Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Kinesiology
Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Human Performance
The B.A. in Human Performance offers a degree objective for students pursuing careers in applied kinesiology, coaching, sports management, athletic training and other sport-related professions. While this degree provides a rich scientific foundation in exercise physiology, anatomy, biomechanics and nutrition, undergraduates pursuing a B.A. in Human Performance will concentrate their studies on the practical application of these disciplines within their personal field of interest.
The specific degree requirements include 24 units of required core courses within human biology and 12 units of required collateral course work within the sciences. Students must also complete 8 units from a list of restricted electives to human biology ranging from injury prevention to exercise and metabolic diseases. These electives allow students to tailor the degree to their individual needs. Along with the required core and collateral courses, the elective units allow sufficient flexibility to complete course prerequisites for any of the graduate health-related fields. In addition to specific course work, human performance students have several opportunities to acquire practical experience (athletic training, exercise prescription, etc.) and/or participate in the ongoing research efforts of the human biology faculty.
Additionally, this degree can easily be integrated with other disciplines of study within the university. For example, a student interested in sports management could combine the B.A. in Human Performance with a minor in business. Similarly, a student interested in becoming a sports journalist could double major in human biology and journalism. Academic advisers can provide direction in planning course selections toward specific fields. See the Website for details or email Laura Ames at ames@usc.edu.
| REQUIRED CORE COURSES (24 units) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| HBIO 202L* | Principles of Nutrition and Exercise | 2 |
| HBIO 203L* | Individualized Exercise Prescription | 2 |
| HBIO 250 | Drugs and Ergogenic Aids in Sport and Weight Control | 4 |
| HBIO 301L* | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| HBIO 310* | Sociopsychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity | 4 |
| HBIO 400L* | Motor Control and Learning | 4 |
| HBIO 401L* | Physiology and Biomechanics of Movement | 4 |
| REQUIRED COLLATERAL COURSES (12 units) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology | 4 |
| MATH 108 | Precalculus | 4 |
| MATH 114x | Foundations of Statistics | 4 |
| REQUIRED ELECTIVES (8 units) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| HBIO 302L* | Nutrition and Metabolism | 4 |
| HBIO 320L* | Muscle Physiology | 4 |
| HBIO 350* | Nutrition and Homeostasis | 4 |
| HBIO 420L* | Applied Systems Physiology | 4 |
| HBIO 407L* | Endocrinology and Metabolism | 4 |
| HBIO 408L* | Biomechanics | 4 |
| HBIO 409* | Metabolic Diseases | 4 |
| HBIO 439L* | Human Performance and Bioenergetics | 2 or 4 |
| HBIO 441L* | Prevention of Athletic Injuries | 4 |
| HBIO 442L* | Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries | 4 |
| HBIO 491L* | Laboratory Experience in Kinesiology | 2 or 4 |
| HBIO 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| HBIO 202L | Principles of Nutrition and Exercise | 2 |
| HBIO 203L | Individualized Exercise Prescription | 2 |
| MATH 108* | Precalculus (or equivalent) | 4 |
| PHYS 135aL | Physics for the Life Sciences | 4 |
| Required courses, Upper-division | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HBIO 320L | Muscle Physiology | 4 |
| HBIO 301L | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| HBIO 408L | Biomechanics | 4 |
| HBIO 420L | Applied Systems Physiology | 4 |
A total of 28 units is required for the minor in kinesiology.