CHEM 322abL	Organic Chemistry	4-4
EXSC 250	Drugs and Ergogenic Aids in Sport and Weight Control	4
EXSC 350L	Nutrition: Micronutrients and Homeostasis	4
EXSC 439L	Human Performance and Bioenergetics	2 or 4
EXSC 441L	Prevention of Athletic Injuries	4
EXSC 442L	Advanced Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries	4
EXSC 491L	Laboratory Experience in Exercise Science	2
GERO 310	Physiology of Aging	4
GERO 437	Social and Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying	2 or 4
ITP 101x	Introduction to Information Technology	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
PHYS 135bL	Physics for the Life Sciences	4
PSYC 274	Statistics I	4

Grade Point Average Requirements

Students must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or better (cumulative) for the 30 units of required core requirements, the 24 units of required collateral courses, and the 16 units of required electives. In addition, a minimum grade of C- (1.7) will be allowed for each of the courses in the required core courses (30 units). This requirement will be effective for incoming students (freshmen or transfers) as well as for graduation from USC.

Minor in Kinesiology

For students who would like to obtain basic knowledge of kinesiology but are majoring in another area, a minor in this field is offered. The minor may be ideal for someone pursuing a career in the management area of health and corporate fitness.

A minor in a health-related science may also be desirable for those in engineering or the physical sciences. Students pursuing a teaching or coaching career at the secondary school level may also benefit from knowledge in this area.

Required courses, Lower division		Units
EXSC 202L	Principles of Nutrition and Exercise	2
EXSC 203L	Individualized Exercise Prescription	2
MATH 108*	Precalculus (or equivalent)	4
PHYS 135aL	Physics for the Life Sciences	4

Required courses, Upper division		Units
EXSC 300L	Physiology of Exercise	4
EXSC 301L	Functional Anatomy	4
EXSC 407aL	Advanced Exercise Physiology	4
EXSC 408L	Introduction to Biomechanics	4

A total of 28 units is required for the minor in kinesiology.

Send feedback to univpub@usc.edu