Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Kinesiology
Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Human Performance
The Department of Kinesiology offers a course of study that leads to a B.A. degree. As with any degree in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete all applicable general education, writing, diversity and foreign language requirements. Specific degree requirements include 24 units of required core courses within kinesiology and 12 units of required collateral courses within the sciences. Students must also complete 8 units from a restricted list of electives. While restricted to kinesiology, 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.
Human performance is an ideal course of study for students interested in establishing a strong science background and/or pursuing careers in teaching, coaching, sports management, sports law, athletic training, sports communication, sports journalism and many other sports-related professions. Along with the required core and collateral courses, the elective units allow sufficient flexibility to complete course prerequisites for any of the graduate health fields. Academic advisers can provide direction in planning course selections toward specific fields.
| REQUIRED CORE COURSES | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| EXSC 202L | Principles of Nutrition and Exercise | 2 |
| EXSC 203L | Individualized Exercise Prescription | 2 |
| EXSC 250 | Drugs and Ergogenic Aids in Sport and Weight Control | 4 |
| EXSC 301L | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| EXSC 310 | Sociopsychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity | 4 |
| EXSC 400L | Principles of Perceptual-Motor Learning | 4 |
| EXSC 401L | Kinesiology | 4 |
| REQUIRED COLLATERAL COURSES | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology | 4 |
| MATH 108 | Precalculus | 4 |
| PSYC 274L | Statistics I | 4 |
In addition, a minimum of 8 units is required from the list of kinesiology courses that follows. The choices from this list would depend upon the student’s future course of study.
| ELECTIVES | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| EXSC 200L | Nutrition: Macronutrients and Energy Metabolism | 4 |
| EXSC 300L | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| EXSC 350 | Nutrition: Micronutrients and Homeostasis | 4 |
| EXSC 405L | Applied Systems Physiology | 4 |
| EXSC 406L | Exercise and Energy Homeostasis | 4 |
| EXSC 408L | Biomechanics | 4 |
| EXSC 409 | Metabolic Diseases | 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 490x | Directed Research | 1–4 |
| EXSC 491L | Laboratory Experience in Kinesiology | 2 or 4, max 4 |
| EXSC 499 | Special Topics | 2–4 |
Grade Point Average Requirements
Students must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or better (cumulative) for the required core requirements, the 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. 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 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| EXSC 405L | Applied Systems Physiology | 4 |
| EXSC 407aL | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| EXSC 408L | Biomechanics | 4 |
A total of 28 units is required for the minor in kinesiology.