Areas of Study : Overview
Cognitive Motor Neuroscience
Exercise Physiology
Pedagogical Studies
Physical Cultural Studies
Degrees and Specializations
The Department of Kinesiology offers research training in areas consistent with faculty expertise. Graduate work leading to the Master of Arts (MA) degree and Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees is offered in the following areas:
- Cognitive Motor Neuroscience
Cognitive Motor Neuroscience focuses on neural and higher-level mechanisms underlying the selection, planning, learning, initiation, and execution of movement. A concentration in psychophysiology is available, focusing on the cognitive state of skilled athletic performance and exercise/mental health issues of the aging brain. Using an interdisciplinary approach, these processes are studied from infancy to the end of the lifespan. Graduate study emphasizes developing the research skills and knowledges to conduct research on human cognitive motor neuroscience, including but not limited to:
Motor control, motor development, biomechanics, computational motor neuroscience, sport psychology, exercise psychophysiology
Interdisciplinary programs such as the Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences (at College Park) and the Physical Rehabilitative Sciences (at Baltimore) are also available for students in the area.
Course Offerings in CMN:
KNES 462 Neural Basis of Human Movement KNES 603 Advanced Motor Development KNES 650 Psychobiological Foundations of Skilled Motor Behavior KNES 689C Movement Disorders KNES 689D Physiological Signal Processing: Digital Principles KNES 689G Visuomotor Coordination Across the Lifespan KNES 689I Motor Control Theory I KNES 689J Multisensory and Perceptual Influences on Motor Control KNES 689 Exercise and the Aging Brain KNES 689 Kinematics of Human Motion KNES 689 Kinetics of Human Motion KNES 689N Analog Circuits: Measurement & Control KNES 689P Development of Posture and Locomotion KNES 689R Quantitative Methods in Cognitive Motor Behavior KNES 689S Developmental Motor Learning KNES 689U Signal Processing KNES 689Z Current Literature in the Movement Sciences KNES 703 Adv. Seminar: Motor Development KNES 789 Adv. Seminar: Movement Disorders KNES 789 Adv. Seminar: Motor Planning KNES 789 Adv. Seminar: Cognitive Basis of Skilled Motor Behavior KNES 789C Adv. Seminar: Computational Motor Neuroscience KNES 789T Adv. Seminar: Motor Control Theory II KNES 789W Adv. Seminar: Dynamical Systems Approach to Motor Behavior
- Exercise Physiology
Exercise Physiology involves the study of muscular, cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory functions in response to physical activity and training. Our faculty focuse on:
Exercise and genomics, cardiovascular physiology, hypertension and exercise, exercise epidemiology, muscular physiology and molecular biology of exercise.
In our program, emphasis is placed on the health-related consequences of the acute effects of exercise and the long-term adaptations resulting from training. Students will develop competencies in various supporting aspects of applied physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and genetics.
Course offerings in ExPhys:
KNES 360 Physiology of Exercise KNES 461 Exercise and Body Composition KNES 464 Exercise Metabolism: Role in Health and Disease KNES 466 Graded Exercise Testing KNES 467 Genetics of Physical Activity and Sport KNES 609 Research Issues in Kinesiology: Current Literature in Kinesiogenomics KNES 689J Principles & Methods of Physical Activity Interventions KNES 689T Epidemiology of Physical Activity KNES 691 Muscular Aspects of Exercise Physiology KNES 692 Cardiovascular Aspects of Exercise Physiology KNES 694 Metabolic Aspects of Exercise Physiology KNES 695 Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology KNES 696 Genetics Aspects of Health and Fitness KNES 789M Adv. Seminar: Exercise and Aging KNES 789X Adv. Seminar:Professional Skills
- Pedagogical Studies
The Pedagogical Studies area emphasizes a rich blend of curricular and instructional theory and practice that prepares students for a variety of careers in professional and higher education. Graduate students are mentored to think broadly and creatively about the learning process and can conduct research using a variety of methods to examine program quality. At the completion of the Ph.D. students are well-versed in philosophical, psychological, and sociological theories underpinning curricular and instructional decisions and can apply this knowledge to design, implement, and evaluate effective educational programs for diverse students in both urban and rural settings. Knowledge includes background and experience in planning and teaching which can include public school teaching or experiences in other educational settings.
The NIH National Center for Research Resources has funded a 3yr. study to design, implement, and evaluate an elementary Science Based Physical Education (SBPE) curriculum for urban school children. The grant, totaling ~$1 million, will fund Curriculum Writing, extensive staff development for physical education teachers, the development of innovative instructional technology, and extensive data collection and analysis to examine the effectiveness of this program to enhance student learning in science and physical education.
Course Offerings in PedS:
KNES 480* Tests and Measurements KNES 491* Curriculum Development in Physical Education KNES 612 Qualitative Research KNES 641 Analysis of Teaching Behavior KNES 644 Curriculum Development KNES 646 Curriculum Design for Adolescents KNES 647 Cultural Perspective in Curriculum Design KNES 689E Research on Teaching KNES 689F Professional Teaching Standards in Physical Education KNES 689L Achievement Motivation in Physical Activity KNES 689T Seminar in Teacher Education KNES 689V Curriculum Design for Fitness and Wellness Programs KNES 689W Teaching Kinesiology in Higher Education KNES 789O Adv. Seminar: in Curriculum and Instruction (Topics have included: Postmodern Perspectives, Constructivist Theory, Student Engagement, and Cognitive Conceptions and Misconceptions) * can be taken by both undergraduate and graduate students
Physical Education Teacher Certification: Physical Education Teacher Certification is available only at the undergraduate level. Please email Mr. Josh Montfort, Physical Education Program Coordinator, for more information about opportunities available in this program.
- Physical Cultural Studies
Physical culture, cultural kinesiology, sport marketing, sport sociology
Sport Management addresses concepts and skills appropriate to effective management and leadership of sport organizations. Major areas of emphasis are Management, Marketing, and Media. Course work in the Department provides the student with a grounding in sport studies, management fundamentals, and organization development. Students are encouraged to utilize supporting course work opportunities in Business and Management, Education Policy Planning and Administration, Public Affairs, and elsewhere in the University to tailor their program to career goals and interests.
Sport Psychology focuses on the study of the psychological factors which affect sport and physical activity. Students specializing in sport psychology have the opportunity to take departmental courses covering topics such as psychology of exercise and health, social psychology of sports, and psychology of superior performance. Applicants for the program should have had undergraduate training in sport and physical education, as well as educational experiences in psychology or a related area.
Sociology of Sport is the application of the social science mode of inquiry to the study of sociocultural (political, economic, media, etc.) characteristics of sport inasmuch as these characteristics of sport may both reflect and have impact upon social climate. This requires a student to have an understanding of both sociology and sport. To supplement course work in kiiiesiology, students are encouraged to develop a strong background in social theory, social research methodology and one or more content areas of sociological interest.
Course Offerings in PCS:
KNES 486 Politics and Economics of Organized Contemporary Sport KNES 498J The Management of Sports Organizations KNES 498L Sport Marketing and Media KNES 630 Sociology of Sport in Contemporary Perspective KNES 689A Foundations of Sport Management KNES 689M Issues in Sport Law KNES 6890 Psychology of Exercise and Health KNES 689R Sport and Mass Media KNES 689T Current Literature in Sport Studies KNES 689X Psychology of Leisure and Sport KNES 789Q Sports Marketing Supporting courses are also offered in research methods, experimental design, statistics, and computer data acquisition and processing. The graduate student may pursue specialized interests through appropriate independent research or projects.
