Kinesiology Major
The Kinesiology major at the University of Mary Washington prepares students to understand human movement and the science behind physical activity while building strong foundations for careers and graduate study in health-related fields. This interdisciplinary program combines coursework in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and exercise science with practical experiences that equip students to pursue professional pathways in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports medicine, athletic training, and exercise physiology. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and leave the program well-prepared for both the workforce and advanced study in exercise sciences, medical professions, and rehabilitation sciences.
For complete description of all courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, please see UMW Course Catalog, Biology
Requirements for the Kinesiology Major
Forty (40) credits in the Department of Biological Sciences. These must include the following courses:
| Course number | Title | Credits | Frequency of offering* | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 126 or 132 | Phage Hunters II or Organism Function and Diversity | 4 | Spring | BIOL 121 or 125 |
| BIOL 260 | Biostatistics and Research Design | 4 | Fall, Spring | BIOL 126 or 132 |
| BIOL 340 | Cellular Biology | 4 | Fall | BIOL 126 or 132, CHEM 112 |
| BIOL 384 | Human Anatomy | 4 | Fall, Summer | BIOL 126 or 132 |
| BIOL 414 | Exercise Physiology | 3 | Fall | BIOL 340 |
| BIOL 471 | Biomechanics | 4 | Spring | PHYS 102 or 106, BIOL 384, BIOL 414 |
* Prevailing course availability. Exceptions may occur. Students should consult their academic advisors when developing their degree completion plans.
PLUS – One major elective course designated Research Intensive (RI)
BIOL 260 is a prerequisite for all ‘RI’ courses. Other prerequisites are listed below.
| Research Intensive Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 419 | Neuroethology | 4 | BIOL 340 |
| BIOL 431 | Research in RNA Technology | 4 | BIOL 341 |
| BIOL 472 | Research-Intensive Topics in Biology | 4 | varies with topic |
| BIOL 481 & BIOL 491 | Research Design and Proposal Development in Biology & Special Problems in Biology | BIOL 481 – 1 BIOL 491 – up to 6 | varies with topic |
All students must have one additional upper-level major elective course with a laboratory component and one applied biology elective course (see internships below).
Total biology major credits must equal 40 total credits.
BIOL 121, 132, or BIOL 125, 126, and CHEM 111, 112 are prerequisites for the biology major’s core curriculum and should be taken in the student’s first year.
The core courses of BIOL 260 and 340 are also prerequisites for various upper-level courses and should be completed during the second year.
All graduating students must participate in the assessment of the major.
Students must earn a C- or better in most BIOL required courses that serve as prerequisites for other BIOL courses. Students must also earn a C- or better in the core courses (BIOL 260 and 340) to graduate with a degree in Biology. See also the Department of Chemistry’s minimum grade requirements for CHEM 111, 112.
Undergraduate Research in the Kinesiology Major
As part of the Kinesiology Major, outstanding students have the opportunity to participate in individual undergraduate research projects. Working with a faculty mentor, each student explores the literature, defines an original research problem, and utilizes the appropriate research and analytical techniques to investigate the problem. On many occasions this work results in presentations at state, regional, and national scientific meetings.
Research students who meet minimum requirements (3.0 overall GPA and a 3.25 average in biology) may pursue Honors in Biology by writing and defending a thesis on their research project. Students can also gain focused research experience via participation in the UMW Summer Science Institute. Financial support for student research is available. Additionally, biology faculty offer research opportunities through the university’s undergraduate research (URES 197 Undergraduate Research) program.
Internships/Applied Biology
Kinesiology majors will gain career experience and define career goals through the University’s internship program (BIOL 499). Students can complete internships with professionals in their field of interest, and earn up to 2 credits in the major (1 credit = 42 hours of work with their professional mentor). Students must seek an opportunity, select a faculty advisor, and complete a learning contract through the Handshake App. Students can use BIOL 499 to fulfill either the After Mary Washington or Beyond the Classroom general education requirements. Alternatively, kinesiology majors can take PHYD 499K or 230 to fulfill this degree requirement.